Tracks East is hypergalactic level good. Interesting subjects, cool stories, TV for adults how it's supposed to be. The auto translated subtitles aren't bad really but I wish ARTE would provide an English language version. 

Mica isn't the same tier. The others are Surface to Air missiles that won't be a simple replacement for AMRAAM in a system like NASAMS. You have to integrate them into the fire control system& radar. Lots of compatibility issues with size, weight.. 

That is certainly one aspect. Another is that air defence systems like NASAMS which is used by many Euro countries are built around AMRAAM and AIM-9/IRIS-T. Not sure if the former can easily be (even physically) replaced by Meteor, if it fits the same canisters etc, Same goes for Iris-T SL, CAMM-ER, whatever. 

There is no European alternative for AMRAAM. Meteor is great, but not available in large numbers and very expensive. And it's not compatible with NASAMS etc. Europe urgently needs a lower cost medium range alternative. If we could fully license AMRAAM, why not. Edit: at least for short range, we have Iris-T and ASRAAM

The circle jerk aspect of Reddit certainly doesn't help with a nuanced discussion. But thank you for engaging with me on this topic in earnest.

The EU Regulation is not about lightning, but universal USB-C adaption. Which I think is good? Regarding the App Store's, there's just historic precedent for such actions in the EU, like choice of browsers, search engines, etc. I don't think a lot of Americans understand how dominant the US tech companies are worldwide and that obviously creates room for backlash.  Interestingly, I see very little discussion on Reddit for Chinese tech regulation regarding Apple products, which are extensive. And i think the European market really is large enough to demand all companies, Euro or not, to adapt to specific regulatory standards (for example regarding data privacy in AI products). I think that's fair. 

The GDPR had a lot of influence on other countries privacy legislation, including the  California privacy act. Also i don't think it's primarily designed to prevent data breaches but to provide control and ownership over one's own data. 

I'm actually fairly jealous of the regulatory power that US federal agencies like the SEC, FTC & DOJ, EPA have (or had unfortunately ?) in things like anti trust and enabling like you described major benefits for the consumer.  Enforcement is an issue in the EU when national regulators  ( like the Irish government) refuse to engage in meal action against MNCs located in their countries.

I fear the next years of the transatlantic relationship, in business as in politics, will be difficult. That said i do have faith in the people of the United States to push back.. 

"Google’s illegal conduct has created an economic goliath, one that wreaks havoc over the marketplace to ensure that—no matter what occurs—Google always wins," To that end, the government maintains that Chrome must go if the playing field is to be level again"

Here's some real hostile action (by the DOJ forcing Google to divest Chrome & Android). 

I understand the logic in US tech circles that sees any regulation against their businesses as the ultimate personal insult. The "careless people" book on Facebook has some good examples of this mindset. 

By that logic Volkswagen should get a refund from the EPA for selling faulty diesel engines in the US. It's a German company after all so fuck the California emission standards. You do realize other countries have different legal & regulatory environments, and the EU has been incredibly open for American tech companies to do business. Of course due to a hostile US admin that might change soon.  And by the way, there have been plenty of US tariffs before on European goods. 

As the other commentator said , public insurance benefits in Germany are regulated by a government/parliament led stewardship council, but the insurance companies itself aren't part of the government but are specially designated public non profits. Membership is mandatory for everyone (on a voluntary basis to freelancers or people with high incomes). Private insurance obviously operates on a for-profit basis and will therefore deny people with pre-existing conditions. The membership fee is about 10% of your monthly income with a maximum cap, deducted straight from your salary There are co-pays for prescription meds, but for people with chronic conditions/ Low income members, these fees are kept at one percent of income. Case point I pay about €10 for 10 vials of Fiasp.  It's not a perfect system, but they pay for the Dexcom G7&  will cover my Ypsomeed Loop system too so I can't really complain much.  In addition you will receive the same standards of care in all other EU member countries through your public insurance membership. 

Just google it?

Cannot give advice to low cost carriers in Vietnam as my trip there was in 2010 but I assume it's similar to other SEA countries. My ex used a decathlon pack for dozens and dozens of trips, all over the globe, she practically lived out of that thing. Other decathlon packs come highly recommended in the sub. It required one or two repairs in time, all covered under warranty. But really I'd suggest to check out a few packs at a store where you can test fit and how it carries with a load, no matter the brand, to make sure it's comfortable while carrying.  Personally I used to travel with a deuter hiking pack with a proper hipbelt and packing cubes. That thing's now beyond repair, I'll likely replace it with a 30l Patagonia MLC for shorter city trips and a 40l Ortovox mountaineering pack for more adventurous travel. 

