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1. EU to ban single-use condiment sachets
Starting August 12, single-use condiment sachets for dine-in customers will be banned across the EU. This initiative is part of the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation aimed at reducing plastic pollution in the region.
2. Controversial ‘Highway to Hel’ 666 bus revived in Poland
FlixBus has announced the revival of the 666 bus service to the Polish seaside town of Hel. The service, previously criticized for its association with the number 666, was altered in 2023 to address concerns from religious groups.
3. French navy intercepts sanctioned tanker linked to Russia
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that the French Navy intercepted a tanker under international sanctions that was traveling from Russia. The operation aimed to enforce sanctions and uphold maritime law, with the tanker identified as the Tagor.
4. Disposable vape use falls sharply in UK one year after ban
A report indicates a significant decrease in disposable vape use among UK youths following a government ban on single-use vapes. According to a YouGov survey, the percentage of 11 to 17-year-olds using disposable vapes dropped from 42% to 13% in the past year.
5. Hungarian government to seek constitutional changes
Hungary’s Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced plans for constitutional changes if President Tamas Sulyok does not resign. This statement follows a meeting at Sandor Palace amid ongoing political tensions in the country.
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6. Deportation camps outside the EU will soon be operational, allowing those expelled from the union to gather in designated areas. Human rights organizations have expressed concerns as the EU tightens its migration policies further, with the final details of the new return regulation yet to be finalized.
7. A warning has been issued in the Scottish Parliament regarding Russian submarines posing a threat to North Sea energy cabling. Scottish Labour MSP Michael Marra highlighted the issue during a debate on energy policy, emphasizing the potential risks to Scotland’s infrastructure.
8. Caribbean hot sauce producers are sounding the alarm over potential shortages and rising prices. Novella Payne, an Antiguan producer, noted that to cope with the high costs of Scotch bonnets, she is turning to locally grown Moruga scorpion peppers for her sauces, which she claims add a delightful flavor.
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Ukrainian drones targeted several Russian energy facilities overnight, including an oil pumping station, a refinery, and a fuel depot. While Russian authorities claimed that a Ukrainian drone struck the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Kyiv has firmly denied these allegations.
In Australia, farmers are facing a severe mouse plague, with reports indicating thousands of mice per hectare wreaking havoc on crops and invading homes. The situation has prompted urgent calls for action to protect agricultural livelihoods from the growing infestation.
Turning to the weather. In Riga, 9 to 15 degrees with patchy rain possible a slightly cool ambiance awaits riga on today. In London, 14 to 23 degrees with patchy rain possible london will experience a pleasantly warm today. In Paris, 15 to 23 degrees with patchy rain possible paris will experience a pleasantly warm today. In Brussels, 15 to 21 degrees with patchy rain possible brussels will experience a pleasantly warm today. In Berlin, 12 to 23 degrees with sunny berlin will experience a pleasantly warm today. In Stockholm, 9 to 20 degrees with partly cloudy mild temperatures are expected in stockholm. In Madrid, 20 to 34 degrees with sunny.
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