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☆ Apple hit with more than $1.95 billion EU antitrust fine over music streaming
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

In this article AAPL Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTwatch nowThe European Commission, the European Union's executive arm, on Monday hit Apple with a 1.8 billion euro ($1.95 billion) antitrust fine for abusing its dominant position on the market for the distribution of music streaming apps. Apple also banned developers of music streaming apps from providing any instructions about how users could subscribe to these cheaper offers, the Commission alleged. Apple responseIn a fiery response to the fine, Apple said Spotify would stand to gain the most from the EU pronouncement. That's because instead of selling subscriptions in their iOS app, Spotify sell them via their own website stead. Apple fine just a 'parking ticket'The Commission said that Apple prevented developers of music streaming apps from informing their iOS users within their apps about prices of subscriptions or offers available elsewhere.

Persons: Apple, —, Margrethe Vestager, Vestager Organizations: European Commission, Apple, Commission, EU, U.S, Spotify, Apple Music Locations: Brussels, Stockholm, Sweden, Cupertino

☆ Why Apple's $2 billion fine is a $80 billion problem
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Peter Kafka | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Apple's stock fell Monday morning after EU regulators slapped the company with a $2 billion fine. The fine is part of the EU's push to get Apple to open up its App Store. Investors are trying to figure out how much opening the App Store will hurt the company long term. Which means, at the moment, that Apple's $2 billion fine has cost it some $80 billion in market cap. But as recently as a month ago, the conventional wisdom was that Apple's fine was going to be something in the $500 million range.

Persons: —, that's, they've, there's Organizations: Apple, Service Locations: Europe

☆ A big fine in Europe adds to Apple's 2024 woes. What it will take to get back on track
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Morgan Chittum | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Apple shares tumbled on Monday after European regulators hit the tech giant with a big antitrust fine over music streaming. The European Commission dished out a $1.95 billion fine — claiming Apple violated competition laws in the music streaming market. Apple and Spotify have rival audio streaming services. "New AI services should compel users to upgrade iPhones, driving a Supercycle in 2025," the analysts said in a note to clients Monday. Melius also sees upside to Apple Services due to AI-infused software features.

Persons: —, Jim Cramer, Jim, Tim Cook, Apple, we're, Melius, Jim Cramer's, Scott Eells Organizations: Apple, European, European Union, Spotify, European Commission, Big Tech, Microsoft, Nvidia, Nvidia's, Huawei, India . Club, Apple Music, Research, Apple Services, CNBC, Nasdaq, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: Europe, American, China, India, New York

☆ The SEC votes this week on controversial climate change rule: Here's what's at stake
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Bob Pisani | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

The Scope 3 disclosure requirements have drawn strong criticism from many corporations, who claim the regulations are too burdensome. The climate disclosure rule was first proposed in March 2022. Since Congress has not passed major climate legislation for years, opponents of the SEC's climate rule will likely sue the SEC and cite West Virginia v. EPA, again arguing that Congress has not granted specific authority for the SEC to act on climate change. The disclosures required from the proposed SEC rule may shuffle the deck on companies that are considered "green" or "not so green." Arne Noack, manager of the Xtrackers S&P 500 ESG ETF and DWS Head of Systemic Investment Solutions for the Americas, will be the guest on ETF Edge at 1:10 p.m.

Persons: Gary Gensler, Gensler, overreach, Joe Biden, Kathleen McLaughlin, Arne Noack, Noack, Todd Sohn, He'll, Dave Nadig Organizations: SEC, U.S ., Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs, Capitol, Washington , D.C, The Institute, New York University School of Law, Environmental Defense Fund, Reuters, Securities, Exchange, Walmart, APA, EPA, Act, America, Corporate, Equity, Systemic Investment Solutions, Edge Locations: Washington ,, America, West Virginia, Virginia, ESG, Americas, ETFedge.cnbc.com

☆ Apple has been hit with a fine of nearly $2 billion by the European Commission over music streaming restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The European Commission fined Apple 1.8 billion euros for abusing its market dominance. Apple restricted app developers from informing users about alternative, cheaper music services. AdvertisementApple has been hit with a fine of 1.8 billion euros ($1.95 billion) by the European Commission, part of the European Union. The EU regulators said iOS users paid "significantly higher prices for music streaming subscriptions" as a result of Apple imposing the fees on developers, which lasted for nearly a decade. The streaming firm claimed Apple's App Store rules "purposely limit choice and stifle innovation" by imposing a 30% commission on app developers.

