The European Union has directed Meta to change the ‘addictive design’ of Facebook and Instagram, warning that failure to comply could result in substantial fines. The preliminary assessment, released on Friday from Brussels, accuses Meta of failing to reduce risks for children and vulnerable adults by maintaining features that keep users engaged for long periods, such as infinite scroll, personalized feeds, and autoplay videos.

EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen stated that protecting Europeans’ physical and mental health should be a priority for social media platforms. The European Commission said Meta must modify its design to disable autoplay and infinite scroll by default, introduce effective screen time breaks, and make recommendation algorithms less engagement-driven. Meta disagreed with the findings but said it would work constructively with the EU.

If the preliminary decision becomes final, the EU could fine Meta up to six percent of its global annual revenue. The move follows growing EU pressure on major tech firms to strengthen online safety for minors, similar to earlier warnings issued to TikTok.

The European Union’s top court has upheld a €4.1 billion antitrust fine against Google, rejecting the company’s appeal in a long-running legal battle. The ruling, delivered on Thursday, confirmed that Google and its parent company Alphabet misused their dominant position in the Android operating system to promote Google Search unfairly. The decision marks a significant setback for the U.S. technology giant after years of litigation.

The case originated in 2018 when the European Commission accused Google of anti-competitive behavior by requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and Chrome through licensing and pre-installation agreements. The Commission initially imposed a €4.34 billion fine, later reduced by a lower court to €4.125 billion while maintaining the core finding of abuse of dominance.

In its final judgment, the EU Court of Justice stated that the lower court had not misinterpreted the law. It found that Google’s pre-installation and anti-fragmentation agreements restricted competition and hindered new market entrants. The court also dismissed Google’s argument that its market position resulted solely from user preference or product quality.

The European Parliament is scheduled to give final approval on Wednesday to a stricter migration law that will expand authorities’ powers to detain and deport irregular migrants. The legislation also allows the establishment of deportation centers outside the European Union. The vote in Strasbourg marks one of the final steps in a lengthy legislative process aimed at tightening migration control amid rising political pressure across member states.

EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner said the law clarifies that the EU, not smugglers, will decide who can stay or must leave. The law has faced criticism from human rights groups for provisions enabling the creation of ‘return hubs’ outside the EU, where people without legal residence rights could be sent. Several countries, including Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany, and the Netherlands, have shown interest in hosting such centers, while France and Spain have opposed the plan.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that the first agreements for these centers are expected by 2026, with operations starting in 2027. The EU’s focus has shifted toward improving repatriation systems, as only about 30 percent of those ordered to leave have returned home.

The European Parliament is preparing to give final approval to a tariff agreement with the United States, marking a potential end to a turbulent phase in transatlantic trade relations. The vote, expected on Tuesday, follows last year’s July accord that set a 15 percent tariff on most EU goods while eliminating tariffs on U.S. exports to the bloc.

Implementation of the deal had been delayed due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s dissatisfaction, tensions over Greenland, and a Supreme Court ruling that canceled several tariffs. All EU member states have already endorsed the agreement, leaving parliamentary approval as the final political step. The deal’s supporters include the European People’s Party and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Once approved, only administrative steps will remain before publication in the EU’s official gazette. The agreement includes safeguards limiting its duration to the end of 2029 and allowing suspension if the U.S. fails to meet commitments or disrupts trade and investment.

Tunisia’s Football Association (FTF) has dismissed head coach Sabri Lamouchi following the team’s 5-1 loss to Sweden in their opening match of the World Cup. The decision was made in an emergency meeting the day after the defeat, marking the first coaching dismissal of the current tournament. Tunisia had entered the World Cup with a strong defensive record, having qualified without conceding a goal, but their backline faltered dramatically on the main stage.

Before the Sweden match, Tunisia had suffered a 5-0 defeat to Belgium in a friendly, bringing their total to ten goals conceded in just two games. Lamouchi, who replaced Sami Trabelsi after the team’s exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, oversaw only five matches in charge. His tenure began with a 1-0 win over Haiti, followed by a goalless draw with Canada, and three consecutive losses to Austria, Belgium, and Sweden.

