Brussels — Journalist and political essayist Isaac Hammouch is set to release a new book in the coming weeks titled The Murder of Khashoggi: A State Crime? The Responsibility of Mohammed bin Salman.

The forthcoming publication revisits the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018 — a case that provoked global outrage and intensified scrutiny of state accountability and press freedom.

Khashoggi, a prominent columnist and critic of Saudi policies, had entered the consulate to obtain documents required for his upcoming marriage. He never emerged. Turkish authorities later revealed that a team of Saudi operatives had arrived in Istanbul shortly before his visit. According to Turkish investigations, Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate building, and his body was subsequently dismembered. His remains have never been recovered.

The incident triggered multiple international investigations. A report mandated by the United Nations concluded that Khashoggi’s killing constituted an extrajudicial execution for which the Saudi state bore responsibility under international human rights law. Several intelligence assessments, including those made public by Western governments, suggested that the operation was unlikely to have occurred without high-level authorization — a conclusion that Riyadh has repeatedly denied.

Hammouch’s forthcoming book reportedly draws on publicly available intelligence findings, international reports, and legal analyses to examine questions of command responsibility and geopolitical consequence. Beyond recounting the facts, the work places the assassination within a broader framework of international law, diplomatic immunity, and the tension between strategic alliances and human rights principles.

Based in Brussels, Hammouch has written extensively on political accountability and democratic governance. With this publication, he appears to situate the Khashoggi case within the broader global debate over the right to truth in cases of grave human rights violations.

The official release date is expected to be announced shortly.

If your electricity or gas bill suddenly spikes, EU rules and national regulators give you clear ways to challenge it. Start by checking the meter and contract, complain in writing to your supplier, and escalate to an independent ombudsman or dispute body if the answer is not convincing. This guide explains the practical steps—especially useful for cross-border situations, renters, and households under financial pressure.

It is a familiar winter moment: you open your inbox or app and see a bill that feels out of proportion—higher than last month, higher than your budget, and with charges you do not recognise. You try to decode the lines, but the numbers do not add up. Before you panic or pay blindly, there is a structured path in every EU country to ask for a correction and, if needed, take the dispute further.

Step 1: Check the basics before you complain

• Compare periods: make sure the bill covers the same number of days as your previous bill.
• Estimated vs. actual readings: look for wording that shows whether the bill is based on an estimate. If you can, take a photo of your meter reading (date-stamped on your phone) and keep it.
• Tariff and contract: confirm you are on the plan you agreed to (fixed, variable, dynamic pricing) and check whether any price changes were communicated.
• One-off items: identify unusual charges (late fees, “adjustments”, end-of-year balancing, or a catch-up after long estimated billing).
• Household changes: note practical explanations (new appliances, heating patterns, more people at home) so you can rule them out.

Step 2: Complain to your supplier in writing and keep a record

• Write, don’t only call: send your complaint by email or the supplier’s online form so you have proof of what you asked and when.
• Ask for clarity: request a plain explanation of how the bill was calculated (readings used, tariff applied, and the dates covered).
• Request correction or recalculation: attach your meter photo(s), contract details, and any earlier bills that show the difference.
• Propose a “pay the undisputed part” approach: if only part of the bill is in dispute, say what you can pay now and what you contest.

EU guidance for consumers explicitly recognises the right to complain to the supplier and, if unresolved, to seek out-of-court dispute settlement such as an energy ombudsman. See the EU’s “Your Europe” page on complaints and dispute resolution with energy suppliers.

Step 3: Ask about payment plans and protections if you are at risk

• If you cannot pay immediately: ask for an instalment plan while the dispute is examined (and confirm it in writing).
• If you are vulnerable or in hardship: ask what “vulnerable customer” protections exist in your country (definitions and safeguards vary nationally).
• Do not ignore reminders: even if the bill is wrong, missed deadlines can complicate your position. Keep responding in writing.

EU energy rules and recent reforms have focused on clearer consumer rights and protections, including how contracts are presented and how consumers are treated during disputes. For broader context, The European Times has previously covered EU efforts to make the electricity market more consumer-friendly, including stronger protections against volatile pricing: MEPs back plans for a more affordable and consumer-friendly electricity market.

Step 4: Escalate to an independent dispute body (ombudsman/ADR)

• If the supplier’s reply is unclear or dismissive: you can take the dispute to an independent body for out-of-court resolution.
• Find the right body: EU “Your Europe” links to national contact points for energy, which can direct you to the appropriate ombudsman or dispute service for your country.
• Prepare a clear file: contract, bills, meter photos, your written complaint, and the supplier’s response (or lack of response).

EU-level information on out-of-court consumer redress is available via the Commission’s consumer redress portal: out-of-court dispute settlement (ADR).

Step 5: If it’s cross-border, use EU assistance services

• Living in one country, supplier in another: this can happen near borders or after a move. Keep all communications in writing and identify which country’s regulator supervises the supplier.
• Get guided help: the EU provides assistance service finders via “Your Europe” to help you reach the right consumer support channel.
• Consider small claims if needed: for straightforward sums, the European Small Claims Procedure can be an option in cross-border disputes (national advice services can guide you on suitability).

