Political parties are foundational to liberal democracy, serving as intermediaries between public opinion and governance. All European Union (EU) Member States uphold the freedom of association, enabling citizens (and sometimes even EU mobile citizens) to engage politically through political parties. Many Member States enshrine fair political party competition as a cornerstone of democracy. However, history, such as Hitler's rise in Weimar Germany, illustrates how extremists can exploit political parties to abuse power and subvert democracies. To address the concerns of democracies being undermined through democratic processes, scholars have suggested measures that would allow democracies to defend themselves. Among the most significant, and also the most controversial, is the possibility of banning a political party. Such an extreme decision aims to strike a balance between protecting party pluralism and democracy. The precise moment at which democracy should intervene to protect itself has long been a subject of debate and contention. Nowadays, all EU Member States, at least theoretically, consider that banning a political party is a last resort measure against extremism, recognising its potential to safeguard liberal democracy. Notably, these bans can also affect EU democracy by influencing national electoral laws, which in turn affect European Parliament elections. National regulations on political parties can therefore have broader implications for EU-wide politics, highlighting the interconnectedness between Member States' legal orders and the EU's democratic framework. This briefing examines the theoretical and legal foundations of party bans, their implementation in EU Member States, and international recommendations concerning this measure. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a process allowing complaints to be settled out of court with the assistance of an impartial dispute resolution body. Through ADR, consumers can settle a complaint against a trader for breach of contract, outside court procedures, assisted by impartial, neutral dispute mediation, arbitration or conciliation. Since 2013, the share of e commerce in the EU economy has increased significantly, up from 2 % to 4 % of EU gross domestic product (GDP), increasing the relevance of ADR for consumers. Each year, approximately 300 000 eligible disputes between consumers and traders are examined by ADR entities, with resolution rates between 17 % and 100 % across the Member States. On 17 October 2023, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a directive amending several directives pertaining to consumer rights and ADR. The proposal pursues three objectives, to: adapt the ADR legislative framework to digital markets; facilitate the use of ADR in cross-border disputes; and simplify ADR procedures. In the European Parliament, the file was referred to the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO). On 26 June 2025, the co-legislators reached a political agreement. This agreement was approved by Coreper on 16 July 2025. Pending confirmation by the IMCO Committee, work is ongoing to finalise the text of the act before the Council closes its first reading. Fourth edition, based on an earlier edition by Clément Evroux. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Homme serein, humble et optimiste, Octave Magnassa est caractérisé par son attachement aux valeurs humaines et son amour pour le travail bien fait. Candidat indépendant aux législatives, au 1er Siège de la commune de Moanda, il prône pour l'inclusivité, avec lui, une femme comme suppléante, Virginie Clarisse Ndjoye. Il répond ici aux questions de notre rédaction. Bonjour Monsieur Magnassa ! Votre candidature aux législatives vient d'être validée. Quelle a été votre première réaction à la (...) - POLITIQUE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

Papua New Guinea's NRL franchise has no team name, no coach, no roster, and now also has no chief executive as Andrew Hill leaves to join Panthers Group.

The pop icon and the athlete, both 35, who have been dating for two years, officially revealed their marriage news on Tuesday with a romantic photoshoot showing Travis proposing.

When asked if she stands to 'gain money or anything else from the outcome of this litigation,' Perry responded, 'Yes…..' before revealing her answer.

[allAfrica]

[allAfrica]

Mardi 26 août au soir, un accident de la route impliquant un scooter a fait deux victimes sur l’avenue Prince Hinoi. Les secours sont rapidement intervenus.

Rodolphe Apuarii était l’invité du journal télévisé de ce mardi 26 août. Il est revenu sur les championnats du monde de va’a longue distance qui se sont terminés la semaine dernière au Brésil, et sur les échéances futures.

The changed nature of economic and security challenges today presents opportunities for Malaysia and Singapore to work together to overcome them. In turn, working together will allow both countries — as close neighbours — to plant the seeds of trust and mutual confidence to tackle crises, and when the need arises, said Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing. He was speaking at Malaysia's National Centre for Defence Studies in Putrajaya on Tuesday (Aug 26), addressing an audience of about 200 students during the second day of his two-day introductory visit. Noting that both Malaysia and Singapore are smaller states in an increasingly uncertain world. Chan said that the real competition is never between the two countries with longstanding historical ties.«Our real competition is how Singapore and Malaysia can work together to overcome the challenges of an increasingly uncertain world.» 