Persons: —, Apple, Apple didn't Organizations: European Commission, Apple, Spotify, Service, European Union, Digital Markets, Commission, Business Locations: EU, Paris

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California regulators on Friday authorized Waymo to expand services of its fleet of robotaxis into Los Angeles and to cities on the peninsula south of San Francisco. The California Public Utilities Commission approved Waymo's application for the expansion of its self-driving taxi operations beyond San Francisco starting Friday. The company owned by Google parent Alphabet Inc. has also been operating the service in Phoenix since 2020. The expansion for Waymo comes after California authorities revoked the license of a rival robotaxi service owned by General Motors after determining its driverless cars that had been transporting passengers throughout San Francisco were a dangerous menace. Officials in San Mateo County and Los Angeles had opposed the expansion and want more local say over how robotaxis can operate.

Persons: Waymo Organizations: FRANCISCO, —, The, The California Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco, Google, Inc, General Motors, Cruise Locations: — California, robotaxis, Los Angeles, San Francisco, The California, San, Phoenix, LA, California, San Mateo County

☆ Google hit with $2.3 billion lawsuit by Axel Springer, other media groups
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Google corporate logo hangs outside the Google Germany offices on August 31, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. Alphabet 's Google was hit with a 2.1-billion-euro ($2.3 billion) lawsuit by 32 media groups including Axel Springer and Schibsted on Wednesday, alleging that they had suffered losses due to the company's practices in digital advertising. "Without Google's abuse of its dominant position, the media companies would have received significantly higher revenues from advertising and paid lower fees for ad tech services. Crucially, these funds could have been reinvested into strengthening the European media landscape," the lawyers said. Others in the group include Austria's Krone, Belgian groups DPG Media and Mediahuis, Denmark's TV2 Danmark A/S, Finland's Sanoma, Poland's Agora, Spain's Prensa Iberica and Switzerland's Ringier.

Persons: Axel Springer, Schibsted, Stek, Big, Austria's, Finland's Organizations: Google, Geradin Partners, Publishers, DPG Media, Denmark's TV2, Spain's Prensa Locations: Berlin, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Europe, Austria's Krone

☆ Battle for the Red Sea expands with U.S. strikes, EU stepping up its efforts against Houthis
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Defense officials tell CNBC as of February 21, there have been at least 59 attacks on commercial shipping interests in the Red Sea. But the EU said the Red Sea moves reflect the need for a stronger European presence in protecting ships from Houthi attacks. Trade leaders have urged more countries to join the military effort in the Red Sea. A war of misinformation in the Red Sea crisis also continues. On February 2 in Brussels, Borrell informed Yemeni Prime Minister Bin Mubarak about the plans to launch a new EU maritime operation in the Red Sea and about its mandate.

Persons: Mason, Torm Thor, Good Hope, Peter Stano, Josep Borrell, Mark Montgomery, Sen, John McCain, Steven Lamar, Hussein, Azzi, Stano, Houthis, Borrell, Bin Mubarak, Rashad Al, Carl Bentzel, Bentzel, Tesla Organizations: European Commission, United States Central Command, Command, U.S, CNBC, European Union's Naval Force, EU, French Navy, Prosperity, Prosperity Guardian, EU Commission, Navy, Foundation, Defense of Democracies, Senate Armed, NATO, U.S . Central Command, UK, Prosperity Guardian . Trade, American Apparel and Footwear Association, Central Command, Yemeni, Presidential, Council, UN, Federal Maritime, Foreign Shipping, State Department, FMC, Walmart Locations: Aden, Iranian, Yemen, Red, Libyan Coast, Good, Somalia, European, EU, U.S, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Houthi, Europe, Suez, Belize, Brussels, Yemeni, United States, Egypt, Germany, Israel

