![\"Europe](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/invezz:caa869db2094b-44657cf6595b79fcb835749f857226d1-resized.webp.webp\")
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European markets ended Tuesday slightly lower as rising Iran tensions and political uncertainty in the US kept investors on edge.<\/p>\n
The BBC is also fighting back in court, seeking to dismiss President Trump\u2019s $10 billion defamation lawsuit on jurisdiction and \u201cactual malice\u201d grounds.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Spain moved to tighten rules on AI deepfakes, setting tougher consent standards and stronger protections for minors.<\/p>\n
In France, farmers intensified protests against the EU-Mercosur trade deal ahead of key votes.<\/p>\n
European stock slips amid Iran-Powell jitters<\/strong><\/p>\n European equities finished Tuesday\u2019s session in cautious retreat, with the Stoxx 600 sliding 0.2% as geopolitical tensions in Iran and an escalating criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell rattled investor sentiment.<\/p>\n Major regional exchanges reflected the broader hesitation, each moving in different directions amid the crosscurrents of policy uncertainty and political drama unfolding stateside.<\/p>\n However, not all stocks surrendered ground. Danish renewable energy firm Orsted surged 5.4% after a US court sided with the company, clearing it to resume a suspended $5 billion offshore wind project that had become collateral damage in the Trump administration\u2019s energy pivot.<\/p>\n The mixed close underscores how macro headwinds are clashing with sector-specific tailwinds in an increasingly fragmented market.<\/p>\n BBC seeks dismissal of Trump suit<\/strong><\/p>\n The BBC moved Monday to have President Trump\u2019s $10 billion defamation lawsuit dismissed, signaling an aggressive courtroom strategy.<\/p>\n Filed in Miami federal court, the motion challenges the judge\u2019s jurisdiction, arguing the documentary, which aired in Britain, not Florida, cannot trigger US legal liability.<\/p>\n The broadcaster\u2019s legal team contends Trump suffered zero damages: he won reelection decisively and carried Florida by 13 points after the broadcast aired.<\/p>\n Moreover, the BBC disputes Trump\u2019s claim that the program appeared on BritBox, stating it was never available there.<\/p>\n The real jaw-clencher: the BBC maintains Trump can\u2019t prove \u201cactual malice,\u201d a stringent legal test required for public figures seeking defamation damages.<\/p>\n A decision on the dismissal motion looms in March, with trial potentially set for 2027 if the case proceeds.<\/p>\n Spain cracks down on deepfakes<\/strong><\/p>\n Spain\u2019s cabinet has thrown down the gauntlet against AI-generated deepfakes, approving draft legislation Tuesday that sets strict consent rules and bolsters child protection online.<\/p>\n The law sets 16 as the minimum age for valid consent to use someone\u2019s image, preventing minors\u2019 photos shared innocently on social media from being weaponized by bad actors.<\/p>\n More sweeping: posting a family photo online no longer grants blanket permission to repurpose it in any context.<\/p>\n Commercial use of AI-generated images or voices without explicit consent becomes illegal, unless it\u2019s clearly labeled as satirical content involving public figures.<\/p>\n The move reflects Europe\u2019s broader awakening: the EU mandates that member states criminalize non-consensual sexual deepfakes by 2027.<\/p>\n Spain\u2019s legislation still requires public consultation before parliament votes, but it signals serious intent to stay ahead of the AI deepfake curve.\u200b<\/p>\n French farmers protest Mercosur deal<\/strong><\/p>\n Some 350 French tractors rumbled through Paris on Tuesday morning in a second rebellion within five days against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement set for Saturday\u2019s signing in Paraguay.<\/p>\n The FNSEA farm union led convoys past iconic landmarks, the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elys\u00e9es, and National Assembly, hammering home a message: South American beef and agricultural products threaten France\u2019s livelihood and food security.<\/p>\n Farmers face a squeeze from rising fuel and fertilizer costs, tighter environmental rules, and price pressure from retailers that Mercosur deepens by flooding EU markets with cheaper imports produced under laxer standards.<\/p>\n Though President Macron opposes the deal, most EU member states backed it last week.<\/p>\n The European Parliament votes next week, and farmers plan another Strasbourg demonstration on January 20 to lobby MEPs directly.\u200b\u200b<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"European markets ended Tuesday slightly lower as rising Iran tensions and political uncertainty in the US kept 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