The European Union has ordered TikTok to modify its "addictive design" or face substantial fines, following an investigation into the video-sharing platform's compliance with online safety regulations. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also announced a new consensus on eligibility criteria for transgender athletes, while the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan, Italy, became a venue for expressions of geopolitical tension. Meanwhile, Spain and Portugal are grappling with torrential rain and strong winds from Storm Leonardo, and Italy cited constitutional limitations in its decision not to join Donald Trump's "Board of Peace."
The EU's decision, revealed after an investigation that began in February 2024, found that TikTok had not "adequately assessed" how features like autoplay could harm users, including children, and failed to implement measures to mitigate risks, according to BBC Technology. A TikTok spokesperson, however, told the BBC that the findings were a "categorically false and entirely meritless depiction of our platform" and that the company planned to challenge them.
In the realm of international sports, the IOC announced that global sports leaders had reached a consensus on a new set of eligibility criteria for transgender athletes. The new policy, expected to be announced within the first half of this year, will be the first uniform policy adopted by the IOC and international sports federations, applying to major events in dozens of sports, including the Games and world championships, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, became an unexpected outlet for expressions of geopolitical tension. According to Sky News, jeers were heard for the Israeli delegation and US Vice President JD Vance, despite pleas for respect from IOC President Kirsty Coventry.
Elsewhere, Storm Leonardo continued to batter parts of Spain and Portugal with torrential rain and strong winds. Spain's state meteorological agency, Aemet, issued its highest red alert for heavy rainfall in Cádiz and parts of Málaga, The Guardian reported.
Finally, Italy announced it would not join Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" due to constitutional limitations. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the ANSA news agency that conflicts between Italy's constitution and the charter of the Board of Peace were insurmountable from a legal standpoint, but that Italy would always be available to discuss peace initiatives, Al Jazeera reported.
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