France looks to toughen war on drugs strategy amid trafficking surge
Ministers are looking to crack down on drug dealing networks and are pushing back against calls for legalization.
drugs
Ex-Philippines leader Duterte attends ICC hearing on drug war case via videolink
Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, on Friday attended a hearing by videolink that informed him of the charges he is facing at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague over his brutal war on drugs. Duterte is accused o…
Trump doesnโt want โto hurt Irelandโ โ but he might
Irelandโs visiting prime minister endures an excruciating 45 minutes in Trumpโs live-TV star chamber as the U.S. leader swings at Brussels, not Dublin.
Duterte lands in Netherlands to face ICC charges over drug war killings
Rodrigo Duterte, former leader of the Philippines, landed in the Netherlands on Wednesday braced for International Criminal Court charges over his brutal war on drugs. Duterte is accused of being an “indirect co-perpetrator” during an anti-drug campai…
Belgium wanted a drug shortages bill. Itโs not happy with the EUโs plan.
Belgium first called for a law to tackle drug shortages in May 2023.
EU plans to boost medicines manufacturing in drug shortages bill
The Critical Medicines Act is the EU’s attempt to tackle manufacturing dependencies on India and China.
Global war on drugs relies on ‘international cooperation in intelligence, criminal justice system’
French authorities seized 10 tonnes of cocaine in the port of Dunkirk over the weekend. French media reported that the haul was the biggest-ever in metropolitan France, corresponding to nearly a fifth of all cocaine seized last year. For in-depth anal…
From cannabis to cocaine: What are the most commonly used illicit drugs in the EU?
As illegal drug use and supply increases in the EU, member states ramp up efforts to tackle drug trafficking and organised crime.
Trump celebrates disruption and defies backlash in Congress speech
โThe people elected me to do the job, and Iโm doing it.โ
โItโs packed with dealers. Look around youโ: life amid the cocaine cartels of the French Riviera
Nice may be at the heart of Franceโs upmarket Mediterranean coast, but violent drug gangs making โฌ1.5m a month are colonising part of itThe sight of the gun tucked into the manโs trousers told us it was time to go. We had been in one of Franceโs most n…
Denmark wanted advice on handling Trump. It turned to Ozempicโs boss.
Lars Fruergaard Jรธrgensen might not be a household name, but his companyโs drug Ozempic is. And its success has thrust him โ reluctantly โ into the limelight.
‘Who can save Ukraine?’: Papers reflect on three years of war
PRESS REVIEW โ Monday, February 24: The German press has reaction to and analysis of the conservativeย CDU-CSU bloc’s election victory, as the far-right AfD win their most votes ever. Elsewhere, it’s three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Uk…
USAID to place most personnel on leave, lay off at least 1,600
A federal judge cleared the move Friday after a two-week hold.
State Department set to designate Latin American cartels, gangs as terrorist organizations
Trump has promised an all out attack on the drug trade.
Trump considers 25% tariff on imported cars
US president threatens to intensify trade war with levies on drugs and semiconductors, too
Islands review โ sexual tension and dangerously polite encounters
This intriguing noir mystery with a twist in its tale sees a couple befriend a tennis coach at a holiday resort with unnerving resultsGerman film-maker Jan-Ole Gerster has created an intriguing noir mystery starring Sam Riley and Stacy Martin. It has v…
1 in 3 Europeans have tried illegal substances. Which country is battling the worst drug problem?
Cannabis and cocaine are the most commonly used drugs in the EU, but several others pose a threat to public health.
What is the โParacetamol challengeโ that has Europe nervous
Euractiv investigated the alleged dangerous trend that has national health authorities sounding the alarm.
RFK Jr. now runs Americaโs health agencies
The United States Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a 52-48 vote Thursday to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. He will be sworn in later today.
Ozempic cut heavy drinking in clinical study
The small study suggests there’s promise in further investigating the drug in this field.
