Brussels under fire for softening grip on Big Tech

The G20 summit in Johannesburg concluded without a ceremonial handover to the United States, which boycotted the event, leading to heightened diplomatic tensions. The absence of U.S. representation marked a significant deviation from the traditional transition of leadership among G20 nations.

The United States is reportedly advancing its regime change efforts in Venezuela, despite the country not producing fentanyl. This comes amid a backdrop of heightened military activity and U.S. naval presence in the region, raising tensions with President Nicolás Maduro's government.

Officials from the US, EU, and Ukraine convened in Geneva to discuss a peace plan proposed by former President Donald Trump aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia. The plan reportedly includes significant territorial concessions from Ukraine, raising concerns among European leaders about its implications for Ukraine's sovereignty and NATO aspirations.

Saudi Arabia is intensifying its diplomatic relations with the United States, seeking to enhance military cooperation and economic ties, as highlighted by Gulf expert Gregory Gause. This shift is underscored by recent high-profile meetings between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. President Donald Trump, including discussions on significant investments and military agreements.

Washington has indicated a willingness to negotiate a 28-point peace plan aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, despite criticism from Kyiv and European allies who view the proposal as overly favorable to Russia. The discussions are taking place in Geneva, where U.S. and Ukrainian officials are engaged in talks regarding the contentious terms of the plan.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Ukraine's borders cannot be altered by force, reaffirming the country's sovereignty during a meeting in Geneva with officials from Washington, Brussels, and Kyiv to discuss a draft peace plan involving territorial concessions to Russia.

The COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, concluded with a contentious agreement that notably failed to address fossil fuel phase-out, disappointing over 80 nations, including the UK and EU, who advocated for a more aggressive transition away from oil, coal, and gas. The negotiations were marked by significant divisions, particularly between oil-producing countries and those pushing for climate action.

Washington has indicated a willingness to negotiate a 28-point peace plan aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, countering claims from US senators that the proposal represents a Russian 'wish list.' This comes as Kyiv and European allies express concerns over the plan's implications ahead of talks in Geneva.