U.S. Bars 5 European Tech Regulators and Researchers

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Trump administration, citing “foreign censorship,” imposed travel bans on experts involved in monitoring major tech platforms.

The Trump administration is barring five prominent Europeans from the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Tuesday, accusing them of being involved in online censorship of Americans, a claim they have disputed.

The action sharply escalated the administration’s fight against European efforts to monitor content on major social media platforms, including Elon Musk’s X as well as Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta.

The five include Thierry Breton, a former member of the European Commission whom the under secretary of state for public diplomacy, Sarah B. Rogers, called “a mastermind” of the Digital Services Act, a European law meant to oversee harmful or manipulative content online.

The European Union imposed its first penalty under the law this month, leveling a $140 million fine against X for practices that misled users, obscured advertisers and denied researchers access to internal practices — not, as Mr. Musk claimed, for refusing to censor content.

The others are prominent researchers with nonpartisan, nongovernment organizations in Europe that have fought disinformation, hate speech and other harmful content online. Mr. Rubio said in a statement that those targeted “have led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize and suppress American viewpoints they oppose.”

“These radical activists and weaponized NGOs have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states — in each case targeting American speakers and American companies,” he added. » | Steven Lee Myers | Tuesday, December 23, 2025

En français :

«Sanction scandaleuse», «solidarité totale»... La classe politique défend Thierry Breton, interdit de visa par les États-Unis : L’ancien commissaire européen a été sanctionné mardi par Washington pour son rôle dans la régulation des géants de la tech américaine. La France, par la voix de ses ministres Jean-Noël Barrot et Roland Lescure, a condamné cette décision. »

'Putin Was P*ssed' as EU Funding and Assassinations Threaten Russia's Invasion | Scott Lucas

Dec 23, 2025 | Putin's angry tirade at Europe nations in his national television address last week reflects his fears about Ukrainian attacks and ongoing European support for Kyiv, says Prof. Scott Lucas on Frontline.

Putin Angered by €90bn 'Message of Hope' for Ukraine from Europe

Dec 19, 2025 | "I don't think Russia will be happy with this message of hope."

Europe has secured €90bn worth of military backing for Ukraine to defend its territories against Russia in a "pivotal moment" for the war, says Estonian MP and chairman of Estonia's foreign affairs committee, Marko Mihkelson.

EU Leaders Agree on €90 billion Loan to Ukraine | DW News

Dec 19, 2025 | A marathon EU summit in Brussels has concluded with an agreement to support Ukraine with a massive loan in its war against Russia. EU leaders have agreed to provide Kyiv with 90 billion euros to meet its military and economic needs for the next two years. Repayment would only begin once Russia pays reparations to Ukraine after the war. Discussions continued into the early hours after an earlier plan to use frozen Russian assets fell through. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz labeled the new agreement as a "clear signal" to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. DW's Jack Parrock reports from Brussels.

Trump Is 'Away with the Fairies' So Europe Must Step Up

Dec 18, 2025 | "We in Europe have got to step up up but that’s going to be very expensive."

Europe has got to be ready to deal with "hooligan Russia" as Trump grows increasingly "flaky", says The Times's Matthew Parris.

EU Leaders Meet in Brussels to Discuss Russian Assets | BBC News

Dec 18, 2025 | European Union leaders are gathering for a Brussels summit where a momentous decision will be taken on whether to loan Ukraine tens of billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to fund its military and economic needs.

Most of Russia's €210bn (£185bn; $245bn) worth of assets in the EU are held by Belgium-based organisation Euroclear, and so far Belgium and some other members of the bloc have said they are opposed to using the cash.

Without a boost in funding, Ukraine's finances are set to run dry in a matter of months.

Russia has warned the EU against using its money, and has filed a lawsuit against Euroclear in a Moscow court in a bid to get its money back.

EU Commission Chief von der Leyen Says She Won't Leave Ukraine Summit unless a Deal Is In Place

Dec 18, 2025 | The leaders of the European Union member states are meeting to discuss the most important issues impacting the bloc. Financing for Ukraine is set to be the highlight of the talks, as the Trump administration in the US rolls back its support.

