PoliticsGlobal issues

Fact check: How to spot AI-generated newscasts

Monir Ghaedi | Adnan Sidibe07/02/2025July 2, 2025

AI-generated newscasts are getting harder to spot — and they’re flooding your feed. Here’s how to avoid falling for the fakes.

https://p.dw.com/p/4wWcoThis AI-generated interview on TikTok looks like a real street poll; complete with a red post box and British flags. But the scene is entirely fake.Image: TikTok

In one TikTok video, a reporter stands in front of a traditional red Royal Mail pillar box, with British flags fluttering in the background and a microphone in hand. He asks a female passerby who she plans to vote for in the upcoming election. “Reform,” the woman replies. “I just want to feel British again, innit.”

A user comments below: “I wonder how much they paid her to say that.”

But this scene never happened. The interview is entirely fake. The reporter doesn’t exist — he was generated by artificial intelligence. And if you look closely, there’s a subtle clue: a faint watermark in the corner bearing the word “Veo,” the signature of Google DeepMind’s powerful new video-generation tool.

This 8-second video isn’t an isolated case. From TikTok to Telegram, synthetic newscasts — AI-generated videos that mimic the look and feel of real news segments — are flooding social feeds. They borrow the visual language of journalism: field reporting, on-screen graphics, authoritative delivery. However, they’re often completely fabricated, designed to provoke outrage, manipulate opinion or simply go viral.

“If you’re scrolling fast on social media, it looks like news. It sounds like news,” Hany Farid, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley who specializes in digital forensics, told DW. “And that’s the danger.”

Real-world risks

Many synthetic videos blur the line between satire and reality, or are simply misleading.

In another example(it’s an 8-second clip too), a reporter appears to describe an “unprecedented military convoy” moving through central London. She stands in front of a tank as a crowd looks on. Yet the video does not refer to any specific event, time, or context.

An AI-generated fake newscast shows a synthetic reporter standing in front of tanks in central London

DW Fact check has repeatedly observed how such clips resurface during times of crisis — like riots or major news events — repurposed to sow confusion or falsely suggest dramatic escalations.

During the latest conflict escalation between Israel and Iran, TikTok and other platforms were swarmed with AI-generated content about the war, including fake newscasts making false claims — such as Russia allegedly joining the war, Iran attacking the US, or Iran shooting down US B-2 bombers used in strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

DW also observed a surge in synthetic news clips following the outbreak of protests against the US immigration authority ICE in Los Angelesin June.

The consequences extend far beyond social media.

In 2024, Taiwanese researchers flagged AI-generated newscasts on local platforms that falsely accused pro-sovereignty politicians of corruption. The clips didn’t just spread misinformation — they seeded distrust, undermining the credibility of all news outlets ahead of the country’s elections.

But some users turn to AI newscasts for parody or comic effect. One viral TikTokshows a synthetic anchor reporting in front of a pothole so deep that motorcycles vanish into it. Another has an avatar declaring, “I’m currently at the border but there is no war. Mom, Dad, this looks real — but it’s all AI.”

Fact check: How AI fakes are distorting the Israel-Iran war

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How to spot a fake newscast

So, how can you tell what’s real?

Start with watermarks. Tools like Veo, Synthesia, and others often brand their videos, though the labels are sometimes faint, cropped out, or ignored. Even clearly marked clips are frequently flooded with comments asking, “Is this real?”

Fake newscasts are among the most polished AI-generated content. Because they often depict static news studio environments, typical AI giveaways — like awkward hand movements or inconsistent backgrounds — are harder to spot. But subtle clues remain.

Watch the eyes and mouth. Synthetic avatars often blink unnaturally or struggle with realistic lip-syncing. Teeth may appear too smooth or unnaturally shiny. Their shape might even shift mid-sentence. Gestures and facial movements tend to be overly uniform, lacking the natural variation of real humans.

Text can also be a giveaway. On-screen captions or banners often contain nonsensical phrases or typographical errors. In one example, a supposed “breaking news” chyron read: “Iriay, Tord for the coteat aiphaiteie the tha moerily kit to molivaty instutuive in Isey.” The reporter’s microphone was labeled “The INFO Misisery.”

This AI-generated “newscast” may look real at first glance — but check the text. Nonsense words like “Iriay Tord” and “aiphaiteie” are red flags.Image: tiktok

As Farid explained, the challenge of spotting synthetic content is a moving target.

“Whatever I tell you today about how to detect AI fakes might not be relevant in six months,” he said.

So what can you do? Stick with trusted sources.

“If you don’t want to be lied to,” Farid said, “go to reliable news organizations.”

How cheap AI is making money

The concept of AI presenters isn’t new. In 2018, China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency introduced a stilted, robotic AI anchor. At the time, it was more curiosity than threat.

