Category: Uncategorized

The Commission is set to propose an EU-wide tax on tobacco products like cigarettes and cigars, which are currently taxed by individual countries retaining the revenues. The EU’s proposal comes alongside efforts to introduce new taxes on e-cigarettes and vapes, opposed by Italy, Greece, and Romania. | Tolga Akmen/EPA The EU’s proposal comes alongside efforts…

Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Georges-Louis Bouchez says Brussels government talks are progressing to avoid bankruptcy. Elke Van den Brandt criticizes him for media stunts. Talks need French–Dutch support. Budget urgency is important. As VRT News reported, Georges-Louis Bouchez, the leader of the liberal MR party, says that talks to create a new government in…

Brussels – A spokesperson for the European Commission, Markus Lammert, stated that “the rising number of migrants illegally crossing the Channel is concerning and necessitates a strong response.” He added that “the Commission will evaluate the specific terms of the intended cooperation between France and the United Kingdom.” The agreement announced on Thursday, which is…

Publicly and behind the scenes, the Élysée and the Quai d’Orsay have revised their diplomatic strategy to counter foreign interference. Their goal: to compete with the virality of new web opinion makers.

Loenhout (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Wakawe released a special gin made with Stolze von Berlin dahlia to fund their 2026 Loenhout flower parade float. Last year, they sold 550 bottles. Tim Joosen leads the project. As VRT News reported, in early September 2025, the flower parade will return to the streets of Loenhout, in the…

Sarajevo – Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar initiated a three-day working visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday, beginning with a discussion with BiH Council of Ministers Chair Borjana Krišto. During their conversation, she conveyed Slovenia’s backing for BiH’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. She highlighted Slovenia’s encouragement for implementing essential reforms to facilitate this progress. As noted…

Leerbeek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) –  A burst main water pipe on Ninoofsesteenweg in Leerbeek left many homes in Pajottegem and nearby areas without water. De Watergroep is repairing it; issues may last until Saturday. As VRT News reported, on Thursday afternoon, July 11, 2025, people living on Ninoofsesteenweg in Leerbeek, a village in the municipality…

Trump, likely under pressure, told NBC News on Thursday night, “We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is covering the entire cost.” “We’re going to be sending Patriots to NATO, and then NATO will distribute that,” he continued. In Europe, there is a sense of upheaval due to the Trump administration’s frequent policy changes on…

Next week, the European Commission will unveil its proposal for the next long-term EU budget, which will include ideas for generating new own resources. This announcement was made by EU Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin during a session at the EU Parliament in Strasbourg. “We understand that discussions about own resources have historically been challenging. However,…

Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen smoothly survived a no-confidence vote in the European Parliament on Thursday. The vote was initiated mainly by far-right lawmakers accusing her and her team of eroding trust in the EU through illegal actions. The motion for censure was overwhelmingly rejected by the majority…