European Union

The court found that an online marketplace must verify compliance with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation before ads are published

In today's edition: hydrogen, power cable priorities, particulate matter

Plus SAFE plans, PURL pledges, and German-Polish cooperation

Russmedia Digital and Inform Media Press
Freedom of movement for persons

Data protection: the operator of an online marketplace is responsible for the processing of personal data contained in advertisements published on its platform

Russmedia Digital és Inform Media Press
Személyek szabad mozgása  

Adatvédelem: az online piactér üzemeltetője a platformján közzétett hirdetésekben szereplő személyes adatok adatkezelőjének minősül

In today's edition: This week's agenda

Stichting Right to Consumer Justice and Stichting App Stores Claims
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
The Netherlands courts have jurisdiction to hear a representative action concerning the alleged anticompetitive conduct of Apple in relation to its App Store aimed at the Netherlands market

Stichting Right to Consumer Justice és Stichting App Stores Claims
A szabadságon, a biztonságon és a jog érvényesülésén alapuló térség
A holland bíróságok joghatósággal rendelkeznek az Applenek a holland piacra szánt App Storeral kapcsolatos, állítólagosan versenyellenes magatartása miatt indított képviseleti kereset elbírálására

A Allada dans le département de l'Atlantique, la Police républicaine a interpellé ce dimanche 30 novembre 2025, 4 individus suspectés d'appartenir à un réseau criminel impliqué dans divers trafics.

Sale temps pour les divorcés sociaux qui perturbent la quiétude des populations à Allada. 4 d'entre eux ont été arrêtés ce dimanche 30 novembre 2025.
Selon la Police, tout a commencé par la plainte d'une femme, commerçante nouvellement installée au quartier Dodomey. Elle aurait été contrainte de se plier aux exigences d'un individu présenté comme un criminel redoutable, afin d'assurer la sécurité de ses biens. Elle consentait notamment à lui offrir des dons et autorisait son fils à effectuer des courses pour son compte.
La situation selon une publication de la Police, a dégénéré lorsque cette commerçante a découvert que ce dernier envoyait l'enfant pour lui acheter du chanvre indien. Son refus catégorique a provoqué une escalade de menaces et des violences physiques à l'encontre du mineur.
Sur la base des informations en sa possession, la Police a ouvert une enquête qui a permis de localiser le principal mis en cause ainsi que son fournisseur de produits psychotropes. La perquisition effectuée a permis de découvrir 1,3 kg de chanvre indien ; 8 boulettes de chanvre indien ; une somme de 1,7 million de francs CFA en faux billets ; 53 cartes SIM de différents opérateurs ; un portefeuille supposé « magique » ; divers accessoires liés à la consommation et à la transformation de stupéfiants.
Recherché pour escroquerie électronique et plusieurs cambriolages dans le secteur, le mis en cause et les trois autres individus arrêtés sont placés en garde à vue et répondront de leurs actes devant les juridictions compétentes.

F. A. A.

La Police républicaine a interpellé dans l'après-midi de ce dimanche 30 novembre 2025, 4 suspects à Agoutomey, arrondissement central de Comé, dans le département du Mono. Des sachets de chanvre indien et plusieurs autres objets ont été saisis après la perquisition auprès des mis en cause.

Des auteurs présumés du cambriolage perpétré dans un domicile au quartier Azannou à Comé, dans les mailles de la Police. Sur la base d'informations fiables à elles fournies, les forces de l'ordre ont procédé à l'interpellation de 4 suspects ce dimanche 30 novembre 2025.
Les présumés cambrioleurs selon la Police, ont été surpris en pleine consommation et commercialisation de chanvre indien dans un ghetto. La fouille effectuée sur les lieux a permis de découvrir et de saisir « incidemment », 89 sachets de chanvre indien, un sachet contenant une grande quantité de chanvre, une plaquette de comprimés de tramadol, deux paquets de papiers peluche et une motocyclette de marque DAYANG.
Dans les périphéries du site détaille la Police, deux sacs remplis de noix de coco ont également été retrouvés et saisis. Ces produits selon les déclarations des mis en cause, proviendraient d'un vol commis dans une plantation appartenant à un habitant d'Agoutomey.
Les investigations se poursuivent à l'effet d'identifier d'autres membres de ce réseau et mettre fin à leurs activités.

F. A. A.

In today's edition: Chips 2.0 priorities, lobbyists' omnibus, DNA back at RSB, Shein vs France

In 2025, the EU adopted new rules on driving licences with the aim of reducing the number of accidents on EU roads. The rules introduce:

• digital EU driving licences that can be accessed on mobile phones and used throughout the EU;
• an EU-wide accompanied driving scheme for 17-year‑old drivers;
• an EU-wide probationary period of at least two years for new drivers.