Ahead of their second group-stage match against Japan on Saturday, the FTF has appointed a new coach to boost player morale. The upcoming match will determine Tunisia’s World Cup fate under new leadership.

The European Union’s new Asylum and Migration Pact officially took effect across all member states on June 12, 2026, following prolonged discussions and debates. The reform aims to manage irregular migrant inflows like those seen in 2015, strengthen control at the EU’s external borders, and establish a fair solidarity mechanism for sharing responsibilities among member countries.

Under the new system, anyone arriving at EU borders without a valid visa or residence permit will not be allowed direct entry. Their identity, security, and health will be screened within seven days. Applicants will then be divided into two tracks: a fast-track border process for those with low chances of asylum or security risks, and a regular asylum process for those with stronger claims, which can take up to 20 months. The concept of “safe third countries” has been expanded, allowing transfers even without prior links.

The pact also extends biometric data collection to children aged six and above and enforces stricter rules to prevent secondary movement between EU states. A return order issued by one member state will now apply across the entire EU.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reportedly compared Israel’s treatment of Palestinians to South Africa’s former apartheid regime during a private discussion, according to a report by Euractiv cited by Middle East Eye. The remarks were said to have been made between May 20 and 22 during her visit to Mexico as part of a high-level EU delegation. The report noted that her private comments contrasted with her public stance on the issue.

Officials and diplomats present at the meeting said Kallas referred to her previous visit to South Africa and her experience at the Apartheid Museum. She drew parallels between Israel’s control over Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank and the racial segregation system that existed in South Africa from 1948 until the early 1990s.

The report added that such comparisons are not new, as the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, and several human rights organizations, researchers, and legal experts have previously described Israel’s dominance over Palestinians as a form of apartheid. Ireland and Spain have also made similar statements in the past regarding Israel’s actions in the occupied territories.

The European Union has begun implementing its new European Migration and Asylum Pact from last Friday, introducing uniform rules for all 27 member states to manage irregular migration and asylum seekers. The European Commission urged countries to update laws, train officials, and strengthen border infrastructure, though it acknowledged that none are fully prepared. Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner called the pact a milestone, marking the start of a new phase in EU migration policy.

Under the new system, all foreign nationals entering the EU will undergo screening of up to seven days at the border. Applications from those deemed security threats or from countries listed as safe will be processed within three months, and rejected applicants will have only one chance to appeal. The pact also aims to expedite deportations, with rejected asylum seekers to be returned to countries considered safe, such as Syria and Bangladesh. Member states are also working on establishing return hubs in third countries.

Human rights groups have voiced concern that the new rules could undermine asylum rights and increase hardship for vulnerable people seeking protection in Europe.

The European Union has imposed sanctions on a unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and two Iranian citizens, accusing them of obstructing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The EU stated that the decision was taken because commercial shipping in this vital waterway, through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, has been threatened.

According to the EU, this is the first time it has used new powers to sanction Iran over restrictions on maritime freedom. The sanctions list includes the IRGC Navy’s Hormozgan provincial command, as well as two individuals—Mohammad Akbarzadeh, identified as the IRGC Navy’s deputy commander for political affairs, and Hamid Hosseini, a representative of Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union.

The EU’s move underscores growing concern over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global trade route, though further details on the sanctions’ scope or enforcement were not disclosed.

European Union politicians have pledged to intensify deportations of undocumented migrants under a new, stricter immigration law. The legislation, described as controversial, allows police to enter homes, workplaces, schools, and health centers without judicial authorization to detain suspected undocumented migrants. Detention periods for those defying deportation orders will increase from 18 to 24 months, extendable to 30 months, and benefits may be suspended for those refusing to comply. The regulation also permits the creation of offshore return hubs to hold undocumented individuals outside the EU before repatriation. Those deemed security risks could face lifetime entry bans, replacing the current maximum of ten years.

EU officials have welcomed the law as a major step in managing migration across the bloc. They expect the measures to boost deportations of people denied asylum, overstaying visas, or lacking residence rights.

Human rights organizations have criticized the policy, warning it could fuel fear, racism, and discrimination among migrants and threaten access to essential services such as healthcare and education.

