Definitely not the most uplifting podcast for the weekend 😬, but a very insightful listen for those concerned about how rapidly reactionary and far-right ideas are spreading across Europe. From the @euscream.bsky.social podcast series by @jameskanter.bsky.social euscream.com/ep-107-shame...

How to talk about Gaza remains highly divisive in European journalism and the way it's playing out has significant implications for press freedom. Story @theintercept.com

What if EU simplification agenda is exactly what Trump wants from Europe? A self defeating move depriving itself of its only super-power Listen to @euscream.bsky.social with @jameskanter.bsky.social

Dutch election result = one more constructive voice at EU top table. Good. But one swallow does not make summer, writes @sophieintveld.bsky.social. Pro-European these days can even mean disregarding the constitutional order laid down in the EU Treaties.

Seems we've forgotten how far-right we've gone.

I take the point on the military innovation. I also think he's right on some of the nonsense EU Horizon money gets spent on. But he seems less coherent on the role of the state and politics and he neglects key aspects of Europe's latest failure to meet the moment. Quick thoughts. 🧵

Maybe we should get ASML and SAP to start making cars since European automakers are such laggard carbon junkies.

Europe you are now a tariff taker — but are you hearing this message because it's a mistake of epochal proportions to enrich your enemy unless, that is, you plan to join his destructive endeavours.

getting ready for the best eve

Must read on the lawsuits in the United States and the policy battles in Brussels that will determine whether journalism can still exist as an economic activity in the age of AI.

What about being better citizens of the planet that made them rich.

Every so often you run across yet another reminder of how shameful the story of this era is going to be in the history books someday. On so many levels, including the dystopian cheery tone of this NYT caption…

The United States of white supremacism strikes again. Sickening.

Good column from @grimmse.bsky.social on the utter idiocy of market fundamentalism when trying to encourage green alternatives. Guess what, high prices turn out to be "socially unfair and ultimately ineffective".

Never go full Cabaret

Von der Leyen has been serenaded by a mariachi band and responded with "Viva la vida" as part of trade ties with Mexico writes @gerardofortuna.bsky.social who notes it was one of "the weirdest moments of her mandate so far" yet where is the video, as it could be a rare interesting one of VDL.

Many people are outraged that Trump is demolishing part of the White House. But of course Trump can't do it without help. It's ACECO LLC of Silver Spring MD ("full-service demolition") that is tearing down the People's House. You can call them and let them know how you feel. 1/

Brussels police confiscate tents and sleeping bags Sunday morning from a planned People's Encampment outside @ec.europa.eu aimed at pressuring EU to suspend EU-Israel association agreement.

Woof justice: Flying dogs count as luggage, EU court rules

Hoods off! Economic anxiety, right, corporate and establishment hacks? www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...

This racist violent rhetoric from Young Republicans is disgusting. I'm sure past and present members of the International Young Democrat Union like Youth of the European People's Party and European Young Conservatives will want to condemn their US counterpart. Right? www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

"If you have another election ... " Ominous if there.

Europe in most "dangerous situation" since WWII and Denmark ready to "down" Russian drones, says PM Mette Frederiksen @eu2025dk.bsky.social at #euco

More on that supposed threat from a radical left.

Big climate alarm: European mayors have warned the EU about prospect of forced evacuation of their cities for "large periods of the year" due to 45-50 degrees centigrade heat, says @ec.europa.eu's Exec VP Teresa Ribera, who also calls for systems to anticipate "catastrophic" events.

The mifepristone fight is back out in the open, and Europe needs to be on guard too. The far right and ultraconservatives will eliminate choice for women if they can.

By coincidence I am teaching Civil War grand strategy today and I have never heard even the most callow disengaged undergraduate say something as fucking stupid as that below

EU response to latest Trump-inspired attack by Big Tech: "absolutely no intention from the Commission side to repeal" the Digital Markets Act, says @ec.europa.eu spokes; not aware of plans to "change governance structure" of the DMA.

Maybe it's just me but I get a distinct "journalists are useless" vibe from this @ec.europa.eu YouTube promo. What about allocating funding to news professionals to convey, you know, the news?

Can't wait to visit. "The inclusive hospitality industry remains marginal in Belgium, but initiatives like the Dogood Café demonstrate the potential for professional integration for people with disabilities."

The greatest trick the devil ever played is convincing pundits free speech motivated Charlie Kirk. No. Kirk used the trick of free speech to tell women to stay home and call black people moronic. Obnoxious and infantile views. That is the point. Below by @espiers.bsky.social still the best take.

How cowardly. Spahn succumbing to Maga madness. Charlie Kirk used the trick of free speech to call black people moronic and tell women to stay at home. Dumb and infantile views. That is the point.

Turkmenbashi. Trumpmanbashi. We look to Ashgabat now.

The shift away from X in the EU Bubble has been shamefully slow when you consider how X benefits a white supremacist who is inciting political violence in Europe. The EU institutions must lead here because they set the news agenda. Today we see more progress. Bravo @press.europarl.europa.eu.

Delighted to be rolling out European Parliament Committee accounts on Bluesky this morning. If you followed them on the other place and are jonesing for some EP action, then you can follow them now for all the usual updates!

We are delighted to announce that the European Parliament's Bluesky family is expanding, with the arrival of accounts for each of the Parliament's Committees 🦋 Check out the full list below, and follow them for regular updates on Committee activity - votes, meetings, etc.!

Next up, codewords for Charlie Kirk, like the Chinese have for Tiananmen Square.

Pyongyang on the Plains. Oklahoma targets teachers for insufficient mourning of Charlie Kirk.

INBOX- State Superintendent Ryan Walters says after investigating reports that came in through Awareity, they've identified 70 certified teachers from 44 districts who've made statements regarding Charlie Kirk's murder and 12 school districts who did not participate in a moment of silence. #oklahoma

Clay Higgins sent a letter to Bluesky and other social media sites threatening investigations if they don't censor speech critical of Charlie Kirk. They don't even know who Jay is because they addressed her as "gentleman." clayhiggins.house.gov/wp-content/u...

given the well-justified criticism it receives here, it's notable when the paper of record reports on the president's agenda in a factual, straightforward manner www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/u...

67pct of Israelis are very or somewhat concerned about potential European steps addressing atrocities in Gaza says survey from Mitvim Institute. So leverage there it seems. But equal percentage now view the EU as an adversary, which is most since 2018 when Mitvim began asking the question.

EU foreign minister @kajakallas.bsky.social pours cold water on Israel @eurovision.tv boycotts. Says taking measures impacting Israeli culture, entertainment and people are "wrong." h/t @raffschaidreiter.bsky.social

Nowhere does post-truth quite like Slovakia. Take the way strongman Prime Minister Fico calls himself a social democrat while being a Trump fanboy and Kremlin energy client. The Party of European Socialists now seem set on expelling him. H/t @eddywax.bsky.social 1/2

Some personal news: I've been fired from the Washington Post in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting. Thread incoming. substack.com/@karenattiah...

It's not just America. Some of the biggest spreaders of conspiracies and disinformation are now in top government posts in Slovakia where the national broadcaster is coming under political control. The EU may soon have its own post-truth nation.

BBC and NPR keep calling Kirk a conservative. Which prompts me to ask how soon they'll be labeling Yaxley-Lennon and Nick Fuentes merely right-wing. Mind the Overton sliding doors.

For Charlie Kirk’s sake, we should all tone down the political rhetoric, right?

The MSNBC commentator saying that most political violence has historically come from the left just once again showed how we suffer from failing to learn history. Lynching, pogroms, race riots, the political violence that ended Reconstruction, and against the Civil Rights Movement. Come on.