LONDON (AP) — European Union regulators on Friday hit Google with a 2.95 billion euro ($3.5 billion) fine for breaching the bloc’s competition rules by favoring its own digital advertising services, marking the fourth such antitrust penalty for the company as well as a retreat from previous threats to break up the tech giant.

The European Commission, the 27-nation bloc’s executive branch and top antitrust enforcer, also ordered the U.S. tech giant to end its “self-preferencing practices” and take steps to stop “conflicts of interest” along the advertising technology supply chain.

Google said the decision was “wrong” and that it would appeal.

“It imposes an unjustified fine and requires changes that will hurt thousands of European businesses by making it harder for them to make money,” Lee-Anne Mulholland, the company’s global head of regulatory affairs, said in a statement.

The decision was long overdue, coming more than two years after the European Commission announced antitrust charges against Google.

The commission had said at the time that the only way to satisfy antitrust concerns about Google’s lucrative digital ad business was to sell off parts of its business. However, this decision marks a retreat from that earlier position and comes amid renewed tensions between Brussels and the Trump administration over trade, tariffs and technology regulation.

Top EU officials had said earlier that the commission was seeking a forced sale because past cases that ended with fines and requirements for Google to stop anti-competitive practices have not worked, allowing the company to continue its behavior in a different form.

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The commission’s penalty follows a formal investigation that it opened in June 2021, looking into whether Google violated the bloc’s competition rules by favoring its own online display advertising technology services at the expense of rival publishers, advertisers and advertising technology services.

Its investigation found that Google “abused” its dominant positions in the ad-technology ecosystem, the commission said.

Online display ads are banners and text that appear on websites and are personalized based on an internet user’s browsing history.

Mulholland said, “There’s nothing anticompetitive in providing services for ad buyers and sellers, and there are more alternatives to our services than ever before.”

After an appeals court ruled the mayor must implement a package of bills expanding eligibility for CityFHEPS housing vouchers, the Adams administration asked the court for permission to appeal the decision.

Housing advocates and City Council members at a 2024 rally calling for the Adams administration to implement the expansion. (Gerardo Romo / NYC Council Media Unit.)

Homeless New Yorkers who might be newly eligible for City Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) vouchers will have to wait a little longer to see if they’ll be able to secure a subsidy.

After an appeals court ruling last month directed the Adams administration to implement an expansion of the city’s housing voucher program, City Hall chose to request an appeal. The Aug. 11 motion marked almost two years since the administration was due to implement the laws.

The bills expanding the program—which Mayor Adams vetoed in 2023, only to see his veto overridden by the City Council—would have made vouchers available to more people living outside of shelter and increased the income eligibility threshold for CityFHEPS, among other reforms. 

A spokesperson for City Hall told City Limits the administration is awaiting the court’s decision on their appeal request before taking any action to implement laws.

The Legal Aid Society and the City Council, who sued to get Adams to implement the laws, condemned the move and filed in opposition to the administration’s motion.

“By requesting permission from the court to appeal this decision, Mayor Adams is once again prioritizing bureaucratic delay over the urgent needs of families facing eviction and homelessness,” said Robert Desir, staff attorney in the Civil Law Reform Unit at The Legal Aid Society, in a statement.

The Adams administration had previously argued that legislating voucher policy was not in the City Council’s purview, and were superseded by the state Department of Social Services’ authority. They also argued that expanding eligibility would further strain a CityFHEPS budget that grew five-fold between 2021 and 2025, and would increase competition for apartments among existing voucher holders.

While a lower court initially sided with Mayor Adams, the appeals court unanimously disagreed last month, writing that the earlier ruling “should be reversed…respondent is directed to implement the Local Laws.”

It’s another jab in an extended fight between the City Council and City Hall.

“The Appellate Division unanimously affirmed the Council’s local lawmaking authority and instructed Mayor Adams’ administration to implement these reforms,” said Deputy Council Speaker Diana Ayala in a statement.

“New Yorkers experiencing housing insecurity shouldn’t have to be displaced as a result of the mayor’s failure to act and continued obstruction of the law. Our city and its residents deserve better,” she added.

The CityFHEPS program, which allows qualifying low-income voucher New Yorkers to pay 30 percent of their income in rent, is serving more than 60,000 households. More than 15,000 households moved into housing with a voucher in fiscal year 2025, according to data previously provided by the city’s Department of Social Services.

There are currently 13,000 voucher holders looking for apartments with CityFHEPS, according to City Hall and DSS.

