Fraud

EU fines Greece €400M over farm aid debacle
Brussels imposes massive fine after finding systemic failings in Greece’s management of farm subsidies from 2016 to 2023.

Greeks feel they have no one to vote for

EU puts Monaco on money laundering blacklist

The Trump-Musk bromance devolves into a chaotic public breakup

Skeletons in Nawrocki’s closet fail to dent his Polish presidential bid

How the EU always gets away with it

Greece shuts down agency at center of probe into massive EU farm fraud
European prosecutor slams ‘attacks’ and ‘intimidation’ against Greek farm fraud probe
Staff at the Greek agency responsible for doling out agricultural funds obstructed EU prosecutors in a corruption probe.
Labour’s AI gold rush gets stuck in the mud
Ministers are preparing a string of AI announcements for early June, but voters are skeptical about the technology. That leaves the ruling Labour Party with a huge problem.
Romanian court rejects George Simion’s election challenge
Presidential election loser Simion denounced the ruling and called on his supporters to “fight.”
Q&A: Preventing biofuels sustainability fraud and unfair competition
Amid concerns over sustainability fraud, the European biodiesel industry is pushing for regulatory reform. As Europe accelerates efforts to decarbonize transportation, biofuels have emerged as an important …
Russian interference claims hit Romania’s critical election on voting day
High numbers of voters are turning out to choose between hard-right candidate George Simion and centrist Nicușor Dan.
Simion accuses Moldova of manipulating Romanian election as vote goes to wire
Turnout is high in Moldova, a nation with many Romanian voters who did not back ultranationalist Simion in the first round.
Britain’s shrinking fraud watchdog
Political forces — from Trump’s deprioritization of bribery to Britain’s dash for growth — mean the Serious Fraud Office is in a fight for relevance.
Want to grab Trump’s attention? Europe’s politicians try Newsmax
The pro-MAGA outlet and its contemporaries are an awkward match for stolid, center-left ministers like those in Britain.
DOGE loses its biggest advocate as Musk exits Washington
The tech mogul’s public pullback will come as relief to some Cabinet officials.
Gen Z, media illiterates
The almighty algorithm is fueling conspiracy theories among young people and ruining their ability to tell fact from fiction on the internet.
Musk stepping back from government work amid plummeting Tesla sales
Elon Musk said in an earnings call Tuesday that he will turn more of his attention to Tesla starting next month.
EU prosecutor’s office suspends Bulgarian prosecutor amid probe
It’s EPPO’s first suspension and internal investigation into allegations of prosecutor misconduct.
Meet the Mafia-busting MEP taking the fight against organized crime to Brussels
Giuseppe Antoci battled the Italian mob. But can he take on EU policymaking?
America’s global AIDS relief program is on the brink
President Trump is taking apart one of George W. Bush’s proudest achievements.
Trump revokes security clearances for Biden, Harris, Clinton and other enemies
Trump’s memo is his latest attempt to exact revenge on his rivals.
Erdoğan’s main rival arrested in major clampdown on Turkish opposition
Arrested mayor of Istanbul accuses authorities of blow “against the will of the people.”
3 Bulgarians convicted of spying for Russia in the UK
The group was directed by Wirecard fugitive Jan Marsalek.
European prosecutors indict 100 in Greek farm subsidy fraud
Prosecutions follow POLITICO investigation into scheme to bilk Brussels of aid earmarked for grazing land.
Trump celebrates disruption and defies backlash in Congress speech
“The people elected me to do the job, and I’m doing it.”
Polish ex-PM charged with abuse of power for trying to organize elections during Covid
Mateusz Morawiecki, who faces up to three years in prison if convicted, says he “wouldn’t change a thing.”
Russia-linked fake videos spread German election fraud claims, authorities warn
Disinfo claiming AfD ballots are missing or being shredded is spreading online just days before Germany’s election.
Elon Musk’s DOGE is inspiring an army of British copycats
The X owner’s mission to cut wasteful government spending is being mimicked across the pond.
Qatar plans to rein in future French investments amid ‘witch hunt’ into PSG boss
Nasser al-Khelaïfi is under formal investigation again, but Paris denies that has affected Doha’s plans in France.
Farm subsidy audits are one piece of red tape the EU shouldn’t cut, says top former official
Brussels wants to scrap a little-known farm subsidy safeguard amid a broader push to cut red tape — but one veteran official warns it’s a mistake.