Cocaine cash propels Brussels gang wars to dangerous heights, drugs czar says
The globalization of the illicit narcotics trade is hampering investigators โ but Brussels needs to score some quick societal wins, says Belgium’s drug commissioner after wave of shootings.
What does Trump really want from Canada?
โThe current game is maximum chaos,โ one industry leader says of the current state of Canada-U.S. relations
Like an episode of The Wire: Brussels gang wars spiral out of control
โMafiaโ shootings with Kalashnikovs trigger alarm in the city as politicians convene an emergency meeting.
Colombiaโs president: Legalize cocaine, itโs no worse than whiskey
Global drug trafficking could be “easily dismantled” if coke was “sold like wine,” according to the Latin American leader.
Swedish drug agencyโs new pricing model surprises, concerns patient and pharma groups
A new drug reimbursement principle is seen as a significant departure from value-based pricing. Despite concerns, the new pricing system could increase the availability of some orphan drugs by 35 per cent.
Trump finalizes tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China, triggering likely trade war
The tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods will be 25 percent.
Operation SHIELD seizes drugs worth more than โฌ11 million
Europol scores a win against the โskyrocketingโ trade in counterfeit drugs.
The post Operation SHIELD seizes drugs worth more than โฌ11 million appeared first on Euractiv.
โIt will kill peopleโ: Chaos, confusion after Trump halts US foreign aid
The new directive puts some aid organizations at risk of bankruptcy.
One of Europeโs most-wanted drug traffickers living in Sierra Leone, say Dutch prosecutors
Jos Leijdekkers, reportedly the son-in-law of African countryโs president, was sentenced to 24 years in prisonOne of Europeโs most wanted men, the Dutch crime boss Jos Leijdekkers, is hiding out in Sierra Leone, Dutch prosecutors have said.The statemen…
What the EU drugs agency chief is most worried about in 2025
The EUDA director said people using multiple drugs at once, violence, and political polarisation are key challenges for 2025.
From Trump biopic to Vatican intrigue: The political flicks of Oscars 2025
It’s safe to say Donald Trump won’t be pleased by one entry on the list.
Trump announces US withdrawal from the World Health Organization
The global health body stands to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in funding.
The war on drugs needs a new tactic: shame
Liberal reformers have been too hesitant to spell out the negative consequences for others
Viagra-laced โerectile honeyโ is flooding into France, officials warn
2024 was an “absolute record” for seizures of the tainted honey, French customs officials said.
Trump not expected to impose tariffs as part of Day One orders
The decision from incoming President Donald Trump contradicts his promise to impose a 25 percent tariff on Mexico and Canada on his first day in office.
Orbรกnโs lockdown orgy acolyte returns in bid to save face
Former MEP Jรณzsef Szรกjer, a close ally of the Hungarian PM, tells POLITICO he wants to show he’s more than just a meme.
Doctors present first barrier for rare diseaseย patientsย
Overcoming the doctor’s ego is a first hurdle for many rare disease patients in search of a diagnosis.
Trudeau to Trump on annexation plans: โNot a snowballโs chance in hellโ
The Canadian leader struck back at the president-electโs internet taunts.
Sweden planning to increase patient medicine costs
Under Sweden’s reimbursement system, patients currently pay the full cost of prescription drugs up to โฌ126. From 1 July, the threshold will rise to โฌ174.
The post Sweden planning to increase patient medicine costs appeared first on Euractiv.
Bulgariaโs cancer biomarker testing gets funding boost
Currently, the state does not pay for the tests, meaning patients cannot receive any of a range of 40 drugs unless they pay for the tests in advance.
The post Bulgaria’s cancer biomarker testing gets funding boost appeared first on Euractiv.
A massive diabetes challenge and pharma-tech moonshots, Europe starts 2025 in launch mode
Diabetes drugs now represent over 75% of total sales in the metabolic disorders market, up from below 40% ten years ago. The race is on to heal an ageing population.
The post A massive diabetes challenge and pharma-tech moonshots, Europe starts 2025 in…
Europeโs slow but โinevitableโ march to allow assisted dying
The U.K. is the latest country to move toward legalizing the controversial yet evermore popular practice.
