The European Union’s action against TikTok marks a significant escalation in the debate over how social media companies use artificial intelligence to influence user behaviour. The central issue is no longer simply whether platforms remove illegal content or protect children from inappropriate material. Regulators are increasingly examining how the underlying technology determines what people see,…
The expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure in the United States is encountering a problem that cannot be solved simply by investing more money or building larger data centres. Technology companies are discovering that communities hosting these facilities increasingly want a greater say in how they are developed, how much electricity they consume and who ultimately…
Elon Musk’s growing business empire in Texas could face a more complicated regulatory and political environment following the Democratic Party’s gains in the November midterm elections. The defeat of Republican Governor Greg Abbott by Democrat Gina Hinojosa, alongside the Democrats’ capture of both chambers of Congress, has created fresh uncertainty for companies whose expansion plans…
The sharp rise in American government bond yields has renewed debate over whether borrowing costs are returning to historically normal levels or signalling a more difficult financial environment. The chief executive of Bank of New York Mellon has argued that a 10-year Treasury yield around 5.25% is not unprecedented, suggesting that investors may have become…
India’s negotiations with the United States have reached a critical stage, with New Delhi indicating that the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement is close to completion while insisting that the final arrangement must give Indian exporters a competitive advantage over rival suppliers. The position highlights a central feature of India’s trade strategy: securing…
Brazil’s presidential runoff presents a consequential choice about the country’s economic relationship with the United States, particularly over tariffs, critical minerals and industrial development. The contest between incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro has placed competing approaches to international cooperation under scrutiny at a time when Washington is seeking more…
Denmark’s consideration of IKEA stores as potential emergency shelters illustrates how European governments are rethinking the role of civilian infrastructure in national preparedness. As concerns grow about cyberattacks, disruptions to essential services, severe weather and other emergencies, authorities are exploring whether commercial facilities can support public safety when conventional emergency infrastructure comes under pressure. The…
Spain’s expanding engagement with China is revealing a broader disagreement inside Europe over how member states should balance economic interests with strategic concerns. The relationship has become more visible through diplomatic exchanges, cultural cooperation and economic engagement, but it has also generated unease among European partners concerned that individual national strategies could weaken a coordinated…
The latest United States-China trade arrangement is less a settlement than an attempt to create enough economic breathing space for negotiations to continue. Washington and Beijing have agreed to identify roughly $60 billion of bilateral trade for more favourable tariff treatment, while also extending their broader trade truce. The immediate effect is to lower some…
The latest meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping demonstrated the value of direct engagement between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies, but it also exposed the limits of summit diplomacy. The visit produced a warmer atmosphere, an extension of the trade truce and several commitments to continue discussions, yet the most difficult…
