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Apple Becomes First Target Of EU’s New Digital Competition Rules Aimed At Big Tech

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LONDON — On Monday, European Union regulators filed the first allegations under the bloc’s new digital competition regulation, accusing Apple of prohibiting software developers from directing users to cheaper alternatives outside its software Store.

According to the European Commission’s early conclusions, the iPhone maker’s limits on developers using its mobile App Store violate the Digital Markets Act of the 27-nation bloc.

The rulebook, also known as the DMA, is a comprehensive set of restrictions to prevent electronic “gatekeepers” from monopolizing digital marketplaces under the fear of severe financial penalties. After taking effect in March, the commission launched a first set of inquiries, including a separate ongoing examination into whether Apple is doing enough to make it easy for iPhone users to switch web browsers and additional instances involving Google and Meta.

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Apple | AP News Image

Apple Becomes First Target Of EU’s New Digital Competition Rules Aimed At Big Tech

Apple has faced pressure from both sides of the Atlantic to remove some competitive obstacles surrounding its lucrative iPhone business. This year, the US Justice Department filed a massive antitrust lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of unjustly monopolizing the smartphone market, locking out competitors, limiting innovation, and unfairly raising prices. App developers such as Spotify had long complained about Apple’s restriction that subscriptions be purchased solely through iOS applications, which allowed the corporation to charge up to a 30% fee.

According to the DMA, app developers must be able to advise clients about cheaper purchase options and direct them to those offers.

The commission, the bloc’s executive arm, stated that App Store policies “prevent app developers from freely steering consumers to alternative channels for offers and content.”

Apple now has the opportunity to reply to the results. The commission must conclude Apple’s compliance by March 2025. The corporation could face fines of up to 10% of its global revenue, equivalent to billions of euros or daily penalties.

The commission increased the pressure on Apple by initiating a fresh probe into the contractual terms it offers app developers.

Regulators focused on a “core technology fee” of 50 euro cents (54 cents), which Apple now charges developers for each download and installation of their programs from sources other than Apple’s App Store. The DMA’s regulations pave the path for other app stores, giving consumers additional options.

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Apple | Cap Image

Apple Becomes First Target Of EU’s New Digital Competition Rules Aimed At Big Tech

The commission stated that the additional terms are a “condition for access to some of the new features enabled by the DMA.” Rivals had questioned the price, claiming it would dissuade many existing free apps from leaving the platform.

“We are concerned that Apple’s new business model makes it too difficult for app developers to operate as alternative marketplaces and reach their end users on iOS,” European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager stated on social media.

Apple Inc. stated that during the last few months, it “has made a number of changes to comply with the DMA in response to feedback from developers and the European Commission.”

“We are confident our plan complies with the law, and estimate more than 99% of developers would pay the same or less in fees to Apple under the new business terms we created,” according to a statement from the company. “All developers doing business in the EU on the App Store have the opportunity to utilize the capabilities that we have introduced, including the ability to direct app users to the web to complete purchases at a very competitive rate.”

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Apple | Medium Image

Apple Becomes First Target Of EU’s New Digital Competition Rules Aimed At Big Tech

The corporation announced it will “continue to listen and engage” with the commission.

Since 2020, the EU has conducted a similar inquiry to determine whether Apple’s in-app purchasing system and limits breach Brussels’ antitrust regulations. However, “to avoid multiple investigations into the very same conduct,” the commission said Monday that the probe is being closed to focus on the investigation under the DMA, which explicitly spells out what Apple cannot do.

SOURCE – (AP)

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Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns

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Trudeau, Montreal

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire yet again after a video surfaced on X, showing him dancing at a Taylor Swift performance while anti-Nato protestors ransacked downtown Montreal.

Trudeau attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto on Friday night. Before Taylor Swift approached the stage, X shared a viral video of him dancing and singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me.”

The image of Trudeau dancing amid violent protests in Montreal generated widespread indignation online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to the ancient Roman dictator Nero, known for “fiddling while Rome burned.”

Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.

“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” Stewart wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”

“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” the MP added.

On Saturday, the day after Taylor Swift’s concert, Trudeau condemned the anti-NATO protests, calling them “appalling.”

Anti-NATO activists set off smoke bombs and marched through Montreal’s streets waving Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, rioters set fire to automobiles and battled with police.