Mayor Adams (Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office)

Housing advocates and the City Council cheered the court’s ruling last month, and lamented the further delays.

“Mayor Adams is essentially trying to run out the clock on his administration and not comply with the requirements of the law that the City Council enacted,” said Edward Josephson, an attorney with the Legal Aid Society. “Every month that goes by, vulnerable tenants are being evicted from otherwise affordable apartments because they can’t get CityFHEPS.” 

With its decision last month, the court directed the city to submit a plan to implement the laws with the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).

Because the mayor appealed, the case will be stayed—or held up—until the appellate division rules on the appeal request. There is not a strict timeframe for reviewing appeals, lawyers familiar with the process said.

If the Appellate Division does not permit the appeal, the administration could try a similar motion with the Court of Appeals directly.

“After all the appeals are exhausted, and if the mayor loses, then they would then start from scratch to prepare a plan submitted to OTDA, which would take even more time,” said Josephson.

“People are getting hurt, and it’s not going to be a quick determination,” he added.

To reach the reporter behind this story, contact Patrick@citylimits.org. To reach the editor, contact Jeanmarie@citylimits.org

Want to republish this story? Find City Limits’ reprint policy here.

The post Adams’ Administration Delays CityFHEPS Expansion Again, Asks Court for Appeal appeared first on City Limits.

In the Peacock mockumentary “The Paper,” an unseen documentary film crew arrives in a mid-size city in order to capture — fly-on-the-wall style — the daily life of office drones. If the premise sounds familiar, that’s intentional. The series comes from Greg Daniels, who adapted “The Office” for U.S. television, and he’s collaborating with Michael Koman (whose writing credits include several years on “Saturday Night Live”) to recapture some of what has given “The Office” such a popular second life on streaming, even a decade-plus after its last episode aired on NBC.

Instead of a nondescript paper company in Scranton, the setting for “The Paper” is a struggling newspaper in Ohio called the Toledo Truth Teller. Or as the passive-aggressive managing editor (Sabrina Impacciatore) calls the digital version in her syrupy Italian accent: TTT online. But instead of covering Toledo news, the daily paper has been reduced to a combination of “local ads, clickbait, four AP stories and local high school sports scores.” The shoestring staff is mostly administrative and the paper itself — once a legitimate news operation 50 years ago — now only exists as a tiny subsidiary of a company that otherwise makes its profits from the sale of toilet paper.

There appears to be no interest among executives to change the status quo,  but for reasons that go unexplained, a gung-ho editor-in-chief (Domhnall Gleeson) has been hired anyway, and he hopes to inspire his minuscule staff to shed their downtrodden outlook and actually go out and report the news. As a group, they are earnest but lacking any journalism skills. I suppose the process of watching them gradually figure it out is supposed to be endearing and funny, but I don’t find anything humorous about their floundering, considering … (gestures at the real-world need for journalism amid perpetual news industry layoffs).

The staff have other jobs at the Truth Teller, mind you — three of whom are accountants, including Oscar Nuñez, the one holdover from “The Office” — but their new editor says eagerly that they are “more than welcome to volunteer (their) time at this newspaper.” Then, glancing over at his boss: “Is it OK if we borrow a few hours a week from these guys’ other duties if they want to participate?”

Oscar Nunez as Oscar Martinez in “The Paper.” (Aaron Epstein/Peacock/TNS)

Not to be a stickler, but that’s not volunteering — not if they’re being allowed to do journalism during their paid workday. But since this is strictly a matter of  “if they want to participate,” I guess that part is voluntary? I have such a knee-jerk reaction to this word, because so many of us are struggling to hang on to the paying journalism jobs that remain. The suggestion that this isn’t a profession, but something people should do on a volunteer basis, really rankles.

So I don’t love that detail. Although I doubt most viewers will give it a second thought. This is me asking you to give it a second thought.

You’ll note that NBC isn’t carrying “The Paper,” but has instead put it on parent company NBCUniversal’s streaming platform. I don’t know if that says anything about whether executives have confidence in the show or not. But we do know this much: NBC, once home of the vaunted 90s-era comedy block known as Must See TV, is not currently a hospitable network for comedies.

That’s probably for the best. I want to see comedies back on network TV, but “The Paper” only brings to mind newsprint that’s been left out in the rain: Too soggy to be of any interest. It doesn’t help that the show uses the same title as the very funny and far superior 1994 movie “The Paper” starring Michael Keaton as the editor of an often chaotic and ridiculous (and therefore realistic) New York City newsroom. It’s not on any of the streaming platforms, but you can get a digital rental for under four bucks and I highly recommend watching that instead.