But the technology has evolved dramatically. Tools like Veo now let virtually anyone — with no media training — create polished, broadcast-style videos for just a few hundred euros a month. The avatars speak fluidly, move realistically, and can be dropped into almost any scene with a few typed prompts.

“The barrier to entry is practically gone,” said Farid. “You don’t need a studio. You don’t even need facts.”

Most of these clips are engineered for maximum engagement. They tap into highly polarizing topics: immigration, the war in Gaza, Ukraine, and Donald Trump, to provoke strong emotional reactions and encourage sharing.

Social media platforms often reward this content. Meta, for instance, recently adjusted its algorithm to surface more posts from accounts users don’t follow, making it easier for synthetic videos to reach broad, unsuspecting audiences. Monetization programs further incentivize creators: The more views a video racks up, the more money it can generate.

This environment has given rise to a new breed of “AI slop” creators: users who churn out low-quality synthetic content tied to trending topics just to grab views.

Accounts like this one— with about 44,000 followers — often jump on breaking news before journalists can confirm the facts. During a recent airline crash, dozens of TikTok videos featured AI avatars dressed as CNN or BBC reporters, broadcasting fake casualty numbers and fabricated eyewitness accounts. Many remained online for hours before being taken down.

In moments of breaking news — when users are actively seeking information — realistic-looking AI content becomes an especially effective way to attract clicks and cash in on public attention.

“Platforms have moved away from content moderation,” Farid told DW. “It’s a perfect storm: I can generate the content, I can distribute it, and there are audiences willing to believe it.”

Fact check: How do I spot AI images?

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Joscha Weber contributed to this article

Edited by: Tetyana Klug, Rachel Baig

Monir Ghaedi Iranian author and reporter on current affairsMonirghaediSend us your feedback

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Sursa: DW

ConflicteIran

Iranul ordonă suspendarea cooperării cu agenția nucleară a ONU

Amy Stockdale AP. AFP, dpa, Reuters07/02/20252 iulie 2025

Președintele Iranului a aprobat un proiect de lege de suspendare a cooperării cu Agenția Internațională pentru Energie Atomică (AIEA). Aceasta vine la câteva săptămâni după ce atacurile aeriene americane și israeliene au lovit instalațiile nucleare ale Iranului.

https://p.dw.com/p/4wmi6Ordinul lui Pezeshkian nu a inclus niciun calendar sau detalii despre ce ar implica această suspendareImagine: Biroul Președinției Iraniene/APAimages/IMAGO

Președintele Iranului, Masoud Pezeshkian, a semnat miercuri o lege care suspendă accesul inspectorilor AIEA în țară până când „securitatea” instalațiilor sale nucleare este garantată.

Această măsură ar putea limita și mai mult capacitatea inspectorilor de a monitoriza programul nuclear al Iranului, care îmbogățea uraniul la niveluri apropiate de cele necesare pentru arme nucleare.

Suspendarea vine la câteva săptămâni după ce atacurile aeriene americane și israeliene au vizat instalațiile nucleare ale Iranului.

Ce știm despre suspendare?

Potrivit televiziunii de stat iraniene, suspendarea „va rămâne în vigoare până când vor fi îndeplinite anumite condiții, inclusiv securitatea garantată a instalațiilor nucleare și a oamenilor de știință”.

Detalii suplimentare despre decizie sunt limitate și nu este încă clar cum o va implementa Iranul.

AIEA a fost deja refuzată accesul la instalațiile nucleare avariate pe care Israelul și SUA le-au bombardat luna trecută.

Duminică, ambasadorul Iranului la Organizația Națiunilor Unite, Amir Saeid Iravani, a declarat că activitatea inspectorilor AIEA a fost suspendată, dar a negat orice amenințare la adresa lor.

Se temea o reacție mai puternică

Experții se temeau că decizia Iranului ar fi putut fi mai severă. Aceștia erau îngrijorați că Iranul va încheia, în loc să suspende, cooperarea sa cu AIEA.

De asemenea, au existat îngrijorări că Iranul va abandona Tratatul de neproliferare nucleară. În baza acordului, țările sunt de acord să nu construiască sau să nu obțină arme nucleare și să permită AIEA să efectueze inspecții nucleare.

Iranul a folosit anterior restricții asupra inspecțiilor AIEA ca tactică de presiune. Cu toate acestea, Iranul a semnalat că nu există un plan imediat de reluare a discuțiilor nucleare cu SUA.

„Nu cred că negocierile vor relua atât de repede”, a declarat ministrul iranian de externe, Abbas Araghchi. Cu toate acestea, el a adăugat: „Ușile diplomației nu se vor trânti niciodată.”

Israelul condamnă decizia

Decizia Iranului de a suspenda cooperarea cu AIEA a atras condamnarea ministrului israelian de externe, Gideon Saar.

El a făcut apel la națiunile europene care fac parte din acordul nuclear semnat de Iran în 2015 să implementeze așa-numita clauză snapback. Aceasta ar reinstaura toate sancțiunile ONU împotriva Iranului, care au fost inițial ridicate prin acordul nuclear al Teheranului.

