This is honestly one of the most shocking images coming out of this administration and that’s saying something

Murshed Zaheed@murshedz.bsky.social · 7d ago

“Trump has rejected disaster aid for Democratic-run states at the highest rate in the 47-year history of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.” Right now people in blue states are basically paying federal taxes as if they’re colonized territories of red states. www.politico.com/news/2026/03...

From Barcelona to Bruges by way of Florence, vast swathes of Europe’s once-idyllic cities are a procession of foreigners shopping for souvenirs. This counts as an economic success of sorts. But it comes at a steep price

Dismissing Europe as a museum is glib. Think of it as a theme park

All the continent’s a stage

bit.ly

The winning design. 🇪🇺💶

All the continent’s a stage

Dismissing Europe as a museum is glib. Think of it as a theme park

All the continent’s a stage

bit.ly

Christine Lagarde's seeming exasperation at the speculation around her early departure from the ECB would be induce a lot more sympathy if she hadn't prompted said speculation. She could end it in half a tweet. Until then, it's entirely right that journalists keep asking her about it.

POLITICO Europe@politico.eu · 2w ago

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde pledged to stay in her role until at least the end of the year, quashing ongoing rumors that she will step down in the near term to take part in France’s 2027 presidential election.

Ribera then chanted "two antitrust fines and one world cup!" to a crowd of cheering journalists

Henry Foy@henryjfoy.ft.com · 2w ago

“It's our duty to defend...our own laws, independently of how they are perceived or challenged,” Ribera said, adding: “rule of law is being challenged” in other places Asked if she meant the US, Ribera replied: “Some of the expressions...by the US govt are not particularly friendly to European law"

EU agrees 21st sanctions package but at great cost: allowing Greek shipping firms (essentially one firm) to keep exporting Russian LNG. My read: While this exemption may help Mitsotakis at home, it will severely dent the PM's hopes of landing a top EU job one day. Memories are long in Brussels.

From Tokyo to Toronto, childhood play has become enveloped in well-meaning bubble-wrap (no wonder kids beg for screens). Some European playgrounds, however, are injected with a dose of risk—that is a feature, not a bug

In praise of Scandinavia’s risky and dirty playgrounds

Kids stand to gain from a few bumps, bruises and mud-splatters

bit.ly

In 2020 terms this is “Italy has locked down”

Alex Hern@hern.bsky.social · 2w ago

Don’t like this openai.com/index/huggin...

Today in artificial intelligence: a ChatGPT model operating a no-internet sandbox hacked its way into having online access by elaborately hacking the system. Today in human intelligence: I am returning home from work after discovering I mistakenly took my wife's laptop instead of mine.

I love how Trump is now the final arbiter of all sporting disputes. I can just imagine Pogacar calling the White House to try to get the last stage of the Tour de France moved to Azerbaijan or something.

Carl Quintanilla@carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 2w ago

“.. DeChambeau warned officials at The Open that he was ready to call President Trump ..” @telegraph.co.uk www.telegraph.co.uk/golf/2026/07...

Andy Burnham joins Robert Peel, Gordon Brown and Liz Truss on a list of prime ministers whose surnames are also culinary imperatives

A woeful world cup ends with a woeful game and scenes of disgrace at the final whistle. Truly the worst sport has to offer, and a compelling argument to dramatically rethink football governance. So few moments of joy and so much justifying bad behaviour on and - especially - off the pitch.

And now Trump needs to kiss the feet of Pedro Sanchez as he hands Spain the trophy, per FIFA rules.

DO SOMETHING GIANNI

I always thought cabinet ministers should earn a salary equivalent to a Big 4 accounting partner, ie a successful professional in a competitive field. Now a PwC partner clears £900,000, vs £165,000 for a minister (including MP pay). www.ft.com/content/6ae4...

PwC partners set for near-record £900,000 annual pay

Payout for top ranks of Big Four accounting firm set to rise despite challenging consulting market

ft.com

In praise of Scandinavia's risky and dirty playgrounds. My Charlemagne this week on how kids benefit from the odd bruise and bump - as Nordic countries still realise. Those sanitised, rubbery playgrounds you now see everywhere rob children of thrills and learning. www.economist.com/europe/2026/...

In praise of Scandinavia’s risky and dirty playgrounds

Kids stand to gain from a few bumps, bruises and mud-splatters

economist.com

Of all the therapy-speak that’s escaped into everyday language, none winds me up quite like “core memories.” Every pricey family holiday is now sold as an opportunity to manufacture one. Disney. Center Parcs. £14 hot chocolate in Lapland. “You’re making core memories.” No. You’re going on holiday.

The most enduring journalist cliché is the framing of interviews in formulaic headlines. Which by convention have to be: "Celebrity X on one thing, another thing—and a quirky third thing".

In praise of Scandinavia's risky and dirty playgrounds. My Charlemagne this week on how kids benefit from the odd bruise and bump - as Nordic countries still realise. Those sanitised, rubbery playgrounds you now see everywhere rob children of thrills and learning. www.economist.com/europe/2026/...

In praise of Scandinavia’s risky and dirty playgrounds

Kids stand to gain from a few bumps, bruises and mud-splatters

economist.com

Amazing how England odds of winning haven't improved since immediately after their goal, despite the time available to Argentina melting away kalshi.com/markets/kxwc...

State Department giving half an E. Jean Carroll damages award to far-right groups in Europe

Anne Applebaum@anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 3w ago

The State Department has just put out a tender, offering funding of up to $3 million to European organizations who want to fight against "Supra-national institutions" - presumably the EU - and governments who seek to regulate the internet and end Western Civilization. www.state.gov/drl-nofo-dev...

Pas bien kalshi.com/markets/kxwc...

Without changes in regulation, public broadcasters on the continent fear they will be forgotten. Should that happen, they argue, a venerable part of Europe’s social fabric will have frayed bit.ly/4eR77rk

Populists, particularly on the hard right, dislike public-service broadcasters, which they see as run by air-kissing urbanistas. But politicians are not the only challenge facing state-run media

Europe’s public broadcasters go from prime time to hard-to-find

Apathetic teenagers and culture warriors are hobbling venerable state media outlets

bit.ly

The Millers are such lovely people.

Hope nobody tells JD "Europe has a free speech problem" Vance about this rogue administration knocking on journalists' doors to compel testimony. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/b...

Times Journalists Subpoenaed as Trump Escalates Pressure on Media

The Justice Department is seeking to compel testimony from reporters who wrote about the new Air Force One. The Times called the move a “brazen act.”

nytimes.com

Is it possible to spend too much time watching Russian refinery snuff videos on social media? Asking for a friend.

The EU is mulling a social media ban for teenagers. We argued against such a move in February. If you want to understand the issue better, this is an excellent place to start. www.economist.com/leaders/2026...

Don’t ban teenagers from social media

Restrictions would do more harm than good

economist.com