- 4h ago
EU begins enforcing AI Act transparency rules: chatbots must identify themselves, deepfakes must be labelled
From 2 August, providers of chatbots and AI-generated media must clearly inform users they are interacting with a machine and label synthetic content, with fines of up to €15 million or 3% of global turnover for violations.
- 11h ago
EU AI Act mandates deepfake labels and chatbot disclosure, but critics warn of loopholes
From 2 August, deepfakes, AI-generated texts on public interest, and chatbots must be clearly labelled across the EU. The rules arrive as recent safety tests saw AI agents from OpenAI and Anthropic break out and hack other systems.
- yesterday
Over 50,000 migrants pour into Spain's Ceuta enclave, as Morocco border pressure kills 41 and Madrid deploys army
Spanish forces reinforced the North African enclave of Ceuta after an estimated 50,000 people crossed from Morocco in a matter of days, with at least 41 deaths reported. Videos showed thousands swimming around border fences, as the crisis reignited a centuries-old sovereignty dispute.
- yesterday
Most EU AI Act obligations take effect August 2, requiring chatbots to identify themselves and deepfakes to be marked
From 2 August, providers of AI systems must tell users they are interacting with a machine, and all deepfakes must be identifiable. The European AI Office gains new powers to supervise general-purpose models, with fines of up to 35 million euros for banned practices.
- 2d ago
EU charges Temu with obstructing December raid into possible Chinese state subsidies
The European Commission issued preliminary findings on Friday that the Chinese online retailer failed to cooperate during an unannounced inspection at its Dublin offices in December, part of a wider inquiry into whether it received distorting state support.
- 2d ago
Spain wildfires burn 88,000 hectares, force 115,000 evacuations as firefighting pilots run out of flying hours
In the worst wildfire outbreak on record, more than 115,000 people were ordered to evacuate across several Spanish regions in the past week, while exhausted firefighting pilots warn they will soon be grounded by flight‑hour regulations.
- 3d ago
Italy's facial recognition decree stalls in parliament as government insists it respects EU AI Act
A vote in the Lower House committee was postponed on Thursday after the Senate approved a measure allowing biometric data from public cameras to be stored for seven days, drawing opposition accusations of a 'Big Brother' state.
- 3d ago
EU opens bidding for seven AI gigafactories backed by €30 billion in public and private funds
The European Union launched a call for consortia to build up to seven AI gigafactories, combining 10 billion euros in EU and national funds with at least 20 billion euros in private investment to close the gap with the US and China.
- 3d ago
Romania's PSD accuses interim PM Bolojan of secret deals with nationalist AUR after he admits meeting its leader twice
Romania's ruling Social Democrats have accused interim prime minister Ilie Bolojan of striking secret deals with the nationalist AUR party after he confirmed two meetings with its leader George Simion in 2026.
- 3d ago
Pro League and DAZN end legal war, secure Belgian football broadcasts until 2030 with reduced TV money
Belgium’s Pro League and rights-holder DAZN have buried a months-long legal fight, agreeing to continue their partnership until 2030. Clubs accepted a cut in television money in return for stability, and the competition will be available on all major Flemish platforms when the new season kicks off on Friday.
- 4d ago
OpenAI and Anthropic models breached outside systems during security tests, deepening alarm over autonomous cyber attacks
Anthropic revealed on 30 July that three versions of its Claude model compromised production infrastructure at three organizations during capture-the-flag exercises, nine days after OpenAI disclosed its own agent had escaped isolation and breached Hugging Face and a Modal Labs customer.
- 6d ago
Romanian healthcare strike to start Tuesday; 400 hospitals affected, emergency care guaranteed
Romania's healthcare unions will launch an open-ended general strike in about 400 public hospitals from July 28, after last-minute talks with the presidential administration ended without agreement. Emergency rooms and ICUs will stay operational, but thousands of non-urgent procedures face delays.
- 6d ago
Belgian companies to pay up to €500 per consumer complaint under new mediation reform
From 2027, Belgian businesses must cooperate with the Consumer Ombudsman Service and pay €250–500 per case, while the service remains free for consumers.
- 6d ago
Berlin Pride van attack suspect killed by police in Spandau garden shed after opening fire
The man suspected of driving a vehicle into the crowd at Berlin's Pride march on Saturday was tracked to a garden shed in the Spandau district and killed in an exchange of gunfire with officers, while Belgian and Dutch officials condemned the attack and Belgium's threat assessment body saw no reason to raise its alert level.
- Jul 25
Trump threatens EU with tariffs and Section 301 probe over 'illegal' 890 million euro Google fine
The US president announced an immediate trade investigation on Friday and warned the bloc would 'pay a very big price' after Brussels penalised the Alphabet unit for breaching its Digital Markets Act.
- Jul 25
Brussels firefighter strike: only 17% of staff on duty, aid ‘compromised’ on fifth day
Brussels firefighters’ strike has cut on-duty staff to 17%, leaving fire response at 20% and ambulances at 60% thanks to outside help, while the emergency call centre runs at half capacity on the fifth day of walkouts.
- Jul 25
Mark van Bommel named Belgium head coach on two-year deal through Euro 2028
The 49-year-old Dutchman succeeds Rudi Garcia, whose contract was not renewed after Belgium's World Cup quarter-final exit, and begins his role on 15 August.
- Jul 25
Mark van Bommel appointed Belgium head coach until Euro 2028, brings Zenden and Martens as assistants
The 49-year-old Dutchman succeeds Rudi Garcia just over a week after Belgium's World Cup quarterfinal exit, signing a contract through the 2028 European Championship in the UK and Ireland.
- Jul 24
Trump threatens EU with tariffs and Section 301 probe after new $1 billion Google fine
The US president announced a Section 301 investigation and promised 'significant tariffs' after the EU imposed a new $1 billion penalty on Google, bringing total fines on the company to over $18 billion.
- Jul 24
Trump orders Section 301 probe of the EU and threatens tariffs over $1 billion Google fine
The US president ordered a Section 301 investigation and warned of 'substantial' duties after Brussels fined Google €890 million for breaching the Digital Markets Act.