Se crede pe scară largă că Israelul este singura țară cu arme nucleare în Orientul Mijlociu. AIEA nu are acces la instalațiile sale.

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Sursa: DW

MusicAustralia

Australia anulează viza lui Kanye West din cauza unei melodii naziste

Richard Connor cu AFP, Reuters07/02/20252 iulie 2025

Australia a anulat viza rapperului american Kanye West după ce acesta a lansat o melodie care îl glorifică pe liderul nazist Adolf Hitler. West a lansat piesa pe 8 mai, coincidând cu cea de-a 80-a aniversare a înfrângerii Germaniei naziste în timpul războiului.

https://p.dw.com/p/4woZ7 Muzicianul în vârstă de 48 de ani, care și-a schimbat legal numele în Ye, a lansat „Heil Hitler” 8 maiImagine: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire/empics/picture alliance

Ministrul australian de Interne, Tony Burke, a confirmat miercuri că artistului american Kanye West i s-a anulat viza australiană după ce a lansat o melodie care promovează nazismul.

Piesa rapperului „Heil Hitler”, care îl laudă pe liderul nazist Adolf Hitler, a fost lansată pe rețelele de socializare și pe platformele de streaming muzical în luna mai.

Ce a spus Australia despre interzicerea intrării în țara lui Kanye West?

Interdicția vine în urma unei serii de postări antisemite pe care West le-a făcut pe X, în care a declarat „Îl iubesc pe Hitler” și „Sunt nazist”.

Ministrul de Interne, Tony Burke, a declarat că, deși comentariile anterioare ale lui West nu i-au afectat statutul vizei, oficialii au reevaluat situația după lansarea melodiei.

„A făcut o mulțime de comentarii jignitoare, dar oficialii mei au analizat din nou situația odată ce a lansat melodia Heil Hitler – și nu mai are o viză valabilă în Australia.”

Burke a spus West, care s-a căsătorit cu soția sa, Bianca Censori, o arhitectă australiană, în decembrie 2022, are familie în Australia și fusese mult timp un vizitator regulat înainte ca viza sa să fie anulată.

„Nu era o viză nici măcar pentru concerte”, a spus Burke. „Era un nivel inferior, iar oficialii totuși au analizat legea și au spus: «Veți avea o melodie și veți promova acest tip de nazism, nu avem nevoie de așa ceva în Australia».”

Care este temeiul legal?

Legea privind migrația din Australia stabilește cerințe de securitate și caracter pentru cetățenii străini care intră în țară.

Rapperul spune că a fost înțeles greșit și a vorbit despre lupta sa pentru custodie cu fosta soție Kim KardashianImagine: Danny Moloshok/REUTERS

Burke a respins criticile conform cărora retragerea vizei ar putea fi văzută ca un afront la adresa libertății de exprimare.

„Pentru cetățenii australieni, da, aveți libertate deplină de exprimare. Dar avem deja suficiente probleme în această țară fără a importa în mod deliberat bigotism.”

Sydney și Melbourne, cele mai mari orașe ale țării, au fost martore la o serie de atacuri antisemite de când a început războiul dintre Israel și Hamas pe 7 octombrie 2023.

Cum melodia a provocat agitație

„Heil Hitler” a stârnit indignare în Slovacia după ce s-a anunțat că rapperul va cânta acolo în iulie.

Peste 3.000 de persoane au semnat o petiție prin care cereau anularea concertului planificat de West în capitala slovacă, Bratislava.

Petiția a numit spectacolul său „o insultă la adresa memoriei istorice” și „o glorificare a violenței din timpul războiului”.

Petiția, organizată de două grupuri locale, l-a acuzat pe West – un susținător vocal al președintelui american Donald Trump – că „a aderat în mod repetat și deschis la simboluri și ideologii legate de cea mai întunecată perioadă a istoriei globale moderne”.

În videoclipul muzical „Heil Hitler”, zeci de bărbați de culoare îmbrăcați în blănuri și măști de animale scandează titlul melodiei în timp ce stau în formațiune de bloc. În același timp, West cântă rap despre faptul că a fost înțeles greșit și despre lupta sa pentru custodie cu fosta soție, Kim Kardashian.

Piesa, lansată pe 8 mai pentru a coincide cu cea de-a 80-a aniversare a înfrângerii Germaniei naziste în cel de-al Doilea Război Mondial, se încheie cu un fragment dintr-un discurs susținut de Hitler.

Editat de Jenipher Camino Gonzalez

Richard Connor Relatează despre evenimente din întreaga lume, cu accent deosebit pe Europa – în special Germania. Trimiteți-ne feedback-ul dvs.

