Author: Lester Holt

ASML, a leading Dutch company in chipmaking technology, has announced a major investment of 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in Mistral AI, a fast-growing French artificial intelligence startup. The deal was revealed on Tuesday and marks a significant partnership between two of Europe’s most advanced technology players. The investment gives ASML an 11% ownership stake in Mistral. The agreement also values the Paris-based startup at about 11.7 billion euros. This funding is part of a larger round worth 1.7 billion euros, which includes contributions from global investors such as chipmaker Nvidia and several venture capital firms. ASML, headquartered in Veldhoven…

Western allies unite to tighten economic pressure on Moscow WASHINGTON, Sept 9 — U.S. and European Union officials met in Washington this week to coordinate an expanded sanctions strategy targeting Russia, following a surge in military strikes across Ukraine. The talks focused on limiting Moscow’s financial and energy resources to reduce its capacity to sustain the war effort. The session, held at the U.S. Treasury Department, included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and EU Sanctions Envoy David O’Sullivan. Delegates explored measures to broaden restrictions on Russian oil exports and refining operations, essential to Kremlin revenue, while stressing the need for a…

District judge’s order overturnedThe Supreme Court has sided with the Trump administration, permitting federal immigration officials to continue raids in Southern California that had been temporarily blocked. This decision nullifies a July 11 injunction from U.S. District Judge Maame Frimpong, who had ruled that the government’s actions likely violated the Fourth Amendment, which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures. Claims of targeted enforcementThe lawsuit alleged that heavily armed, masked federal agents singled out individuals based on race, ethnicity, or how they spoke. Plaintiffs described the operations as abrupt and forceful, likening them to public abductions. Jason Gavidia, one of the…

Prime Minister outlines measures to support families and youth Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has unveiled a €1.6 billion initiative aimed at curbing the nation’s declining population. Speaking at the Thessaloniki International Fair, he said the program is designed to ease the financial burden on households and provide incentives for young citizens to remain in Greece. Set to take effect in 2026, the package combines broad income tax reductions, assistance for larger families, lower property taxes in rural and island regions, and extra support for pensioners and households facing economic hardship. Declining birth rates and migration fuel concerns The announcement…

Regulators Cite Market Abuse The European Commission has fined Google €2.95 billion, concluding that the company leveraged its dominant position in the online advertising sector to favor its own ad exchange and publisher tools. Officials said this behavior reduced competition and limited options for advertisers and publishers. Google Must Submit Corrective Plan in 60 Days Brussels has required Google to outline a strategy within two months to address the anti-competitive practices. Authorities warned that failure to provide an adequate plan could lead to stricter measures, including the potential separation of parts of Google’s ad-tech operations. Google confirmed it will appeal…

Remarks at Vladivostok Forum Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned on Friday that Western and European forces entering Ukraine while the conflict is ongoing would be considered legitimate targets by Moscow.Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, he stressed that any foreign military presence amid active hostilities would provoke a direct response from Russian forces. Triggered by European Security Pledges The statement came in the wake of a summit in Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 countries had committed to providing long-term security assistance to Ukraine.These commitments include financial support, military training, and the potential deployment of…

Court Restores $2.2 Billion in Grants A federal judge in Massachusetts has ruled against the Trump administration’s effort to cancel more than $2.2 billion in research funding for Harvard University. On September 3, Judge Allison Burroughs ordered that the grants be reinstated and prohibited any further suspension. The funding, which had been frozen since spring, supports a wide range of projects in science, medicine, and engineering. Judge Cites Political Motivation In an 84-page ruling, Burroughs concluded that the administration’s actions violated both constitutional protections and federal administrative law. The judge found that the cancellation was influenced by political disputes surrounding…

Trump calls the operation a warning to traffickers President Donald Trump confirmed Tuesday that US forces carried out a military strike against a vessel allegedly tied to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua cartel, killing 11 people in the southern Caribbean. The attack took place in international waters, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio described the targeted ship as part of a common trafficking route originating in Venezuela, framing the strike as a strategic move to disrupt cartel operations in the region. Trump defends action In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “At my direction, US forces conducted a…

Landslides and damaged roads slow rescue efforts A powerful magnitude-6 earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan late Sunday, killing over 800 people and injuring around 2,500, Taliban officials reported. Emergency teams are struggling to reach remote mountain communities due to landslides and destroyed roads. The tremor’s epicenter was near the Pakistan border, with Kunar province suffering the most severe impact. Its shallow depth intensified the damage, and aftershocks continued into Monday, shaking areas as far as Kabul, over 100 miles from the epicenter. Hospitals overwhelmed with casualties Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the death toll is expected to rise, as many residents…

Court steps in after urgent legal filings On Sunday, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., issued an emergency injunction stopping the Trump administration from deporting a group of Guatemalan children. The ruling followed last-minute appeals from attorneys who said the planned removals were unlawful. Ten children identified, ruling extends to all in federal custody The case centers on 10 unaccompanied minors, ages 10 to 17, who lawyers said were hours from being flown to Guatemala late Saturday. Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan suspended the deportations for 14 days and ordered that the children remain under the care of the Office of…