The European Commission dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s accusations that EU digital services legislation unfairly discriminates against American technology firms. The Commission also rejected claims that the rules amount to censorship, underscoring the EU’s sovereign right to regulate its digital economy.

The exchange comes just days after Washington and Brussels announced a joint trade statement, reducing most U.S. tariffs on EU exports to 15%. The deal, however, made little mention of the ongoing disputes over digital services.

On Monday, Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on countries that adopt digital taxes or regulations, arguing such measures were “all designed to harm or discriminate against American technology.” His administration has repeatedly criticized the EU’s flagship regulations: the Digital Markets Act (DMA), designed to limit the dominance of tech giants, and the Digital Services Act (DSA), which compels large online platforms to curb harmful and illegal content.

Commission Defends Its Ground

The European Commission, which drafted both laws, issued a sharp rebuttal. Officials stressed that the legislation applies to all companies operating in the bloc, regardless of origin. “It is the sovereign right of the EU and its member states to regulate economic activities,” a Commission spokesperson said.

To counter Trump’s suggestion of bias, the spokesperson noted that the last three enforcement actions under the DSA were against AliExpress, Temu, and TikTok—all Chinese-owned platforms. Meanwhile, ongoing investigations target X (formerly Twitter) and Meta, two U.S.-based giants.

Censorship Allegations Rejected

The Commission also rejected criticism from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has accused European data laws of amounting to censorship. “These accusations are completely wrong and unfounded,” the spokesperson said.

The DSA does not instruct platforms to remove content directly. Instead, it requires them to enforce their own community standards and terms of service. “When we’re talking about this, more than 99% of content moderation decisions in the EU are taken proactively by platforms themselves, based on their own rules,” the Commission added.

Broader Implications

The clash highlights the tension between Europe’s push for stricter digital governance and U.S. concerns over its impact on American firms dominating the global tech sector. As regulatory clarity grows on both sides of the Atlantic, the debate underscores a central question: who sets the standards for the digital economy?

For now, the EU insists its new framework is not about discrimination—but about accountability, transparency, and creating a safer online space for its 450 million citizens.

India has proposed to double bilateral trade with the European Union and is counting on Germany’s support to advance negotiations, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Wednesday.

Jaishankar met German counterpart Johann Wadephul in New Delhi during a two-day visit. Both ministers called for an increase in trade, including in the areas of defence and security.

“We count on your support to deepen our relationship with the European Union and expedite the FTA negotiation,” Jaishankar told Wadephul, referring to a free trade agreement.

Trade talks between India and the EU resumed in 2021 after an eight-year pause but remain stalled over issues including EU demands for lower import taxes on cars and dairy products and stricter climate and labour standards. India has sought to protect local farmers, avoid rigid environmental rules, and maintain control over legal disputes.

Speaking after the meeting, Jaishankar said India would like the FTA to reach a “decisive conclusion” soon. Wadephul said the deal could be concluded in the coming months.

India’s Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday that negotiations were ongoing in Brussels.

The European Union will continue to import Russian oil and gas until 2028, the bloc’s energy chief told Reuters on Friday. Despite sanctions and efforts to diversify supply, Russian fuel exports remain a major source of revenue for Moscow.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen confirmed that the European Union is negotiating legal proposals to phase out imports of Russian oil and gas by January 1, 2028.

“Not only has Putin weaponised energy against us, blackmailed member states, we are actually also indirectly helping finance Putin’s war, and that needs to stop,” Jorgensen said. He added that support from international partners, including the United States, would align with the EU’s main objective.

Hungary and Slovakia currently import around 200,000 to 250,000 barrels per day of Russian oil, representing about 3% of EU oil demand. Both countries continue to receive Russian crude through the Druzhba pipeline and have opposed the EU’s phase-out plan, citing concerns over higher energy prices.

While oil imports are declining, EU purchases of Russian gas remain significant. Europe is expected to buy approximately 13% of its gas from Russia this year, down from about 45% before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to EU data.