The European Union is considering imposing sanctions on Israeli ministers accused of inciting human rights violations following the attack on the Gaza-bound Global Sumud flotilla. According to a draft prepared ahead of the EU’s June summit, the proposal calls for continued efforts to take strong measures against extremist ministers allegedly involved in such violations. The draft was reported by Italian news agency ANSA on Tuesday.

The document condemns the mistreatment of passengers after the flotilla was intercepted in international waters and urges EU member states to maintain pressure for accountability. Representatives from the EU’s 27 member countries are currently discussing the proposal, which may be revised before the upcoming summit.

The move follows widespread international criticism over the flotilla’s interception. Organizers of the mission have alleged that detainees were subjected to physical and sexual abuse, degrading treatment, and deprivation of basic needs while held in Israeli detention centers.

European Union leaders are increasingly alarmed by their economic dependence on China, with top diplomat Kaja Kallas comparing efforts to reduce reliance to a painful medical treatment. The bloc’s trade deficit with China has reached record levels, driven by a surge in electric vehicle imports. Brussels is debating how to respond to Beijing’s aggressive trade policies, as Chinese officials warn of retaliation against any protective measures.

Analysts and policymakers describe a growing sense of urgency within Europe’s industrial sectors, particularly in Germany, where manufacturers face mounting competition. France, Spain, and several other EU members have urged stronger action to defend strategic industries, while Beijing has denounced proposed EU policies such as the Industrial Accelerator Act as protectionist. China’s recent export restrictions on rare minerals and new regulatory powers over foreign-linked firms have further strained relations.

Upcoming G7 and EU summits are expected to address these tensions, with European officials seeking ways to rebalance trade without triggering a full-scale trade war. However, fears of Chinese retaliation and consumer dependence on low-cost imports complicate the path forward.

Hungary’s parliament has voted to cancel the country’s withdrawal process from the International Criminal Court (ICC), reversing a move initiated last year after the court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Lawmakers approved the decision by a large majority, with 133 votes in favor, 37 against, and five abstentions. The withdrawal was scheduled to take effect next week, pending the signature of President Tamás Sulyok, an ally of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

The reversal fulfills a campaign promise by newly elected Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who came to power in April after ending Orbán’s 16-year rule. Magyar argued that remaining in the ICC serves international peace, security, and human rights. The ICC Assembly of States Parties welcomed Hungary’s decision as an important step. Magyar had earlier indicated that Hungary would act on ICC warrants regardless of the target, even if it involved Netanyahu.

Hungary’s previous government had announced its intent to leave the ICC in 2024, claiming the court had become politicized. The ICC, based in The Hague and supported by 125 member states, prosecutes war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide when national courts are unwilling or unable to do so.

The European Union is preparing to present a plan this summer to ban social media use for minors, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She announced the initiative on Tuesday, citing growing pressure from several member states to strengthen child protection online. The proposal aims to address concerns about the impact of addictive online platforms on children.

Support for stricter regulation has increased in recent months, with France, Spain, Greece, and Denmark leading calls for stronger measures. Von der Leyen made the remarks at the European Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Children in Copenhagen, where she highlighted the rapid pace of technological advancement and its deep influence on childhood and adolescence.

Several EU countries are already moving toward national legislation on this issue. The European Commission has also formed an independent expert panel on online child safety to assess potential measures to combat addiction and social anxiety among minors. Similar restrictions have already been implemented in Australia and Indonesia.

The European Union has agreed to impose long-delayed sanctions on Israeli settlers accused of violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The decision, announced by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, came after months of deadlock that ended following a change of government in Hungary. The sanctions target seven settlers or settler organizations, as well as representatives of the Palestinian armed group Hamas.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the EU is sanctioning key Israeli organizations and leaders supporting extremist and violent settlement activities. The move had been blocked by former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose opposition ended when nationalist leader Péter Magyar took office and withdrew Hungary’s veto. EU ministers also discussed a proposal to ban products from Israeli settlements, though no decision was reached.

Israel condemned the sanctions, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office accusing the EU of moral failure and false equivalence between Israeli citizens and Hamas. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the EU “antisemitic,” while Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the move was politically motivated and baseless.