Portuguese lawmakers approve use of cannabis for medical purposes

The Portuguese parliament on Friday approved the use of cannabis for medical purposes, in the vote of a draft bill from the parliamentary committee on Health, which was based on proposal from the Left Bloc and PAN parties.

US state of New York bans electronic cigarettes in workplaces

Electronic cigarettes and vaping are being banned in bars, restaurants and most workplaces in the US state of New York under a new law that takes effective in 30 days.

EP requires members to inform EU of energy deals ahead of negotiations

The rules requiring member states of the European Union (EU) to inform the bloc's executive of their plans to negotiate energy supply deals with third countries before opening negotiations were approved in a plenary of European Parliament on Thursday.

Turkish Akkuyu NPP’s Special Status to Speed Up Construction

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday he believed that assigning the strategic investment status to Turkey’s Akkuyu nuclear power plant (NPP), to be built in cooperation with Russia, would speed up the construction.

Simplification of licensing in Turkey to accelerate Akkuyu project implementation : Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak

Changes to Turkey’s legislation will make it possible to accelerate the implementation of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant construction project, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday on the Energetics program of the Rossiya 24 TV channel.

Turkey removes all legal obstacles for construction of Akkuyu NPP

Turkey has removed all legal obstacles for construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant and supports the construction of the Turkish Stream pipeline, Turkey’s Energy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said after meeting Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak.

Germany supports Russia's initiative on Nord Stream-2 — Russian Energy Minister

Germany supports Russia's initiative on the implementation of the Nord Stream-2 project, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters.

Bulgaria bans camping and parking 100m from beach shoreline

Bulgaria’s National Assembly has approved the second reading of amendments to the Black Sea Coast Act that ban camping and parking 100 metres from beach shoreline, although sleeping on the beach for a night will be allowed.

Shell Welcomes US Lifting Oil Export Ban

The Shell Oil Company welcomes the lifting of the export ban on US crude and considered it as "beneficial to government, industry and consumers," according to company’s spokesperson Curtis Smith.

6.8-magnitude quake hits Chile, no damage reported

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile in the early hours of Saturday, but no damage or injuries have been reported.

China imposes one-year ban on ivory imports

Chinese authorities on Thursday announced a one-year ban on imports of African ivory acquired as hunting trophies in the country's latest effort to fight wildlife poaching and trafficking.

Turkey’s first nuclear power plant project enters uncertain period amid Syria row

Uncertainties are rising over controversial nuclear power plant project in Turkey’s Akkuyu, for which Russia has spent $3 billion so far, amid rows between Turkey and Russia over Syria.

$3 bln spent on Akkuyu power plant so far

A total of $3 billion has been spent on the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant and work will continue although the required licenses have not been issued yet, said the company chief, adding that some delays are normal in nuclear power plant projects.

Series of strong aftershocks strike Chile

Massive aftershocks were felt in Chile on Monday after an 8.4-magnitude earthquake hit the country on the evening of Sept. 16.

Austria Files EU Complaint against UK Nuclear Plant

Austria has filed a legal challenge at the European Court of Justice against EU-granted state subsidies for a new nuclear power plant in Britain, government officials confirmed on Monday.

Dutch court orders gov't to further limit greenhouse gas emissions

The Dutch State must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25 percent in the year 2020, compared to those in 1990, the Hague District Court ruled on Wednesday.

European Commission Takes Bulgaria, Belgium to Court over Poor Air Quality

The European Commission is referring Belgium and Bulgaria to EU Court of Justice over persistently high levels of the dust particles which pose a major risk to public health.

EU approves support to high-speed Internet roll-out in Germany

The European Union (EU) has found that Germany's plans to support the roll out of next generation access (NGA) broadband networks are in line with EU state aid rules, said the European Commission on Monday.

Germany plans to spend three billion euros (3.37 billion US dollars) over the coming years, providing high-speed Internet access throughout the country, including in rural areas, according to a press release by the Commission.

China's ivory efforts applauded

The US is impressed with China's commitment to halting the sale of ivory and the two countries are moving in the right direction to combat wildlife trafficking, said William R. Brownfield, US assistant secretary of state for international narcotics and law enforcement affairs.

China destroys 662 kg of illegal ivory

The Chinese government on Friday destroyed 662 kg of confiscated ivory, in the second such move designed to demonstrate its stance against illegal wildlife trafficking.