Latest news with #CounciloftheEU
Fibre2Fashion
a day ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
EU finalises new VAT rules for imports from non-EU sellers
The Council of the European Union has formally adopted a directive amending VAT rules for distance sales of imported goods, aiming to strengthen tax compliance and shift the burden of VAT collection from consumers to suppliers and online platforms. The EU has adopted new VAT rules for imported goods, effective July 1, 2028, making non-EU sellers and platforms liable for VAT in the buyer's country. This supersedes the current system where consumers pay VAT. The directive promotes use of the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) to simplify compliance and enhance VAT collection across member states. Effective from July 1, 2028, the new rules will require non-EU sellers and platforms to be liable for VAT in the EU member state where the goods are delivered. This supersedes the current system where EU consumers are typically responsible for VAT on imports, Council of the EU said in a release. To streamline compliance, the directive promotes the use of the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS)—a simplified VAT registration and payment system that allows businesses to register in one EU country while selling across the bloc. By enabling VAT to be collected at the point of sale rather than at the border, the IOSS supports improved revenue protection for member states and boosts overall VAT compliance. The directive amends the original VAT Directive 2006/112/EC and will be published in the Official Journal of the EU before entering into force twenty days later. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
E&E News
11-07-2025
- Health
- E&E News
EU ministers get their blood tested for forever chemicals
European environment ministers underwent blood testing for 'forever chemicals' Thursday in a publicity exercise to highlight the alarming reach of the toxic substances. 'I'm hoping to bring awareness to this problem,' Danish Minister for the Environment Magnus Heunicke told POLITICO. 'This is causing really serious problems to our health and to our environment. We need to actually ban PFAS in our everyday products throughout the EU.' Denmark orchestrated the group test during a meeting of EU environment ministers in the northern Danish city of Aalborg. The country currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. Advertisement PFAS substances — commonly known as forever chemicals — don't break down naturally and have been shown to accumulate in the environment and cause a host of health conditions, including cancer, liver damage and decreased fertility. Most people in the world have some level of PFAS in their blood.
Euronews
08-07-2025
- Business
- Euronews
15 EU countries allowed to violate deficit limit for defence spending
EU finance ministers on Tuesday granted 15 member states the right to deviate from the bloc's fiscal rules in order to massively ramp up defence spending. 'At this critical juncture, investment in our defence capabilities must remain our top priority," Stephanie Lose, Economic Affairs Minister for Denmark, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, said in a statement. "Today's activation of the national escape clause will allow member states to ramp up defence spending while maintaining sustainable public finances," she added. The countries that have seen their request to activate the national escape clause in the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) approved are Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia. Germany has also asked to benefit from more lenient fiscal rules for defence but the Council of the EU is not yet in a position to make a decision as Berlin, whose new government took office in April, has not submitted its medium-term fiscal-structural plan outlining the priority public investments and reforms for the coming years. They're expected to do so before the end of the month, with their request to activate the national escape clause likely to be voted on in September. A 2030 deadline The measure allows those member states to boost defence spending by 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) annually for four years without consequences even if this brings their total deficit over the 3% of GDP limit mandated in the SGP. It is part of the EU's €800 billion 'Readiness 2030' plan to ramp up defence expenditures over the coming four years with the European Commission previously estimating it could see up to €650 billion poured into the sector. The 16 EU countries that will benefit from more lenient fiscal rules are also members of the NATO military alliance that agreed late last month to more than double its defence spending target to 5% of GDP by 2035. The new target represents a huge ask for some EU allies with a few - Belgium, Italy, Hungary, Romania, France, Poland, Slovakia - already targeted by Brussels with an Excessive Deficit Procedure due to the poor state of their public finances. Neutral Malta is also being closely monitored under the same procedure. While deviating from the fiscal rules for defence will not see them penalised, these eight countries "remain bound by the budgetary rules and must remain committed to the implementation of the revised economic governance framework irrespective of the clause's activation" for all other expenses, the statement from the Council also said. The 27 EU member states are meanwhile currently evaluating whether to participate in SAFE, the other major financial pillar included in the plan to rearm the EU. They're expected to pitch in their projects and requests for funding towards the end of the month with the Commission set to start raising the €150 billion for the scheme on the markets at the beginning of 2026. The new EU arms race comes amid warnings by intelligence agencies that Russia could be in a position to attack another European country towards the end of the decade.