☆ NASA is back on the moon — with the first commercial lunar landing ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Ellyn Lapointe | Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The IM-1 mission's landing helps catapult the US into a 21st-century space race to the moon's south pole. AdvertisementAn American moon lander touched down on the lunar surface for the first time in over 50 years on Thursday. For its last lunar landing attempt in January, NASA partnered with the Pittsburgh-based company Astrobotic Technology to send its Peregrine spacecraft to the moon. Intuitive Machines' Odysseus moon lander beamed back its first images from space earlier this month. So NASA and Intuitive Machines have officially put the new commercial lunar era in swing, and they're just getting started.

Persons: —, Astrobotic, Odysseus, Tim Crain, Japan's, Trent Martin, NASA hitches, they're Organizations: NASA, Service, Houston, SpaceX, US, Spaceflight, Payload, Pittsburgh, Technology, Machines Locations: Russia, India, Japan, China

☆ Watch Intuitive Machines attempt the first U.S. moon landing in over 50 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Intuitive Machines' mission, known as IM-1, aims to soft land near the moon's south pole at about 6:24 p.m. Intuitive Machines would become the first company to pull off the feat — government agencies have carried out all previous successful landings. Intuitive Machines, a Houston, Texas-based company founded in 2013, went public a year ago. After landing, Intuitive Machines aims to operate Odysseus on the surface for up to seven days. NASA leadership emphasized before the launch that "IM-1 is an Intuitive Machines' mission, it's not a NASA mission."

Persons: Odysseus, Aubrey Gemignani, it's, Astrobotic Organizations: Wall, SpaceX, NASA, Payload, Marshall Space, Center, U.S Locations: U.S, Houston , Texas, Pittsburgh, Japan, Russia, China, India

☆ FCC finalizes rules for 'all-in' cable and satellite pricing; commission to vote in March
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Federal Communications Commission's final rules are largely similar to those the agency initially proposed last year. The commission plans to vote to adopt the new requirement during its upcoming March 14 open meeting. The commission voted in December to adopt a proposal to ban cable and satellite companies from charging early termination fees. The agency is also gearing up to enforce a new labeling format for broadband internet service providers, starting in April. "These fees really add up: according to one report, they increase customer bills by nearly 25% of the price of base service," said Biden.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Jessica Rosenworcel, Biden, Joe Biden Organizations: Federal Communications Commission, Wednesday, Federal Communications, FCC Locations: Washington ,, WASHINGTON

☆ FCC to vote in March on rules for 'all-in' cable and satellite pricing
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Federal Communications Commission's final rules are expected to be largely similar to those the agency initially proposed last year. The commission plans to vote on a final version of the rules during its upcoming March 14 open meeting. "Not only will this reduce cost confusion and make it easier for consumers to compare services, but this proposal will also increase competition among cable and broadcast satellite providers through improved price transparency," said Rosenworcel. The commission voted in December to adopt a proposal to ban cable and satellite companies from charging early termination fees. The agency is also gearing up to enforce a new labeling format for broadband internet service providers, starting in April.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Jessica Rosenworcel Organizations: Federal Communications Commission, Wednesday, Federal Communications Locations: Washington ,, WASHINGTON

☆ Lunar company Intuitive Machines' stock surges 50% to trade above SPAC debut price
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shares of Intuitive Machines jumped for a third consecutive trading session, surpassing their post-SPAC debut price, as the company's first mission completed further milestones as it approached the moon. Intuitive Machines' stock surged as much as 65% in trading Tuesday to an intraday high of $12.05, north of the $10.03 a share price that shares traded at after the company completed its SPAC merger in February 2023. Since its inaugural moon mission launched last week, the company's share price has more than doubled. In a series of daily updates since Friday, the Texas-based lunar company said its cargo lander "continues to be in excellent health" and is preparing to enter the moon's orbit on Wednesday. The company noted that entering lunar orbit, also known as "lunar orbit insertion," will be the mission's "largest challenge to date."

