Lisa O’Carroll
@lisaocarroll.bsky.social
Guardian correspondent covering international trade from European perspective, also post Brexit affairs and Ireland Former Brussels corr, Brexit corr + former media corr. Find me at lisa.ocarroll@theguardian.com
US briefing to journalists in Europe today. We are just giving a "warning" and "jolt" we see Europe is in economic "crisis". Also concerned AI Act will lead to massive overregulation of the AI industry, "
Here's my report on more general comments
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Here's my report on more general comments
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
January 5, 2026 at 9:23 PM
US briefing to journalists in Europe today. We are just giving a "warning" and "jolt" we see Europe is in economic "crisis". Also concerned AI Act will lead to massive overregulation of the AI industry, "
Here's my report on more general comments
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Here's my report on more general comments
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Well worth a read. By my colleague @rorycarroll72.bsky.social , formerly based in Venezuela
How Hugo Chavez's cry wolf to strengthen his position, and a decade old fiction embellished by Maduro has come to reality, as one populist Trump topples another
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
How Hugo Chavez's cry wolf to strengthen his position, and a decade old fiction embellished by Maduro has come to reality, as one populist Trump topples another
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Venezuelan leaders’ fever dream of a US invasion finally becomes reality
Maduro and Chávez used fears of American aggression to tighten their grip on power – but now an even greater fantasist has imposed his will on their country
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Well worth a read. By my colleague @rorycarroll72.bsky.social , formerly based in Venezuela
How Hugo Chavez's cry wolf to strengthen his position, and a decade old fiction embellished by Maduro has come to reality, as one populist Trump topples another
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
How Hugo Chavez's cry wolf to strengthen his position, and a decade old fiction embellished by Maduro has come to reality, as one populist Trump topples another
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Reposted by Lisa O’Carroll
Last night's attack on Venezuela fits into a long history of brazen US interventions in Latin America and the world.
January 3, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Last night's attack on Venezuela fits into a long history of brazen US interventions in Latin America and the world.
Trump also asked about Cuba . “Cuba is something we [will] end up talking about” Marco Rubio said his president meant what he said when he says he would take action on issues. Havana run by “incompetent” and “senile” said Rubio and if he was in government there he would be worried.
January 3, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Trump also asked about Cuba . “Cuba is something we [will] end up talking about” Marco Rubio said his president meant what he said when he says he would take action on issues. Havana run by “incompetent” and “senile” said Rubio and if he was in government there he would be worried.
How is this America first? reporter asks.
Trump: Says US wants to be “surrounded by good neighbours” and energy.
Says Oil companies will be paying for oil infrastructure
Venezuela was taking 4/5% out of ground “people of Venezuela will be greatest beneficiaries”
Trump: Says US wants to be “surrounded by good neighbours” and energy.
Says Oil companies will be paying for oil infrastructure
Venezuela was taking 4/5% out of ground “people of Venezuela will be greatest beneficiaries”
Trump: we are going to rebuild “rotting” oil infrastructure and sell oil to whoever including China
January 3, 2026 at 5:37 PM
How is this America first? reporter asks.
Trump: Says US wants to be “surrounded by good neighbours” and energy.
Says Oil companies will be paying for oil infrastructure
Venezuela was taking 4/5% out of ground “people of Venezuela will be greatest beneficiaries”
Trump: Says US wants to be “surrounded by good neighbours” and energy.
Says Oil companies will be paying for oil infrastructure
Venezuela was taking 4/5% out of ground “people of Venezuela will be greatest beneficiaries”
Trump: we are going to rebuild “rotting” oil infrastructure and sell oil to whoever including China
January 3, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Trump: we are going to rebuild “rotting” oil infrastructure and sell oil to whoever including China
Colombian President “does have to watch his ass” - Trump just now at presser
Also says Maduro will be brought to New York
Also says Maduro will be brought to New York
January 3, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Colombian President “does have to watch his ass” - Trump just now at presser
Also says Maduro will be brought to New York
Also says Maduro will be brought to New York
Analysis by @julianborger.bsky.social “What unfolded overnight in Venezuela will cause immediate anxiety to governments like Iran and Denmark”….
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
January 3, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Analysis by @julianborger.bsky.social “What unfolded overnight in Venezuela will cause immediate anxiety to governments like Iran and Denmark”….
