Lobby

Brazil's Federal Police report says messages were exchanged between banker Daniel Vorcaro and Claudio Lottenberg, a doctor and business executive who had been floated as a minister in a Flávio Bolsonaro-led government. The revelation has drawn attention because it links a figure under investigation to lobbying around a potential cabinet appointment, intensifying scrutiny of the naming of allies to government posts.

Europe's rail industry is warning about the absence of a new research programme to support future development. Sector representatives say without dedicated EU-level research funding and planning, innovation in rail technology could fall behind competing transport modes. The warning comes as the industry also faces broader economic headwinds, with UK data showing house price growth halving amid rising mortgage interest rates.

Donald Trump will not win this year's Nobel Peace Prize, according to Reuters, but the US president may still influence the committee's decision and the broader debate over who receives the award. Trump has openly campaigned for the prize, and attention is focused on how his lobbying and peace initiatives could weigh on the committee's choice.

Fast Company reports on what the leaders of the biggest artificial intelligence companies are seeking from US policymakers. The piece examines the industry's policy agenda in Washington, as AI firms push for regulatory frameworks, federal support, and rules that shape how the technology develops. Discussion centers on the growing influence of AI executives on government decision-making.

Rising fuel prices are putting pressure on the Trump administration, and the United States is reportedly pushing the European Union to release its diesel reserves in an effort to ease supply shortages. The reported US lobbying on fuel policy is drawing attention in Germany, where energy costs and transatlantic trade tensions are already sensitive topics.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, one of the most powerful lobbies in Washington, has selected former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor as its next president. The move puts a veteran Republican lawmaker and Virginia politician at the helm of the industry's top lobbying group, drawing attention to the close ties between the pharmaceutical sector and establishment politics.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association is pressing the US Federal Trade Commission to preserve retailers' ability to use data-driven pricing practices, arguing they are procompetitive. The group's intervention comes amid regulatory scrutiny of how retailers use consumer and market data to set prices, a debate with major implications for pricing strategies across the retail sector.

The Guardian reports that Martha Dalton, a recent lobbyist for tech firm Palantir, played a key role in Andy Burnham's bid to become prime minister. The story raises questions about the influence of technology industry figures inside Burnham's leadership operation, drawing attention on social media among politics and technology watchers.

Tim Martin, chairman of pub chain Wetherspoon, has called on the Government to refrain from raising taxes after the company reported a dip in profits. The businessman warned that further tax increases would harm the hospitality sector, which is already grappling with rising costs and fragile consumer spending.

Paola USD 368, a Kansas school district, has hired the firm AdvocacyBuild to handle its education lobbying. The arrangement means the district will have professional representation pushing its interests with state lawmakers, likely on funding and policy matters. Beyond the hiring itself, no further details about the contract's scope or cost have been reported, and reaction so far appears limited.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is pushing for the U.S. Space Academy to be located in Alabama, saying the state is 'making a strong case' for the facility. The campaign highlights Alabama's long-standing aerospace credentials, including Huntsville's role in rocket development and NASA work. State officials are positioning Alabama as the natural home for the new space-focused institution as the selection process draws attention.

Former Republican Congressman David Rivera of Florida has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for secretly lobbying on behalf of the Venezuelan government. Prosecutors said he failed to register as a foreign agent while taking millions of dollars from Venezuela, including work related to a US government indictment against a Venezuelan official. Rivera, who served in the House from 2011 to 2013, denied wrongdoing and plans to appeal.

Bloomberg Government reports that congressional efforts to pass legislation providing regulatory clarity for the cryptocurrency industry are fizzling. Lawmakers had been working on bills to define how digital assets should be overseen, but momentum has stalled. The report suggests partisan divisions and competing proposals are preventing agreement on a framework, leaving the crypto industry without the clear rules it has been lobbying for.

Apple ranks among the largest corporate lobbyists in Brussels, according to a new report, placing the company alongside the EU capital's most influential corporate players. The finding highlights the scale of Apple's lobbying presence in European policy circles, where the company faces major regulatory scrutiny over digital markets, competition and other rules.

Apple is reported to rank among the most active corporate lobbyists in Brussels, surpassing many of Europe's largest industrial companies in lobbying activity toward EU institutions. The report highlights the scale of the iPhone maker's political footprint in Europe, prompting discussion about how much influence big technology firms exert over EU policymaking compared with traditional industrial players.

Canadian space firms are pressing the federal government for financial and policy backing, according to iPolitics' lobby wrap. The industry is seeking a stronger federal commitment, reportedly in the form of funding, contracts or a national space strategy. Details on which companies are involved and what exactly they are asking for remain limited.

A Financial Times article shared widely notes that Big Tech firms out-lobby European companies in Brussels, spending far more on influencing EU policymaking than domestic firms do. Commenters describe the finding as unsurprising but worth repeating, amid ongoing debates over EU tech regulation, enforcement of rules like the Digital Markets Act, and the influence of US technology giants on European policy.

A sports bill under consideration in the US Senate is drawing heavy lobbying activity, with a large number of interest groups now working to influence its progress. The measure touches on issues that affect major stakeholders in American sports, including leagues, universities and athletes, which helps explain the crowded field of advocates. Details of the bill's provisions and the specific groups involved remain limited.

AI companies are working to shape politics in Arizona, according to reporting from 12News. The story examines the tactics and spending these firms are using to gain influence with state lawmakers and regulators as debates over artificial intelligence policy heat up. Details on specific companies and measures were not provided in the headline.

The UK Chancellor has summoned the heads of Britain's major banks ahead of the upcoming Budget, as the banking industry lobbies against potential tax increases. Industry leaders argue that higher taxes on banks would dampen lending and investment in the UK economy, while the Chancellor is weighing options to fill a fiscal gap. The meeting comes amid intense speculation about tax policy in the Budget.

Former US congressman David Rivera has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in a case connected to lobbying. The sentence concludes a prosecution against the Florida Republican, who once served in the House of Representatives. The outcome is drawing attention as a notable fall for a former sitting lawmaker and as part of broader scrutiny of lobbying-related misconduct in American politics.

Asus says its routers are exempt from a United States ban targeting certain networking equipment, but the company has refused to explain how it secured the exemption. The secrecy is drawing attention from customers and tech commentators, who want to know what lobbying or regulatory arguments were used to spare the Taiwanese firm while others remain caught by the restrictions.

An opinion piece argues that pro-Israel lobbying groups are losing their influence over U.S. electoral politics, but warns they will fight to hold on to it. The author, writing from a Jewish perspective, says American Jews are watching closely and that the community's future depends on waking up to these shifts. The piece reflects an ongoing debate on the left about money, advocacy and Middle East policy in American elections.

Eli Clifton spoke to Mondoweiss about the upcoming U.S. midterm elections and the shifting landscape of AIPAC's influence in American politics. The interview also marks the release of his new book, 'Israel's Lobby: America in the Grip of a Foreign Power,' which examines the organization's role in shaping U.S. policy toward Israel. Readers are engaging with his argument that pro-Israel lobbying remains a powerful force heading into the vote.

Airlines and airports are calling on the European Union to support the adoption of biometric technology for travel, aiming to speed up passenger processing at borders and gates. The industry argues that digital identity checks could cut queues and modernise the passenger experience, but the rollout depends on EU regulatory backing and harmonised standards across member states.

The Financial Times reports that major US technology companies are now out-lobbying European companies in Brussels, spending more and fielding larger teams to influence EU policymakers on regulation. The disparity is drawing attention as the EU weighs rules on digital markets, AI and data that directly affect the sector's business models.