Jorgensen said he was in discussions with Hungary and Slovakia regarding their objections but noted that the EU could approve the phase-out plan without unanimity. He did not confirm whether Brussels would provide financial support or legal guarantees to secure their agreement.

“If, for domestic reasons, there are countries that don’t feel that they can support it, then this is not something that demands unanimity,” he said.

Jorgensen will meet U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Brussels next week to discuss the EU’s commitment to purchase $250 billion worth of U.S. energy supplies annually under the U.S.-EU trade deal.

China has entered the top 10 of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Global Innovation Index (GII) for the first time, replacing Germany. The 2025 ranking places Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore at the top, followed by the United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, and China.

The GII evaluates nearly 140 economies using around 80 indicators, including research and development (R&D) spending, venture capital (VC) activity, high-tech exports, and intellectual property filings. It is regarded as a benchmark for policymakers and business leaders to measure and strengthen innovation performance.

Now in its 18th edition, the GII highlights continued progress among middle-income economies, led by China (10th), India (38th), Türkiye (43rd), Viet Nam (44th), the Philippines (50th), Indonesia (55th), and Morocco (57th). Other fast climbers since 2020 include Saudi Arabia (46th), Qatar (48th), Brazil (52nd), Mauritius (53rd), Bahrain (62nd), and Jordan (65th).

Global rankings – top 10, 2025

1. Switzerland
2. Sweden
3. United States of America
4. Republic of Korea
5. Singapore
6. United Kingdom
7. Finland
8. Netherlands
9. Denmark
10. China

Germany, which ranked 9th in 2024, dropped to 11th this year.

Key findings from GII 2025

• R&D growth slowed: Global R&D spending increased by 2.9% in 2024, down from 4.4% in 2023, marking the slowest growth since 2010. WIPO projects further slowdown to 2.3% in 2025.
• Corporate R&D spending rose only 1% in real terms, compared to a decade-long average of 4.6%. ICT, AI, software, and pharmaceutical firms expanded budgets, while automotive and consumer goods companies cut back.
• Venture capital trends: Global VC deal values rose 7.7% in 2024, driven by U.S. megadeals and AI investment. Without AI-related deals, VC activity would have declined. The total number of deals fell 4.4%, continuing a three-year downward trend.
• Intellectual property filings: International patent applications via WIPO increased slightly (+0.5%), led by 7% growth from the Republic of Korea, but declined in the U.S., Japan, and Germany.
• Technology indicators: Battery prices and supercomputer efficiency improved, genome sequencing costs declined, and high-speed rail networks expanded. Robotics and electric vehicle adoption slowed.
• Socioeconomic indicators: Labor productivity and life expectancy rose, while poverty rates declined.

Seventeen low- and middle-income economies, including India and Viet Nam, performed above expectations for their level of development. Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the largest number of overperforming economies, with South Africa (61st), Senegal (89th), and Rwanda (104th) leading the region.

WIPO Director General Daren Tang said the GII 2025 highlights both progress and challenges, underscoring the need for policies, investments, and cross-sector collaboration to strengthen innovation ecosystems.

The Global Innovation Index, produced annually since 2007, is developed by WIPO in partnership with the Portulans Institute.

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX 2025

The World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 shows shifting dynamics in global innovation, with China joining the top 10 and several emerging economies advancing rapidly. Here are the key regional takeaways.

Asia-Pacific

• China entered the top 10 for the first time (10th), reflecting its growing role in global R&D, high-tech exports, and patent filings.
• Republic of Korea (4th) and Singapore (5th) remain among the world’s top innovation hubs, supported by strong digital economies and high investment in AI and advanced manufacturing.
• India (38th), Viet Nam (44th), the Philippines (50th), and Indonesia (55th) continue their steady rise, outperforming many peers at their income levels.
• Japan (13th) and Hong Kong, China (16th) remain strong performers but slipped slightly compared to previous years.

