Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 3d

Chinese hackers said to target US law firms – The New York Times: ‘The hackers are suspected of breaching the networks of more than a dozen other law firms and technology companies in recent months.’

Chinese Hackers Said to Target U.S. Law Firms

www.nytimes.com

3 3

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Thorsten Benner @tbenner.bsky.social · 3d

„Rearm Europe“ will fail unless EU members come together to work with partners to do whatever it takes to break the dependence on China on critical raw materials.
If anyone had doubts about the urgency, Beijing dispelled those very effectively today.

www.reuters.com/world/china/...

11 21

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 3d

More news on the rare earth front - could damage EU efforts to build production

China has tightened curbs on rare earths to include items manufactured abroad

China Tightens Exports of Rare Earths and Related Technology

China has tightened curbs on rare earths to include items manufactured abroad, adding a potentially complex layer of restrictions to an industry that’s been a source of intense trade friction between Beijing and Washington.

www.bloomberg.com

4 21 41

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 3d

The US is demanding the EU water down its landmark supply chain law and parts of its green legislation just months after agreeing a tariff pact to avoid an all-out transatlantic trade war

on.ft.com/3VX93nT

1 7 20

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Nicolas Bouchet @nickbouchet.bsky.social · 3d

"Putin’s deep suspicion toward non-Russians reflects his anxiety that the country’s regions...might one day follow the path of the former Soviet republics and break away. And yet, by russifying the leadership of his security services, Putin may be only weakening his most important tool of control."

Center for European Policy Analysis @cepa.org · 7d

Russia Cleanses Its Spy Agencies | "Something odd and largely unnoticed is happening to Russia’s spies." @andreisoldatov.bsky.social and Irina Borogan

Russia Cleanses Its Spy Agencies

Putin’s intelligence services are being cleansed of non-Russians. Something odd and largely unnoticed is happening to Russia’s spies.

cepa.org

2 9

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 4d

New: European Commission has unveiled sweeping measures to shield the EU’s struggling steel industry from a flood of overcapacity it says is emanating from China, slashing tariff-free quotas by nearly half and doubling duties on excess shipments to 50%

Eyeing China, EU unveils sweeping measures to shield struggling steel industry

If approved, plan tackling overcapacity would slash tariff-free quotas by nearly half and double duties on excess shipments to 50 per cent.

www.scmp.com

1 11 21

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Dr Sari Arho Havrén @sariarhohavren.bsky.social · 4d

Based on national legislation in most countries, such tankers could be stopped and inspected. The European-wide inertia is staggering.

The Moscow Times @themoscowtimes.com · 5d

At least five tankers from Russia’s “shadow fleet” have leaked oil into European waters over the past year, according to a new investigation.

Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tankers Linked to Oil Leaks in European Waters – Politico - The Moscow Times

At least five tankers from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” — vessels used to evade Western sanctions — have leaked oil into European waters over the past year, an investigation by Politico and the j...

www.themoscowtimes.com

2 5

Etienne Soula @etiennesoula.bsky.social · 4d

So, to summarize: EV tariffs aren't working, the EU is now more dependent on China than ever, member states are cooling on a joint response, and the continent's two biggest economies are either paralyzed or lethargic. Everything is going great @noahbarkin.bsky.social.

www.gmfus.org/news/watchin...

Watching China in Europe—October 2025

www.gmfus.org

1 1 5

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Henry Foy @henryjfoy.ft.com · 5d

Brussels to curb the travel of Russian diplomats within the EU, in response to a surge in sabotage attempts that intelligence agencies say are led by spies operating under diplomatic cover.

Czech-led initiative backed after Hungary drops its veto. With @andybounds.bsky.social

on.ft.com/46Umr0T

EU to curb Russian diplomats’ travel as suspected spy attacks mount

[FREE TO READ] Intelligence agencies say sabotage operations are often led by spies posing as diplomats

on.ft.com

9 48 160

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Noah Barkin @noahbarkin.bsky.social · 4d

"Europe is the only market they can come to”

www.reuters.com/business/ret...

China bets on Europe for self-driving tech expansion

Blocked from the U.S. market, Chinese self-driving technology firms are accelerating their push into Europe, setting up headquarters, striking data deals, and road-testing - prompting alarm from local rivals over competition concerns.

www.reuters.com

6 9

Etienne Soula @etiennesoula.bsky.social · 4d

Comme d'habitude, le secteur privé fait passer ses intérêts financiers étroits avant toute considération de sécurité nationale et européenne.

Alexandre Berteau @alexandreberteau.bsky.social · 4d

Le milliardaire Rodolphe Saadé, propriétaire de BFM TV, a envoyé deux émissaires à Saint-Pétersbourg à la mi-septembre pour préparer le retour de CMA CGM en Russie. Sans juger nécessaire d'en aviser le Quai d'Orsay.

@anttonrouget.bsky.social

Le milliardaire Rodolphe Saadé amorce secrètement le retour de CMA CGM en Russie

Deux émissaires du géant français du transport maritime se sont rendus à Saint-Pétersbourg à la mi-septembre, selon des informations de Mediapart. L’objectif de ce voyage : organiser le retour du gro…

www.mediapart.fr

1

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Jakub Jaraczewski @jakubjaraczewski.bsky.social · 4d

🇺🇸🇸🇰🇭🇺🇵🇱 Once again, NGOs in the US would benefit greatly from talking to civil society in Hungary, Poland, Slovakia (and several other places) about how to deal with a government that's hostile to the part of the third sector that doesn't align with its ideology. 1/

3 22 50

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 5d

The torrent of UK China news keeps coming. So much for the reset...