Indonesia receives official request from France to transfer death row prisoner Serge Atlaoui
Minister says request regarding welder arrested in 2005 on drugs charges will be discussed in January amid spate of transfer of high-profile detaineesIndonesia has received an official request from France to transfer a French death row inmate imprisone…
The heart of British democracy is a crime hotspot
Britainโs symbol of power has an uncomfortable reputation for high levels of criminality.
How Trump divided Trudeau and Freeland
As she quit Cabinet, the finance minister sounded the alarm about Canadaโs preparedness for Trump 2.0.
Chelsea’s Mudryk ‘in shock’ at failed drugs test
Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk says he is in “complete shock” after testing positive for a banned substance.
Italy urged to act on conditions at private immigration detention centres
Council of Europe report documents migrants awaiting deportation being beaten and given unprescribed drugs
Sanders says this is likely his last term
Progressive icon was reelected for another six years in November.
Guns, lies and audiotape: How Bidenโs family ties could lead to another pardon
For decades, a scandal-plagued Mississippi family has cozied up to the president. How will the relationship end?
Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy delegation meets with Trump team โ report
Top Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak involved, sources tell Reuters; Sullivan calls on Trump to maintain defence production ramp-up. What we know on day 1,016A Ukrainian delegation met on Wednesday with senior representatives of Donald Trump, …
Cyprus pushes for more joint procurement of medicines, starting with cancer drugs
Poor access to novel medicines has prompted Cyprus to propose an EU approach to voluntary joint procurement between member states.
Resetting Europeโs Innovation Compass
Europeโs pharmaceutical sector has grown slowly for 25 years and its share of research is shrinking. Itโs time to turn things around
US conservatives look to an unlikely ally in court battle over transgender rights: Europe
The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments Wednesday over Tennesseeโs law banning transition-related medical care for minors.
28 policy promises Trump has made for his first week in office
The president-electโs campaign pledges cover immigration to education to energy.
Ireland wants a new government in time for Trump
As Irish election winners tussle for positions of power, Donald Trumpโs January 20 inauguration adds a sense of urgency in Dublin.
The French prime minister will likely fall this week. So then what?ย
Only a miracle can save Barnier. There doesn’t seem to be one on the horizon.ย
French government faces collapse in no-confidence vote
The Barnier government could be toppled by the end of the week after prime minister declines to put budget to lawmakers.
Barnierโs French government hangs by a thread as Le Penโs ultimatum looms
Far-right leader holds prime minister’s future in her hands as eurozone’s second biggest economy hurtles toward political and financial uncertainty.
Trump picks Kash Patel to lead FBI
The position will require Senate confirmation.
French political crisis: Everything you need to know
The collapse of Barnier’s government could plunge the eurozone into turmoil.
Who were the biggest dunces? Final grades for von der Leyenโs first Commission
Whoโs at the top of the class and who flunked? Here are POLITICO’s grades for each 2019-2024 European commissioner.
France has the highest cannabis consumption in Europe. Itโs high time to tax it | Alexander Hurst
With the nationโs finances in a parlous state, decriminalisation could raise millions of euros โ as well as cut crimeFrance might not be broke, but the state of its public finances is, well, definitely not good. Total debt stands at โฌ3.2tn โ 112% of GD…
โA shot at the bowโ: Trump puts trading partners on notice
For now, the financial markets are taking the president-electโs tariff threats seriously, if not literally.
