The case came before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) after a Dutch tribunal sought guidance on damages claims
International News via Reuters:
Apple can be sued in a Dutch court for antitrust damages, Europe’s highest court said on Tuesday, backing two foundations seeking compensation for users affected by the iPhone maker’s alleged anti-competitive conduct related to its App Store.
The case came before the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) after a Dutch tribunal sought guidance on damages claims by Stichting Right to Consumer Justice and Stichting App Stores.
The foundations argued that the fees charged by Apple for third-party apps on the App Store are excessive, hurt users and are consistent with an unlawful abuse of a dominant position.
Apple said a Dutch court does not have jurisdiction as the alleged harmful event did not occur in the Netherlands.
The CJEU dismissed its arguments, saying that the App Store in question is designed specifically for the Dutch market and uses Dutch to offer apps for sale to users who have an Apple ID associated with the Netherlands.
“The damage allegedly suffered when purchases are made in that virtual space can therefore occur in that territory, irrespective of the place where the users concerned were situated at the time of the purchase,” judges said.
“The Netherlands court therefore has international and territorial jurisdiction,” they said.
Apple declined to comment. The two foundations did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The case is C-34/24 Stichting Right to Consumer Justice and Stichting App Stores Claims.
Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten
In a speech on November 4, Reeves appeared to lay the groundwork to raise income tax rates, breaking the Labour Party’s promise to voters before the 2024 election
International News via Reuters:
A top official from Britain’s fiscal watchdog said on Tuesday he did not think comments made last month by finance minister Rachel Reeves about the difficult budget situation that she was facing were misleading.
In a speech on November 4, Reeves appeared to lay the groundwork to raise income tax rates, breaking the Labour Party’s promise to voters before the 2024 election. She cited a “weaker than previously thought” productivity performance.
But the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) had also provided Reeves with forecasts showing its productivity downgrade had been offset by increases in real wages and inflation, factors Reeves did not mention.
She has been criticised by political opponents for misleading the public and seeking to find a reason to raise taxes to justify an increase in welfare spending, a charge she denies.
“I don’t think it was misleading for the chancellor to say that the fiscal position was very challenging at the beginning of that week,” David Miles, a member of the OBR’s Budget Responsibility Committee, told lawmakers.
However, Miles cast doubt on the veracity of briefings given to the media later that month in which unnamed government sources said improvements to the OBR’s forecasts meant the government could avoid raising income tax rates.
The British government bond market moved sharply after those briefings with borrowing costs falling.
“It certainly didn’t reflect anything that was news from the OBR being fed into the government,” Miles said.
Reeves last week announced 26 billion pounds ($34.3 billion)in tax increases to remain on track to meet her fiscal targets and fund an increase in welfare for families with children.
The report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns of a possible “great divergence” emerging between nations in terms of economic performance
International News via Reuters:
Artificial Intelligence could widen gaps between developed and developing countries, a U.N. report said on Tuesday, calling for policy measures to limit the impact.
The report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns of a possible “great divergence” emerging between nations in terms of economic performance, people’s skill sets and governing systems.
“We think that AI is heralding a new era of rising inequality between countries, following years of convergence in the last 50 years,” Philip Schellekens, Chief Economist for UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Bureau told a Geneva press briefing.
The UNDP report ‘The Next Great Divergence: Why AI May Widen Inequality Between Countries’ says that trade, technology and development have helped close gaps between states in recent decades, bringing major income, health and education gains.
These gains now risk being eroded, it says.
Ultimately, even wealthier countries would suffer if poorer states are left behind by AI, said Schellekens.
“If inequality continues to rise, the spillover effects of that in terms of the security agenda, in terms of undocumented forms of migration, will also become more daunting,” he said.
Reporting by Emma Farge, editing by Thomas Seythal
The Paris-based organisation raised its 2026 forecast for British economic growth to 1.2% from 1% in its previous forecast in September
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s economy will grow more faster than previously expected next year, the OECD said on Tuesday, citing the impact of finance minister Rachel Reeves’ budget on consumption and drag from global uncertainty that could keep pressure on inflation.
The Paris-based organisation raised its 2026 forecast for British economic growth to 1.2% from 1% in its previous forecast in September. It sees gross domestic product expanding 1.3% in 2027.
“Continuing to ensure that consolidation is carefully timed, given substantial downside risks to growth and upside risks to inflation, and well-calibrated, with a combination of revenue raising measures and spending cuts, is essential,” the OECD said in its latest global outlook.
Finance minister Rachel Reeves announced increases to government spending in her November 26 budget, paid for by higher state borrowing and hiking taxes on workers, people saving for pensions and investors.