Europe

• Switzerland (1st) and Sweden (2nd) maintained their long-standing leadership positions.
• Germany fell out of the top 10 for the first time, dropping from 9th in 2024 to 11th in 2025.
• Finland (7th), Netherlands (8th), and Denmark (9th) are consolidating Northern Europe’s strength in innovation.
• France (13th) and Italy (28th) improved slightly, while Eastern European economies such as Estonia (20th) and Czechia (25th) continued to build momentum.

Americas

• United States (3rd) remains a global leader, driven by corporate R&D, venture capital, and AI breakthroughs.
• Canada (17th) performed strongly, particularly in scientific research and clean technologies.
• Brazil rose to 52nd, reflecting progress in research infrastructure and growing VC activity.
• Mexico (57th) and Chile (53rd) remain regional innovation leaders in Latin America, while Argentina (66th) showed modest gains.

Middle East & North Africa

• Saudi Arabia (46th) and Qatar (48th) recorded some of the fastest improvements since 2020, driven by large-scale investment in technology and education.
• United Arab Emirates (32nd) continues to lead the region in digital innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
• Morocco (57th) emerged as a new standout, outperforming expectations at its income level.
• Jordan (65th) showed consistent progress, particularly in human capital and R&D capacity.

Sub-Saharan Africa

• South Africa (61st) remains the region’s top performer.
• Mauritius (53rd) continued its strong upward trajectory, becoming one of the few African nations to reach the top 60.
• Senegal (89th) and Rwanda (104th) are among the notable overperformers relative to income levels.
• Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for the largest number of economies performing above expectations, despite limited resources compared to other regions.

In a lengthy and wide-ranging interview for a new biography of his life, Pope Leo XIV opens up about his background as history’s first U.S.-born pope and the first pope to hold Peruvian citizenship, jesting about who he would cheer for in a hypothetical World Cup, as well as his understanding of the papacy and current topics such as peace in Ukraine, his vision for synodality, and the polarization dividing much of the world.

Speaking to Crux Senior Correspondent Elise Ann Allen in the second of two interviews for her biography, Pope Leo said he would define Pope Francis’s process of synodality as “an attitude, an openness, a willingness to understand. Speaking of the Church now, this means each and every member of the church has a voice and a role to play through prayer, reflection…through a process.”

Pope Leo has also criticised the growing pay disparity between corporate leaders and ordinary workers, pointing to rising inequality as a driver of global division.

In the same interview, published on Sunday by Crux, the pope said:

“One very significant factor is the continuously wider gap between the income levels of the working class and the money that the wealthiest receive. For example, CEOs that 60 years ago might have been making four to six times more than what the workers are receiving, the last figure I saw, it’s 600 times more than what average workers are receiving.”

Referring to recent reports about Elon Musk’s projected status as the world’s first trillionaire, Pope Leo added:

“What does that mean, and what’s that about? If that is the only thing that has value anymore, then we’re in big trouble.”

The pope also warned of a decline in “a higher sense of what human life is about” as economic power becomes increasingly concentrated among a small number of technology and corporate elites.

Pope Leo, born in Chicago, served as a priest in Peru before moving to Rome in 2023 after being summoned to the Vatican by the late Pope Francis.

The remarks come amid a broader global debate over the wealth and influence of Silicon Valley executives and their impact on society.

A former executive of Moët Hennessy, the wines and spirits arm of LVMH, is suing the company for €1.7 million ($2 million) after being dismissed in 2024. He alleges that his termination followed whistleblowing on possible sanctions violations related to sales to Russia.

THE CLAIM

Kenneth Kralick, who oversaw online sales, told the Paris tribunal that his career at Moët Hennessy changed after he flagged concerns in April 2023 about an alleged distribution system channeling products through the United States to Russia. His lawyer, Marine Le Conte, argued that he faced harassment, reduced responsibilities, and meetings deliberately conducted in French — a language he does not speak — in the months leading up to his dismissal.