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
US national security document - here’s chilling words on Europe
January 3, 2026 at 5:06 PM
US national security document - here’s chilling words on Europe
Trump acting like Putin (something Anne Applebaum also observed in recent podcast - concluding US now an oligarchizing nation whose foreign policy designed to advance business interests and not the greater US)
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
The ‘Putinization’ of US foreign policy has arrived in Venezuela
Trump is no longer bending the rules – he is demolishing them, with consequences far beyond Caracas
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Trump acting like Putin (something Anne Applebaum also observed in recent podcast - concluding US now an oligarchizing nation whose foreign policy designed to advance business interests and not the greater US)
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Are we back to the days of Ronnie Reagan regime change in Central America?
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Venezuelan president Maduro captured and flown out of country following ‘large scale’ US attack, Trump says – live
US president says: ‘the United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela’
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Are we back to the days of Ronnie Reagan regime change in Central America?
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Happy New Year.
Over Christmas we learned that key unions want UK back in the European customs union.
Also ICYMI:
Labour fails to cut deal with the EU, as it briefed out in autumn, on new carbon tax, CBAM.
Leaves exporters with mountain of new paperwork.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Over Christmas we learned that key unions want UK back in the European customs union.
Also ICYMI:
Labour fails to cut deal with the EU, as it briefed out in autumn, on new carbon tax, CBAM.
Leaves exporters with mountain of new paperwork.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
UK failure to seal EU tax exemption hands industry mountain of paperwork
Brussels confirms Christmas carve-out from green levies will not happen, leading to Brexit-style requirements
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Happy New Year.
Over Christmas we learned that key unions want UK back in the European customs union.
Also ICYMI:
Labour fails to cut deal with the EU, as it briefed out in autumn, on new carbon tax, CBAM.
Leaves exporters with mountain of new paperwork.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Over Christmas we learned that key unions want UK back in the European customs union.
Also ICYMI:
Labour fails to cut deal with the EU, as it briefed out in autumn, on new carbon tax, CBAM.
Leaves exporters with mountain of new paperwork.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Lisa O’Carroll
as someone who splits my time between the hospital acute front door, back door and the bit in the middle, works at the interface with primary, community and social care services and spent years around the policy area in various guises, it is deeply frustrating people the lack of institutional memory
December 29, 2025 at 7:28 PM
as someone who splits my time between the hospital acute front door, back door and the bit in the middle, works at the interface with primary, community and social care services and spent years around the policy area in various guises, it is deeply frustrating people the lack of institutional memory
Reposted by Lisa O’Carroll
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
December 23, 2025 at 1:28 AM
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
US ban on five European citizens, all of whom have called out disinformation and hate speech on US social media including @thierrybreton.bsky.social , sets "dangerous" precedent and "exposes something deeply troubling: the extraordinary and excessive power of Big Tech" - MEP Sandro Gozi
December 24, 2025 at 5:08 PM
US ban on five European citizens, all of whom have called out disinformation and hate speech on US social media including @thierrybreton.bsky.social , sets "dangerous" precedent and "exposes something deeply troubling: the extraordinary and excessive power of Big Tech" - MEP Sandro Gozi
Germany lost role at centre of EU during Scholz era, but now Merz back in driving seat (defence, cars, Ukraine). But Macron's resistance, at EU summit, to Mercosur and unfreezing of Belgian's assets means grit in the Franco-German engine and a repair price to pay.
www.ft.com/content/99d2...
www.ft.com/content/99d2...
Role reversal: how foot-dragging France blindsided newly assertive Berlin
As Friedrich Merz pushed to finalise a deal on Russian frozen assets, it became clear that he was missing one key ally
www.ft.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Germany lost role at centre of EU during Scholz era, but now Merz back in driving seat (defence, cars, Ukraine). But Macron's resistance, at EU summit, to Mercosur and unfreezing of Belgian's assets means grit in the Franco-German engine and a repair price to pay.
www.ft.com/content/99d2...
www.ft.com/content/99d2...
So quaint! @dublinbusnews.bsky.social you can’t pay contactless and you even get a paper ticket! Wait till they hear about the internet!
December 20, 2025 at 2:08 PM
So quaint! @dublinbusnews.bsky.social you can’t pay contactless and you even get a paper ticket! Wait till they hear about the internet!
