Politico

• The European Commission unveiled a "tech sovereignty" plan on Wednesday designed to reduce Europe's heavy reliance on foreign technology providers. • Rather than attempting to shut out American competitors, the strategy focuses on boosting domestic European champions to strengthen the region's digital infrastructure. • This move matters as the EU seeks to secure the critical technologies that underpin the modern economy and decrease vulnerability to external digital supremacy.

• The European Commission is developing a "tech sovereignty plan" designed to strengthen domestic digital champions and reduce reliance on American technology. • A central component of this strategy is the Cloud and AI Development Act, which empowers the Commission to vet whether countries are trustworthy enough to handle sensitive public sector data. • This initiative marks a strategic shift toward fostering internal EU capabilities rather than simply implementing restrictive measures against US competitors.

• The EU's Energy Commissioner, Dan Jørgensen, is urging Big Tech to adopt sustainable AI practices. • Energy-hungry data centers must support the EU's shift to carbon-free power, according to Jørgensen. • This push for sustainability is part of the EU's broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions and meet climate goals.

• European Union officials are warning Big Tech companies to implement sustainable AI practices or face potential regulatory restrictions. • The urgency is highlighted by Ireland, where data centers now consume over 20% of the nation's total electricity, the highest share per capita in the region. • This energy crisis underscores the environmental strain caused by the massive computing power required for AI, threatening EU climate goals.

• An FDA advisory panel will convene this Thursday to determine which Covid-19 strain vaccine manufacturers should target for the 2026-2027 season. • The meeting occurs as the United States continues to navigate a shifting vaccine infrastructure and evolving public health needs. • Separately, an experimental Ebola vaccine developed by an Oxford team is approaching the production phase for upcoming clinical trials.

• An FDA advisory panel overwhelmingly recommended on Thursday that manufacturers base the 2026-2027 Covid-19 vaccine formulas on the dominant XFG variant. • This recommendation ensures that future vaccine iterations remain effective against evolving strains of the virus to maintain public health protections. • Separately, World Health Organization experts are urging that all prevention and treatment products for the Ebola Bundibugyo virus be used exclusively within clinical trials.

• Germany has rejected warnings from the U.S. regarding a proposed law that would require streaming services to invest in local content. • Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius dismissed claims that the plan violates the Turnberry Agreement, arguing the obligations are "very moderate by European standards." • The dispute highlights a tension between U.S. trade interests and Germany's desire to protect its cultural policy and domestic media production.

• Germany rejected U.S. accusations on Friday that its proposed streaming investment law violates the recently established EU-U.S. Turnberry trade pact. • Berlin defends the legislation as a "very moderate" cultural policy tool by European standards rather than a digital trade barrier. • The dispute highlights tensions between U.S. digital trade interests and European efforts to mandate local content investment from streaming platforms.

• The European Environment Agency (EEA) is urging Brussels to mandate that Big Tech companies disclose the energy and water consumption of their data centers. • The agency warns that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is creating a significant ecological footprint that remains largely hidden from public view. • This push for transparency is critical to ensure that AI development aligns with the EU's broader climate goals and sustainability targets.

• The United States is deploying 5,000 troops to Poland as it simultaneously reduces its military presence in Germany. • The move follows the suspension of a planned training exercise, which had previously caused alarm among Polish officials and sparked anger in the U.S. Congress. • The deployment occurs amid domestic political tension in Poland, where President Nawrocki, elected in June 2025, aligns with the Trump administration and clashes with pro-EU Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

• The Eurovision Song Contest is facing an "existential moment" regarding the participation of Israel, sparking significant tension among member broadcasters. • Spain's public broadcaster, RTVE, issued a public call for "peace and justice for Palestine" immediately before the final on Saturday night. • Belgium's Flemish broadcaster, VRT, announced it is unlikely to send an artist to next year's contest in Sofia unless the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) reforms its decision-making process.

• New Politico Poll results detail what Americans mean by worries over a 'stolen election,' split sharply by party. • Democrats express fears of voter suppression tactics, while Republicans highlight concerns about voter fraud schemes. • Findings matter for understanding midterm turnout motivations and trust in electoral processes.

• A new POLITICO-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab survey released May 8, 2026, found that strong majorities in both parties prefer an independent panel draw House district lines. • The polling data suggests voters across the political spectrum have grown frustrated with partisan gerrymandering and support reform measures limiting partisan advantage in redistricting. • The bipartisan sentiment contrasts with ongoing state-level redistricting battles where Republican and Democratic parties continue fighting over congressional boundaries.

• A new POLITICO-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab survey reveals that strong majorities in both Republican and Democratic parties support independent panels drawing House district lines. • The bipartisan finding suggests public appetite for reform of the politically charged redistricting process. • The survey highlights voter frustration with gerrymandering and calls for institutional change to ensure fair representation.

• The latest POLITICO-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab survey reveals strong majorities in both parties favor an independent panel for drawing House district lines. • Over 70% of Democrats and Republicans support the nonpartisan approach to prevent gerrymandering ahead of midterms. • This consensus could pressure Congress to reform redistricting processes and reduce partisan map battles.