Visa Bans Escalate Transatlantic Tech Row
According to Reuters, “US targets former EU commissioner, activists with visa bans over alleged censorship”, the move centers on alleged CENSORSHIP of American speech and has prompted sharp EU rebukes. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-targets-former-eu-commissioner-activists-with-visa-bans-over-alleged-2025-12-23/)) [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-targets-former-eu-commissioner-activists-with-visa-bans-over-alleged-2025-12-23/)
Italy Regulator Halts WhatsApp Terms
According to Reuters, “Italy watchdog orders Meta to halt WhatsApp terms barring rival AI chatbots”, Milan’s AGCM said the clauses could cause ANTITRUST harm to chatbot competitors and Meta intends to appeal. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/italy-watchdog-orders-meta-halt-whatsapp-terms-barring-rival-ai-chatbots-2025-12-24/)) [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/italy-watchdog-orders-meta-halt-whatsapp-terms-barring-rival-ai-chatbots-2025-12-24/)
Starlink Growth Surges Past 9M
According to Business Insider, “Elon Musk’s Starlink is adding 20,000 new users a day as it hits 9 million customers”, the rapid GROWTH highlights Starlink’s expanding global reach ahead of a rumored SpaceX IPO. ([businessinsider.com](https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starlink-customer-numbers-surge-9-million-elon-musk-ipo-2025-12)) [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starlink-customer-numbers-surge-9-million-elon-musk-ipo-2025-12)
S&P 500 record — According to Reuters, “S&P 500 hits intraday record high fueled by rate cut bets” as markets rallied on AI-led earnings and softer economic data, reviving expectations of Fed easing and sending major indexes to holiday-season highs. [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/sp-500-hits-intraday-record-high-fueled-by-rate-cut-bets-2025-12-24/)
Inflation eases — According to Reuters, “US consumer prices increase less than expected in November” as the CPI rose 2.7% year‑over‑year, cooling core inflation and lifting rate‑cut bets, though analysts warned the reading was distorted by the extended government shutdown. [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/view-us-consumer-prices-increase-less-than-expected-november-2025-12-18/)
Too busy to read? Listen to the audio file.