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European Edition
11th December 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

Slovakia's parliament approves plan to dismantle whistleblower's office

Slovakia's parliament has approved a controversial plan to dismantle the independent Whistleblower Protection Office, which safeguards those reporting corruption. A coalition of 78 lawmakers, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, voted in favour despite widespread criticism from opposition parties, the Slovak prosecutor-general, and various NGOs. “The level of protection, as well as people's trust in the whistleblower protection system, which we have been working hard to build at the office over the past years, will be significantly weakened by this law,” the Whistleblower Protection Office said in a statement. Michal Šimečka, leader of the opposition Progressive Slovakia party, called it "an attack against the rule of law." The changes were pushed through with limited debate.
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STRATEGY

Aegon announces name change and headquarters move to US

Dutch insurer Aegon has announced the relocation of its headquarters and legal seat to the United States, and a rebrand as Transamerica. Aegon CEO Lard Friese said: “We are ready for the next frontier: to fully capture the opportunities in the largest life insurance market in the world: the US,” adding: “Aegon's ambition is clear: we want to become a leading US life insurance and retirement group.” The transition will impact around 250 employees and is expected to be completed by January 2028. Aegon will incur an estimated cost of £350m during the process. The group's shares will remain listed in Amsterdam.

Pfizer to cut over 200 jobs in Switzerland

Pfizer is to cut more than 200 Swiss jobs as part of a multi-year cost reduction programme. The drugmaker will reduce its workforce in Switzerland to around 70 from 300 by the end of this year. The job cuts follow a broader downgrade of the Swiss unit within the company.
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LEGAL

Protests over proposed media law in Lithuania

Thousands gathered in Vilnius, Lithuania's capital, on Tuesday to protest legislation that will increase political pressure on public media and align the nation with eastern European countries including Hungary and Slovakia that have tightened controls on free speech. “This is in no way compatible with the principles of free and independent media and a democratic state,” read a petition signed by more than 130,000 people.

Germany to foreign companies: Obey our laws

Germany's chancellor Friedrich Merz has said foreign companies must obey German and EU rules when they operate there. "Just as European and German companies have to follow the rules in America, sometimes facing very draconian punishments, so American companies must accept our rules here, and if they don't, then there are possibilities for sanctioning them," Merz said following U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of an EU penalty imposed on social media platform X.
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WORKFORCE

Starbucks faces global protests as unions rally behind striking US baristas

Starbucks workers and union supporters in 10 countries, including the UK, Germany, and Australia, staged coordinated protests yesterday in solidarity with 3,000 striking US baristas. The US workers, represented by Starbucks Workers United, are calling for better pay, staffing, and resolution of hundreds of labour disputes. While Starbucks says the strike has had minimal business impact, international demonstrations aim to escalate pressure amid stalled contract talks and ongoing labour tensions.
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TECHNOLOGY

UK lawmakers push for AI regulation

Over 100 MPs have urged the UK government to implement binding regulations on advanced AI systems. The cross-party initiative highlights concerns that AI could threaten national security. The campaign, co-ordinated by Control AI, calls for the UK to assert independence from US lobbying against regulation. Former Defence Secretary Des Browne said super-intelligent AI "would be the most perilous technological development since we gained the ability to wage nuclear war," arguing that only international co-operation "can prevent a reckless race for advantage that could imperil us all." 
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SUSTAINABILITY

EU deal to scale back corporate sustainability laws

EU officials are to limit the scope of the bloc’s contested supply chain law and remove a clause requiring businesses to make climate transition plans after months of pressure from companies and governments including the United States. Under the changes, the EU will limit its corporate sustainability due diligence directive (CSDDD) to only the largest EU corporations - those with more than 5,000 employees and €1.5bn annual turnover. A spokesperson for US oil and gas major ExxonMobil said the changes "didn’t go nearly far enough," observing that the EU's due diligence law would still apply to foreign companies.
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INTERNATIONAL

US bank executives say AI will cut jobs

Reuters reports that US banks including JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo say artificial intelligence will likely cause job losses at their companies while boosting productivity. Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf said the lender has not reduced the number of staff, but observed "we're getting a lot more done" because of AI. "There are other places out there where we're gonna be able to look at and figure out, how are we able to do more with less people," he said. "It's not going to totally replace humans, but does create an opportunity to do things significantly different."

Internet platforms warned not to shift tax burden onto China's gig workers

China’s State Taxation Administration has told internet platforms to avoid passing tax obligations onto gig workers, as it increases regulation and further seeks to crackdown on tax-dodging internet influencers. “Platforms should not disguise additional fees during tax withholding and remittance processes, nor should they use such processes to shift tax obligations and increase gig workers’ burdens,” officials from the tax authority said. As oversight increases, the administration said gig workers, including food-delivery riders and ride-hailing drivers, would be exempt from tax reporting requirements, which are typically handled by platforms.

Denmark to hire health staff from Philippines

Denmark has established a recruitment agreement with the Philippines, allowing for the hiring of up to 100 health sector staff annually, starting in 2027. The agreement reflects a growing trend of international collaboration in the health sector.
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OTHER

McDonald’s slammed for 'creepy' AI-generated Christmas ad

McDonald’s Netherlands is facing a backlash over its 2025 Christmas advert, created entirely using artificial intelligence, which viewers have criticised as unsettling, poorly made, and cynical. The ad, featuring glitchy, AI-generated mishaps before Christmas, sparked outrage online, with critics calling it “soulless” and “demonic.” The production team defended the creative process, insisting the AI project involved extensive human oversight and effort.
 
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