National transport strike paralyses travel across Italy
A nationwide transport strike on Friday disrupted travel across Italy, with major delays and cancellations reported in rail, air, and public transit services.
A new European Union law coming into effect on June 20 mandates smartphone makers to provide five years of software updates, energy labels, and improved repairability—setting new standards that may reshape the global smartphone industry.
Smartphone manufacturers selling devices in the European Union will soon be held to stricter standards under new legislation aimed at boosting product longevity, sustainability, and consumer protection. Beginning June 20, companies will be required to offer at least five years of software updates and disclose detailed product durability information through energy labels.
The EU directive, part of the Energy Labelling and Ecodesign Regulation, is intended to curb electronic waste and protect consumers from low-quality devices that quickly become obsolete.
The law requires all smartphones and tablets sold in the EU to meet several key criteria:
Five years of software update support after a device's market release
Energy labels that show a device’s battery longevity, repairability score, energy efficiency, and resistance to water and dust
Minimum IP rating to guarantee protection against water, dust, and everyday wear
Durable batteries that maintain 80% capacity after 800 charge cycles
Spare parts availability for up to seven years, delivered within 5–10 working days
Samsung appears to be ahead of the curve, with many of its flagship and mid-range Galaxy devices already meeting or exceeding these requirements. Recent Samsung models offer up to six years of software updates, and even budget-friendly devices often include IP ratings for water and dust resistance.
In contrast, brands like Xiaomi, Honor, and other budget-focused OEMs may struggle to comply, especially in terms of long-term software support and hardware durability.
The EU’s push for more sustainable and repairable technology aligns with broader environmental goals and consumer rights policies. It could also influence markets outside Europe, as manufacturers may opt to standardize their practices globally rather than develop region-specific models.
As the legislation comes into force, consumers can expect better transparency and longer-lasting devices, signaling a major shift in the mobile tech industry’s approach to sustainability and after-sales support.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Germany’s producer prices dropped 1.2% year-on-year in May, in line with market expectations, largely due to falling energy prices, official data showed Friday.
The World Bank is pushing for “radical” debt transparency from developing countries to prevent future financial crises, warning that hidden debts are fueling instability.
European stock markets ended the day in negative territory following interest rate decisions by major central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Bank of England (BoE).
South Korea’s new administration proposed $14.7 billion in additional spending on Thursday to boost weak domestic demand, as President Lee Jae Myung pushes economic recovery as his top priority.
If the European Central Bank adjusts interest rates in the next six months, the move would likely be a cut, ECB policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau said on Thursday.
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