Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles. One news app.

HISTORICAL FACTS: 3 - Caught on Camera

Dodgy online items in consumer watchdog's crosshairs

Forcing giant online marketplaces like Temu and Shein to protect consumers from unsafe products is one of this year's key focuses for the consumer watchdog.

AAP

EU probes Shein as retailer expands into regional French stores

The EU has opened an investigation into Shein over childlike sex dolls and concerns about illegal products and “addictive design,” targeting the online fashion retailer under the bloc’s Digital Services Act. The move comes as Shein prepares to expand into several regional department stores in France.

Radio France Internationale

Watch the video: European Commission vs Shein — let's unbox the investigation

Everyone loves a good bargain. But what if your €3 t-shirt comes with extra baggage? It all started last year with a massive scandal in France. Authorities found illegal products, including a childlike sex doll, being sold on Shein. Now, the EU is stepping in.

Euronews

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

Newsletter: Time for Europe to 'stop hitting the snooze button'

Also in this newsletter: the latest on the push for a 20th package of sanctions against Russia; tensions escalate amid anti-semitism row between US and Belgium; and how US sanctions are making life impossible for an ICC judge.

Euronews

EU launches investigation into Shein over child-like sex dolls

The investigation would also consider risks linked to the ‘addictive design of the service’

The Independent UK

EU opens formal investigation into Shein over sale of child-like sex dolls and addictive app design

If breaches are confirmed, Shein could face hefty fines, as the EU steps up enforcement of its digital rulebook against large tech companies.

Euronews

EU to investigate Shein over sale of childlike sex dolls and weapons

Bloc also examines ‘addictive design’ of shopping site, including rewards, and its recommender systems

The Guardian - UK

Read news from The Economist, FT, and more,
with one subscription

From AI chatbots to shopping and streaming: Which mobile apps are the most downloaded in Europe?

Europe’s app market in 2025 shows a clear gap between what people download and what makes the most money. While utility, shopping and AI apps lead installs, entertainment, subscription and dating apps generate the highest revenues.

Euronews

Flooded by cheap Chinese goods, Latin America is fighting back to protect its industries

China is flooding Latin American markets with low-priced exports, especially autos and e-commerce goods

The Independent UK

Fast fashion: why changes in return policies don’t do enough to address environmental damage

Online fashion retailer Asos recently introduced additional fees for customers who return lots of items, marking a significant shift in the fast fashion model that has relied on free, frictionless return policies as a key competitive advantage.

The Conversation

'Editing My Friend WHITE?!': Indie Designer Accuses SHEIN of Whitewashing Black Model in Photo Theft Scandal

Indie designer Dulsè accuses SHEIN of stealing her photo, removing branding, and whitewashing a Black model, sparking viral outrage online.

International Business Times UK

‘Top Pick’ Amazon Had a Dismal Year: What’s AMZN Stock’s Forecast for 2026?

Amazon is set to end 2025 as the worst-performing member of the Magnificent 7. The stock's forecast appears positive given the tepid valuations and growth prospects.

Barchart

Shein Can't Sell Sex Toys Unless It Checks IDs, French Court Says

Laws requiring porn platforms to age-check visitors are becoming "a Swiss army knife for the government."

Reason

Outrage As Paris Court Refuses To Shut Down Shein Despite It Selling Childlike Sex Dolls And Weapons

E-commerce giant Shein avoided suspension by the French government after authorities found childlike sex dolls and weapons in their platform.

International Business Times UK

Get all your
news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One news app.

Euronews

French court rejects government bid to suspend Shein e-commerce platform

A French court rejected the government's bid to suspend Shein, ruling the measure “disproportionate.” However, the platform must implement reliable age verification before resuming sales of adult products.

Radio France Internationale

Court rejects France's request to suspend Shein over illegal products

A Paris court on Friday rejected the state's request to suspend e-commerce site Shein in France over the sale of illicit products, saying the platform had removed harmful items from its marketplace.

The Independent UK

Paris court rejects bid to suspend Shein platform in France

A Paris court has rejected a government request to suspend the Chinese fast-fashion platform Shein in France

The Conversation

Why shoppers buy fast fashion even if they disagree with it

Every December, many shoppers plan to buy fewer things and choose more sustainable options. Yet as the month goes on, spending rises and fast fashion becomes hard to resist. Christmas has become a moment when good intentions collide with discounts and the emotional pull of seasonal fashion.

Get all your
news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One news app.

Euronews

Influencer marketing in fast-fashion and food sectors come under European scrutiny

The European Consumer Organisation is raising the alarm about hidden advertising practices by influencers on social media for fast-fashion and unhealthy food.

Euronews

EU countries agree temporary €3 flat customs fee for small imported parcels

From 1 July 2026, the EU will levy a charge on small parcels entering the bloc, with ecommerce platforms such as Temu and Shein expected to be most affected.

Radio France Internationale

French police arrest 20 men over purchase of childlike sex dolls online

Police arrested about 20 people across France on Wednesday on suspicion of buying childlike sex dolls online, sources close to the investigation said, confirming reports in the French press.

Euronews

From Nike to H&M: How the fashion industry’s ‘big green plan’ is worsening microplastic pollution

An investigation into recycled polyester found microplastic pollution is being worsened by ‘green’ materials.

The Independent UK

Alarming discovery found in balloons sold online

IN FULL

The Independent UK

Balloons with illegal levels of chemicals that can cause cancer sold in UK shops

Platforms including Debenhams and eBay were found to be selling products with up to six times the legal limit of these harmful chemicals

Evening Standard

Balloons containing up to six times legal limit of carcinogens on sale

Which? found eight out of 21 balloons contained concentrations of potentially carcinogenic chemicals significantly above the UK’s permitted limit

1 2 3 4 5

People

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

Organisations