UK to Rejoin EU’s Erasmus Student Exchange Programme

THE GUARDIAN: Exclusive: British students will be able to participate in EU-wide scheme from January 2027, sources say

An agreement to rejoin Erasmus – the EU’s student exchange programme – is expected to be announced on Wednesday as part of the UK government’s drive towards closer relations with Brussels.

Final details of the announcement have now been agreed by the two sides, with a plan to allow UK students to participate in the EU-wide scheme without paying any additional fees from January 2027, sources said.

The breakthrough on Erasmus will help the UK government demonstrate progress in its push to improve relations with the EU, after Keir Starmer declared last month that “we do need to get closer” with the bloc, and with public opinion softening.

British students would be able to participate in vocational training placements and sports exchanges across the EU under the Erasmus+ scheme, as well as further education college and university-based study exchanges, the Guardian understands. » | Pippa Crerar, Political editor | Tuesday, December 16, 2025

'It's a Mistake for Ukraine to Make Concessions': Former Trump Security Adviser John Bolton

Dec 12, 2025 | "I don't think [US President] Donald Trump is really motivated by US national security interests, or NATO, or Ukrainian interests. I think he wants the Nobel Peace Prize – I think it's been on his mind since the first term," argues former US national security adviser John Bolton in an interview with FRANCE 24's Gavin Lee. "Putin thinks time is on his side. This is not the time for the US or Europe to give up and say 'let's get the best deal we can'," he adds.

Elon Musk Attacks Europe because He Doesn't Understand the EU

Tesla CEO and owner of X (Twitter) reacted angrily to a fine from the European Commission over transparency issues and rule breaches on the platform. Musk criticized the EU as overly bureaucratic and recently suggested it should be abolished. Either he doesn’t understand the EU or is just pretending not to.

Elon Musk certainly understands how to make money, but he doesn’t understand the EU. Moreover, he is a dangerous man who often talks tripe, especially when it comes to politics. Why else would he promote the growth of AfD in Germany, knowing its recent history? — © Mark Alexander

Marriage Equality in Europe! - ALL Countries MUST Recognize LGBTQ Marriages Top EU Court Rules!

December 5, 2025

EU-Chatkontrolle: Massenüberwachung und das Ende der Anonymität im Internet

BERLINER ZEITUNG: Mit der EU-Chatkontrolle dürfte die Anonymität im Internet endgültig begraben sein. Sind nun Millionen Bürger der Massenüberwachung ausgesetzt – und was bedeutet das für unsere digitale Freiheit?

Ende Oktober war die EU-Chatkontrolle noch vom Tisch – oder doch nicht? Vertreter der Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union (EU) haben sich am Mittwoch schließlich auf eine „abgeschwächte“ Form des Gesetzes geeinigt, das Online-Dienste dazu anregen soll, Chats auf „freiwilliger“ Basis zu scannen, so berichten mehrere Medien. Doch ist diese Darstellung korrekt?

Die „Tagesschau“ titelt zum Beispiel: „EU gegen verpflichtende Chatkontrolle“. Demnach sollen Messaging-Dienste wie WhatsApp vorerst nicht verpflichtet werden, Chats auf Darstellungen sexualisierter Gewalt an Kindern zu kontrollieren. Offiziell soll das Gesetz dem Schutz von Kindern dienen, doch Kritiker werfen der EU vor, damit eine flächendeckende Massenüberwachung der Bürger zu etablieren. » | Franz Becchi | Donnerstag, 27. November 2025

Putin Enraged as the EU Steps Closer to Giving Seized Russian Assets to Ukraine

Oct 1, 2025 | “It is a bit of a complex contract but I think it could work.”

The West and Ukraine are "in a difficult situation" and the seized Russian assets would help, says German MEP and Vice Chair for the European Parliament's Committee on Economics and Monetary Affairs, Damian Boeselager.

Navidi: Trump-Forderung "ist absolute Frechheit und Zumutung"

Sep 16, 2025 | US-Präsident Donald Trump fordert von der EU, drastische Zölle auf Produkte aus China und Indien zu verhängen - bis zu 100 Prozent. Die US-Wirtschaftsexpertin Sandra Navidi hält dies für willkürlich und gefährlich - und warnt vor einer Eskalationsspirale im globalen Handel.