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Sursa: DW

CatastrofăEgipt

O navă se răstoarnă în Golful Suez, cel puțin 4 morți

Kieran Burke cu AP și Reuters07/02/20252 iulie 2025

O navă de foraj petrolier s-a răsturnat, iar rapoartele arată că era remorcată pe importanta rută de transport maritim. Trei persoane sunt încă dispărute.

https://p.dw.com/p/4wp1pUn guvernator local egiptean a declarat că la bord se aflau 30 de muncitori când nava de foraj s-a răsturnat. Imagine: Wang Dongzhen/Red Sea Government of Egypt/Xinhua/picture alliance

Răsturnarea unei nave în Golful Suez a lăsat cel puțin patru persoane moarte, iar alte patru sunt încă dispărute, au declarat miercuri autoritățile din Egipt.

Acest lucru a fost confirmat în rapoarte care îl citează pe proprietarul saudit al operatorului navei, ADES Holding Company, deși, potrivit acestora, se crede că doar trei sunt dispărute.

Echipele de căutare și salvare recuperează 4 cadavre

Agenția de știri AP l-a citat pe guvernatorul provinciei egiptene Marea Roșie, Amr Hanafy, care a declarat că la bordul navei se aflau 30 de muncitori când aceasta s-a răsturnat.

Hanafy a declarat că echipele de salvare au recuperat cadavrele a patru persoane, dar au reușit și să scoată în siguranță 22 de persoane, care au fost apoi duse la spital.

Nave din Marina egipteană a ajutat la eforturile de căutare și salvare.

Circumstanțele răsturnării rămân neclare, dar presa locală a relatat că nava era remorcată pentru excavații într-o altă zonă când s-a răsturnat.

Ministerul petrolului din Egipt a declarat marți că producătorul de petrol și gaze Offshore Shukheir Oil Co (OSOCO) a raportat incidentul ca având loc în apropierea zonei Gabal El-Zeit din Egipt, de-a lungul Mării Roșii.

Traficul maritim nu a fost afectat.

Autoritatea Canalului Suez a declarat într-un comunicat că incidentul a implicat nava de foraj petrolier Admarine 12 și a avut loc la 130 de mile marine de intrarea sudică a Canalului Suez.

Autoritatea a declarat că navigația pe importanta rută de transport maritim nu a fost afectată.

ADES a declarat că trei dintre angajații săi și un contractor au fost uciși, iar salvatorii îi caută pe ceilalți trei, a declarat ADES.

„Compania colaborează îndeaproape cu autoritățile locale și serviciile de urgență, „Siguranța și bunăstarea întregului personal rămânând prioritatea sa absolută. Se va efectua o anchetă completă și amănunțită asupra incidentului”, a declarat ADES.

Editat de: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez

Kieran Burke, redactor și redactor de știri specializat în relații internaționale, securitate globală și aplicarea legii. Trimiteți-ne feedback-ul dvs.

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Sursa: DW

CatastrofăSomalia

Somalia: 3 morți în accidentul unui elicopter al Uniunii Africane

Amy Stockdale AFP, AP, Reuters07/02/20252 iulie 2025

Elicopterul militar ugandez s-a prăbușit pe aeroportul din Mogadiscio în timp ce se îndrepta spre o misiune de menținere a păcii a Uniunii Africane.

https://p.dw.com/p/4wo4iElicopterul a aparținut inițial Forțelor Aeriene Ugandeze, dar era operat de misiunea de menținere a păcii a Uniunii AfricaneImagine: AP/picture alliance

Un elicopter al Uniunii Africane s-a prăbușit în jurul orei 7:30 a.m., ora locală (04:30 GMT) pe Aeroportul Internațional Aden Abdulle din Mogadiscio, ucigând trei persoane.

Acesta decolase de la baza aeriană militară Baledogle din regiunea Shabelle inferioară din sudul Somaliei, potrivit Misiunii de Sprijin și Stabilizare a Uniunii Africane în Somalia (AUSSOM).

Ce știm despre accident

AUSSOM a declarat că „trei dintre cei opt pasageri aflați la bord au fost salvați imediat” și au fost transportați de urgență la spital.

Elicopterul militar a aparținut inițial Forțelor Aeriene Ugandeze, dar era operat în prezent ca parte a misiunii de menținere a păcii AUSSOM.

Un purtător de cuvânt al armatei ugandeze a declarat că impactul accidentului a provocat distrugerea munițiilor aflate la bord detonează, distrugând structurile din apropiere și rănind trei civili.

Elicopterul s-a prăbușit pe aeroportul internațional din Mogadiscio chiar înainte de a ateriza, a declarat AUSSOM. Imagine: Abuukar Mohamed Muhidin/Anadolu/picture alliance

Uniunea Africană ajută autoritățile somaleze să lupte împotriva grupării islamiste Al-Shabaab.

Operațiunile de căutare și salvare erau în desfășurare pentru a recupera pasagerii și echipajul rămași.

