That is the idea behind the European Commission's proposed overhaul of the Tobacco Taxation Directive (TTD), which aims to raise minimum excise duties on cigarettes by 139 percent. It will also introduce EU-wide minimum taxes on vapes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches. The proposal is still under negotiation because it requires unanimous approval from […]
Continue ReadingFrench President Emmanuel Macron has promulgated a law establishing a right to assisted dying for certain patients following years of public and parliamentary debate, local media reported Wednesday. The legislation was published in the Official Journal after the Constitutional Council approved it last week, subject to several reservations, according to French broadcaster BFMTV. Under the […]
Continue ReadingFrance's President Emmanuel Macron signed assisted dying legislation into law on Wednesday, after it was upheld by the Constitutional Council last week. Macron's office hailed the council's decision on Friday which was seen as one of the major social reforms of his second term. The ruling "completes an exemplary democratic debate," the Élysée Palace said, […]
Continue ReadingBelgium’s Prince Laurent has formally recognized Clement Vandenkerckhove as his son, making the 26-year-old a prince of Belgium and a legal heir, local media reported Wednesday. The acknowledgment of paternity was formally registered before a civil registrar, according to Belgian magazine Soir Mag. Laurent, the younger brother of King Philippe, publicly revealed in September 2025 […]
Continue ReadingAustria on Tuesday urged the EU to impose stricter oversight on Telegram, arguing that the messaging service has become a major online space for extremist networks and disinformation campaigns. “We must no longer stand by while disinformation campaigns and extremist networks spread unhindered on Telegram,” said Joerg Leichtfried, Austria’s state secretary responsible for security and […]
Continue ReadingThe social democrat joins a crowded field in the race to succeed Emmanuel Macron. PARIS — Center-left MEP Raphaël Glucksmann will announce that he’s running in next year’s presidential election in France in the next few days, most likely with a prime-time TV interview on Sunday, according to three people close to him. The trio, […]
Continue ReadingUkraine may use part of the funds from the European Union’s defense loan to purchase interceptor missiles from third countries if such weapons are not available within the EU. European Commission spokesperson Balázs Ujvári announced this during a briefing in Brussels, according to Ukrinform. He explained that Ukraine independently determines its defense needs, analyzes the […]
Continue ReadingRail passengers across large parts of England are facing widespread disruption after a power failure affected train services in Greater Manchester, the Midlands and the North West. National Rail said the disruption was caused by "a failure of the electricity supply at a communications center," warning that passengers should expect delays and cancellations for the […]
Continue ReadingCold calling is about to come to an end. Or at least in its current form. On Tuesday 11 August, a law backed by Emmanuel Macron's government will come into force, tightening the rules and banning these unsolicited nuisance calls. The aim is to protect consumers from intrusive commercial solicitations and to protect vulnerable people […]
Continue ReadingThe Ministry of Information of Belarus has designated Euronews’ website as “extremist” media, adding it to its “Republican List of Extremist Materials” following a national court order, according to Belarus-based media outlets. The Euronews website will now be restricted in Belarus, and readers could face administrative penalties for "storing or distributing" its content, after many […]
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