SINGAPORE — From 2026, CareShield Life will offer higher monthly cash payouts to help Singapore residents with severe disabilities cushion the fast-rising cost of long-term care.The payout growth rate will rise from the current two per cent a year to four per cent a year from 2026 to 2030. Consequently, those who make a claim in 2030, for instance, will get $806 a month instead of $731.Premiums for the national long-term care insurance scheme will need to rise, but the Government said it will provide an additional $570 million in premium support over the next five years to help policyholders offset the increases.These were among the key changes recommended by an independent CareShield Life Council led by Jeanette Wong, former group executive of DBS Bank. In conducting the review, the council consulted nearly 300 individuals, including caregivers, healthcare professionals, union leaders and community partners.«These enhancements to CareShield Life complement the broader suite of long-term care support measures announced at Budget 2025,» said a Ministry of Health (MOH) spokesperson at a media briefing on the review.

Shiloh Hendrix, a white woman in Minnesota, has been charged after she went viral in May for allegedly hurling the N-word at an eight-year-old boy.

The dancer, 34, will be missing from the BBC show for three weeks this year to work as a judge on the Spanish version Bailando Con Las Estrellas.

The celebrity workout DVD has long-been a staple of the showbiz world - with 'miraculous' workouts promising fans remarkable weight loss results. 

An upset victory by Catelin Drey flips a seat formerly held by a Republican in the conservative-leaning district that Trump easily won in 2024.

According to the report, Washington has dispatched three destroyers with an amphibious squadron carrying 4,000 Marines to waters off Venezuela

According to the report, US President Donald Trump has been able to persuade Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to lift his opposition to Ukraine’s membership

At least seven apartment buildings suffered damage in a drone attack on the southern city of Rostov-on-Don

Head of the Mind Money analytical center Igor Isaev did not exclude the possibility of certain limitations of Urals oil purchases or diversification of supplies by India

The tariffs will affect exports of goods to the US totaling $48.2 bln

British indie band The Ultra Violets have been left devastated following the sudden death of their bandmate, drummer Tyler Harris, just weeks after they performed at the Isle of Wight Festival. 

Jarrod Bowen was involved in a heated exchange with furious West Ham supporters after Tuesday's 3-2 defeat at Wolves that piled further pressure on Graham Potter .

Nigel Farage's press conference yesterday was an extraordinary political event. The leader of Reform UK did not so much tear up the rule book as incinerate it.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, 35, have been named as the officers killed by suspected gunman Dezi Freeman.

Even for a career criminal, Christy Kinahan always had an eye on bigger things. Nothing got in the way of his plans for an international drugs empire and the vast riches that would follow.

A breakaway faction of Somalia's main opposition alliance has signed an electoral agreement with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, dealing a significant blow to the broader opposition movement, according to local media reports.

Kenya and Germany have strengthened their cooperation on migration and mobility after holding the first Joint Implementation Committee meeting under the Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Kenya has launched an effort to mediate between Somalia’s federal government and the semi-autonomous Jubbaland administration as tensions escalate over constitutional changes and electoral reforms, diplomatic sources said Tuesday.

Urging loyalty to the junta’s proxy party, Min Aung Hlaing toured seven towns and Yangon to promote his regime’s election, which he expects will secure him the presidency.

Victoria's top cop has revealed more details about his officers' confrontation with Dezi Freeman before he opened fire and killed two cops - as the manhunt for the alleged gunman

La Santé était au centre des discussions ce mardi matin, 26 août, à l'assemblée de la Polynésie lors du vote du troisième collectif budgétaire. Rendre la Polynésie plus attractive pour les professionnels de Santé est devenu un des enjeux des réformes à venir.

Zhao Pei underlined that China-Russia cooperation is not aimed against any third party, but rather at building a fairer international system - despite the West’s efforts to impose its dominance

Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyansky stressed that some Western officials attempt to link the sabotage to the Ukrainian crisis, despite the fact that it involved the destruction of international underwater infrastructure

15 of them were destroyed over the Rostov Region