Kralick is seeking compensation for what he describes as wrongful dismissal and retaliation, as well as unpaid overtime. He also disputes the manner of his exit, saying he was escorted out by three guards in front of colleagues. A ruling is scheduled for November 14.

THE DEFENSE

Moët Hennessy denies the allegations of sanctions-busting and retaliation. The company’s attorney, Pascal Delignières, said Kralick was dismissed after an internal investigation into his management style. The probe followed staff complaints and cited incidents in which he allegedly raised his middle finger at a colleague in a meeting with around 50 people and made an inappropriate remark about buying shoes for another employee.

Kralick denies making the gesture and says no witness has corroborated the allegation. He says he does not recall the remark but acknowledges it would have been tactless if true.

COMPANY CONTEXT

The dispute comes as Moët Hennessy undergoes significant restructuring. In early 2025, Philippe Schaus was succeeded as chief executive officer by Jean-Jacques Guiony, with Alexandre Arnault, son of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault, appointed as deputy. The new leadership has announced plans to cut the workforce by 13 percent following a decline in revenues, particularly from slowing demand for Hennessy cognac in China and the United States.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has named Beyoncé, Venus Williams and Nicole Kidman as co-chairs for its 2026 Met Gala, alongside Vogue editor Anna Wintour. The event, set for May 4, 2026, serves as the primary fundraiser for the museum's Costume Institute, which raised $31 million from the 2025 gala.

This lineup brings established influence from entertainment, sports and fashion. Beyoncé, who was honorary chair in 2013, maintains a portfolio that includes music, film production and Ivy Park athleisure. Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, steps into her first co-chair role; her sister Serena held the position in 2017. Williams, at 45, recently competed in the U.S. Open, marking the oldest such entry for an American woman since 1981. Nicole Kidman, an Academy Award winner, previously co-chaired in 2003 and 2005, with credits spanning film and endorsements for brands like Chanel and Omega.

Wintour, the event's longstanding organizer, ensures continuity. The host committee, led by designer Anthony Vaccarello and filmmaker Zoë Kravitz, features a cross-section of emerging and established names:

The gala's dress code ties to the theme "Costume Art," supporting the Costume Institute's spring 2026 exhibition. Curated by Andrew Bolton, the show examines the dressed body in art across centuries, organized by themes such as the Naked Body, Classical Body, Pregnant Body and Aging Body. It pairs garments with museum holdings like paintings and sculptures.

The exhibit debuts May 10, 2026, in the new 12,000-square-foot Condé Nast galleries adjacent to the Great Hall, running through January 10, 2027. Museum director Max Hollein described it as a project that "can really live in fascinating ways at the museum and can pull from all different areas of our collection — paintings, sculpture, drawings." Bolton highlighted the space as "a pivotal moment for the department, one that acknowledges the critical role fashion plays not only within art history but also within contemporary culture."

For stakeholders in fashion and luxury, the co-chairs signal potential boosts in visibility and sponsorships. Beyoncé's involvement could drive athleisure crossovers, while Williams' presence underscores sportswear's museum-grade status. The event's track record suggests sustained revenue growth for the institute, which relies on it for over half its budget.

Wikipedia turned 25 today. The nonprofit platform, with over 65 million articles in more than 300 languages and nearly 15 billion monthly page views, remains the only top-10 global website operated by a nonprofit. To mark the milestone, the Wikimedia Foundation launched public celebrations while simultaneously expanding its commercial data licensing business through Wikimedia Enterprise.

The dual announcement underscores a clear strategic shift: maintain Wikipedia’s free, volunteer-driven model while generating reliable revenue from large tech companies that use its content at scale, particularly for training and retrieval in generative AI systems.

Commercial Partnerships Drive New Revenue

The Foundation formally named Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Mistral AI, and Perplexity as new Wikimedia Enterprise customers. These join existing partners Google, Ecosia, Nomic, Pleias, ProRata, and Reef Media.