Reeves welcomed the forecasts, saying that last week’s budget had cut waiting lists on the country’s national health service, borrowing and debt, as well as the cost of living.
The OECD expects Britain’s government deficit to remain large, but to narrow from 5.9% of GDP in 2025 to 5.1% in 2027, with total revenue reaching 40% of economic output.
It said consumer price inflation was likely to average 3.5% this year – higher than in any other G7 country – before easing to 2.5% in 2026, and 2.1% in 2027.
The inflation forecast for next year was in line with estimates from Britain’s budget watchdog, published last week.
“Elevated inflation expectations and potential second-round effects from increases in payroll taxes and the minimum wage, as well as from high food inflation, constitute an upside risk to prices,” the OECD said, adding this could prompt the Bank of England to keep interest rates higher for longer, and pose a downside risk to economic growth.
With public finances stretched, the OECD warned that Britain’s government had limited capacity to deal with potential shocks to the economy in the future.
The euro was steady at 1.1606 ahead of inflation data expected at 1000 GMT, with traders not expecting the numbers to move the needle around European Central Bank rate cut expectations
International News via Reuters:
The euro steadied on Tuesday ahead of euro zone inflation and unemployment data, while the dollar rose against the yen after an auction of Japanese government debt drew solid demand, easing investor nerves after Monday’s selloff in global fixed income.
The euro was steady at 1.1606 ahead of inflation data expected at 1000 GMT, with traders not expecting the numbers to move the needle around European Central Bank rate cut expectations.
In the meantime talks to end the war in Ukraine continued.
“Today’s CPI shouldn’t move the needle dramatically for ECB rate expectations… If anything, the risks are slightly on the downside for the euro, but our expectation is for a neutral FX impact,” said Francesco Pesole, FX strategist at ING.
The greenback rose 0.37% against the yen to 156.01, after hitting a two-week low on Monday, following a sale of 10-year Japanese government bonds which saw the strongest demand since September, prompting a rebound in super-long-dated securities after yields set fresh records earlier in the day.
“The auction result appears to have provided a measure of reassurance to the market,” said Shoki Omori, chief desk strategist at Mizuho in Tokyo.
Stocks, bonds, cryptocurrencies and the dollar all tumbled on Monday after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said that the central bank would consider the “pros and cons” of raising interest rates at its next policy meeting, sending Japanese two-year yields above 1% for the first time since 2008 and prompting a spillover into global bond markets.
Adding to the anxiety was weaker-than-expected manufacturing data from the U.S., heaping pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates this month. Fed funds futures are pricing an 87% probability of a 25-basis-point cut at the Fed’s next meeting on December 10, compared to a 63% chance a month ago, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool.
The dollar index was steady at 99.48, after touching a more than two-week low on Monday.
Sterling was also flat on the day at $1.3215, having touched its highest level in a month on Monday.
The Bank of England on Tuesday cut the amount of capital it estimates lenders need to hold in a bid to boost lending and stimulate the economy in the first reduction to bank capital demands since the financial crisis.
Reporting by Joice Alves in London and Gregor Stuart Hunter in Singapore; Editing by Sharon Singleton
The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is pleased to announce that applications for the 2026 Youth Employment Programmes (YEP) are open. Students aged 16 to 26 seeking meaningful summer employment and career development opportunities are encouraged to apply.
“Every young person deserves a strong start”, explained the Minister of Economy and Labour, Jason Hayward. “The Youth Employment Programmes are designed to connect Bermudian students with hands-on experience that strengthens their confidence, sharpens their skills, and prepares them for the careers of tomorrow.”
Designed to support early career development, the Youth Employment Programmes offer participants the chance to:
Gain practical, on-the-job experience.
Build professional networks across a range of industries.
Develop leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
Please note the following eligibility requirements for the programme,
Summer Internship Programme (High School Students):
Bermudian or Bermudian Status Holder
At least 16 years old and no older than 18 as of 29 June 2026
Summer Internship Programme (College or University Students):
Bermudian or Bermudian Status Holder
Enrolled in college or university as of 1 December 2025
Offering words of encouragement to Bermuda’s youth, Minister Hayward added, “You are talented, ambitious, and capable. Through these programmes, you will gain exposure to real workplaces, real expectations, and the full potential within you. This is more than a summer job, it is a stepping stone toward a stronger, more resilient career pathway and your future as part of Bermuda’s workforce.”
The application deadline is 31 December 2025.
For more information, please email youthemployment@gov.bm with “Youth Employment Programme” in the subject line or call 297-7714.
The Bermuda Women’s National Team suffered a 4-1 defeat against Guatemala in their second CONCACAF W Qualifiers match, a difficult result compounded by an early goalkeeper injury and Guatemala’s strong control of the match statistics.