@dublinbusnews back in dublin after 6 months, and, again, grappling with bus service with stops with no route maps - just destination of name of a rd. and some as Gaeilge.Am on 82 and nearly every person has asked driver “where is this bus going” . Come on Dublin. Printing is old tech. U can do it.
December 20, 2025 at 1:48 PM
@dublinbusnews back in dublin after 6 months, and, again, grappling with bus service with stops with no route maps - just destination of name of a rd. and some as Gaeilge.Am on 82 and nearly every person has asked driver “where is this bus going” . Come on Dublin. Printing is old tech. U can do it.
Talks went on to 2am - but EU agreed 90bn euro loan for Ukraine out of EU budget with carve out for Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia on loan guarantees. Two tier EU on UA with 24 v 3?
Mercosur also postponed till January
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Mercosur also postponed till January
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Ukraine deal: EU leaders agree €90bn loan, but without use of frozen Russian assets
Two-year deal will cover most of Ukraine’s needs, but will be secured against EU borrowing rather than Russian assets
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Talks went on to 2am - but EU agreed 90bn euro loan for Ukraine out of EU budget with carve out for Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia on loan guarantees. Two tier EU on UA with 24 v 3?
Mercosur also postponed till January
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Mercosur also postponed till January
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Ministers warn that UK US deal built on sand - the May deal hasn't yet delivered for steel or farmers (no sign of quotas promised and needed from Jan for beef), pharma deal no text, and tech deal secured after Trump's state visit hits bump in road www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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dashboard.ophan.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Ministers warn that UK US deal built on sand - the May deal hasn't yet delivered for steel or farmers (no sign of quotas promised and needed from Jan for beef), pharma deal no text, and tech deal secured after Trump's state visit hits bump in road www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Rumours that Keir Starmer would be guest at tomorrow’s European Council meeting have been dismissed as untrue
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Putin calls European leaders ‘little pigs’ and says Russia will achieve Ukraine goals by diplomacy or force - Europe live
Russian leader says aims of its ‘special military operation’ will be met ‘unconditionally’
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Rumours that Keir Starmer would be guest at tomorrow’s European Council meeting have been dismissed as untrue
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
UK to rejoin Erasmus, finally spmething from the UK EU reaet talks www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme
Exclusive: British students will be able to participate in EU-wide scheme from January 2027, sources say
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:43 PM
UK to rejoin Erasmus, finally spmething from the UK EU reaet talks www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
This it the point that veteran Volvo chief exec and Polestar chief exec (who is German, and worked in Asia and VW) made when I interviewed them a few weeks ago. Volvo man also questioned why EU makes a decision 10 years out.
ICMYI @adrianhiel.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
ICMYI @adrianhiel.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
December 13, 2025 at 9:14 AM
This it the point that veteran Volvo chief exec and Polestar chief exec (who is German, and worked in Asia and VW) made when I interviewed them a few weeks ago. Volvo man also questioned why EU makes a decision 10 years out.
ICMYI @adrianhiel.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
ICMYI @adrianhiel.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Manfred Weber, head of EPP, the conservatives group in EU parliament, tells Bild the 2035 ban on combustion engine cars, agreed by the parliament just three years ago, will be modified, paving way for continued sale of hybrid cars. Victory for German car industry
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
EU’s 2035 petrol and diesel car ban will be watered down, says senior MEP
Decision would anger environmental campaigners, who say it would amount to ‘gutting’ of green deal
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Manfred Weber, head of EPP, the conservatives group in EU parliament, tells Bild the 2035 ban on combustion engine cars, agreed by the parliament just three years ago, will be modified, paving way for continued sale of hybrid cars. Victory for German car industry
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
EU finally got ahead to permanently freeze Russian assets, after months and months of opposition in Belgium, which would have to bear the financial risk if Russia, post war, sued for their returns.
full story in @jakubkrupa.bsky.social live blog
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
full story in @jakubkrupa.bsky.social live blog
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
‘We are Russia’s next target’, warns Nato chief on Berlin visit – Europe live
Mark Rutte says ‘we are already in harm’s way’
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:43 PM
EU finally got ahead to permanently freeze Russian assets, after months and months of opposition in Belgium, which would have to bear the financial risk if Russia, post war, sued for their returns.
full story in @jakubkrupa.bsky.social live blog
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
full story in @jakubkrupa.bsky.social live blog
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...