Ahmed Moalim Hassan, directorul general al Autorității Aviației Civile din Somalia, a declarat reporterilor că sunt în curs de desfășurare anchete pentru a determina cauza accidentului.

Aeroportul rămâne operațional.

Editat de Farah Bahgat și Jenipher Camino Gonzalez

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Sursa: DW

Nature and EnvironmentEurope

Amid severe heat wave, EU pitches flexible 2040 climate goal

Anchal Vohra in Brussels07/02/2025July 2, 2025

The EU has unveiled its new climate target, a 90% reduction in emissions by 2040. But not all member states are on board, while a provision to outsource part of the climate efforts abroad has generated controversy.

https://p.dw.com/p/4wpIWA decade after the Paris climate accord, the European Commission has proposed that the bloc reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2040Image: Thibaud Moritz/AFP/dpa/picture alliance

With large parts of Europe gripped in a record-breaking heat wave, the European Commission has proposed that the bloc reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2040. That’s in comparison to levels back in 1990, and on track to meet the target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

The binding emissions reduction target was first proposed last year, and came after months of tough negotiations among member states. The existing target requires the EU to reduce net emissions by at least 55% by 2030; in May, the Commission said the bloc had already cut climate-warming emissions by 37%.

The new target will give certainty to investors, “strengthen industrial leadership of our businesses, and increase Europe’s energy security,” the commission said in a statement on Wednesday.

But not all member states are on board with the plan, and a controversial flexibility clause on buying carbon credits on international markets has activists crying foul.

Europeans have been suffering through a brutal heat wave, with temperatures in the high 30sImage: Thomas Coex/AFP

‘Carbon credits is simply magical thinking’

Under the proposal, EU member states could purchase international carbon credits on green projects in third countries from 2036 onward, using them to offset up to 3% of the benchmark 1990 emissions.

“This can provide a safety-net to ensure a 90% target is achievable as we are closing on climate neutrality,” the commission said.

But activists have said the flexibility clause was included due to pressure from member states like France and Germany, along with major industry lobbyists, at the cost of reduced investments at home.

EU aims to make its industries more competitive

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Mathieu Mal, a climate and agriculture expert at the European Environment Bureau, said the 3% flexibility clause was a “bad idea” for a variety of reasons.

“What this means is that the EU would be investing in other countries outside the bloc to reduce their emissions, and that’s problematic because we need these investments within the EU. We also have our sectors to decarbonize and we need funds for energy transformation here,” he said.

“Every country across the world needs to commit to climate action. If the EU counts these carbon credits towards its own goals then what about the countries who also need to reduce their emissions and achieve their own targets?” 

Critics worry that outsourcing carbon credits to countries like India, which struggle with their own environmental problems, will dilute EU efforts to reduce emissionsImage: Sakib Ali/Hindustan Times/Sipa USA/picture alliance

In May, the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change advised against outsourcing part of the bloc’s climate efforts, saying it “risk[s] diverting resources from domestic investments and could undermine environmental integrity.” It called on all reduction toward net zero to be “achieved through domestic action.”

Critics of the clause have called it a ruse for heavy polluters who find it cost intensive to decarbonize in Europe and easier to invest in projects abroad that lack sufficient oversight. 

“The use of carbon credits is simply magical thinking for a bloc unwilling to live up to its responsibility for causing the climate catastrophe we’re already living through,” said Friends of the Earth Europe. “Carbon credits have a long record of failure and ultimately do not stop Europe emitting more than its fair share of carbon emissions.”

Speaking with DW, Mal highlighted previous concerns about green investments in third nations. “There have been lots of issues in the past. Projects carried out in some countries often don’t have high standards, they often remain just on paper. There are questions if they were ever materialized,” he said. 

Poland home to EU’s dirtiest power plant

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Is 90% emissions reduction by 2040 too ambitious? 

The Commission’s new target has the backing of at least some of the EU member states.

As Denmark takes over the EU’s rotating presidency this week, it has listed the 2040 target as one of its top priorities. “Anyone who says that the green transformation cannot be achieved with high ambition and social justice at the same time should come to Denmark,” said Villy Sövndal, a lawmaker with the European Greens group and Denmark’s former foreign minister.

“Competitiveness in the 21st century is not linked to fossil fuels but to the advancement of the energy transition,” Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s socialist prime minister, said last week at the EU summit in Brussels.

But other countries consider the 2040 target to be too ambitious. Italy has said an 80-85% target for 2040 would be more realistic, and the Czech Republic said Wednesday it disagreed with the commission’s proposal.

Speaking at the EU summit, French President Emmanuel Macron also indicated it was still too early to agree to setting the target for 2040. “The reality is that I want to get my 2030 target right first,” he said, “and take the democratic and political time to convince others to get to 2040.”

While Germany and France both back the 3% flexibility clause, France expects an even higher percentage of the overall goal to be met by purchasing international carbon credits, with some reports suggesting up to 10%.

