Ali Walker
@aliwalker.bsky.social
Editor, Global Breaking News at POLITICO Europe.
🚨 Exclusive: European football chief Aleksander Čeferin denounced “reckless politicians” for fueling the “slaughter” of kids around the world — and defended a “Stop Killing Children” banner recently displayed by his organization, UEFA. Here's everything he told me in Monaco 👇🧵
Don’t punish athletes for warmongering politicians, UEFA boss says
European football president also defends “Stop Killing Children” banner after backlash from staunchly pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups.
politico.eu
🚨 New scoop: According to a leaked letter sent to Gianni Infantino, a top human rights organization said it has “grave concerns” about the Trump administration’s border policies affecting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Top human rights group challenges FIFA over Trump and 2026 World Cup
Human Rights Watch says football’s governing body should be prepared to “reconsider” choice of U.S. as tournament co-host.
politico.eu
News: Behind closed doors, Gianni Infantino is insisting to the world's most powerful football officials that Donald Trump's border crackdown won't affect the World Cup. He has even praised Trump and JD Vance for their enthusiasm about welcoming foreign fans. More from inside the FIFA Council ⬇️
FIFA chief dismisses US border policy fears in private World Cup remarks
Gianni Infantino told top football officials the White House’s insistence that fans go home after the tournament was in tune with other nations’ border policies.
politico.com
🚨 SCOOP: In a private meeting today, FIFA President Gianni Infantino dismissed fears that Donald Trump's tough border policies will hurt the 2026 World Cup. He also slammed the media for its reporting around the issue of fans entering the United States for the tournament, and leaving at the end.
FIFA chief dismisses US border policy fears in private World Cup remarks
Gianni Infantino told top football officials the White House’s insistence that fans go home after the tournament was in tune with other nations’ border policies.
politico.com
Brussels is grappling with an outbreak of violence after drug-fueled turf wars — including Kalashnikovs being fired in busy public places — rocked the city this week. @elenagiordano.bsky.social, @ketrinjochecova.bsky.social and @hannecl.bsky.social get inside the political response.
Like an episode of The Wire: Brussels gang wars spiral out of control
“Mafia” shootings with Kalashnikovs trigger alarm in the city as politicians convene an emergency meeting.
politico.eu
Trump says no US troops will be needed for “one of the greatest and most spectacular developments of its kind on Earth.” www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Trump doubles down on kicking Palestinians out of Gaza
U.S. president claims no American soldiers will be needed for “one of the greatest and most spectacular developments of its kind on Earth.”
politico.eu
🌴🤯 Global fury is building over Donald Trump’s plan to turn Gaza into the Middle East "Riviera." Rapid reaction story from @clothildegouj.bsky.social, @cleacaulcutt.bsky.social, @elenagiordano.bsky.social, @noahkeate.bsky.social and Laura Hülsemann, working across the Middle East and Europe.
Global fury builds over Trump’s plan to turn Gaza into the Middle East ‘Riviera’
U.S. president faces outrage from Arab countries and key European capitals over his “dangerous” proposal that Palestinians should be removed from the coastal enclave.
politico.eu
A senior Russian official today slammed U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal that he could continue to support Ukraine's war effort in exchange for access to its rare earth resources. Story here by @elenagiordano.bsky.social 👇
Russia to Trump: Back off Ukraine’s rare earths
The Kremlin delivers a warning to U.S. president over military aid proposal.
politico.eu
💥 Exclusive: FIFA chief Gianni Infantino's top lieutenant has struck back at criticism from the European Parliament over awarding the 2034 Men's World Cup to Saudi Arabia. Full details from FIFA's four-page letter here ⬇️
FIFA launches fervent defense of Saudi Arabia World Cup in letter to EU lawmakers
MEPs had criticized the world football governing body for awarding the 2034 tournament to the Gulf petromonarchy.
politico.eu
85 percent of Greenlanders don’t want Trump takeover, new poll says www.politico.eu/article/gree... @aliwalker.bsky.social
85 percent of Greenlanders don’t want Trump takeover, new poll says
Survey lands as Danish prime minister tours Europe to try shore up support for keeping the Arctic island out of American clutches.
politico.eu
Deep in Greenland’s frozen wilderness, a radioactive secret sleeps beneath the ice — and it threatens to be a headache for Donald Trump and the United States. Fantastic reported historical feature here from @sebstarcevic.bsky.social.
Trump’s got a radioactive time bomb under Greenland’s ice
The U.S. would inherit an environmental time bomb of its own making if it lays claim to the massive Arctic island.
politico.eu
Find the argument that media should ignore the Greenland comments pretty unconvincing — and a very US-centric view. Can't expect Europeans to just shrug if the soon-to-be US president suggests invading a European country/associated territory, however ludicrous the idea.
NEW: Donald Trump’s demand for Greenland is no 19th-century imperial throwback. Rather it signals a hypermodern reality: a world transforming thanks to climate change, with China, Russia and the United States jostling to take advantage. www.politico.eu/article/dona...