Trumpโs tariff threat sets stage for bitter global trade war
Trade experts hail โnew era of protectionismโ with targeted countries retaliating with their own tariffsUS politics โ live updatesDonald Trumpโs threat to impose steep tariffs on goods imported into the US has set the stage for a bitter global trade wa…
Dead drops, PR stunts and punishment beatings: the rapid rise of Russiaโs powerful darknet drug industry
Tech-savvy organised crime groups profiting from billion-dollar enterprise that is spreading beyond Russian bordersAt any one moment in towns and cities across Russia, thousands of drug packages lie buried in the ground, attached by magnets to lamp-pos…
Spanish police arrest ex-fraud chief after โฌ20m found in walls of his house
Investigation into countryโs largest cocaine bust reveals cash in home of former head of anti-money laundering Spain has arrested one of its top police officers after โฌ20m (ยฃ17m) was found hidden in the walls of his house, as part of an investigation i…
Propaganda: 100 years of fear, manipulation and persuasion โ in pictures
Drugs, war, apartheid and the environment are some of the themes covered in the book Propagandopolis, by Bradley Davies and published by FUEL, which charts a century of efforts to influence and control Continue reading…
โDid he drug me too?โ: how daughter of Gisรจle Pelicot feared she had also been a victim of her father
A book by Caroline Darian adds further shocking details of the years of abuse by Dominique Pelicot and many othersWhen detectives told Caroline Darian her father had been lacing her motherโs food and drink with a powerful concoction of drugs and inviti…
Spanish police seize record cocaine haul in banana shipment from Ecuador
Partner in company due to receive shipment arrested after 13 tonnes of drug discovered at port of AlgecirasSpanish police and customs officers have intercepted the largest known consignment of cocaine ever to reach the country, seizing more than 13 ton…
Abortion dominated in the US presidential campaign. Trump won anyway.
The issue failed to stop Donald Trump, who on Tuesday overcame a large gender gap โ and Democratsโ relentless focus on womenโs reproductive health โ to win back the White House.
Euro and pound tumble as Trump storms to victory โ stocks donโt know whether to laugh or cry
Big gains for defense and health stocks, but it’s a bleak day if you’re driving the green transition โ or lending to Mexicans.
How Trump could ban abortion without Congress
A new lawsuit targeting mifepristone presages a broader attack on abortion rights.
Paramedic gave Sergei Skripal novichok antidote by chance, inquiry hears
Knocked-over bag led to unintended use of drug to counter nerve agents, which may have saved former Russian spy A paramedic has described the extraordinary moment he knocked over a drugs bag as he treated the former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and then …
51 men accused of raping 1 woman force France to think about consent
The French justice minister is meeting with lawmakers to legally define nonconsensual sex as rape.
Everyoneโs tough on drugs again
Traffickers are to blame, the candidates say. Virtually no oneโs talking about treatment.
โExplainer-in-Chiefโ Bill Clinton Makes the Economic Case for Harris
In eastern North Carolina, the former president tells voters why the pandemic caused inflation, not Democrats, and prescription-drug prices are on the ballot.
Marseille is neither a drug-choked hell nor a tourist paradise: itโs the city that captures France at its best | Cole Stangler
Franceโs second city makes headlines for crime, but also for being welcoming and progressive. Neither cliche does it justiceEarlier this month, Franceโs second city suffered a pair of brutal killings that appeared to be the latest in a long list of tra…
Gisรจle Pelicot โdetermined to change societyโ as she tells trial that shame of rape lies with the accused โ as it happened
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereEarlier this month the Guardianโs associate editor, Europe, Katherine Butler, spoke to Angelique Chrisafis about why this trial is so unusual and whether it might change French attitides to s…
French lawmaker admits police caught him buying drugs
Andy Kerbrat of the New Popular Front said he will seek help for addiction following the news.
Side of cocaine with that? German police raid pizzeria after finding secret ingredient
Authorities smash drugs gang in North Rhine-Westphalia after learning Dรผsseldorf pizzeria was delivering narcoticsPizza No 40 was long one of the best-selling dishes at a restaurant in the German city of Dรผsseldorf, until police discovered the secret i…
Paris threatens millions in penalties if paracetamol-maker leaves France after US takeover
The deal has faced intense, cross-party scrutiny in Paris.
Paris backs โฌ15B sale of paracetamol-maker to US fund after winning guarantees
French public investment bank to buy shares in Sanofi subsidiary amid American takeover.
