Politics
- CNN
Why predicted gains for right-wing populists could make Europe vulnerable to attack
informed Summary
- Right-wing populists are expected to make significant gains in the upcoming European Parliament elections, raising concerns about the EU's vulnerability to adversarial states.
Politics3 min read - NBC
Iran has launched a new crackdown on women defying its strict dress code
informed Summary
- Iran has initiated a major crackdown on women who defy the country's strict dress code, with a large number of police enforcing laws that require women to wear headscarves in public. This campaign, known as the "Noor" (Light) campaign, began last month amid escalating military tensions between Iran and Israel.
Politics2 min read - Politico
Macron’s cognac — the only thing that went down smoothly with Xi
informed Summary
- On Xi Jinping’s first day in Europe for five years, French President Emmanuel Macron presented him with a highly symbolic gift: several bottles of France’s most exquisite cognacs. In return, Xi promised not to slap preemptive tariffs on French brandies and to support Macron’s “Olympics truce.”
Politics1 min read - AP News
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
informed Summary
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun his fifth term, which will last until 2030, after a ceremony at the Grand Kremlin Palace. Putin has been in office for nearly a quarter-century, making him the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Josef Stalin.
Politics5 min read - Politico
Macron meets Xi: Two emperors on the edge of two wars
informed Summary
- When Xi Jinping sits down for a state banquet with Emmanuel Macron on Monday, at least one thing will be clear: The two statesmen are shaping up to fight.
Politics1 min read - Vox
How rioting farmers unraveled Europe’s ambitious climate plan
informed Summary
- In February 2021, the mayor of Lyon, France, temporarily removed red meat from the city's school cafeterias due to social distancing protocols. This decision sparked outrage from the French agricultural establishment, leading to protests by livestock farmers.
Politics14 min read - Politico
Rishi Sunak’s moment of maximum danger just arrived
informed Summary
- Rishi Sunak faces intense pressure as U.K. Prime Minister because of his waning popularity within the Conservative Party and repeated rumors of an internal rebellion.
Politics1 min read - CNN
Why Britain's towns and cities are going bust
informed Summary
- Birmingham, the second-largest city in the U.K., declared bankruptcy in September 2021, The city council plans to cut services, sell assets, and raise taxes to fill its financial gap.
Politics12 min read - Politico
Call me Ursula. Von der Leyen rebranded ahead of elections.
informed Summary
- Ursula von der Leyen, the current president of the European Commission, is focusing on her personal life in her campaign for re-election. The campaign's chief spokesperson, Alexander Winterstein, emphasized the importance of the public knowing who she is as a person.
Politics2 min read - TIME
How far Trump would go
informed Summary
- Donald Trump, in an interview with TIME, outlined his vision for a potential second term as president, which includes a more assertive and confident approach. He plans to reshape America and its role in the world, including implementing a deportation operation to remove more than 11 million people from the country; allowing red states to monitor women's pregnancies and prosecute those who violate abortion bans; and potentially pardoning his supporters accused of attacking the U.S. Capitol in 2021.
Politics20 min read - CNN
Less choice and higher prices? Britain braces for Brexit checks on food imports
informed Summary
- The U.K. has begun implementing post-Brexit physical inspections of plant and animal imports from the EU, which could lead to increased costs for consumers and small businesses. The inspections will initially apply to products like meat, cheese and some fish, and will eventually extend to a range of vegetables and fruit.
Politics6 min read - AP News
Have you heard the one about Trump? Biden tries humor on the campaign trail
informed Summary
- President Joe Biden has been using humor to criticize former President Donald Trump, making jokes about Trump's financial problems, upbringing and appearance.
Politics4 min read - DW
Germany's Autobahn — finally time for a speed limit?
informed Summary
- Germany's motorways, known for their high speeds, are currently the subject of a political debate over the introduction of a speed limit. While some stretches of the Autobahn have speed limits, 70% of the motorways don't. The government recommends a voluntary top speed of 130 kilometers per hour, but drivers are free to go as fast as they want.
Politics4 min read - El Pais
The Bible: The diverse market for the most read book in the world (now sold by Donald Trump)
informed Summary
- The God Bless the USA Bible, which includes the King James Version translation along with a copy of the U.S. Constitution and other founding father documents, is being endorsed by Donald Trump. The Bible also includes the handwritten lyrics of God Bless the USA, by country singer Lee Greenwood, and costs about $60.
Politics5 min read - Politico
Who could take on von der Leyen for Commission president?
informed Summary
- Despite being the frontrunner for a second term as European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen's re-election is no longer assured. That has sparked speculation about potential alternatives.
Politics1 min read - Vox
How the overturn of Roe v. Wade sparked a new campaign for abortion rights across Europe
informed Summary
- The My Voice, My Choice campaign, led by groups from eight European countries, is launching an effort to expand abortion rights throughout the continent. The organizers of the campaign aim to collect 1 million signatures to pressure EU leaders to commit to helping those who cannot easily end an unwanted pregnancy.
Politics4 min read - Vox
Donald Trump already won the only Supreme Court fight that mattered
informed Summary
- The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in Trump v. United States, where former President Donald Trump claims immunity from prosecution for any "official acts" committed while in office. However, the case is seen as a delay tactic for Trump's criminal trial for attempting to overturn President Joe Biden's 2020 election victory.
Politics7 min read - TIME
'Putin is my enemy.' The revolution of Yulia Navalnaya
informed Summary
- Alexei Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, has become the figurehead of the Russian opposition following her husband's death in an Arctic prison camp. She has met with Joe Biden and addressed the European parliament, accusing Vladimir Putin of killing her husband and calling for the Russian people's help in seeking revenge.
Politics23 min read - Vox
How Trump’s hush-money trial went from an afterthought to the main event
informed Summary
- Former President Donald Trump's trial in New York, which started on Monday, is about whether the Trump Organization falsely logged payments related to hush money as "legal expenses" in company records. The hush money was paid to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to prevent her from going public about a sexual encounter with Trump.
Politics5 min read - NBC
Trump on trial tests his political wherewithal — and American resolve
informed Summary
- The trial of former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to begin in New York on Monday, where he faces charges of falsifying business records to hide payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump denies both the affair and the charges.
Politics4 min read