The method in Trump’s Greenland madness
The climate skeptic is responding to the reality of the Arctic’s melting ice: more resource extraction, faster trade routes, new military bases.
politico.eu
🚨 Scoop: A senior Greenlandic politician slammed Donald Trump Jr.’s “staged” visit to the island. “We know how they treat the Inuit in Alaska,” she told @politico.eu. “Make that great before trying to invade us.” Trump Jr.’s rep called the criticism “ridiculous” 👇 www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Donald Trump Jr.’s visit was ‘staged,’ says Greenland lawmaker
“We know how they treat the Inuit in Alaska. Make that great before trying to invade us,” Pipaluk Lynge tells POLITICO.
politico.eu
🚨 SCOOP: European lawmakers have written to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to express their "grave concerns" about Saudi Arabia being awarded the 2034 football World Cup. Read the letter here ⬇️
FIFA chief Infantino warned by EU lawmakers over Saudi Arabia World Cup
Members of the European Parliament say they have “grave concerns” about the 2034 tournament.
politico.eu
If you work in the European Quarter, you’ve seen the mural on Rue de la Loi, a wash of color in an otherwise grey, traffic-choked street. It was torn down today to make room for new European Commission offices. But it could be revived! A very Brussels bubble scoop 👇 www.politico.eu/article/brus...
‘Future is Europe’ mural is a thing of the past
It may or may not be resurrected.
politico.eu
We're heading into the second of three closely watched election weekends for Romania, and parties outside the political mainstream look poised to make big gains. On @politico.eu I look into the reasons why Romanian voters are tired of the status quo, from inequalities to widespread corruption.
7 reasons why Romanian voters are hacked off — by the numbers
From poverty to emigration and corruption, here are some the issues at the top of Romanian voters’ minds — and politicians’ programs.
politico.eu
New: The body that investigates complaints about maladministration in EU institutions has slapped Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the wrist over her vacation to Greece as a guest of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Story here by @nstamouli.bsky.social 👇
Von der Leyen’s holiday to Greece prompts criticism from top EU watchdog
The European Commission took way too long to provide documents about the trip, European Ombudsman says.
politico.eu
Romanian election results are now official. Liberal Elena Lasconi qualifies for the presidential runoff after beating socialist candidate Marcel Ciolacu by 2,742 votes out of the 9,242,198 ballots cast.
Stunning presidential vote in Romania, where a hard-right candidate came from nowhere to win the 1st round. Liberal candidate is set to squeak into the 2nd round, edging out the socialist PM. Almost 37% of Romanians voted for ultranationalists. The EU will be on tenterhooks for the Dec. 8 runoff.
Romania election stunner: Unexpected hard-right candidate surges in presidential vote
Ultranationalist Călin Georgescu comes from nowhere to lead center-left PM Marcel Ciolacu and liberal Elena Lasconi in first round.
politico.eu
BREAKING: Andy Murray is to coach Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in January. Djokovic says: “I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my coach.”
It's too late, World War 3 has already begun, says the former commander-in-chief of Ukraine's army. @ketrinjochecova.bsky.social has the write-up of Valery Zaluzhny's eye-popping speech as Russia fires bigger missiles, enlists North Korean troops and the West ramps up its military aid for Kyiv.
World War III has officially begun, Ukraine’s ex-top general says
The former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army has a grim outlook on the state of the war.
politico.eu
🚨 Exclusive: I spoke with Finland's Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen about the Baltic Sea cable damage, NATO, and safeguarding critical infrastructure. Read the full interview here on @politico.eu www.politico.eu/article/finl...
Finland urges NATO, EU to shield critical networks after undersea cables damaged
Defense minister tells POLITICO that “Russia has [the] capability and willingness to do sabotage in Europe.”
politico.eu
Introducing POLITICO Europe's team of breaking news reporters to Bluesky. 🇮🇹 @elenagiordano.bsky.social 🇦🇺 @sebstarcevic.bsky.social 🇨🇿 @ketrinjochecova.bsky.social 🇭🇺 @krmcsngr.bsky.social We cover a swathe of topics from war in Ukraine, to Dutch politics, to Giorgia Meloni, to undersea mysteries.
Spent a week in Washington D.C. earlier this month for the U.S. election. Between the hospitality of Politico colleagues and the dramatic news agenda, it was an all-time career highlight week. Did a little bit of sightseeing too, when the schedule allowed.
The EU’s top court will rule on the breakaway Super League case against European football governing body UEFA on December 21, according to an official with direct knowledge of the matter.
Football Super League court ruling set for December
UEFA faces challenge to its role governing the sport in Europe.
politico.eu
NEW: The European Super League judgment will be delivered by the Court of Justice of the EU on December 21 at 9:30am. Merry Christmas, everyone!
One year since this little guy moved in and took over the house.
