Plans

Banks, crypto firms and Kremlin oil reserves also targeted in 21st set of measures since full-scale invasion of UkraineThe EU hopes to ban Russian soldiers from entering its territory as part of further sanctions against Moscow that also target banks, crypto firms and the Kremlin’s oil revenues.Announcing the proposals on Tuesday, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “We propose for the first time to ban from entry into the European Union anyone who has served in the Russian armed forces since the beginning of the war. So Europe stays off limit for anyone who has participated in the invasion of Ukraine, as simple as that.” Continue reading...

• OpenAI is planning its most significant overhaul of ChatGPT since its 2022 launch, aiming to transform the chatbot into a comprehensive "super app." • The redesign will integrate advanced coding tools, AI agents, and new creative features to expand the platform's utility. • This strategic pivot follows a massive $122 billion funding round closed in March, which valued the company at $852 billion.

Business secretary Peter Kyle to meet European counterpart over proposals to almost halve amount of tariff-free importsThe UK business secretary, Peter Kyle, is to raise concerns about EU plans to dramatically reduce tariff-free imports of British steel with its trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels on Friday.The UK steel industry has previously warned of “devastating” consequences from the new quota system being planned by the EU, which will cut overall tariff-free imports from non-EU countries by 47% on 2024 levels from 1 July. Continue reading...

Fears that push for ballroom spending could jeopardize $70bn funding for immigration enforcementSenate Republicans on Wednesday formally dropped their attempt to spend $1bn on security improvements for Donald Trump’s White House ballroom, as it became clear the president’s demand for the money could jeopardize long-term funding for immigration enforcement.The Senate judiciary committee had last month included the spending on security for the new ballroom in a broader measure that would authorize $70bn in spending for agencies involved in Trump’s mass deportation campaign through the duration of his term. On Wednesday the committee released a revised text that no longer mentioned the money. Continue reading...

New crisis at former vocational charity involves alleged withholding of data and breaching redundancy lawsCity & Guilds is facing potential legal and industrial action over claims it has been “dishonest” over plans to shed about 400 UK staff.Officials at the Unite union allege the owner of the training and qualifications body has been “unlawfully withholding key information during transfer consultations”, while also “advertising for new recruits when it is legally required to give staff at risk of redundancy first refusal”. Continue reading...

• The European Union's €20 billion ($23.3 billion) investment plan to establish five massive AI data centers is currently floundering due to funding issues and significant delays. • In Germany, major entities including Deutsche Telekom and the Schwarz Group (owner of Lidl) have expressed interest in leading consortium bids to develop one of the planned gigafactories. • This initiative is critical for the EU to reduce its reliance on non-European AI infrastructure and enhance its sovereign computing capabilities.

• The European Union's €20 billion ($23.3 billion) investment plan to establish five massive AI data centers is currently floundering. • The initiative, which aimed to create "gigafactories" to accelerate private sector investment in AI infrastructure, is facing significant delays and funding complications. • These setbacks are alienating potential partners, threatening the EU's goal of scaling its domestic AI capabilities to compete globally.