Persons: Odysseus Organizations: SpaceX Locations: Texas

☆ Appeals court will rehear challenge to Nasdaq board diversity rule, putting mandate at risk
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A federal appeals court agreed to rehear a challenge by two conservative groups to Nasdaq's board diversity rule related to the disclosure of women and minority membership on boards of companies listed on the stock exchange. The 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, in its order Monday night setting a rehearing, also vacated a decision in October upholding the Nasdaq rule by a three-judge panel from the appeals court, which encompasses Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The Nasdaq rule requires companies to disclose details about the diversity of their boards of directors, and to either have a minimum number of women and minorities on their boards or explain why they do not. "NASDAQ's rule promotes racial discrimination and polarizing personal disclosures and it is to be hoped that this rule is struck down," Blum said. The SEC and Nasdaq did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the rehearing order.

Persons: Edward Blum, " Blum, Margaret Little Organizations: Times, NASDAQ, 5th Circuit U.S, of Appeals, Nasdaq, Securities, Exchange, Alliance for Fair, National Center for Public Policy Research, Fifth Circuit, SEC Locations: New York City, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi

☆ Disney star turned space CEO: Bridgit Mendler launches satellite data startup backed by major VCs
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bridgit Mendler is no stranger to reaching millions of people — now she wants to change how satellite data reaches the ground. "The vision is a data highway between Earth and space," Mendler told CNBC. "Space is getting easier along so many different dimensions but still the actual exercise of sending data to and from space is difficult. Rather than build rockets or satellites, Northwood aims to mass produce ground stations. Also known as teleports, ground stations are the typically large and often circular antennas that connect to satellites in space.

Persons: Bridgit Mendler, The Beverly Hilton, Bridgit, —, Charlie, Mendler, Andreessen Horowitz, Griffin, Luthra, Lockheed Martin Organizations: The Beverly, Disney Channel, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard Law School, Federal Communications, Space Bureau, CNBC, Northwood, Founders Fund, Lockheed, Mitre Corporation, Space Locations: Beverly Hills , California, Waverly, El Segundo , California

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York’s bipartisan redistricting commission approved a new congressional map Thursday that makes modest changes to three competitive districts but does not substantially change the rest of the state's lines. New York's congressional redistricting process has been closely watched this year as suburban races in the state could have outsize influence on which party controls the House after the November elections. The redistricting commission was tasked with coming up with new districts after the state's highest court in December threw out the map used in the 2022 elections. The panel's new map plan leaves the most of the current congressional districts largely in place, a move that could help head off legal challenges against the proposal. The Independent Redistricting Commission was created under a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2014.

Persons: nix, Brandon Williams, Marc Molinaro, Pat Ryan, George Santos, Tom Suozzi, ”, Charles Nesbitt, ___ Izaguirre, Michael Hill Organizations: Democrat, Republicans, Republican Rep, New, Independent, Democrats, Associated Press Locations: ALBANY, N.Y, Syracuse, Auburn, Cortland, Woodstock, Molinaro's, Albany, New York City, Long, York, Lindenhurst , New York

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Cleveland-Cliffs announced Thursday that it is shutting down a northern West Virginia tin production facility indefinitely and plans to lay off 900 workers after the International Trade Commission voted against imposing tariffs on tin imports. The trade commission also voted to stop a duty investigation into tin products shipped from South Korea. Cleveland-Cliffs said it will offer either severance packages or opportunities for workers in Weirton to be relocated to its other facilities. The trade commission ruling was shocking and made it “impossible for us to viably produce tinplate.”Goncalves added that the trade commission’s decision “is a travesty for America, middle-class jobs, and our critical food supply chains. Cleveland-Cliffs' tin facility in Weirton was once a nearly 800-acre property operated by Weirton Steel, which employed 6,100 workers in 1994 and filed for bankruptcy protection in 2003.International Steel Group bought Weirton Steel in federal bankruptcy court in 2003.