The European Commission’s green transition chief, Teresa Ribera, has warned against watering down the bloc’s climate ambitions. Image: Kamran Jebreili/AP Photo/picture alliance

85% of Europeans believe climate change is serious

According to Teresa Ribera, the EU’s green transition chief, some political groups in the EU continue to deny climate change whereas others lack courage in confronting their constituents about steps required to combat the problem.

“Political courage is needed to understand that there is a difficulty,” she said in an interview with The Guardian on Wednesday. “You need to face it with honesty.”

The EU’s climate plans have raised concerns around the costs of green transition and disruption to industrial growth and livelihood, if decarbonization is carried out without adequate support. However, Ribera believes there is no time to waste. 

“Sorry, but it’ll be much more expensive if we don’t act,” she said. 

According to a Eurobarometer survey released this week, 85% of Europeans believe climate change is a serious problem and tackling it should be a priority, while 77% agreed that the cost of damage due to climate change is much higher than the investment needed for a net-zero transition.

“As European citizens increasingly feel the impact of climate change, they expect Europe to act,” the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.

The proposal still needs the stamp of approval from the European Parliament and member states, and Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said he hoped an agreement could be reached before the UN climate change conference in Brazil in November. But time is short, and there are still doubts as to whether the proposal in its current form will be adopted as law. 

Edited by: Martin Kuebler

Anchal Vohra Brussels-based European correspondentSend us your feedback

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Sursa: DW

PoliticsUnited States of America

How will Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ impact Americans?

Matthew Ward Agius07/02/2025July 2, 2025

The battle for President Donald Trump’s "Big Beautiful Bill" appears to be nearing an end. But Trump’s signature tax and spending policy isn’t popular, even within his own party.

https://p.dw.com/p/4wmrGIt’s been a long road, but Donald Trump is close to a major political win in CongressImage: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” has passed the US Senate and now only needs to be sent to his desk by the Republican-controlled House to be signed into law.

It means the US president, who has long pressured Republicans to pass the bill, is now on the brink of an important legislative milestone and political victory.

Much of his second term has so far been marked by executive orders, which are presidential instructions with the force of laws but which don’t need the approval of Congress. But having this major spending and tax bill passed by Congress will finance a huge chunk of his presidential campaign promises. 

“I think, politically, this is a winner for Donald Trump, he can point to some sort of legislative success for his agenda,” said Steven Webster, a political scientist at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Trump has demanded the House pass the bill for him to sign by July 4 — suggesting his desire for an Independence Day themed victory lap — but there are still hurdles to overcome within his own party.

Mike Johnson has committed to passing the revised ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ through the House of Representatives by July 4, but may face some challenges from within his own partyImage: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

“Some people dislike the bill because of the cuts to part of the American health care and safety net system,” said Peter Loge, a political analyst at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

“Some people don’t like the legislation because it adds a tremendous amount to the US debt. It’s incredibly expensive.”

So what’s in the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’?

The big bill is a big attempt to check off Trump’s long list of campaign promises.

It includes a mix of individual and business tax cuts, massive cash injections to immigration controls, increased military spending and a ramping up of fossil fuel incentives.

There are also changes to health and social program eligibility and a winding down of some of the climate transition initiatives introduced by former President Joe Biden.

The winners, unsurprisingly, are policy realms that have been the foundation of Trump’s “America First” mantra.

A total of in spending will go to programs intended to restrict immigration, including resuming the construction of Trump’s Mexico border wall, as well as to staff and resource border police, immigration prosecutions, detention and criminal investigations.

Around — a call for fossil fuel extraction to be ramped up — the bill would simultaneously incentivize gas exploration and exports, while ending concessions and incentives for electric vehicles, clean energy and emissions reduction programs.

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There also tax cuts of about 

“Nothing in this bill should be surprising,” Loge said, “It promises to spend a lot of money capturing immigration concerns in the US… it would spent a huge amount of money strengthening our immigration system and finding and deporting people who are here without proper authorization. That’s by-and-large popular among many people.”

A big bill, but not beautiful to everyone

In both houses, Republican leaders have been forced to balance the demands of holdouts — those unhappy with the measures contained within the bill.

Debt is a major concern for fiscal conservatives. Nonpartisan analysts project about of the bill. The debt limit has been raised by

Prior to the Senate passing the bill, the world’s richest person and the top donor to Trump’s presidential campaign threatened to run candidates against Republicans who supported the measures during upcoming primary contests, and went as far to suggest he’d start his own “America Party” in opposition.

“I think the party is likely to struggle to explain how adding three-and-a-half trillion dollars to the national debt is in line with their stated goal of getting the nation’s fiscal house in order,” said Webster.

The bill is also unpopular with the public.

According to a Quinnipiac University poll from mid-June, 53% of Americans support the bill and 27% don’t (the rest didn’t offer an opinion). Only two-thirds of Republican voters are in favor. Analysts DW spoke with said that when the content of the bill tends to be explained to voters, including Republicans, support declines. 

