The European Parliament is preparing for another vote this week on controversial legislation that would allow technology companies to continue scanning online communications for child sexual abuse material, with a procedural change expected to improve the proposal’s chances of approval.

The legislation, often referred to by critics as “chat control,” has sparked an ongoing debate between child protection advocates and privacy campaigners over the balance between online safety and the protection of encrypted communications.

The proposal follows the expiration on April 3 of a temporary legal framework that had allowed online platforms such as WhatsApp and Messenger to voluntarily detect, report and remove child sexual abuse material while operating under an exemption from the European Union’s e-privacy rules.

In March, members of the European Parliament rejected an earlier proposal from the European Commission to extend those temporary measures. The motion failed after receiving 311 votes against, 228 in favor and 92 abstentions.

Since then, the European People’s Party (EPP), the Parliament’s largest political group, has revived the proposal using a legislative procedure that is rarely employed in the EU lawmaking process.

According to officials familiar with the discussions, the EPP opposed the earlier version because amendments introduced by Socialist lawmaker Birgit Sippel and other left-leaning members narrowed the scope of communications scanning. The center-right group has instead backed extending the rules without modifications.

EPP leader Manfred Weber has been leading efforts to secure approval of the extension. Sources said the party requested Parliament President Roberta Metsola on June 17 to advance the proposal, and no political group formally objected to the move.

The following day, Metsola urged European Union leaders to move forward with the legislation during an EU summit. Last week, member states agreed to reinstate the temporary measures, allowing online service providers to continue detecting, reporting and removing child sexual abuse material until 2028.

The proposal now returns to the European Parliament, where the voting process differs from the previous attempt.

Under the ordinary legislative procedure being used, legislation is adopted unless an absolute majority of all Members of the European Parliament, at least 361 lawmakers, vote to reject or amend it. Supporters believe this procedural shift significantly improves the likelihood of approval.

Opponents argue the measure threatens digital privacy and encrypted communications. Greens lawmaker Ignazio Marino described the proposal as a form of mass surveillance, saying children are best protected through targeted law enforcement rather than widespread monitoring of private messages.

Another Green lawmaker, Markéta Gregorová, criticized the decision to hold a second vote, arguing the process departs from normal parliamentary practice. She said it raises concerns about democratic procedures and accused the EPP of using an unusual legislative route to advance its priorities.

The European Parliament is expected to decide on Tuesday whether to fast-track the proposal under an urgent procedure requested by the EPP. If approved, lawmakers will hold the decisive vote on Thursday.

The outcome is expected to shape the EU’s approach to online child protection while reigniting debate over privacy rights and the future of end-to-end encrypted communications.

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong is set to be sentenced on September 2 in a national security case that has drawn international attention and renewed criticism of the city’s sweeping security legislation introduced by Beijing in 2020.

According to Hong Kong’s judiciary, Wong will appear in court for a one-day hearing covering both his plea and sentencing. The case stems from allegations that he conspired with overseas activists and foreign entities to endanger China’s national security by encouraging sanctions and other actions against Hong Kong and China.

Wong was arrested in June 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. Prosecutors allege that between July 1 and November 23, 2020, he worked with fellow activist Nathan Law and others to persuade foreign governments, organizations and individuals outside China to impose sanctions, blockades or other hostile measures against Hong Kong and Beijing.

The offence carries a prison sentence ranging from three to 10 years, although prosecutors may seek a life sentence if the court determines the case is of a particularly serious nature.

This is the second prosecution Wong has faced under Hong Kong’s national security law. In 2024, he pleaded guilty in a separate case connected to an unofficial primary election organized by pro-democracy groups ahead of planned legislative elections. He was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison in that case.

Wong first gained public attention in 2012 while still a secondary school student, leading protests against plans to introduce national education into Hong Kong’s school curriculum. His activism expanded during the 2014 Occupy Movement, when large-scale demonstrations called for greater democratic reforms and universal suffrage in the city.

In 2016, Wong co-founded the political party Demosisto alongside several young activists, including Nathan Law. During the 2019 anti-government protests, Wong actively sought international support for the movement, drawing praise from supporters abroad but strong criticism from Beijing, which accused him of encouraging foreign interference and promoting Hong Kong independence.

Following the introduction of the national security law in 2020, Demosisto dissolved, saying the political environment had fundamentally changed. Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have defended the legislation, arguing it restored order after months of unrest and strengthened national security.

Law, who relocated to Britain, remains among several overseas activists wanted by Hong Kong authorities. Officials have offered rewards of one million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to the arrests of Law and other exiled campaigners accused of violating the security law.

The issue has also drawn attention overseas. Last month, a London court sentenced a former UK border official and a retired Hong Kong police officer after they were convicted of spying on dissidents and critics of Beijing living in Britain. Prosecutors said Nathan Law was among those targeted during the surveillance operation.

Wong’s upcoming sentencing is expected to be closely watched by governments, human rights organizations and legal observers as debate continues over the impact of Hong Kong’s national security law on civil liberties and political freedoms.

US President Donald Trump held separate telephone conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, with both discussions focusing on the war in Ukraine and coming just days before NATO leaders gather for a summit in Ankara.

Zelenskyy described his conversation with Trump as “very good,” saying the two leaders discussed developments on the battlefield and prospects for ending the conflict. He also congratulated the United States on the 250th anniversary of its independence during the call.

According to Zelenskyy, the leaders agreed to continue their discussions during the NATO summit, scheduled for July 7-8 in the Turkish capital.

“There is a real prospect” of ending the war, Zelenskyy said, expressing hope that diplomatic efforts could gain momentum in the coming days.

Relations between Trump and Zelenskyy have experienced periods of tension since Trump returned to the White House earlier this year. Their relationship was strained following a heated exchange in the Oval Office in early 2025. More recently, however, Trump has taken a more supportive tone, describing Zelenskyy as “courageous” and praising his leadership during the conflict.

The Kremlin later confirmed that Trump also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a conversation lasting one hour and 25 minutes.

Yuri Ushakov, a senior aide to Putin, said the Russian leader congratulated Trump on the US national holiday before the discussion turned to Ukraine.

“The presidents naturally touched upon the issue of the Ukrainian settlement,” Ushakov said, adding that the conversation also considered Trump’s participation in the upcoming NATO summit.

According to the Kremlin, Trump reiterated his willingness to help achieve a ceasefire and support efforts aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The diplomatic contacts come after a week of intensified fighting. Earlier this week, Russia carried out a large-scale attack on Kyiv that killed at least 30 people and injured dozens. Ukrainian forces later launched strikes targeting oil infrastructure near the Russian city of Saint Petersburg.

The upcoming NATO summit is expected to focus on strengthening the alliance’s defence capabilities, expanding military production and maintaining support for Ukraine.

Last year, NATO members agreed to increase defence spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product by 2035, with 3.5 percent allocated to core military needs and the remaining 1.5 percent directed toward broader security investments.

Trump has repeatedly urged European allies to spend more on their own defence and reduce their dependence on the United States.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently said Europe should lead efforts to build what he described as “NATO 3.0,” calling for a stronger military alliance capable of taking primary responsibility for the continent’s conventional defence.

The Ankara summit is expected to provide another opportunity for alliance leaders to discuss security priorities while addressing differences over defence spending and future support for Ukraine.