Politics
- 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 - Politico
Why Germany’s Scholz is bowing to the Chinese dragon
informed Summary
- Olaf Scholz's recent debut on TikTok came ahead of a crucial visit to China, signaling his recognition of the country's significance amid Germany's economic challenges and its chancellor's own political vulnerabilities.
Politics1 min read - El Pais
Distrust in elections spreads in democracies around the world
informed Summary
- The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance conducted a survey in 19 countries, revealing widespread distrust of electoral processes, dissatisfaction with government management, and a negative view of judicial systems. The head of the organization described the report as "a wake-up call for democracies."
Politics5 min read - AP News
German parliament votes to make it easier for people to legally change their name and gender
informed Summary
- The German parliament has approved a law that simplifies the process for transgender, intersex and nonbinary individuals to change their name and gender in official records. The "self-determination law" will take effect on Nov. 1, allowing adults to change their first name and legal gender at registry offices without further formalities, following a three-month notification period.
Politics3 min read - El Pais
European elections: Which parties are trying to influence the vote through Facebook or Instagram?
informed Summary
- The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity has expressed concern over the potential impact of generative artificial intelligence on the upcoming European elections. This is due to the fact that the technology can produce convincing texts and hyperrealistic videos that could be used to spread false information.
Politics5 min read - El Pais
‘I was almost a little amused.’ Schäuble’s posthumous memoirs reveal a proposal to overthrow Merkel
informed Summary
- Wolfgang Schäuble, a key figure in German politics for half a century, has posthumously published his memoirs, revealing details about the illegal financing scandal of the Christian Democratic Union that led to Helmut Kohl’s downfall.
Politics4 min read - CNN
Trump is just days from his first criminal trial after latest legal gambit fails
informed Summary
- Donald Trump is facing the possibility of becoming the first former president to go on criminal trial, with his latest legal defeat moving him closer to having to answer accusations of making hush-money payments ahead of the 2016 election. This is one of four criminal cases against him. In each case, he has pleaded not guilty.
Politics5 min read - Politico
‘I won’t dance. Promise,’ says Olaf Scholz as he joins TikTok
informed Summary
- German chancellor Olaf Scholz has joined other political leaders in signing up for TikTok, using the account name @teambundeskanzer.
Politics1 min read - Politico
JK Rowling, Joe Rogan and Elon Musk are fuming over Scotland’s hate crime law. Here’s why
informed Summary
- The Scottish government has passed a new law to protect groups like transgender people from hate crimes. It criminalizes "stirring up hatred" and adds transgender identity as a protected characteristic.
Politics1 min read - AP News
After a huge setback in local elections, which way forward now for Turkey's Erdogan?
informed Summary
- The opposition in Turkey made significant gains in the local elections, raising the possibility that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling party may reconsider some of their more polarizing policies. The main opposition center-left Republican People’s Party (CHP) retained control of Istanbul and Ankara and also won in conservative provinces.
Politics5 min read - NPR
Appeals court has lowered Trump's bond in civil fraud case to $175 million
informed Summary
- Former President Donald Trump's hush-money trial will begin on April 15, with jury selection also starting on the same day. Trump has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of falsifying business records to keep an alleged affair secret during the 2016 campaign.
Politics2 min read - AP News
France's president pounds a punching bag on camera, and Europe notices
informed Summary
- French President Emmanuel Macron's official photographer posted black and white photos of him boxing on social media, which were interpreted as a display of toughness amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The images received mixed reviews; some praised Macron's "warrior" image, while others criticized him as a "narcissist" and "prancing poseur".
Politics3 min read - TIME
Biden’s campaign is in trouble. Will the turnaround plan work?
informed Summary
- Barack Obama has reportedly warned Joe Biden about the state of his re-election campaign, advising him to move more aggressively and make the race a referendum on Donald Trump. Despite this, Obama has seen few signs of improvement in the campaign.
Politics15 min read - CNN
Panic mode sets in for Trump as he faces deadline for massive bond
informed Summary
- Former President Donald Trump is struggling to secure a $454 million bond required to appeal his civil fraud case in New York, with the March 25 deadline approaching.
Politics3 min read - TIME
Why India’s upcoming election will last 44 days
informed Summary
- India is set to hold its next general election over a seven-phase period from April 19 to June 1, with results declared three days later. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term after his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, won 303 seats in the 2019 election.
Politics3 min read