Persons: —, Lourenco Goncalves, “, ”, ” Goncalves, ” Sen, Joe Manchin, ” Manchin, Sen, Shelley Moore Capito Organizations: Cliffs, International Trade Commission, U.S . Department of Commerce, United Steelworkers, Weirton, International Steel Group, Weirton Steel, Commerce Locations: CHARLESTON, W.Va, — Cleveland, West Virginia, Canada, China, Germany, United States, South Korea, Cleveland, Weirton, Ohio, Pittsburgh . Cleveland, America, West Virginia’s, Follansbee . Cleveland, Luxembourg, ”

☆ Here's how much money you'd have if you invested $1,000 in bitcoin 10 years ago
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

How much $1,000 invested in bitcoin is worth, based on purchase dateIf you had invested $1,000 in bitcoin one, five or 10 years ago, here's how much your money would be worth now. If you had put $1,000 into bitcoin a year ago, it would have grown by 133% and be worth around $2,331 as of Feb. 14.as of Feb. 14. If you had invested $1,000 into bitcoin five years ago, the investment would have grown by 1,352% and be worth around $14,524 as of Feb. 14.as of Feb. 14. If you had bought $1,000 worth of bitcoin 10 years ago, it would have grown by 7,644% and be worth around $77,443 as of Feb. 14. And if you bought bitcoin on Jan. 11, when the ETFs launched, a $1,000 investment would now be worth $1,113.

Persons: That's, it's Organizations: Securities, Exchange Locations: FTX, bitcoin

☆ Von Der Leyen Says European Commission Will Seek to Boost Defence Production - FT
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

(Reuters) - Brussels should incentivise Europe's defence industry to ramp up production and promote consolidation, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the Financial Times in an interview on Thursday, warning that the "world has got rougher". Proposals in the commission's plan include using the EU budget to increase financing to supplement joint contracts for weapons signed by member states, as well as guaranteeing that production will be bought, EU officials told FT."We have a very fragmented defence market and that needs to change," FT quoted von der Leyen as saying. "What is the competence of the commission? It's industry. (Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru)Photos You Should See View All 22 Images

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, der Leyen, Disha Mishra Organizations: Reuters, Financial Times, EU Locations: Brussels, Bengaluru

☆ Weeks after the Peregrine lunar lander failed, NASA is launching the IM-1 mission to touch down on the moon
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Houston-based company Intuitive Machines, in collaboration with NASA, is launching its first mission to the moon atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. AdvertisementUnlike China, India, and Japan, the US hasn't put anything on the lunar surface in more than 50 years. AdvertisementThrough a $118 million contract, the agency is sponsoring Intuitive Machines to launch its first mission, called IM-1, toward the moon early Wednesday. SOPA Images/Getty ImagesThe mission's Nova-C lander should descend to the lunar surface just one week later, on February 22. To date, only India has landed in the lunar south pole region.

Persons: —, NASA hasn't, NASA’s, SLIM, TAKARA TOMY, ispace, Trent Martin, we've Organizations: Service, SpaceX, NASA, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight, Arizona State University, Russia, TAKARA, Sony, Doshisha University, Reuters, AP Locations: Houston, China, India, Japan, Cape Canaveral , Florida, Russia

☆ Bitcoin regains $1 trillion market cap as the cryptocurrency hits over two-year high
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The value of all the bitcoin in circulation, or market capitalization, on Wednesday rose above $1 trillion for the first time since late 2021, according to CoinMarketCap data. The cryptocurrency also broke through the $51,000 level during the day, marking the first time it has hit this price since December 2021. When the halving takes place, the rewards given to bitcoin miners are cut in half, which reduces the volume of the cryptocurrency onto the market. The newly-issued spot bitcoin ETFs recorded net inflows of $1.1 billion last week. ETFs are a product that track the price movement of another asset, in this case allowing investors to play bitcoin price moves without owning the underlying cryptocurrency.

