EU reacts to US security strategy document saying Europe face 'civilisational erasure'

Former staff of the US Justice Department have claimed that the civil rights division has been effectively dismantled under the Trump administration, which they argue has prioritized the president's agenda over the enforcement of civil rights laws. This assertion reflects a significant shift in the department's focus and capabilities.

Kirsten Hillman, who has served as Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. since 2020, is being considered for succession as negotiations for a new trade deal with the Trump administration have been ongoing and at times contentious.

Thirteen Labour MPs voted in favor of initiating discussions on the UK potentially rejoining the EU customs union, as part of a bill proposed by the Liberal Democrats. The vote resulted in a tie, with 100 MPs supporting and 100 opposing the measure, highlighting a divided stance on this issue within Parliament.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine and Europe are preparing to present a 'refined' peace plan to the United States in the near future, amid ongoing tensions with Russia. This development follows recent criticisms from former President Donald Trump regarding European nations, which he labeled as 'weak' and 'decaying.'

European Council President António Costa has warned the United States against interfering in European affairs, asserting that only European citizens should determine their governance. This statement follows the release of a new national security strategy by the Trump administration, which has been criticized for portraying European allies as weak and for its tacit support of far-right political parties.

A motion to create a bespoke UK-EU customs union has passed in the House of Commons following a rare tied vote, reflecting ongoing debates about the UK's post-Brexit trade relationships. The motion's passage indicates a significant moment in the discussions surrounding the UK's economic strategy and its ties with the EU.

The European Union has launched an investigation into Google to assess whether the tech giant has failed to provide appropriate compensation to web publishers for using their content to generate AI-driven summaries in search results. This inquiry is part of a broader scrutiny of Google's practices in the digital content landscape.

Civicus, a nonprofit organization monitoring global civic freedoms, has downgraded the civic health rating of the United States from 'narrowed' to 'obstructed', reflecting increased restrictions on civil society under the Trump administration. This classification indicates that while civil society organizations still exist, they face significant challenges from state authorities, including illegal surveillance and bureaucratic harassment.