Guatemala took control early, scoring in the 5th and 15th minutes to secure a 2-0 lead at the half. The challenge for Bermuda was amplified in the 26th minute when goalkeeper Taya Rodrigues was substituted due to injury, with Sharifa Crockwell entering the game.
Guatemala extended their lead in the second half, eventually going up 4-0 before Eva Frazzoni pulled a goal back for Bermuda in the 78th minute, heading in a cross from Kenni Thompson.
Guatemala dominated possession with 59.2% and registered 24 shots (12 on target), while Bermuda had just two shots. The 4-1 defeat is a setback for Bermuda following their opening 4-0 win against the Cayman Islands.
The Bermuda Women’s National Team is facing a tough challenge in their second CONCACAF W Qualifiers match, trailing Guatemala 2-0 at the half, a scoreline compounded by an early forced substitution in the goalkeeper position.
The match against Guatemala has proven to be a stern test for the Bermudian side, who came into the fixture riding the momentum of a commanding 4-0 victory in their opening match against the Cayman Islands.
However, Guatemala established a 2-0 lead by the half-time whistle, putting the pressure firmly on Bermuda for the remainder of the contest.
Compounding the scoreline, Bermuda was forced into an unfortunate change early in the first half. Goalkeeper Taya Rodrigues was substituted in the 26th minute due to an injury.
Sharifa Crockwell entered the game to replace Rodrigues, who will be assessed for the severity of her injury. This disruption comes at a critical time for Bermuda as they attempt to secure points in the highly competitive qualifying group.
Bermuda will need a major turnaround in the second half to salvage a result and keep their qualification hopes firmly alive.
Nearly 100 payers battled it out at the W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium for the 2nd annual Bermuda Pickleball National Championships
Pickleball took centre stage this weekend as nearly one hundred players—from juniors to elites—hit the courts for the second annual Bermuda Pickleball National Championships. Details in the video.
Britain in 2020 promised a $300 million loan and insurance worth about $700 million for the $20 billion project via UK Export Finance
International News via Reuters:
Britain’s government said on Monday it was withdrawing its $1.15 billion backing for the TotalEnergies-led Mozambique LNG project, slated to make the African nation a major liquefied natural gas exporter to Europe and Asia.
Britain in 2020 promised a $300 million loan and insurance worth about $700 million for the $20 billion project via UK Export Finance, shortly before it pledged to stop providing direct government support for overseas fossil fuel projects.
The project was halted in 2021 due to an Islamist insurgency. Total lifted force majeure on its development in November, but made restarting construction conditional on the Mozambican government’s approval of a new budget, which the president said he may dispute.
“In preparation to restart the project, UKEF was presented with a proposal to amend the financing terms it had agreed originally,” British business minister Peter Kyle said in a statement.
“My officials have evaluated the risks around the project, and it is the view of His Majesty’s Government that these risks have increased since 2020.”
“This view is based on a comprehensive assessment of the project and the interests of UK taxpayers, which are best served by ending our participation in the project at this time.”
Jihadist attacks have been back on the rise in Mozambique, with Total bringing in workers and equipment this year by air and sea for security reasons.
TotalEnergies declined to comment. Mozambique’s government did not respond to a request for comment.
TOTAL HAS SAID PROJECT CAN PROCEED WITHOUT UK FINANCING
In April TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne told investors that project partners could move forward without UK and Dutch financing, using equity.
More than 70% of the project’s financing is secured, and about 90% of the future gas production is commercialized via contracts with buyers, Total has said.
TotalEnergies holds a 26.5% operating stake in Mozambique LNG. Japan’s Mitsui owns 20% in the project and Mozambique state firm ENH 15%, alongside smaller stakeholders including India’s ONGS and Oil India.
Pouyanne told investors in February that Mozambique LNG shareholders were ready to exercise their contractual rights to ensure UKEF and Atradius, the Netherlands’ export finance arm, approved the funds initially promised.
Kyle said UKEF would pay back the project for any premium paid. A UKEF spokesperson declined to name the amount.
A spokesperson for Dutch export arm Atradius, which pledged about $1 billion of insurance to the project, said in July an independent human rights due diligence review was ongoing, but that “there is no clearly defined deadline” for that review.
In March, the U.S. Export-Import Bank approved a nearly $5 billion loan for the project.
CRITICISM FROM ENVIRONMENTAL, HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS
Human rights nonprofit ECCHR last month filed a criminal complaint against TotalEnergies, alleging it was complicit in torture and enforced disappearances allegedly carried out by government soldiers in Mozambique. The company has said there is no evidence of that.
In April UKEF hired law firm Beyond Human Rights Compliance LLP to investigate risks around Mozambique LNG following media reports of the alleged torture, three people interviewed by the firm told Reuters.
