Policy
German police detain 2 men suspected of warship sabotage
Lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter tells POLITICO the attack “fit a Russian pattern of using targeted acts of sabotage against militarily relevant and critical infrastructure.”
UK police investigating Mandelson after Epstein files revelations
Prosecutors seek to uphold 5-year electoral ban on Marine Le Pen
Peter Mandelson built Britain’s Labour establishment. Now it’s torching him.
Germans saying ‘nein’ to the stein
EU Commission looking into Mandelson’s Epstein links
Nigel Farage says Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should testify on Epstein links
EU parliament chief calls for ‘exorcism’ of ghosts in UK ties
The “ghosts of the past” cannot be allowed to derail future cooperation, said Roberta Metsola.
Peter Mandelson to quit House of Lords over Epstein scandal
Move comes after Keir Starmer vowed to change the law to force the former U.S. ambassador to Washington out of the upper chamber.
Access to innovative treatments: The real work starts now
The UK has historically been a global leader in life sciences innovation, but recent statistics paint a worrying picture for medicines access. The right policy can start …
UK data watchdog opens Grok probe
The Information Commissioner’s Office says it is investigating “a risk of significant potential harm to the public.”
EU Commission’s hiring contest begins … 7 years after the last one
Aspiring EU officials will have a chance to compete for lucrative jobs at the helm of the bloc.
Slovak adviser who resigned over Epstein texts says he feels like a ‘fool’
Miroslav Lajčák communicated with Jeffrey Epstein when he served as a foreign minister in Slovakia.
Technical work is under way to restart European talks with Putin, Macron says
“It is important that Europeans restore their own channels of communication,” Macron said.
EU trade chief Šefčovič rejects Epstein involvement
“I did not authorize, request or agree to anyone mentioning my name to Jeffrey Epstein,” Maroš Šefčovič says via European Commission spokesperson.
Spain moves to ban under-16s from social media
Madrid’s proposal follows efforts in France, Denmark and Portugal to protect kids online.
Russia breaks Trump-brokered energy ceasefire
Kremlin bombs Ukrainian power plants and energy infrastructure right before latest round of peace talks begin in Abu Dhabi.
Mandelson: I have nothing new to tell Congress about Epstein
UK minister Karin Smyth said the ex-U.K. ambassador to Washington should testify if asked.
Police raid Elon Musk’s X office in France
Paris prosecutors described raids as part of a ‘constructive approach’ to ensure platform complies with French law.
AI chatbots are not your friends, experts warn
Tens of millions of people now use artificial intelligence as a companion.
What digital sovereignty really means in a fragmented world
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EU plan to share data with US border force sparks surveillance fears
Washington is demanding access to sensitive data as ICE heightens fears in Europe.
Salvini’s far-right League party is ripping apart
Italy’s deputy prime minister is struggling to contain a spat with his own deputy, a maverick former general who is threatening to form a rival party.
Poll: Far-right candidate breaks through in Paris mayor race
A survey shared with POLITICO shows Reconquest MEP Sarah Knafo advancing to the contest’s second round.
Europe begins its slow retreat from US dependence
The EU aims to reduce reliance on America in areas such as technology, energy, payments and defense. That will take some time.
Pint-swilling Nigel Farage wants to be savior of Britain’s pubs
The Reform UK leader has a “massive advantage in that he’s a genuine piss artist,” pub boss Tim Martin says — as Labour’s rivals spy an issue that matters to voters.
Commission therapy session: Von der Leyen tries to stamp out tensions in her top team
A series of incidents involving commissioners has led to the president calling a crunch meeting.
France finally passes 2026 budget
The new legislation will take effect after a constitutional review.
No EU deal on Ukraine loan and UK access, diplomats say
The talks are crucial as Ukraine will otherwise run out of money in April.
Researchers sue X for access to Hungarian election data
EU law demands X provide data to assess risks including foreign interference.
Hungary files legal challenge to EU’s Russian gas ban
Ban on Russian energy was adopted under the “guise” of a trade measure, says minister.