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First Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
FirstUp: PM Modi to hold bilateral talks with Brazil's Lula and other headlines of the day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold bilateral talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia today (July 8). He was in Rio de Janeiro earlier to attend the 17th Brics Summit. French President Emmanuel Macron will begin a state tour of the United Kingdom with his wife read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling to Brazil's capital, Brasilia today (July 8), where he will hold bilateral talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron will begin the tour of the United Kingdom with his wife, Brigitte Macron. The ongoing European parliament plenary session taking place in France will debate with Members of Parliament (MEPs) sharing their expectations for the upcoming Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU. In India, the Bharatiya Janata Party is set to elect a new chief for its Odisha state wing. Lastly, Fluminense FC from Brazil will lock horns with England's Chelsea FC today at the semi-finals of the Fifa World Cup 2025. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day. PM Modi to visit Brasilia Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Brazil to attend the Brics Summit 2025 being held in Rio de Janeiro, will be visiting the Brazilian capital, Brasilia, today. He will hold bilateral talks with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. PM Modi is visiting Brazil as part of his five-nation tour of the Global South. During the bilateral talks, the two leaders are expected to focus on broadening the India–Brazil Strategic Partnership. The talks are expected to touch on a variety of topics including defence, counter-terrorism, energy, space cooperation, agriculture, health, technology and people‑to‑people ties among others. Earlier, PM Modi was in Rio de Janeiro to participate in the 17th Brics Summit. He was received warmly by the Indian community at Rio's Galeão International Airport upon his arrival. Macron in UK for state visit French President Emmanuel Macron will be on a three-day visit to the United Kingdom with his wife Brigette Macron today. This visit, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is a significant diplomatic event aimed at strengthening Anglo-French relations. Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron at the European leader's summit in London. File image/AP On the first day of the visit President Macron and his wife will be greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales upon their arrival at RAF Northolt. Following this, they will travel to Windsor, where they will receive a formal ceremonial welcome from King Charles and Queen Camilla. This will include a royal salute and a carriage procession through the streets of Windsor to the historic Windsor Castle, where the French presidential couple will be staying. Later he is scheduled to visit the Palace of Westminster where he will address parliamentarians in the Royal Gallery and is also expected to meet with opposition leaders at Lancaster House. European parliament plenary session in France The second day of the European Parliament's plenary session will take place in France's Strasbourg. The session began on July 7 and will continue till July 10. The agenda for the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg is set to include a significant debate where Members of Parliament (MEPs) will share their expectations for the upcoming Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, is expected to present their priorities, which will likely cover crucial areas such as defence, Ukraine, EU enlargement, climate policy and the Union's economy, trade and long-term budget. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Additionally, MEPs are scheduled to vote on an amended Gas Storage Regulation, following a provisional agreement reached between Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) negotiators and the Council. This aims to make filling targets more flexible and obligate Member States to track the amount of gas originating from Russia. New Odisha BJP chief to be elected The Odisha unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will elect a new president today. BJP State Election Officer and MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi announced that the list of eligible voters will be published on Sunday. Prospective candidates are invited to file their nominations on Monday. Should more than one candidate remain in contention, the election will take place on July 8. Odisha is among a handful of states that are still awaiting the election of their state BJP presidents. Representational image Senior BJP members Golakh Chandra Mohapatra, Jatin Mohanty and former state unit president Samir Mohanty are among the possible contenders. While the BJP had previously set a July 1 deadline for completing its state president election in Odisha, the process remains unfinished. Odisha is among a handful of states, alongside Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Haryana, and Delhi, that are still awaiting the election of their state BJP presidents. Fifa club world cup semi finals The semi-final match for between Fluminense FC from Brazil and Chelsea FC from England will take place today in New Jersey. The match will be held at the iconic MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Meanwhile, the second semi-final, featuring an all-European heavyweight battle between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid CF will take place on Wednesday (July 9). With inputs from agencies
Euronews
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Fact check: The EU hasn't banned carry-on luggage fees (yet)
Misleading claims that the European Union has moved to prohibit airlines from charging passengers to carry on hand luggage have made headlines worldwide, triggering widespread misinformation on social media. Euroverify identified several reputable media outlets making these claims, which have then been amplified in several languages on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X. But the 27-country bloc has not outlawed cabin bag fees. It is an option on the table, but there are plenty of obstacles before the proposal could become law. Rule proposed by parliament, but not yet confirmed On 24 June, the European Parliament's transport committee voted in favour of a proposal to allow air passengers to travel with two items of carry-on luggage at no extra cost. If approved, this would oblige airlines to let passengers travel with one personal item – such as a handbag — as well as a bigger carry-on bag weighing up to 7 kg, and measuring up to 100 cm in combined width, length and height, free of charge. The 100 cm dimension is slightly smaller than the current maximum cabin bag dimensions permitted by most airlines. The proposal is part of an overhaul of a 2004 EU bill on passenger rights, which has been stalled for years. Poland, which presided over the Council of the EU for the first six months of this year, had made it a priority to make progress on the reform. Also on the table are changes to EU rules triggering mandatory compensation for flight delays. But the 24 July vote does not change anything. It simply means that the parliament's transport committee wants to see cabin bag fees scrapped. If the European Parliament's plenary approves, the parliament will push for this change in negotiations with the European Commission and the Council of the EU, which represents EU governments. Only when these negotiations — known as interinstitutional negotiations — have concluded with a compromise can any changes come into law. The compromise text must then be submitted to a vote by both the European Parliament and the Council before it can become law. EU governments mostly oppose change The ban on cabin bag fees is likely to be a point of contention between the parliament and EU governments represented by the Council. In a joint negotiating position adopted in early June, the EU's transport ministers do not call for the ban, despite a handful of countries, notably Spain, supporting it. Instead, they say that passengers should be allowed to take personal items 'essential for the duration of the journey' free of charge, such as travel documents, medicines, personal devices, books and 'food and beverage appropriate to the duration of the flight'. Last year, Spain handed out €179 million in fines to low-cost airlines Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, Norwegian and Volotea for 'abusive practices' including extra charges for hand luggage, forcing the companies to stop those practices. Ryanair and Norwegian Air appealed, and a Spanish court temporarily halted the fines last Thursday while the legal challenge plays out. Airlines say move would limit consumer choice The position of EU transport ministers reflects that of airlines and their powerful lobby groups. Lobby group Airlines for Europe (A4E) has gone as far as to 'condemn' the parliament's position, saying it would 'remove consumer choice and impose a mandatory trolley cabin bag on all passengers." Citing a Spanish airline association, A4E claims that over 50 million passengers in Spain alone didn't need an additional piece of cabin baggage last year and had 'the choice not to have this included as part of their airfare'. There are also fears that low-cost carriers could hike ticket prices to compensate for lost revenue from add-on fees. Ryanair's financial results for the year up to March 2025 reveal that their ancillary revenues — meaning fees for add-ons including hand baggage — accounted for a third of their total revenues (€4.7 billion out of a total €13.95 billion).