A London court in 2023 dismissed a court challenge by environmental group Friends of the Earth against the British government’s funding for the project.
Reporting by Sam Tabahriti, Shadia Nasralla and America Hernandez; Writing by Shadia Nasralla; editing by Kirsten Donovan and Jan Harvey
A former mayor of Tegucigalpa, 67-year-old Asfura had 40% of the votes counted so far, just 4,100 votes ahead of the Liberal Party candidate Salvador Nasralla with 39.78% of the votes
International News via Reuters:
Nasry Asfura, the Conservative National Party candidate backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, led Honduras’s closely contested presidential election with 56% of votes counted, preliminary results showed on Monday, as the gap between the leading candidates narrowed.
A former mayor of Tegucigalpa, 67-year-old Asfura had 40% of the votes counted so far, just 4,100 votes ahead of the Liberal Party candidate Salvador Nasralla with 39.78% of the votes. Rixi Moncada, of the ruling LIBRE party, was third with 19.18%.
Preliminary data from Sunday’s election had shown a larger 2% gap between the first and second candidates, earlier on Monday.
Whichever candidate wins a simple majority will govern the country between 2026 and 2030.
Outgoing President Xiomara Castro reposted on X a message from her husband, former President Manuel Zelaya, calling for vigilance while “awaiting the final count, with 100% of the presidential ballots tallied.”
On Monday morning, problems with the online portal where results were meant to be updated added to frustration around the vote. The website appeared to be down for long stretches, with local media criticizing the outage.
TRUMP WEIGHS IN TO SUPPORT ASFURA ON SOCIAL MEDIA
In the runup, Trump weighed in on the tightly contested race to throw his support behind Asfura in a series of social media posts, saying he can work with him to counter drug trafficking and that “if he doesn’t win, the United States will not be throwing good money after bad.”
On Friday, Trump also said he will grant a pardon to former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who is serving a 45-year prison sentence in the U.S. for drug trafficking and firearms charges. Hernandez, who led Honduras from 2014-2022, was also from the National Party.
Argentine President Javier Milei threw in his lot with Asfura as well, saying on social media that “he is the candidate who best represents opposition to the leftist tyrants who destroyed Honduras.”
Both Asfura and Nasralla have said they may resume diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which were severed in 2023. Such a move would mark the biggest diplomatic setback for China in the region for decades.
VOTE TAKES PLACE IN POLARIZED CLIMATE
Sunday’s vote, in which the 128 members of Congress, hundreds of mayors, and thousands of other public officials are also being chosen, took place in a highly polarized climate. Moncada has suggested she would not recognize the official results.
Most polls showed a virtual tie between the three candidates heading into election day. The Organization of American States expressed concerns about the electoral process.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau warned the U.S. would respond “swiftly and decisively to anyone who undermines the integrity of the democratic process in Honduras.”
On Sunday, some frustrated voters and electoral observers denounced officials for turning away citizens still waiting to vote.
DISTRUST OF ELECTORAL PROCESS
Honduras, where six out of every 10 citizens live in poverty, suffered a coup in 2009 when an alliance of right-wing military figures, politicians and businessmen overthrew Manuel Zelaya, the husband of the outgoing president, who was a Liberal Party member at the time.
In 2011, Zelaya founded the Libertad y Refundacion party, with which his wife swept to power in 2021, ending more than a century of rule by the National and Liberal parties.
Honduras’ Attorney General’s Office, aligned with the ruling party, has accused the opposition parties of planning to commit voter fraud, a claim they deny.
Prosecutors have opened an investigation into audio recordings in which a high-ranking National Party politician allegedly discussed plans with an unidentified military officer to influence the election. Those recordings, which the National Party says were created using AI, were central to Moncada’s campaign.
The Honduran military has also come under criticism for asking the National Election Council to give it copies of the tally sheets on election day, a violation of Honduran law.
These tensions contributed to a growing public distrust of the electoral authorities and the electoral process in general.
Castro, the first woman to govern Honduras, increased public investment and social spending. The economy has grown moderately, and poverty and inequality have decreased but remain high. The International Monetary Fund has praised her government’s prudent fiscal management.
The country’s homicide rate has also fallen to its lowest level in recent history, but violence persists.
Human rights groups have criticized Castro for maintaining a prolonged state of emergency in parts of Honduras and for continuing to rely on the military for policing, the approach of her predecessor Hernandez.
Reporting by Laura Garcia in Tegucigalpa, Leila Miller in Buenos Aires and Diego Ore in Mexico City; additional reporting by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez; editing by Stephen Eisenhammer, Lincoln Feast and Sharon Singleton
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