No Prospect of UK Rejoining EU in My Lifetime, Says Starmer’s Reset Negotiator

THE GUARDIN: Comments by Nick Thomas-Symonds underline view in top government circles despite thaw in relations with Brussels

Britain will not rejoin the EU in the foreseeable future, according to the minister who has piloted Keir Starmer’s recent reset of European relations.

Nick Thomas-Symonds said he could not see the country re-entering the bloc in his lifetime, despite the thaw in continental relations that he has helped bring about.

Asked whether he could conceive of Brexit being reversed within such a timescale, Thomas-Symonds told the Guardian’s Politics Weekly podcast: “I can’t. What I can say is that the work I have been doing with the democratic mandate from the 2024 general election is building a closer, more constructive relationship.”

He added: “What I’m about now, having reset the relationship, is building this new strategic partnership.” » | Kiran Stacey Policy editor | Friday, September 12, 2025

Who is this joker? He talks a load of bollocks! Clearly, he has no understanding of geopolitics or economics? To come to such a ridiculous and erroneous conclusion is tantamount to showing the world that he is totally and utterly clueless. — © Mark Alexander

EU-Kommission stoppt Zahlungen an Israel – von der Leyen kritisiert Israel scharf

Sep 10, 2025 | Wegen Israels Vorgehen im Gazastreifen setzt die EU-Kommission ihre Unterstützung für das Land aus. Man werde alle entsprechenden Zahlungen stoppen, sagte Kommissionspräsidentin Ursula von der Leyen im Europaparlament in Straßburg. Zudem kündigte die Kommissionspräsidentin an, den EU-Staaten Vorschläge für Sanktionen gegen extremistische Minister und gegen gewalttätige Siedler zu unterbreiten.

European Commision Chief von der Leyen Says EU Will Suspend Bilateral Ties with Israel | DW News

Sep 10, 2025 | The conflicts in Russia and Gaza have overshadowed a speech to the European Parliament by the bloc's most powerful political official.

During her State of the Union speech in Strasbourg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would seek sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel over its actions in Gaza. She also condemned the drone incursion in Poland and said building up the continent's defenses was central to the EU's agenda. That exends to investing in protecting Europe's eastern flank, von der Leyen said, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea.

Britannia Unchained by Brexit SOLD OFF to USA

Jul 31, 2025 | £40bn LOST. Animal Welfare Downgraded. U.S. Corporations in Charge.

While the UK public is being distracted by talk of Brexit resets and animal welfare ‘carve-outs,’ the truth is far more alarming.

Keir Starmer has signed away Britain’s sovereignty to Trump’s America without a vote in Parliament. Using Henry VIII powers, his government is now rewriting UK laws by stealth, allowing U.S. agribusiness standards into our food system, including deregulated chicken handling (SI 2025/776) and backsliding on vital protections.

Meanwhile, a Judicial Review has just been granted to challenge this dangerous deregulation — proving we’re not imagining it, and we are not alone.

Breaking News: Trump and Ursula von der Leyen Announces Massive US-EU Trade Deal

Jul 27, 2025 | President Trump and European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announce a US-EU trade deal in Scotland.

Eat your hearts out, Brexiteers! – © Mark Alexander

Trump Tells Europe to ‘Get Your Act Together’ on Immigration before US-EU Trade Talks

THE GUARDIAN: Ursula von der Leyen will meet with US president on Sunday, who describes ‘20 sticking points’ in negotiations

Intensive negotiations were continuing on Saturday between the EU and the US before a crunch meeting in Scotland between Donald Trump and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, to avert a costly trade war.

Trump spent the night at his family-owned Turnberry golf resort on a private visit, but took time to criticise European leaders over wind turbines and immigration, claiming there won’t be a Europe unless they “get their act together”.

“I say two things to Europe. Stop the windmills. You’re ruining your countries. I really mean it, it’s so sad. You fly over and you see these windmills all over the place, ruining your beautiful fields and valleys and killing your birds,” he said. “On immigration, you better get your act together,” he said. “You’re not going to have Europe any more.” » | Lisa O’Carroll | Saturday, July 26, 2025