Persons: Bitcoin, bitcoin, Bitcoin's, Ethereum Organizations: U.S . Securities, Exchange, Investors, SEC

☆ U.N. Peacekeeping Mission Says Staff, Vehicles Attacked in Congolese Capital
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

KINSHASA (Reuters) - The head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of Congo said its staff and vehicles were attacked in the capital Kinshasa on Saturday as a worsening eastern security crisis fuels a backlash against the mission. Crowds on motorbikes gathered in the riverside Gombe district, where the U.N. mission known as MONUSCO and many embassies are located. A number of the mission's vehicles were torched, said MONUSCO head Bintou Keita in an online post. Photos You Should See View All 21 ImagesKinshasa police and the government did not respond to a request for comment. The fighting "could compromise food security and economic activities in Goma and the region.

Persons: Bintou Keita, OCHA, MONUSCO, Ange Kasongo, Justin Makangara, Ange Aboa, Alessandra Prentice, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Democratic, Kinshasa Locations: KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, Gombe, Ivorian, Goma, North Kivu, Congo, Congolese, Abidjan

The commission voted 5-1 Thursday, with Republican Commissioner Bob Spindell opposed, to adopt the new guidance for absentee ballot envelopes with a “missing” address, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. Under previous guidance, clerks were required to reach out to voters to correct absentee ballot envelopes that had “incomplete or insufficient” witness address information before those ballots could be accepted. Every vote is critical in Wisconsin, where each of the last two presidential elections in Wisconsin was decided by fewer than 23,000 votes. Ever since Trump’s defeat in Wisconsin in 2020, Republicans have been fighting in court to tighten the rules to limit how many absentee ballots can be accepted. State law requires absentee ballots to be submitted with a witness’s signature and address on the outside envelope that contains the ballot.

Persons: Bob Spindell, Spindell, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Dane County, Ryan Nilsestuen, Nilsestuen, ”, ” “ Organizations: Republican, Wisconsin State, Democratic, USA, The Marquette University Law, Rise Inc, League of Women Voters, Wisconsin Supreme, Legislative Locations: MADISON, Wis, The Wisconsin, Wisconsin

☆ Slovakia Approves Criminal Law Reforms That Sparked Protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The government said the changes modernise the criminal code by lowering long prison terms and preferring alternative punishments. President Zuzana Caputova immediately signalled she would try to stop the changes, possibly through a veto or a court challenge. The law was a "monstrous amnesty" for that circle, said deputy Michal Sipos from the opposition Slovensko party. An EU official said on Thursday the commission's concerns remained, which could possibly lead to legal action and budgetary consequences. (Reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague; additional reporting by Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels; editing by Jonathan Oatis)

Persons: Robert Fico, SMER, Tibor Gaspar, Zuzana Caputova, Michal Sipos, Jan Lopatka, Gabriela Baczynska, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Reuters, European Commission, European, Slovak, EU Locations: Poland, Hungary, Prague, Brussels

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The number of monarch butterflies at their wintering areas in Mexico dropped by 59% this year to the second lowest level since record keeping began, experts said Wednesday, blaming heat, drought and loss of habitat. The butterflies’ migration from Canada and the United States to Mexico and back again is considered a marvel of nature. But the number of a smaller population, the western monarch butterflies that overwinter in California, has dropped, too. The butterflies themselves aren't at risk of disappearing, but the monarchs’ migration is. After wintering in Mexico, the butterflies fly north, breeding multiple generations along the way for thousands of miles.

Persons: ”, Gloria Tavera, ” Tavera, Ryan Drum, Gregory Mitchell, Mitchell, ” Humberto Peña Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Monarchs, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, Canada, United States, Mexico City, Rocky, California

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