Meet Elon Muskโs man in Washington
The SpaceX billionaire is forging new ties with a federal telecom official who could help funnel billions of dollars to his company if Trump is elected.
Bart De Wever: The man who wants to destroy Belgium reluctantly heads toward running it
How do you rule a country that you’ve spent your life trying to split up?ย
Improving COPD patientsโ lives needs better diagnosis, drugs, devices [Advocacy Lab Content]
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the worldโs leading causes of death – more than 300 million live with the illness. At this yearโs European Respiratory Society Congress, experts explored innovative approaches and shared best practices.
Unemployed people could be given weight-loss drugs to return to work in UK
A study will assess changes in employment status and sick days when people take the drug.
Paris seeks to calm Sanofi workersโ fears over American takeover
French government threatens sanctions if production leaves France; downplays vetoing the deal.
We watched 20 Trump rallies. His racist, anti-immigrant messaging is getting darker.
A POLITICO analysis of more than 20 of his rallies and campaign events shows Trump has demonized minority groups in all of them.
Bulgaria pitches fast domestic authorisation of innovative drugs to attract pharma firms
Bulgaria will rely on the speed and efficiency of its domestic authorisation procedures for innovative drug therapies to attract the interest of pharma companies to its small domestic market, the Ministry of Health told Euractiv.
Cancer, cardiovascular drugs among top contenders for Nobel Prize
Cancer research or cardiovascular drugs may claim the Nobel Prize in Medicine, set to be announced Monday. With global crises ongoing, the prize seeks to inspire optimism. Possible laureates include American biologist Kevan Shokat, known for his work …
Russia set to remove Taliban from terrorist list, says Putinโs envoy
Putin’s has described the Taliban as “a trusted ally.”
Slovak health minister quits over government โsupportโ for anti-vaxxerโs Covid report
Prime Minister Robert Fico backed plans to investigate Slovakia’s pandemic management. A prominent anti-vaxxer was given the key role.
Mission Possible: Working together to reshape the future of cancer care
Q&A with Greg Rossi, Senior VP, Head of Oncology Europe and Canada at AstraZeneca.
World leaders tout AMR declaration, while NGOs sigh
SNEAK PEEK โ Leaders have agreed to a political declaration on antimicrobial resistance. NGOs are disappointed, but is it really so bad? โ The World Health Organization has allied with TikTok to curb the spread of health misinformation. โ What will it take to be prepared for the next pandemic? Itโs not looking good, Gastein [โฆ]
Show me the money, Gastein says
SNEAK PEEK โย Gastein day 1 kicks off with a plea to ramp up investment in health โ and ways to do it. โ Can tech help to close the gender health gap? Some think so, but only if its funded and reaches all in need. โ Is COP29 the breakthrough year for health and [โฆ]
Only bold reform will expand access to innovative medicines in the UK
Greater collaboration between industry, government, policymakers and the NHS will be critical for treatment options in the UK to match the pace of scientific innovation. What is our route to achieving timely patient access across the country like our European neighbours?
Health care helps to stabilize democracies, Gastein chief says
SNEAK PEEK โ Austriaโs Clemens Martin Auer stresses the role of health care in democracies ahead of a major health policy summit in the Alps. โย The European Medicines Agency recommended two updated Covid-19 vaccines โ but targeting different variants. โย Hungaryโs secretary of state for health will present the Hungarian presidencyโs program on health to Parliamentโs [โฆ]
Health and productivity losses from obesity โfar outstrip weight-loss jab costsโ
Exclusive: ยฃ100bn-a-year cost of obesity to UK makes clear economic case for use of drugs such as Ozempic, says reportSpiralling healthcare costs and productivity losses from the global obesity crisis far outstrip the cost of new weight-loss drugs, acc…
Harris blames โTrump abortion banโ for deaths of two Georgia women
The vice presidentโs remarks came at a speech in Atlanta.
Italy opens door to chemical castration for rapists and pedophiles
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition government wants to look tough on law and order.