In addition, the rules harmonise a number of aspects:

a. Validity

Driving licences will be valid for 15 years for motorcycles and cars. EU countries can reduce this period to 10 years if the licence can be used as a national ID. Truck and bus licences need to be renewed every five years. EU countries can shorten the validity of driving licences of drivers who are 65 years or older.

b. Physical and mental fitness to drive

Before their first licence, a driver has to pass a medical and eyesight check. For car and motorcycle licences, EU countries can decide to replace the medical check with a self-assessment.

In terms of driving under the influence of alcohol, EU countries must have stricter rules or sanctions for novice drivers than for experienced drivers. They can also decide to have a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol and drugs (i.e. banning consumption for all drivers).

c. Licences from non-EU countries

Licences from non-EU countries with road safety standards similar to the EU’s can be exchanged for a licence that is valid throughout the EU. Together with EU countries, the Commission will decide to which non-EU countries this applies.

d. Licences in EU countries of citizenship

The new rules also allow citizens living abroad to get their first category B (passenger car) licence in their EU country of citizenship. This applies if the EU country they live in does not provide interpretation or translation in the citizen’s EU language for the practical or theoretical tests.

e. New driving test requirements

Theory and practical tests must place more emphasis on the safety of vulnerable road users, such as children, pedestrians, cyclists and users of e-scooters. Drivers will also have to learn about:

• distraction risks and the safety consequences of phone usage while driving;
• blind spot risks and the safe opening of doors;
• driving in snow and slippery conditions;
• advanced driving assistance systems (such as lane centring) and other automated technologies;
• environmental aspects of vehicle use;
• charging of electric vehicles.

f. Driving alternative fuel vehicles

The new rules allow a person with a category B licence to drive vehicles powered by alternative energy sources, such as electricity, hydrogen or biofuels (including emergency vehicles) up to a weight of 4.25 tonnes (instead of 3.5 tonnes). This is because those vehicles are often heavier, for example because of the weight of batteries.

g. Minimum age

The EU can lower the minimum age for getting a licence to 15 years (for heavy quadricycles or vehicles under 2.5 tonnes and with a maximum speed of 45 km/h) only within their territory and after securing the agreement of the Commission.

The minimum age to get a truck licence has been lowered from 21 to 18 years, and for a bus driving licence from 24 to 21 years, if the applicant has a certificate of professional competence. EU countries can allow 17-year-olds to drive a truck or van on their territory (only if accompanied by an experienced driver).

EU countries have until November 2028 to incorporate these rules into their national laws. Rules will start applying from November 2029 at the latest.

Cross-border driving bans

The EU has also adopted new rules to ensure that serious road traffic offenders are held responsible throughout the EU. EU countries will have to inform each other of driving offences and recognise driving bans in specific circumstances. The rules apply to driving bans imposed because of:

• drink-driving or driving under the influence of drugs;
• excessive speeding;
• infringing road traffic regulations and causing death or serious injuries to others.

When an EU country imposes a ban of at least three months, and the driver has exhausted all courses of action against that decision, the EU country where the driver’s licence was issued will be notified.

The EU country that issued the licence will then notify the driver – when possible – within 20 working days and will decide whether to impose a driving ban that applies across the EU.

In certain cases, for example if the driver’s right to be heard in court was not complied with, or speeding did not exceed 50km/h, the EU country that issued the licence can decide to exempt the driver and not implement a ban.

Keep sending your questions to the Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (Ask EP)! We reply in the EU language that you use to write to us.

De plus en plus de ressortissants chinois empruntent l'itinéraire migratoire des Balkans occidentaux, profitant du régime sans visa en Serbie et en Bosnie-Herzégovine pour tenter de rejoindre l'Union européenne. Un mouvement encore limité, mais déjà ciblé par les réseaux criminels de la région.

- Articles / Courrier des Balkans, Migrants Balkans, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Croatie, Macédoine du Nord, Serbie, Populations, minorités et migrations, Les Chinois à l'assaut des Balkans, Une - Diaporama, Une - Diaporama - En premier

In Tuesday’s edition: Omnibus, Rep Loan, Council vs Parliament, anti-corruption directive, GSP

Move aims to curb dominance of foreign supermarket chains

Palestinians and Israelis are painfully aware that the status quo has failed them. In such a moment, the ideas that take hold – whether constructive or destructive – will shape the future for a generation

The Rapporteur team host an evening of conversation, drinks and debate on 1 December at Euractiv headquarters. Our Editor in Chief Matthew Karnitschnig is joined by lead newsletter authors Eddy Wax and Nicoletta Ionta, as well as Rado Fonda and Bruno Jeanbart, deputy managing directors – heads of research at our partners Polling Europe. The […]

The EU’s 'simplification' drive is turning into a bonanza for corporate lobbyists

Despite generous subsidies, electrolyser numbers fall short of targets by a factor of 20

Macron’s trip comes as French public concern over China rises