Is there some regulatory reason why Apple’s Live Translation feature (for iMessages, AirPods, iPhone, etcetera) will be inaccessible within the European Union 🇪🇺‽
Live Translation with AirPods is not available if you are in the EU and your Apple Account Country or Region is also in the EU. […]
Live Translation with AirPods works on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation or AirPods Pro 2 and later with the latest firmware when paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, and supports English (US, UK), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain)
This seems odd, as I have not heard of similar regional restrictions for Google Pixel Buds live translation (which, to my knowledge, supports folks living within the European Union 🇪🇺).
Hopefully, the EU 🇪🇺 & Apple can figure out a way to overcome the legal hurdles preventing this from being adopted.
In the worst case, I’ll need to use a third-party app for translation when traveling to Europe.
Cartoon of Secretary of State Marco Rubio grabbing a passport. Image created with AI
I came across this alarming news courtesy of Spencer Hakimian on 𝕏, in which a Congressional bill would grant the State Department extraordinary powers to punish those deemed aiding foreign enemies of the state.
[Florida Republican Representative Brian] Mast’s new bill claims to target a narrow set of people. One section grants the secretary of state the power to revoke or refuse to issue passports for people who have been convicted — or merely charged — of material support for terrorism. […]
The other section sidesteps the legal process entirely. Rather, the secretary of state would be able to deny passports to people whom they determine “has knowingly aided, assisted, abetted, or otherwise provided material support to an organization the Secretary has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.”
Given the way the current administration wields power in America 🇺🇸, many folks fear they will be punished for their political views regarding foreign policy (especially regarding events happening in & around Israel 🇮🇱).
As long as they are not posting support for terrorist organizations (which no one should do!), they will be okay.
For example, criticizing the state of Israel 🇮🇱 will probably not result in a US citizen having their passport revoked (as the courts would frown on that government behavior).
However, expressing support for designated terrorist organizations like Islamic Jihad, Hamas, Hizbollah, et al, would easily make an individual a target for government inquiry under current laws (resulting in punishments worse than passports being suspended).
Vimeo, Inc. (NASDAQ: VMEO), a leading video platform for business, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Bending Spoons, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.38 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Vimeo shareholders will receive $7.85 per share in cash for each share of Vimeo capital stock that they own. The per-share purchase price represents a 91% premium over Vimeo’s 60-day volume-weighted average share price as of market close on September 9, 2025.
“After a disciplined review of strategic alternatives, the Board unanimously determined that this all-cash transaction delivers compelling, certain value to Vimeo shareholders and positions the company to accelerate its strategic roadmap as part of Bending Spoons,” said Glenn H. Schiffman, Chairman of the Board. “We’re confident they are the right long-term partner for our customers, employees, and brand.”
This acquisition is excellent news for investors, owners & potentially a few large companies.
Bending Spoons should be able to infuse new capital into Vimeo and attract the attention of large companies that are not too keen on relying on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok for their video hosting needs.
However, for smaller customers & current employees, being acquired by Bending Spoons means the fiscal beatings are about to begin, as the new rulers have a history of leaving unwanted bruises.
Given Bending Spoons’ history, Vimeo users would be wise to seek out alternatives, as the company will probably begin to reduce features and headcount for the YouTube alternative.
Hopefully, over the next few days, many video hosting services will offer a simple solution to export Vimeo videos elsewhere. Until then, folks would be wise to download their content off of Vimeo’s servers.
AI image of Trump sitting with Putin, overlooking a map with Europe
So the President of the United States 🇺🇸 has decided that American dollars 💵 will no longer be spent to bolster the defenses of European nations at risk of facing Putin’s wrath.
The Trump administration intends to halt longtime security assistance programs for Europe, including an initiative to fortify the continent’s eastern flank against a potential attack by Russia, as it endeavors to recast Washington’s role within NATO, according to six people familiar with the matter.
The decision would impact hundreds of millions of dollars worth of military aid relied upon by some of the alliance’s most vulnerable members. It has alarmed U.S. allies struggling to comprehend the administration’s policy toward Europe and its chief adversary in the Kremlin after President Donald Trump, eager for a deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, rescued its mercurial leader, Vladimir Putin, from diplomatic isolation. U.S. lawmakers, meanwhile, are confused by the move. […]
In a statement, the White House said its move to slash security assistance was “coordinated” with the Europeans and is consistent both with Trump’s executive order to reevaluate U.S. foreign aid and his “long-standing emphasis on ensuring Europe takes more responsibility for its own defense.”
For decades, the United States 🇺🇸 government has been frustrated at the lack of defense spending when it comes to many NATO members.
However, cutting off funds to nations bordering Russia 🇷🇺 is bizarre, especially since many of those countries have a history of meeting spending commitments.
If America 🇺🇸 wanted to encourage more European defense spending, a better alternative would be to provide dollar 💵 to euro 💶matching policy, in which the US would match the spending European nations contributed towards defense.
With the US withholding funds, European nations bordering Russia 🇷🇺 will have to beg for financial assistance from the rest of the region, which might be difficult as some major economies, like France 🇫🇷, are experiencing political budgetary issues.
