US accepts Brazil's WTO consultation request over tariffs

The United States has agreed to hold World Trade Organization consultations with Brazil over tariffs it recently imposed on Brazilian goods, while maintaining that the levies are a national security matter, Reuters reported.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump implemented a 50 percent tariff on most Brazilian imports, citing concerns that recent policies in Brazil threaten US national security, foreign policy, and the economy. In a WTO submission, the US argued that some of Brazil’s requests involve political issues that fall outside the organization’s dispute resolution process.

 

Son of Norway's crown princess charged with rape and abuse

The eldest son of Norway's crown princess has been charged with 32 offences, including four counts of rape, a prosecutor says, BBC reported.

The charges against Marius Borg Høiby, 28, include the abuse of a former partner and violations of restraining orders against another former partner.

He was born from a relationship before Crown Princess Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon, who is the future king of Norway. 

Mr Høiby denies the most serious accusations against him, but plans to plead guilty to some lesser charges when the trial starts, his lawyer Petar Sekulic told Reuters news agency.

He could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of the most serious charges, according to BBC.

White House launches TikTok account with Trump saying  “I am your voice”

The White House launched an official TikTok account, @whitehouse, on Tuesday to share President Donald Trump’s messages with the app’s 170m US users. The debut video showed Trump declaring, “I am your voice”, Reuters reported.

Trump, who credits TikTok with boosting his support among young voters in 2024, also posts on Truth Social and X.

Lawmakers worry US user data could be accessed by China. Trump is negotiating a US buyout of TikTok’s parent, ByteDance. A 2024 law required TikTok to divest or halt US operations, but Trump has repeatedly extended the deadline, sparking criticism over national security risks, according to Reuters.

 

India plans to ban online games played with money, citing addiction risks

India’s government is considering a ban on online games played for money, a move that could heavily impact the booming gaming industry. The proposed Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, reviewed by Reuters, cites potential psychological and financial harm from such games and prohibits offering or facilitating them.

The bill defines online money games as those where users deposit money with the expectation of winning cash or other rewards. Violations could carry up to three years in prison and fines.

The sector, valued at billions of dollars, has gained popularity through fantasy cricket apps like Dream11 and Mobile Premier League, which attract users with small entry fees and large prize pools. The government has long raised concerns over the addictive nature of these games, especially during major tournaments like the Indian Premier League, Reuters reported.