Trump’s bill sparks fear for US health care, foreign aid

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Changes to health and social programs likely play a major role. 

New eligibility rules, particularly for the Medicaid scheme which extends health care coverage to low-income people, and the SNAP food aid program could see millions of people lose health insurance coverage by 2034, according to the independent Congressional Budget Office. In all, more than have been cut from health measures. 

“It’s about 17 million that would lose coverage,” said Elisabeth Wright Burak, a senior fellow at the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, a nonpartisan research center.

“Even if there are some sort of tax or other benefits, if you’re losing your health insurance coverage, or you’re losing your nutrition assistance, that’s a hit to your [personal] bottom line.” 

That could also hit important parts of Trump’s MAGA base — including working Americans who have flipped their support to him during the last decade.

While many of the health program changes have been made because of what Trump has called large scale “fraud and abuse” within the US public health infrastructure, many experts have argued the claimed attempt to cut fat from health care initiatives is hacking into muscle. 

“There’s not a lot of fat in Medicaid,” said Wright Burak. “Certainly there are things that could be improved, but most of that money is already going to health care services.”

Trump is expected to take a major hand in final negotiations with the Republican House representatives. According to The Associated Press, he has already met with moderate Republicans and is set to do the same with the conservative caucus.

Edited by: Martin Kuebler

Matthew Ward Agius Journalist reporting on politics, health, history, science, climate and environment.Send us your feedback

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Sursa: DW

Colaboratoarea politică CNN Maggie Haberman explică raționamentul din spatele atacurilor lui Donald Trump asupra judecătorului și a familiei sale în timpul unui discurs la stațiunea sa din Mar-a-Lago, după ce a fost pus sub acuzare pentru infracțiuni grave.

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Sursa: CNN

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Sursa: CNN

CNN  — 

The escalating climate crisis is shifting many people’s purchasing patterns and this extends to the Delay means death': We're running out of ways to adapt to the climate crisis, new report shows. Here are the key takeaways

Strategy and consulting firm Simon Kucher’s Global Sustainability Study 2021 found 60% of consumers around the world rated sustainability as an important purchase criterion, and 35% were willing to pay more for sustainable products or services.

This shift in consumer preferences has propelled many beauty brands to set environmental goals: to move away from single-use and virgin plastics, provide recyclable, reusable and refillable packaging and offer more transparency around products’ ingredients so customers can ascertain how “green” their purchase is.

However, consumers still struggle to understand the sustainability credentials of many products, according to the British Beauty Council. This is because the industry’s clean-up efforts have been inconsistent, and fall short of making a recognizable impact in the absence of collective goal-setting, global strategy and standardized regulations.

Ingredient and branding transparency

There is no international standard for the beauty industry on how much product ingredient information to share with customers — or how to do so. Brands can set their own rules and goals, giving rise to confusion and “greenwashing,” where sustainability claims are often touted but not substantiated.

Companies often use marketing language like “clean beauty” to make it seem like their products are natural, for example, when they may not actually be organic, sustainable or ethically made.

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“The term ‘clean beauty’ has become quite dangerous. It’s used to sell more products,” according to British Beauty Council CEO Millie Kendall, who added that such buzzwords are losing traction in the UK as British customers wise up to their shortcomings. “Customers need better marketing information and certification information.”

In a 2021 report calling on the industry to have “the courage to change” their business practices, the British Beauty Council wrote that, all too often, even natural ingredients involved in manufacturing products give way to “over-consumption, non-regenerative farming practices, pollution, waste and neglect.”

“The only way out of this is transparency,” Kendall told CNN.

Jen Lee, chief impact officer at US-based brand Beautycounter, said she continues to see confusion over ingredients among consumers. (In 2013, the company launched and published “The Never List,” which currently cites more than 2,800 chemicals — including heavy metals, parabens and formaldehyde — it claims to never use in its products.)

“Natural vs. synthetic ingredients has been a conversation. People think natural is safer, but it’s not always the case,” Lee explained. “Natural ingredients formulated in the industry can have toxic load. Heavy metals can occur in natural components of the earth.”

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“We used to be more natural and organic,” added Sasha Plavsic, founder of makeup brand ILIA Beauty. “What was challenging is (that) raw materials were difficult to source or would come in inconsistently or products wouldn’t perform.”

Most makeup is created and molded at high temperatures, Plavsic explained. Purely organic materials often fall apart in this heat, leading to inconsistent results and subpar product performance. “Not every synthetic is bad,” Plavsic said. “Sometimes, it helps create the best in class formula.”

Unpacking plastics

The industry’s plastic packaging is a particular sustainability challenge — 95% is thrown away and the vast majority is not recycled, according to the British Beauty Council.