Domhnall Gleeson, left, as Ned and Sabrina Impacciatore as Esmeralda in “The Paper.” (Troy Harvey/Peacock/TNS)

But if your curiosity remains about this TV endeavor (which has already been renewed for a second season, bafflingly enough), it’s worth considering why the “The Office” works as well as it does.

The fortunes of a paper company are never treated as high stakes because they simply aren’t; Dunder Mifflin is yet another faceless corporation and people work there because it’s a job. Not a job they want to lose. But a boring 9 to 5 nevertheless, with all the attendant drudgery that implies, which is why it doesn’t seem weird when they’re blowing off work and pulling pranks during those eight hours each day spent under the fluorescent lights.

A newspaper is a different proposition. The aim of any news outlet should be to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable, and if you value the work of newspapers — and I hope you do; you’re reading this review in one! — then the stakes are considerably higher. Which is why the central premise that animated “The Office” doesn’t graft so neatly onto “The Paper.”

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You could argue the same is true of NBC’s “St. Denis Medical,” which is also a mockumentary; I think the problem exists there and is fundamentally holding that show back, as well.

There’s another reason “The Office” is an example of Hollywood catching lightning in a bottle: The character (and performance) of Steve Carell’s Michael Scott. As branch manager, he has no interest in actually managing anything or anyone; he’s incapable of it because of his childlike need to be liked. A ridiculous figure, he’s a cuddlier version of David Brent in the British original starring Ricky Gervais, the latter of whom played up the character’s reptilian and annoying personality. Michael Scott may be a fool who makes you shake your head, but he’s also weirdly likable. I don’t think TV characters need to be likable, but it really does seem to be a key facet to the success of “The Office.”

Other mockumentaries following in the wake of “The Office” have also used the annoying-outrageous boss template, more successfully on “Abbott Elementary” than “St. Denis Medical.” A show like “Parks and Recreation” abandoned that formula altogether and I respect that “The Paper” also wants to change things up by putting a dedicated but somewhat hapless Jim Halpert equivalent in charge. A worthy experiment. But one that ultimately doesn’t work.

“The Paper” — 2 stars (out of 4)

Where to watch: Peacock

After debuting the world’s largest cruise ship, it’s reasonable to think Royal Caribbean should pause for a moment of celebration.

The company did host a formal naming ceremony for its brand new Icon-class ship at Port Canaveral earlier in August, but that milestone doesn’t mean the cruise line has plans of slowing down anytime soon.

During a media sailing on Star of the Seas, Royal executives detailed plans for upcoming private destinations, a new class of ships and the design behind Perfect Day Mexico.

“We’re already deep into the design of a new class. We’re constantly looking at designing for the future,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “A whole group of us probably spend 50% of our work day designing for the future of Royal Caribbean, either destinations or ships. It’s fantastic, it’s a lot of fun.”

Pictures: A first look on board the world’s largest cruise ship

The planned openings of new private destinations are helping to transform Royal Caribbean from a traditional cruise line into a full-fledged vacation company, Bayley said.

“When we started developing the private destinations and designing ships like Icon, we recognized that this was no longer, in any way, a traditional cruise,” he said. “It was a brand new collection of experiences that transcended cruise and moved into land-based vacation options.”

The company has ships and destination openings planned out as far as 2028, meaning that cruise fans will have a lot to look forward to in the coming years.

This rendering shows Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas, set to debut in summer 2026. (Courtesy Royal Caribbean)

New ships ahead

Some of Royal’s upcoming plans discussed in a media information session onboard Star of the Seas weren’t new news. For example, it’s already publicly known that the company’s third Icon-class ship, Legend of the Seas, is set for a 2026 debut and will sail out of Fort Lauderdale in the fall after Mediterranean itineraries next summer.

Royal is also working on its fourth Icon-class ship, which is already under construction and will feature a “pretty ambitious set” of new activities and features that passengers can enjoy when the ship debuts in 2027. The Icon class could potentially include a fifth and sixth ship.

“You’re going to see us continue to evolve the class,” said Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean’s chief product innovation officer. “As we get to Legend of the Seas, The Pearl will take on a new dynamic inside of it that we’re unbelievably excited about.”

The Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas passes Jetty Park while making its inaugural arrival at Port Canaveral in 2024. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

In the coming years, the cruise line will continue to expand on the success of its Oasis class, which currently includes Port Canaveral’s Utopia of the Seas that sails short itineraries to the Bahamas.

