Department of Justice asks federal judge to break up Google

The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking to force Google to sell off its popular Chrome browser as part of a bid to restore competition to the market for online search engines.

The outcome of the trial could fundamentally reshape the internet by unseating Google as the go-to portal for information online.

The trial comes on the heels of a win in a Virginia court on Thursday where a judge ruled in a separate antitrust case that Google maintains an illegal monopoly in advertising technology.

Reference Sources

1. quartz - Department of Justice asks federal judge to break up Google
2. nytimesen - U.S. Asks Judge to Break Up Google
3. cna - Google faces trial in US bid to end search monopoly
4. quartz - Google's moment of truth is here
5. bussinesstimes - Google faces historic trial in US bid to end search monopoly - The Business Times

Chinese battery maker CATL launches second generation of fast-charging battery

(Source: Bloomberg)

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL), the world's biggest producer of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), has unveiled upgraded battery cells it claims can offer even faster charging for EVs than its rival BYD, putting the two Chinese groups ahead in an industry-wide race to solve a major bottleneck for the shift away from petrol vehicles.

The new version of its flagship Shenxing battery cell can offer a 520km range from just five minutes of charging time.

CATL also unveiled three groundbreaking EV battery products at its inaugural Super Tech Day: the Freevoy Dual-Power battery, Naxtra - the world's first mass-produced sodium-ion battery, and the second-generation Shenxing Superfast charging battery, as well as an integrated 24V start/stop Naxtra battery for heavy-duty trucks.

Reference Sources

1. cna - Chinese battery maker CATL launches second generation of fast-charging battery
2. bussinesstimes - CATL teases five-minute EV charging with longer range than BYD - The Business Times
3. ft - China’s CATL claims to have overtaken BYD on 5-minute EV battery charging time
4. nytimesen - CATL Announces Major Advances in E.V. Batteries
5. apnews - Naxtra Battery Breakthrough & Dual-Power Architecture: CATL Pioneers the Multi-Power Era

U.S.: Stocks and dollar slide as Trump attacks Federal Reserve

(Source: AP)

U.S. stocks were tumbling on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, amplifying investors' concerns over the central bank's autonomy and its ability to keep inflation under control. Last week, Trump called on Powell to cut interest rates to help stimulate the U.S. economy.

The U.S. President then renewed his criticism on Monday, warning on social media of a slump unless "Mr. too late, A- major loser, LOWERS interest rates." U.S. stock futures are pointing to a lower open as fears reemerge that Trump's tariff plan or his attack on Powell will hurt the economy. On Sunday, Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee said in a CBS interview that the tariffs could lead U.S. economic activity to fall off by the summer from "artificially high" activity caused by panic purchasing ahead of tariffs. Last week, Powell said Trump's tariffs could present a potential conflict between its mandate to keep prices stable and promote full employment.

Reference Sources

1. eurodayfr - Donald Trump again attacks the boss of the American Central Bank which he had however appointed himself
2. eurodayfr - United States: Trump describes the boss of the Fed of “Loser”
3. dwen - US: Stocks and dollar slide as Trump attacks Federal Reserve
4. usatoday - US stock futures down. Dow off 400 pts. Investors skittish on tariffs and Fed independence
5. upi - U.S. markets slip after Trump calls out Fed Chair Jerome Powell

Pope Francis dies at 88 after respiratory crisis

(Source: AP)

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88 after a prolonged battle with respiratory illnesses.

The Argentinian pontiff passed away at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.

The news of his passing came as a shock to many Roman Catholics worldwide, as he had just made an appearance at Easter Sunday mass in Vatican City and held a brief meeting with the United States Vice-President JD Vance.

Pope Francis became the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church 12 years ago in March 2013.

Pope Francis was remembered as someone full of compassion, mercy, and "irrepressible hope" as Catholics came together to mourn the death of a pontiff hailed by the king and other world leaders.

Reference Sources

1. mothership - President Tharman, PM Wong & ministers pay tribute to late Pope Francis
2. ukrinform - Zelensky, Shmyhal offer condolences on death of Pope Francis
3. newyorkpost - Pope Francis, first pontiff from the Americas, dead at 88 after respiratory crisis
4. mirror - Pope's cause of death revealed as Vatican releases death certificate
5. usatoday - I covered two conclaves and a papal funeral: what to expect

The CommonWealth English daily news digest is a service curated by the CommonWealth English team with the help of AI tools.

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