The cosmetics business is the fourth biggest plastic packaging user globally — after food and beverage, industrial packaging and pharmaceuticals — and plastic is about 67% of the industry’s packaging volume, according to Vantage Market Research. Beauty giant L’Oreal used 144,430 metric tons of plastic in its packaging material in 2021, for example, according to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation (EMF). Estee Lauder Companies reported its brands produced 71,600 metric tons of plastic in product packaging that same year.

And only 9% of the global plastic waste is recycled, according to a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The United States only recycles 4% of its plastic waste.

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Many brands are trying to phase out harmful plastics from their operations and adopt post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. (L’Oreal has set a target of 50% PCR plastic usage by 2025, while Estee Lauder is targeting 25% “or more” PCR plastic — but both are far from achieving their targets.)

“Between 60-70 major global brands have made unprecedented progress” in PCR plastic usage across industries, EMF’s Plastic Initiative Lead Sander DeFruyt told CNN. But DeFruyt stressed that PCR plastic must be adopted in conjunction with brands removing single and virgin plastics from their usage cycles to truly make a difference.

However, PCR plastic is not easy to find — low recycling rates around the world mean there is limited supply. Meanwhile, demand for it is growing demand across industries, DeFruyt said. This competition hikes up its price, which is already higher than virgin plastic.

Hair care brand FEKKAI claims that it used up to 95% PCR content in its packaging, but pricing and supply issues posed a challenge, forcing it to currently aim for containers and packaging that feature at least 50% PCR in its packaging.

“PCR plastic is more expensive than stock plastic. The cost is hard and then sourcing it is too,” founder Frédéric Fekkai told CNN. “PCR is close to our heart, but there is a massive demand, so finding recycled plastic is difficult.”

The weight of retail

Beauty retailers plays a pivotal — and under-utilized — role, with control over stocking decisions and supply chains. But many vary when it comes to the standards they set for brands they sell.

“Smaller businesses do more, full stop,” said Jessi Baker, founder of the technology platform Provenance, which helps brands display their sustainability credentials for customers. “They move more nimbly. Some of them are born-good brands — climate friendliness was part of their setup. They don’t need to restructure their entire supply chain. Their culture already has it compared to the larger brands who need to work hard to change.”

Related article A history of beauty trends — and the standards that shaped them

Sephora launched its “Clean + Planet Positive” initiative in 2021, which labeled products that met its set criteria. (This is separate from the French retailer’s “Clean at Sephora” program, which is currently facing a consumer lawsuit alleging it carries a significant percentage of products understood by customers to be harmful.) Target launched a similar program in 2022, featuring a “Target Zero” icon for both online and in-store offerings that either have reusable, recyclable, compostable or reduced plastic packaging, or feature waterless or concentrated products.

Still, many steps taken by brands and retailers do not even begin to touch on the waste and pollution generated throughout supply chains, manufacturing and shipping, all huge problems for the industry to grapple with.

The missing player

The gaps in standardization in the beauty ecosystem can, to some extent, be filled by certifications such as the US-born B Corporation, or B Corp. This accreditation, one of the most well-known in the beauty space, is issued by the non-profit B Lab, which scores a company on a variety of criteria around ethics and sustainability. However beneficial it may be among eco-conscious consumers, though, it is currently completely voluntary for brands to apply for.

Governments and multinationals enforcing regulations and setting a base line for brands to operate from when making sustainability claims would go a long way to making change, many experts and business leaders believe.

Susanne Kaufmann, founder of her namesake beauty brand, says her efforts in Austria would reap better results if more countries around the world had stricter, more uniform garbage disposal laws.

Related article A trash heap 62 meters high shows the scale of India's climate challenge

“I package our product in a recyclable material,” Kaufmann said. (Her products’ packaging, which is refillable and reusable, is made from 75% recycled plastic — and is 100% recyclable.) If I send this to the US, the garbage is not separated… and it’s not recyclable,” she explained, referring to inconsistencies in recycling laws across the United States.

And when it comes to ingredients, the European Chemicals Agency lists 2,495 substances banned from use in cosmetic products marketed for sale or use in the bloc. But the US Food and Drug administration only lists 11, making it more challenging for American consumers to find safer, greener options. The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit watchdog, studied lab tests of 51 sunscreen products in 2021 and found that only 35% of products met the EU standard, compared with 94% that passed the US standard.

However, while government can set minimum requirements, Mia Davis, vice president of sustainability and impact at beauty retailer Credo Beauty, says the needle will move in the private sector.

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“Regulation can raise the floor a bit. A person who doesn’t know about any (sustainability issues) should still be able to walk into a bodega and get clean products… But that’s never going to be what the market can do,” she said. “Market leadership is key.”

In the absence of bold regulations or global standards on sustainability practices, this “leadership” — undertaken both by brands and customers in the beauty marketplace — is likely to be the most immediately impactful vector for addressing the industry’s climate shortcomings. It will take continued collective advocacy and initiative to see meaningful climate-conscious change.

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Sursa: CNN