Wikimedia Enterprise is the Foundation’s paid API service designed for high-volume, high-speed access to Wikipedia and other project data. It offers three tiers:

• On-demand API: latest article versions on request
• Snapshot API: hourly full dumps for every language edition
• Realtime API: live update streams

These companies pay for optimized access that bypasses public rate limits and provides structured, reliable feeds. In return, subscription revenue flows directly to the nonprofit to fund servers, staff, and infrastructure—reducing long-term dependence on individual donations.

The timing is deliberate. Wikipedia content has become one of the largest, most cited, and highest-quality public datasets available for large language models. Every major AI developer relies on it to some degree. By converting heavy commercial usage into paid subscriptions, the Foundation captures value from downstream beneficiaries without introducing ads or paywalls for readers.

Microsoft’s statement was explicit: the partnership supports a “sustainable content ecosystem” where creators and communities are compensated. ProRata AI’s CEO Bill Gross similarly praised Wikipedia’s leadership in maintaining content quality and transparency during rapid AI adoption.

Anniversary Campaign Highlights Human Contribution

Parallel to the commercial news, the Foundation launched a year-long Wikipedia 25 campaign focused on volunteer editors and historical milestones.

Key elements released today:

• A video docuseries profiling eight long-term editors, including a 20-year hurricane tracker in California, an Indian physician who maintained COVID-19 articles during the pandemic, and a Tokyo librarian expanding Japanese coverage.
• An online “time capsule” with audio from founder Jimmy Wales recounting server setup in 2001, traffic spikes after Michael Jackson’s death in 2009, and lighter entries like the article on Paul the octopus.
• An interactive quiz imagining future versions of Wikipedia, developed with editors, children, futurists, and artists.
• A virtual global birthday event streamed on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram at 4:00 pm UTC.
• Upcoming features: a digital birthday card for social media signatures, in-person events worldwide, “Birthday mode” visual surprises next month, and limited-edition merchandise including a Baby Globe plushie.

Foundation CEO Maryana Iskander described Wikipedia as a “digital wonder of the world” sustained by volunteer commitment. Founder Jimmy Wales called its survival and growth “proof that collaborative trust can achieve the impossible.”

Operational and Strategic Evolution

Over 25 years, Wikipedia has adapted infrastructure and policy to remain relevant:

• New data centers and mobile apps improved load times and accessibility.
• Desktop interface updates and dark mode enhanced usability.
• Abstract Wikipedia project aims to generate articles in all languages from structured data (a 2024 MacArthur 100&Change finalist).
• AI strategy prioritizes tools that reduce technical busywork for editors rather than replacing them.

Nearly 250,000 volunteers make at least one edit per month. The site registers 324 edits per minute and reaches over 1.5 billion unique devices monthly.

Bottom Line

The 25th anniversary reveals a maturing nonprofit business model: preserve universal free access while extracting fair compensation from corporate users who derive billions in value from the platform’s data.

For investors and analysts tracking AI infrastructure, Wikimedia Enterprise represents a rare example of a public-knowledge commons successfully monetizing downstream commercial exploitation without compromising its mission. The new partnerships with leading AI players signal that demand for high-quality, human-curated training data remains strong—and that Wikipedia has positioned itself to capture recurring revenue from it for years ahead.

King Charles III took a front-row seat at the opening night of London Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2026 on February 19. The monarch attended British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker’s show at 180 Strand.

This appearance builds on a rich royal tradition of fashion patronage. Princess Margaret attended a Dior presentation at Blenheim Palace in 1954; Princess Diana lent diplomatic and cultural weight to shows like Joe Casely-Hayford’s in 1995; Queen Elizabeth II famously sat beside Anna Wintour at Richard Quinn’s 2018 show; Queen Camilla has spotlighted sustainable designers such as Bethany Williams; and younger royals including Princess Eugenie and Meghan Markle have attended international weeks from Paris to New York.

