All Articles

Europe (English)

Russia's war belongs on the climate agenda

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is exacerbating the climate crisis – but this hardly matters at COP27. Those who stand up for the environment in authoritarian Russia live in danger. If the world really wants to protect the climate, it cannot ignore these issues, according to Arshak Makichyan.

By Experts Table.Briefings

Exclusive: Commission wants tax increases for tobacco

Member states are to increase excise taxes on tobacco and tobacco-related products sharply. In Germany, the minimum tax on cigarettes would double, and on cigars and cigarillos, it would increase by a factor of nine. The Commission's proposal is due on Dec. 7.

By Markus Grabitz

Here's how the gas price cap is supposed to work

The European cap on gas trading is to apply to only part of the market, according to new key points from the Commission. In it, the executive claims the power to suspend the price limit at any time. To appease the Council, however, there are already building blocks for a legislative text.

By Manuel Berkel

Dark patterns – the dark side of cookies

Cookie banners and consent have been a political and legal bone of contention for years. Controversial influencing techniques, the so-called dark patterns, caused legislative activity most recently. Read what is likely to be prohibited, what operators will have to watch out for in the future against the backdrop of the DSA, and how the debate could end abruptly.

By Experts Table.Briefings

Digital Services Act: These are the first steps

The DSA is supposed to bring more transparency and control over what happens on major online platforms and search engines. To achieve this, the Commission needs new staff and is therefore establishing a new team of experts.

By Corinna Visser