“Building off the success of the Oasis class, we want to keep on going. Utopia has been a phenomenal success for us with the three- and four-night program out of Port Canaveral,” Schneider said of the sixth ship in its class. A seventh unnamed ship is due in 2028. “We’ve already committed to the name and the enhancements that are coming with Oasis 7.”

Schneider also confirmed development of Royal’s new Discovery series, which will be a smaller class of ships than Icon.

“We’re more in the dreaming phase,” he said. “We’re dreaming up future classes of ships that are big and small, you name it. We’re in a heavy ship dreaming phase right now.”

Royal Caribbean International’s first Royal Beach Club, located in Nassau, won approval to move forward from the government of the Bahamas. The 17-acre Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island is set to open in 2025. (Courtesy Royal Caribbean)

Royal Beach Clubs in the works

The first of Royal Caribbean’s beach clubs, which was unveiled in 2023, is slated to open in Nassau this fall. Vacationers can now book day passes to the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, which will welcome its first revenue guests on Dec. 27.

“Beach clubs are day beach clubs in high-volume ports where a percentage of our guests go, but not all of them,” Schneider said, comparing the new offering to the Perfect Day products, which almost all ship guests visit. “About 35% of our guests will have an opportunity to go there on an annual basis.”

After a short tender boat ride from the port, guests can enjoy three neighborhoods: one geared toward families, another for partying and a chill area. Visitors can find two beaches and three pools, including what will be the world’s largest swim-up bar. Food and drink offerings can be found at three beach grills and 10 bars.

A map shows the current and planned private destinations for Royal Caribbean cruise guests. (Courtesy Royal Caribbean)

“The Royal Beach Club is a combo of everything that people want to do if they spend the day on the beach,” Bayley said. “One of the great attributes of the beach club is the world’s largest swim-up bar. The vibe will be E for Everyone. The kids will have spaces and places where they can have a great time.”

Royal Beach Club expands with a Cozumel, Mexico, location in 2026 and a new destination in Lelepa, an island in the South Pacific, slated to open in 2027 for Australian cruisers.

Loco Waterpark will feature more than 30 slides, including one shaped like a sombrero at Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico is a 200-acre private destination resort being constructed at the port of Costa Maya, Mexico. It’s set to open in fall 2027. (Courtesy Royal Caribbean)

Perfect Day Mexico

After opening Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas in 2019, Royal Caribbean is eyeing a new Perfect Day destination in Mexico. Set to open in the fall of 2027, the new private enclave is set in Mahahual in the state of Quintana Roo — home to the port of Costa Maya — and will have double the amount of guest-facing space as the existing Perfect Day offering in the Bahamas.

The focal point of the destination is the Loco Waterpark with the tallest waterslides in the Americas. Thrill seekers can explore 31 slides across 5 towers, the tallest of which features a Jaguar head and flames shooting out of the top.

The extra-cost Costa Beach Club will offer private cabanas, an infinity pool and premium dining along with its own beach at Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico, a 200-acre private destination resort being constructed at the port of Costa Maya, Mexico. It’s set to open in fall 2027. (Courtesy Royal Caribbean)

Among Perfect Day Mexico’s seven major neighborhoods is Splash Cove, which is slated to feature the world’s longest lazy river. Schneider said the waterway will also feature a “crazy river” option in one segment and a swim-up bar that visitors can enjoy during the one-hour journey.

The destination will also feature the world’s largest sombrero that will serve as the roof of a margarita-centric bar. Similar to Perfect Day at CocoCay’s Hideaway Beach, Perfect Day Mexico will include El Hideaway for adults only and the premium Costa Beach Club to the north of the main attractions.

Royal Caribbean provided this promotional rendering for its forthcoming resort, Perfect Day Mexico, coming in 2027. (Courtesy Royal Caribbean)

Concerns about the environmental impacts of the projects have spurred a petition on Change.org that has nearly 300,000 signatures. The petition calls for the project to adopt a model based on “sustainability, respect for ecosystems and justice for local communities.”

Royal Caribbean responded to the petition by vowing to submit an Environmental Impact Statement to “relevant authorities” in the coming weeks and host community meetings. Among sustainability initiatives promised by Royal are mangrove conservation, water flow restoration, reef protection and a waste management system that results in more than 95% of treated water being available for “beneficial reuse.” In addition, the company has pledged to use “100% green energy to power our site by 2040.”

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.