Eurotopics.net

With effect from next year France will introduce an eco-tax on flights ranging from 1.50 to 18 euros on the ticket price, depending on the distance flown. The EU Commission is also apparently examining various ways to tax the aviation sector, one of them being a kerosene tax. Not everyone is convinced that this is the way to go.

Ankara has described Turkey's suspension from the F-35 fighter jet programme as a major mistake. In response to Turkey's purchase of the S-400 missile defence system from Russia, the White House announced that Turkey will not receive any more F-35 jets and will no longer be involved in their production. What are the consequences of this decision?

British MPs have thwarted the plans of the man expected to become the UK's new prime minister, Boris Johnson, who is flirting with a no-deal Brexit that parliament does not want. They voted for an amendment that would stop parliament being prorogued over the planned Brexit on 31 October. Was this the right thing to do?

With just nine votes more than she needed the European Parliament has elected Ursula von der Leyen as the new President of the EU Commission. Since the heads of government ignored the actual lead candidates for the top EU post many MEPs only opted to vote for the German politician at the last minute. Commentators make clear what they expect of von der Leyen.

Donald Trump has again attacked the four Democratic congresswomen he had already insulted in several tweets. His supporters responded with a chorus of "send her back" directed at the one of the four congresswomen who wasn't born in the US. The House of Representatives has formally condemned the attacks, but only four Republicans joined in. They have no reason to, commentators point out.

With just under two months to go before regional elections in Russia the authorities have intervened massively in the voting process. Numerous opposition candidates have been disqualified for not meeting the formal requirements, in spite of all the signatures they had gathered. In Moscow alone, 27 candidates have been disqualified. Observers see the potential for major change in Russia.