China threatened to retaliate against the UK government if ministers targeted parts of its security apparatus under foreign influence rules, the Guardian can disclose.

China threatened to retaliate against UK over foreign influence rules

Exclusive: Chinese officials warned that targeting its security apparatus would negatively affect relations

www.theguardian.com

1 7 12

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 7d

China provides Russia with satellite data for missile strikes on Ukraine, intelligence says – Ukrinform: ‘in particular on foreign investors’ facilities.’ ‘This was reported by Oleh Aleksandrov, an employee of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, in a comment to Ukrinform.’

China provides Russia with satellite data for missile strikes on Ukraine — intelligence

The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine has recorded evidence of China providing Russia with satellite intelligence data for missile strikes on Ukraine, in particular on foreign investors' facilit...

www.ukrinform.net

2 16 16

Reposted by Etienne Soula

EU Council @consilium.europa.eu · 8d

The EU has renewed until 9 October 2026 its sanctions regime in response to Russian hybrid threats.

These sanctions target individuals and entities responsible for destabilising activities against the EU, its member states and its partners.

More info ➡️ link.europa.eu/q6kkmt

Collage including an antenna, a ballot box and a laptop. The text on the visual reads "EU renews sanctions in response to Russia's hybrid threats".

4 13

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 8d

Europe hunts for chokepoints it can weaponise against China in age of economic warfare

My report on the search for leverage against coercion from Beijing and Washington.

The elephant in the room: would it take for Brussels to act?

Europe hunts for chokepoints it can weaponise in a new age of economic warfare

Bureaucrats look for leverage against coercion from Beijing and Washington but what would it take for Brussels to act?

www.scmp.com

1 7 16

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Alliance for Securing Democracy @securedemocracy.bsky.social · 16d

💬 American conservatives often reject social-media regulation on the grounds that it stifles speech.

Conversely, the lack of regulation places speech at greater risk by leaving it subject to political pressure, ASD's David Salvo & Bret Schafer write. ⤵️

securingdemocracy.gmfus.org/in-denouncin...

In Denouncing Regulation, Conservatives Put Freedom of Speech Online at Greater Risk

Social-media platforms have long drawn American conservatives' ire for the former's content-moderation policies. During the first Trump and Biden administrations, much ado was made about the platforms...

securingdemocracy.gmfus.org

1 2

Reposted by Etienne Soula

CSDS Brussels @csds.bsky.social · 18d

💬 "The concept of strategic autonomy is gaining traction in Japan, especially in economic and diplomatic domains, though full military independence remains constrained by legal, political and logistical limits", writes Céline Pajon for CSDS.

Read
csds.vub.be/publication/... @cpajon.bsky.social

3 5

Reposted by Etienne Soula

AFP News Agency @en.afp.com · 19d

"Disinformation" is fast becoming a dirty word in the United States.

The label is so contentious in a hyperpolarized political climate that some researchers who study the harmful effects of falsehoods are abandoning it altogether and opting for "more precise" language

u.afp.com/SWUq

5 25 46

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Roman A. @romanad.bsky.social · 22d

Dans une vidéo qui circule sur les réseaux sociaux, 3 hommes présentés comme des "musulmans pro palestiniens" menacent la France. Il s'agit d'une mise en scène.

Tout porte à croire que sa diffusion fait partie d'une opération de déstabilisation pilotée par la Russie.
www.tf1info.fr/internationa...

VÉRIF' - Qui se cache réellement derrière cette vidéo de déstabilisation visant la France ? | TF1 INFO

[VIDÉO] Dans une vidéo qui circule sur les réseaux sociaux, trois hommes présentés comme des "musulmans pro palestiniens" menacent la France. Il s'agit d'une mise en scène. Tout porte à croire que sa...

www.tf1info.fr

7 10

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 22d

Breaking: Von der Leyen says the EU will target "petrochemical companies in third countries, including China", who are buying Russian oil .

"We are now going after these who fuel Russia's war in purchasing oil in breach of sanctions"

1 12 34

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Noah Barkin @noahbarkin.bsky.social · 22d

The EU is bribing Orban to ditch Russian energy imports

www.ft.com/content/0965...

EU plans to unlock €550mn for Hungary in bid to secure Russia sanctions deal

Brussels seeks to overcome Viktor Orbán’s veto by unfreezing funds earmarked for Budapest

www.ft.com

4 6 16

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · Sep 9

India revs up alternate EV motor tests as China curbs rare earths exports – Reuters: ‘remains effectively cut off due to political tensions with Beijing.’
‘Sterling and several other firms are expediting work on alternate technologies that eliminate magnets or use ferrite or “light” rare earths’

India revs up alternate EV motor tests as China curbs rare earths exports

In a 3,500 square foot laboratory in Faridabad, northern India, engineers are fast-tracking tests on an EV motor that could help alleviate one of New Delhi's most pressing trade and diplomatic challenges: its reliance on China for rare earths.

www.reuters.com

3 5

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · Sep 9

70% of Europeans are ready to boycott the US market
76% oppose the investment part of the EU-US trade deal
52% felt "humiliated" by the tariff deal with Trump
60% want von der Leyen to resign

Findings of a new survey by Le Grand Continent this morning

legrandcontinent.eu/fr/2025/09/0...

6 140 190

Reposted by Etienne Soula

Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · Sep 8

China's trade data for August came out this morning - I've run the numbers on what it says for Europe.

Big picture:

In August vs a year earlier, China's trade surplus with the EU jumped 22.5% to US$28.9bn (in a single month)

In the first 8 months of 2025, it's up 21.5% to US$197bn

1 3 11