Pro-Palestinian protests

Protesters also tossed tiny explosives and metal objects at officers. At one point, the mob torched an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering, and three persons were arrested for attacking officers and impeding police operations.

Masked protesters were seen burning flares and bashing storefront windows in videos and photographs shared on social media. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict began late last year.

Critics have lambasted Trudeau for doing nothing to stop the violent pro-Palestinian marches, with some claiming he has fueled anti-Israel sentiment in Canada.

On Friday, Trudeau stated that Canada would respect the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, even if it meant arresting the Israeli prime leader on Canadian soil.

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Calgary Zoo Admits Human Error in Death of Baby Gorilla

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Baby Gorilla, Calgary Zoo
The zookeeper's negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla

The Calgary Zoo has admitted in a public statement that a zookeeper’s negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla. Eyare, a newborn gorilla, died last week after being slammed in the head by a hydraulic door.

The accident occurred when a zoo worker attempted to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla tribe for a solitary training session.

The gorilla died from significant head injuries, according to the zoo’s statement.

“This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable,” Colleen Baird, director of animal care at the Calgary Zoo, said during a news conference. “Eyare’s brief but meaningful existence gave so much joy to our community, and all will sorely miss her. We will do everything possible to prevent repeat accidents.”

According to Baird, the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo. The Calgary Zoo stated that it would take preventive steps, such as specialist personnel training and animal behavioral training, to avoid a similar incident.

Calgary Zoo Questioned

It is not the first time an animal at the zoo has died from negligence at the Calgary Zoo. A capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door similar to the one that killed Eyare in 2019.

An otter died in 2016 after being entangled in an “unauthorized” pair of jeans that a zookeeper had dropped in its enclosure. In 2013, a penguin died in “a freak accident” after swallowing a stick.

Animal Justice, a Canadian group that promotes animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation of animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility.

“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” according to Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice.

The Calgary Zoo refuted that it has more animal deaths than other zoos, emphasizing that it adheres to operating requirements and has maintained accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.

“We love and care for more than 4,000 animals representing over 100 species that call our zoo home,” stated a Calgary Zoo representative.

“Human error-related deaths in animals are quite infrequent. We have lost two animals in the last ten years: a North American river otter in 2016 and ‘Eyare’ this week.

While rare, even one human-caused death is too many. These unfortunate instances have served as vital learning experiences, prompting us to examine and tighten protocols to provide the greatest level of care.”

Baird said at the news conference that using hydraulic doors is “common practice with accredited zoos,” adding that the facility will consider switching to alternate doors to improve safety.

The Calgary Zoo, which established the Wilder Institute in 2021, caters to nearly 4,000 creatures, including six more western lowland gorillas.

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Canada’s Lotto Max jackpot Climbs to $80M

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lotto max, Canada

Lotto Max in Canada has reached $80 million for only the second time in Canadian lottery history. Friday’s draw sought a winner for a $75 million pool, but the top reward remained unclaimed as of Saturday, increasing the jackpot.

Only once did the jackpot reach $80 million in September, when it broke the previous record. Before that, the prize was $75 million, a record.

The Lotto Max prize maximum was boosted earlier this year, enabling for jackpots of more than $70 million. The cap is now at $80 million.
While a greater fee may encourage more people to play, the odds of winning the lottery remain extremely low.

According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the odds for a $5 ticket are around one in 33,294,800.

While there was no jackpot winner in Friday’s draw, someone did match six of the seven winning numbers, plus a bonus, earning them a payout of more than $320,000.

Lotto Max History

Lotto Max is one of three national lottery games in Canada, overseen by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The game was introduced on September 19, 2009, and its inaugural draw occurred on September 25, 2009. It replaced Lotto Super 7.

The odds of winning the Lotto Max are 1 in 33,294,800. This is correct to a point but misleading.

Let’s have a look at the rules:

  1. Players choose 7 numbers out of 50
  2. Numbers cannot be repeated
  3. Numbers are automatically sorted into ascending order
  4. Each play buys 3 lines
  5. Each play costs $5

Seeing that players choose 7 out of 50 non-repeating numbers, the equation for the total number of possible combinations (this is different from permutations where the order in which the numbers appear is significant) when playing the Lotto Max is 50! / (7! x 43!)

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