It's completely fine. Qatar usually includes a checked bag in their ticket so worst case You would have to check your pack. The weight limit will probably be fine as well, although In Southeast Asia, the coast carriers often weigh your carry on baggage.  Ignore all the recommendations for US packs, they're either ludicrously expensive boutique stuff or not available at all. Go to your local sports retailer which is likely to feature the Osprey or visit a Decathlon branch, they make good affordable travel packs (sub 100Eur) as well. 10 year warranty included. 

Nobody is going to end the negotiations over cod or eel. Also I think it is naive to assume economic and defense elements (which the agreement is all about) can be separated. 

For some good reading on this topic i can recommend this recent FT piece: https://www.ft.com/content/5da27fad-3d71-42b8-a66a-952bf20bcd95

I mean sure fuck the Baguettes raiding the ocean obviously but whats ”scummy” about a youth mobility scheme? Thats a small price to pay for increased cooperation and major investment in the British defence industry.

You got fucked over by your deluded elites lying to the people for years. Not extreme French/Spanish/Italian demands for fishing quotas.

Uniqlo Dry-Ex stretch pants. Very comfy, affordable, usable for sports. Different colours availabe

With a Non suicidal flight control system. With doors actually attached to the the fuselage. Built for us by the yanks for the price of a carton of organic eggs and a shot of Ozempic (yes the us factory is wired to blow if Donald sends the precious operators). Oh how the tides have turned. Britannica/Europe/ ROLLS-ROYCE EJ200 SHALL RULE THE WAVES.

Quantum systems has a plant in Ukraine, they claim close cooperation and improvements with/by Ukrainians input. do their surveillance drones work as advertised, or are Ukrainian domestic subs preferred?

Very unlikely they will check his immigration status as it's a Schengen flight without immigration checks. Very stupid move nonetheless as that might get him fined, or banned from future visas and travel to the entire Schengen area. He should fix his residence status urgently before traveling within the EU ffs !  Edit: he might also get into a random police patrol that could check his ID and immigration status. In that case he would be fucked as well. 

Bullseye, good effect on target. Braindead erdobots triggered. Has the Basmati fixed ya currency (lol) with more bombs? 

Test them on his majesty's 1001 room palace

"But I travel a lot" Agree, just use what you have and enjoy your trip. Ugly ass grey operator style 500 USD standard issue backpacks aren't required for that. And yeah you'll survive Thailand with cotton shirts. 

"Canada-Bullier 3000" is here, oooh wow. Won by the bumbling intentional manslaughter suicide plane missing-door plugs designing company of Seattle, completely on merit ofc.  Man I feel sorry for sane pro MIC yanks here, the dissociative state you must be in. Technological supremacy in every military toy, but led by SECDEF Pete aka assclown washed up christofascist wife beating fox weekend panelist using it to  colonize your nextdoor neighbors. Man how I love my backwater europe. Buy Airbus.

Any recommendations? 

Yank brain is like: Sensible Regulation baaaaaad. Must obey benevolent corporation. Spank me Tim Apple. God get your shit together. If you had some semblance of an actual working regulatory system incl consumer protections and digital rights we wouldn't have to do this stuff. The EU has open markets for everybody, but incredibly we have our own legal standards that differ from yours.

EDIT: For serious non-clickbaity reporting on the EUs Digital Markets Act investigation (that concerns Google, Meta as well) see https://netzpolitik.org/2025/digital-markets-act-apple-und-google-sollen-sich-weiter-oeffnen/ , in German, translate with Safari/Deepl/whatever..

Exactly. This Bluesky thread explains it well

https://bsky.app/profile/nvondarza.bsky.social/post/3lkqcdn6zj22o

Cry harder yank. Unlike your shitshow of a state we have a functioning legal & regulatory system. Our eggs are cheap, our planes don't crash & crack addicted billionaires don't run the government. VW, HSBC etc have payed billions in fines in the US. Stick to the rules or fuck off.