Global Politics and Tech Trends Unfold

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced plans to ban social media for children under 16, citing the need to protect them from the 'digital Wild West'. The ban, which still needs parliamentary approval, is part of a broader set of changes aimed at regulating social media platforms, including making company executives responsible for 'illegal or harmful content' and criminalizing the manipulation of algorithms to amplify disinformation. Other European countries, including France, Denmark, and Austria, are also considering similar bans. Social media companies have argued that such bans would be ineffective and could isolate vulnerable teenagers.

President Trump announced a trade deal with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, lowering tariffs on Indian products from 25% to 18% and halting India's purchase of Russian oil. Modi agreed to buy more American products, including over $500 billion in U.S. energy, technology, agriculture, coal, and other goods. The deal aims to improve the U.S.-India relationship strained by India's continued trade with Russia during the Ukraine war. Modi confirmed the reduced tariff rate on social media, expressing delight and gratitude to Trump.

French authorities have searched X's office in Paris as part of an investigation into the company's content moderation and data practices. Elon Musk and Linda Yaccarino have been summoned to appear for questioning on April 20, 2026. The investigation was launched in January 2025 over complaints about X's algorithm and data gathering practices, and was broadened last year after reports of nonconsensual AI-generated content and holocaust denial content on the platform. X and Musk have dismissed the investigation as baseless and politically motivated. A recent CBS News investigation found that X's Grok AI tool still allows users to digitally undress people without their consent, despite public pledges to stop the function.

The article discusses Josh D'Amaro's appointment as Disney's next CEO and the challenges he faces in balancing the company's creative magic with investor expectations. D'Amaro, currently head of Disney's 'experiences' division, inherits a company with a stagnant share price over the past decade. The article highlights the need for D'Amaro to maintain Disney's creative edge while improving investor confidence.

The article discusses the legal battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman, co-founders of OpenAI, revealing the true nature of AI bosses as regular capitalists driven by profit motives. The dispute, which has led to a treasure trove of documents being released, shows that despite initial non-profit intentions, OpenAI's partnership with Microsoft and its abandonment of its non-profit structure have been driven by financial gain. The article argues that AI bosses, like their human counterparts, are motivated by capitalist principles, using the example of OpenAI's shift towards profit-driven decisions.

Elon Musk's recent announcement to merge SpaceX and xAI has raised eyebrows as it appears to defy conventional business logic. The merged entity, valued at $1.25 trillion, will be dominated by SpaceX investors who will own 80% of the new company. Musk's decision to combine a rocket and satellite broadband company with a chatbot maker has sparked questions about his strategic thinking. The article discusses the implications of this mega-merger and how it fits into the larger trend of deal-making in the AI economy.

The article discusses the intense rivalry between Elon Musk's xAI and OpenAI, highlighting the historical context of such rivalries in driving technological innovation. It touches upon the personal and corporate conflicts between Musk and Sam Altman, framing their legal battle as a manifestation of their capitalist interests. The piece suggests that such rivalries, though often petty, are a significant force behind great technological advancements.

The article 'Thank God for Melania Trump' from The Economist compares Melania Trump to Eva Perón, highlighting the potential dangers of having a charismatic and influential First Lady by a populist leader's side. The author reflects on Eva Perón's role in supporting her husband Juan Perón's authoritarian regime in Argentina and how her popularity and bond with the common people enabled his policies. The article suggests that Melania Trump's relatively low-key presence is a mitigating factor against her husband's potential authoritarian tendencies. The piece uses the example of Eva Perón to illustrate the potential harm that a highly influential First Lady could cause if she were to strongly support and enable Donald Trump's policies.

The article discusses the recent downturn in software stocks, particularly those of companies like SAP, ServiceNow, Salesforce, and Workday. On January 29th, SAP announced a 'slight deceleration' in its cloud-based software business for 2026, causing its share price to plummet by 15%. Other software companies, even those that released no news, also suffered significant losses. The article questions whether investors are overestimating the risk from AI and speculates on the potential causes of the downturn. The software sector has been impacted, with investors seemingly reacting to potential future risks rather than current performance.

The article reports on leaked documents from the Iranian regime that reveal a coordinated plan to violently suppress nationwide protests. The plan, approved by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, involves the use of force, surveillance, and internet shutdowns. The documents show that Iran's Supreme National Security Council developed the strategy after the 2019 nationwide protests. The plan outlines four escalating law enforcement and security conditions, with the IRGC taking full command authority in the most severe category. The documents also reveal extensive surveillance and repression measures, including monitoring and control of opposition members and family members of executed dissidents. The article highlights the regime's brutality, with at least 6,854 people killed during the protests, and 11,280 cases under investigation.

Oscar-nominated screenwriter Mehdi Mahmoudian has been arrested in Tehran days after signing a statement condemning Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his regime's violent crackdown on protesters. Mahmoudian co-wrote the script for the Iranian drama 'It Was Just An Accident', which is nominated for best screenplay and best international film at the upcoming Academy Awards. The arrest has been condemned by the film's director, Jafar Panahi, who also signed the statement criticising the Iranian regime. The statement, signed by 17 individuals, described the killing of protesters as an 'organised state crime against humanity'. The exact charges against Mahmoudian are unclear. The arrest comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the international community, with human rights organisations estimating that between 5,000 to 50,000 people were killed in the protests.

The brothers of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, called on Congress to take action against the violence resulting from immigration operations. During a congressional hearing, Luke and Brett Ganger shared their sister's story and the impact of her death on their family. They urged lawmakers to address the use of force by Department of Homeland Security officers, citing the traumatic effects on communities and families. The hearing was part of a broader effort by congressional Democrats to highlight the issue and push for accountability.

The article discusses the concept of 'neoroyalism' in relation to President Trump's governance style, which is characterized by personal, family, and business ties influencing global economic policymaking. This approach is likened to 16th-century royal families like the Tudors and Hapsburgs. The theory, coined by professors Abraham L. Newman and Stacie Goddard, suggests that Trump's policies prioritize personal gain and crony capitalism over national interest and long-term growth. The article provides examples of this neoroyalist approach, including the TikTok deal and Nvidia chip sales to China, and argues that it undermines economic growth, creates uncertainty, and hampers investments.

The article reports on Renee Good's brothers, Brent and Luke Ganger, testifying before Congress to urge lawmakers to rein in the deportation crackdown following her fatal shooting by a federal immigration agent. The brothers described their sister as a devoted mother and 'unapologetically hopeful' person. They linked her death to a larger pattern of abuses by immigration officers and demanded stricter limits on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The testimony was part of a congressional forum led by Democrats, who are pushing for new restrictions on immigration enforcement, including body cameras for ICE agents and independent investigations into shootings. No Republicans were present during the testimony.