For Charles, however, fashion is more than glamour — it is social investment. The King’s Trust has funded, mentored, and launched thousands of businesses in creative sectors, including fashion and design. His presence at Coker’s show was widely interpreted as both validation of that mission and a subtle message of institutional steadiness.

Timing and the Shadow Over the Family

The event took place against a dramatically different backdrop. Hours earlier, Buckingham Palace had issued a statement from the King supporting a “full, fair and proper process” in the ongoing police investigation into his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly known as Prince Andrew, Duke of York). Andrew was arrested at Sandringham on February 19 — his birthday — on suspicion of misconduct in public office, specifically allegations that he shared confidential government trade information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as Britain’s special envoy for international trade (2001–2011). He was later released pending further inquiries.

Andrew’s links to Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019, have haunted the royal family for years. The pair were introduced in 1999 by Ghislaine Maxwell (Epstein’s then-partner and convicted sex-trafficker). Their friendship continued after Epstein’s 2008 conviction, including a notorious 2010 visit to New York that Andrew later claimed was solely to “cut ties.” Court documents and emails released in recent years have painted a far more extensive relationship, leading to the stripping of Andrew’s royal titles and military affiliations.

Epstein’s Web in the Fashion World — and Andrew’s Place Within It

Epstein’s infiltration of the fashion industry was extensive and, according to multiple court filings and victim accounts, often exploitative. His decades-long relationship with L Brands founder Leslie Wexner gave him extraordinary control: power of attorney over Wexner’s fortune and alleged use of the Victoria’s Secret brand as a lure. Epstein reportedly posed as a modeling scout for the lingerie giant, inviting young women and girls to “auditions” that victims later described as grooming or assault opportunities. One model, Alicia Arden, filed a police report in 1997 after an alleged hotel encounter.

Epstein also had financial and social ties to modeling agencies. He partnered with French agent Jean-Luc Brunel (who died in jail while facing trafficking charges) and was linked to MC2 Model Management, accused of supplying underage girls. Emails show Epstein discussing investments in fashion houses, attending Vera Wang shows, dining with Azzedine Alaïa, and exchanging messages with supermodel Naomi Campbell about swimsuit lines, meetings, and calls — contact that continued long after his 2008 conviction.

Andrew’s own proximity to this world is documented in released files:

• In 1999, Andrew flew on Epstein’s private jet alongside Russian model Anna Malova.
• During the 2010 New York trip, Epstein hosted a VIP dinner in Andrew’s honor attended by celebrities, arranged for Latvian model Lana Zakocela (then 21) to be picked up from the airport and stay at his mansion, scheduled lunch with Model Management founder Faith Kates, and went shopping with Andrew at Barneys. The itinerary also referenced possible dinner with Naomi Campbell.
• Andrew’s longtime aide and Pitch@Palace director David Stern — who had close access to the royal family — maintained direct email contact with Epstein. Stern sent Epstein photographs of Andrew dining with 23-year-old Chinese model and actress Miya Muqi during taxpayer-funded trade trips, accompanied by derogatory messages using the code “P” for women. In September 2011, Stern emailed Epstein about London Fashion Week: “Special Chinese catwalk on 19th. Should I get tickets for you to review Chinese P?” Epstein replied asking about candidates; Stern responded he was “starting interviewing via skype. Not JE style yet.”

Recent reporting has also referenced a woman with ties to Andrew who offered to establish a modeling agency specifically for Epstein to scout 16-year-olds — another alleged avenue into the industry’s vulnerable talent pool.

These details, drawn from Epstein document releases, flight logs, and investigative reporting, illustrate how Epstein weaponised fashion’s glamour, power imbalances, and global events to cultivate elite access — and how Andrew’s circle, knowingly or not, overlapped with that network.

Andrew has consistently denied any sexual misconduct or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, settled the Giuffre civil suit in 2022 without admitting liability, and maintains the relationship was limited. Buckingham Palace has repeatedly distanced the working monarchy from him.