The EU has told iPhone maker Apple to allow access to its tightly controlled iPhone and iPad operating systems to rival companies and third-party developers or possibly face anti-trust fines.
The EU has given the Californian company a six-month deadline to resolve these issues. If Apple fails to comply, it could be fined up to 10 per cent of its annual global revenue, as stipulated by the Digital Markets Act that intends to promote fair competition in the digital market.
“Today is the first time we use specification proceedings under the DMA to guide Apple towards effective compliance with its interoperability obligations through constructive dialogue,” Margrethe Vestager, EU’s executive vice president in charge of competition policy, said in a statement on Thursday.
“We are focused on ensuring fair and open digital markets … effective interoperability, for example with smartphones and their operating systems, plays an important role in this.”
Apple shares jumped 3.80 per cent to $229.07 at 2.40pm New York time on Thursday.
The EU said it has started two specification proceedings to assist Apple in complying with its obligations under the Digital Markets Act.
The first focuses on several operating system connectivity features and functionalities, while the second focuses on the process Apple has set up to address interoperability requests submitted by developers and third parties.
This month, Apple introduced four new devices – the base iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max – at its annual event. The devices are powered by Apple Intelligence, the company's take on generative AI.
But in June, the company said that various features, including Apple Intelligence, would be restricted from the EU market due to the Digital Markets Act’s requirements for operating systems to be compatible with third-party apps.
Apple has been the subject of numerous lawsuits and has been involved in anti-trust investigations in Japan, South Korea and Europe.
In March, the company said it would appeal against a $2 billion fine from the European Commission, stemming from an accusation that Apple unfairly shut out music-streaming rivals on its platforms, most notably Spotify.
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
The%20Roundup
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Brief scoreline:
Al Wahda 2
Al Menhali 27', Tagliabue 79'
Al Nassr 3
Hamdallah 41', Giuliano 45 1', 62'
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Indika
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