The European Union has proposed plans to ease the bloc's strict data protection rules and delay central parts of its new AI law. Brussels says the aim is to boost innovation and competitiveness of European firms by cutting red tape, but digital rights groups see the move as capitulating to pressure from Big Tech and US President Donald Trump. Also in the segment, a Belgian farmer has taken TotalEnergies to court over its impact on climate change, hoping it will force the oil giant to change its practices.