EU Firmly Rejects US Congressional Report Alleging Censorship of American Content
The European Union has issued a strong rebuttal to accusations made in a US congressional report that claimed it forced social media platforms to censor American content. The 160-page report, released by the Republican-dominated House Judiciary Committee, alleged that the European Commission spent a decade attempting to "censor the global internet" and suppress American speech.
EU digital affairs spokesman Thomas Regnier dismissed the allegations as "pure nonsense" and "completely unfounded." He emphasized that freedom of expression is a fundamental right in Europe and defended the Digital Services Act (DSA) as a measure to protect that right against big tech companies. The report specifically targeted the DSA, describing it as part of a long-term effort to silence political opposition.
The accusations come ahead of a hearing titled "Europe's Threat to American Speech and Innovation, Part II," chaired by President Donald Trump ally Jim Jordan. The EU's response highlights ongoing tensions over digital governance and content moderation policies between the two regions.
Nazara Technologies Reports 35% Drop in Quarterly Profit
Diversified gaming platform Nazara Technologies posted a significant decline in its financial performance for the December quarter. The company's consolidated profit fell by 35.3% to Rs 8.9 crore, while revenue from operations also decreased by 24% year-over-year to nearly Rs 406 crore.
In response to these results, the board has approved an investment in nCore Games, indicating a strategic move to bolster its portfolio amidst challenging market conditions. This development reflects broader trends in the gaming industry, where companies are navigating fluctuating revenues and seeking growth through acquisitions and partnerships.
Bajaj Finance Sees 6% Decline in Net Profit for Q3
Bajaj Finance reported a 6% drop in net profit to Rs 4,066 crore for the third quarter of the current financial year. This compares to a net profit of Rs 4,308 crore in the same period last year. Despite the profit decline, the company's total income showed growth, rising to Rs 21,215 crore from Rs 18,058 crore year-over-year.
Net interest income also increased to Rs 11,317 crore, suggesting that while profitability was impacted, the company's core lending operations remained robust. The results highlight the competitive and regulatory pressures facing the financial services sector in India.
Kolkata Book Fair Concludes with Record Sales of Rs 32 Crore
The 49th International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF) wrapped up on Monday, achieving estimated book sales of Rs 32 crore over its 12-day run from January 22. Held at Central Park in Salt Lake, the fair featured over 1,000 book stalls and attracted a record 32 lakh visitors, solidifying its status as Asia's largest book fair in terms of footfall.
Organizers noted a 15% increase in sales compared to last year's figure of Rs 23 crore. Argentina served as the focal theme country, with participation from nations including Russia, Ukraine, China, the UK, Spain, and France. The fair concluded with the traditional banging of the hammer 49 times, marking another successful edition of this cultural event.
Bihar Health Minister Claims State's Sex Ratio Outperforms Many Others
Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey asserted that the state's sex ratio is better than that of many other states in India. This statement came in response to concerns raised during the Budget session about a perceived decline in the ratio. Pandey cited a recent official report putting the sex ratio at 908 girls per 1,000 boys, though he acknowledged room for improvement.
The minister highlighted government efforts to combat sex determination and female foeticide under the PCPNDT Act, along with initiatives like "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" and "Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana" to empower women. These programs aim to support female development from birth through marriage, addressing deep-seated social issues.
Other Notable Updates
Wazirabad Naib Tehsildar Suspended: The Haryana government suspended the Wazirabad naib tehsildar for alleged illegal property registrations at M G Road in Gurugram. The action followed violations of directions from the Town and Country Planning Department, with ongoing probes into other cases.
French Prosecutors Seek Ban for Marine Le Pen: Prosecutors in France have requested that an appeal court maintain a five-year ban on far-right leader Marine Le Pen from holding public office over an EU parliament fake jobs scandal. If upheld, this would prevent her from running in the 2027 presidential election.
