EU slaps Musk's X with 120-mln-euro fines in first DSA non-compliance ruling
BRUSSELS -- The European Commission on Friday imposed fines totaling 120 million euros (139.8 million U.S. dollars) on Elon Musk's social media platform X for breaching transparency obligations in its first non-compliance decision under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
According to the Commission's press release, the penalty stems from three distinct breaches of the DSA, including the deceptive design of X's blue checkmark, lack of transparency in its advertising repository, and the platform's failure to provide researchers with access to public data.
Chinese scientist wins 2025 Glinka World Soil Prize
ROME -- Zhang Ganlin, a researcher at the Institute of Soil Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, received the 2025 Glinka World Soil Prize on Friday at the World Soil Day celebration held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome.
The award committee commended Zhang for his pioneering achievements in soil classification, soil surveys, digital mapping and resource assessment, as well as his contribution to global soil data sharing and sustainable soil management.
U.S. Supreme Court agrees to decide legality of Trump's order to end birthright citizenship
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to decide the legality of President Donald Trump's executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship, which has been treated as settled law for more than a century.
After taking office on Jan. 20, Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to halt recognition of citizenship for children born after Feb. 19, if neither parent is a U.S. citizen nor a permanent resident.
UN chief welcomes signing of peace deal between DR Congo, Rwanda: spokesperson
UNITED NATIONS -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the official signing of a deal for peace and prosperity between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, his spokesperson said Friday.
The UN chief emphasized that the agreement represents a critical step towards restoring trust between the DRC and Rwanda and in advancing efforts for lasting peace in eastern DRC, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.■
