Policy
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Europe’s dream to wean off US tech gets reality check

Britain prepares to go all-in on nuclear power — after years of dither

China helps Russia pull ahead in lethal drone war race with Ukraine

Germany’s Merz ventures into Trump’s lion’s den

Trump issues new multi-country travel ban

Putin will ‘respond’ to surprise Ukraine drone strikes, Trump says
Meloni’s controversial anti-protest bill becomes Italian law
Security decree gives greater powers to agents of the state and greater protections to police officers.
Ukraine releases new footage of daring AI strikes that crippled Putin’s bomber fleet
Kyiv used artificial intelligence to conduct one of the most audacious attacks on Russia in history.
Trump’s 5 percent defense spending target seemed far-fetched. Now not so much.
NATO defense ministers in Brussels are expected to pave the way for a new defense spending goal — the questions are now when, and how.
French court strips Marine Le Pen of her local mandate
The decision is another reminder of how the far-right leader’s judicial woes are affecting her political career.
EU looks to impose sanctions on Putin simultaneously with US, says von der Leyen
“We have discussed how we can implement European sanctions and American sanctions at the same time,” European Commission chief tells POLITICO.
Abortion: Europe’s not as liberal as you think
While the global focus is on America’s reversal of long-standing abortion rights, a surprising number of European women still have to travel to terminate pregnancies.
EU extends temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees but wants long-term fix
Brussels will appoint a special envoy for Ukrainians in the EU to help to lay the groundwork for their gradual return.
Brussels asks EU countries to use less water
Countries would set their own water efficiency targets under the proposal, which would not be legally binding.
PMQs: Badenoch makes Starmer squirm on welfare
The Tory leader made the most of Labour’s gear changes on winter fuel eligibility and the two child benefit cap — but answers from Keir Starmer were lacking.
World War II bombs trigger huge evacuation in Cologne
“The evacuation is the largest measure since the end of the Second World War,” say local authorities.
EU frees up billions in Covid cash for defense spending
Defense projects can now apply for a chunk of the remaining €335 billion — initially earmarked for climate and digital investment.
Trump’s steel tariff raise misses real target, says EU
“Let’s not target each other” on metals duties, Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič urges after meeting U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Paris.
Lithuania’s ethics watchdog probes prime minister over loan controversy
Reports allege that Gintautas Paluckas’ company received a subsidized government loan when he was already in office.
EU clears Bulgaria to adopt euro in 2026
Sofia gets the green light despite rule-of-law and money-laundering concerns.
Weapons sales to Europe will continue as South Korea pivots left
Despite prohibition on sending weapons to war zones, experts say Seoul will still be eager to cooperate with Europe on defense.
Greenpeace returns stolen Macron wax statue — after one more protest
Activists left it at the Paris headquarters of energy giant EDF to protest France’s imports of Russian energy.
Brussels rebukes Romania and Austria for breaching EU spending rules
Austria’s appearance on the list was more of a surprise than Romania’s, and follows months of political deadlock in Vienna.
Microsoft didn’t cut services to International Criminal Court, its president says
Chief prosecutor’s email issues have spurred fears in Europe that Trump could trigger a “kill switch” through U.S. tech giants abroad.
How AI and copyright turned into a political nightmare for Labour
How an initially uncontroversial data bill became a political football — and radicalized Elton John.
Open drug pricing activists sign secrecy pacts with Big Pharma
Doctors Without Borders says it is forced to sign NDAs by some companies.
Bulgaria prepares to join the euro — but Poland couldn’t be less interested
The election of a Euroskeptic populist as Poland’s president means Europe’s great economic success story will show even less interest in joining the eurozone.
Pope Leo XIV wants to stop AI playing God
The freshly appointed pope is challenging the technocracy of artificial intelligence.
Denmark to drop ‘frugal’ stance on EU budget to counter threat from Russia
The Danish leader argued that Europe needs more funds to bolster its defenses and counter the threat from Russia.
Ukrainian delegation to brief US senators amid Russia sanctions push
Zelenskyy allies visit Congress to bolster Russia sanctions bill.