Step 6: Know the legal building blocks behind your rights

• EU consumer-facing guidance: “Your Europe” explains the basic pathway—supplier complaint first, then independent resolution, without losing the option to go to court later.
• EU energy market law: newer EU rules aim to strengthen consumer protection and transparency in electricity markets. One key reform instrument is Directive (EU) 2024/1711, part of the EU’s electricity market design reform package.

How many people are affected yearly?

Energy-bill disputes are hard to count EU-wide in one number, because complaint systems are national. But Eurostat figures show how widespread energy stress can be:

• 9.2% of the EU population could not afford to keep their home adequately warm in 2024, according to Eurostat.
• 9.3% of people in the EU lived in households with arrears on mortgage, rent, or utility bills in 2023, according to Eurostat’s interactive publication Housing in Europe – 2024 edition.

Across the EU, the point of these mechanisms is not only consumer convenience but legal certainty: a predictable way to challenge errors, demand clarity, and prevent vulnerable households from falling through the cracks. If your bill looks wrong, acting early—and documenting everything—usually makes the outcome fairer and faster.

A suspicious email. A leaked password. A targeted advertisement that knows too much. Across the European Union, personal data misuse is no longer rare. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) gives residents concrete rights — but enforcing them requires clear steps. Here is what to do if you believe your data has been misused.

The notification arrives late at night: “We regret to inform you of a data breach.” Or perhaps you discover your personal information circulating online. In that moment, confusion often replaces clarity. But under EU law, you are not powerless.

Step 1: Confirm the nature of the misuse

Not every unwanted email is a GDPR violation. Start by identifying whether:

• Your data was part of a confirmed breach
• A company processed your data without consent
• Your data was shared without legal basis
• You were denied access to your own information

The European Commission’s official GDPR portal explains what qualifies as personal data and what lawful processing means under EU law: European Commission – Data Protection.

Step 2: Exercise your rights directly with the organisation

Before escalating, contact the organisation involved and invoke your rights under Articles 15–22 GDPR. These include:

• Right of access
• Right to rectification
• Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”)
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability

The full legal framework is available via Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR).

Request responses in writing. Companies generally must respond within one month.

Step 3: File a complaint with your national Data Protection Authority

If the response is unsatisfactory, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your national supervisory authority. The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) provides links to all national authorities: EDPB Members – National Data Protection Authorities.

Complaints are free of charge.

Step 4: Seek judicial remedy if necessary

Under Article 79 GDPR, individuals have the right to an effective judicial remedy. This may involve civil courts in your Member State.

In previous reporting, The European Times has examined how EU digital regulation is reshaping citizens’ rights in the platform economy.

Data protection is not abstract policy. It concerns identity, employment, creditworthiness, and personal safety. The GDPR was designed to give residents enforceable rights across borders. The system works — but only when individuals use it.

When the departure board flips to “Cancelled”, EU law gives you real options

It usually happens in a blink: one notification, one line on the airport screen, and your day quietly collapses into queues, gate changes, and “please wait” announcements. If your flight is cancelled in Europe, EU rules generally give you a choice between a refund or rerouting, plus “care” (food, communications, and sometimes a hotel) while you wait. In some cases, you may also be owed fixed compensation under EU261. This guide walks you through what to do in the first 15 minutes, what to ask for in writing, and how to escalate if the airline says no.

For readers planning trips this year, you may also want our broader explainer by The EuropeanTimes.news on travelling in Europe: what to know in 2026, which pulls together key cross-border travel rules and practical documentation tips.

The first 15 minutes: what smart travellers do before the queue moves

In the crowd, there are usually two types of passengers: those who wait in line with no plan, and those who quietly start building a paper trail. The second group tends to get outcomes faster.

• Take screenshots of the cancellation notice in the airline app and any SMS/email.
• Photograph the departure board showing your flight status.
• Save your booking confirmation and check-in proof (boarding pass or app screen).
• Write down the time you were informed and the reason given (even if vague).

Then, before you accept any “one-click” offer in an app, slow down and decide what you actually need: to get home fast, to arrive for a meeting, or to abandon the trip and recover your money. EU rules are built around that choice.

Data box: how often does this happen?

How many passengers are affected each year?

• A European Commission study referenced by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) estimated that in 2018, about 17 million passengers experienced flight cancellations and about 16 million experienced delays in the EU.
• The same BEUC factsheet reports that only about 38% of passengers entitled to compensation ultimately receive it.

Source: BEUC factsheet on air passenger rights (PDF) (citing a 2020 European Commission study).

Step 1: Confirm it is a “cancellation” and get proof in writing

Airlines sometimes describe disruptions in ways that blur categories. A flight can be “delayed” for hours and then quietly turned into a cancellation. Ask directly: Is this flight cancelled?

Then request written confirmation (email, app message, or a printed note) stating:

• that the flight is cancelled,
• the reason given at the time,
• the alternative offered (if any).

This matters later—especially if you must dispute a refusal based on “extraordinary circumstances”.

Step 2: Choose: refund, rerouting now, or rerouting later

Once a flight is cancelled, EU passenger-rights rules generally give you a choice between:

• Refund (reimbursement) of your ticket for the unused parts of the journey (and in some situations, also for parts already made if the trip no longer serves its purpose),
• Rerouting at the earliest opportunity under comparable transport conditions,
• Rerouting at a later date at your convenience (subject to seat availability).

The European Union’s official “Your Europe” portal summarises these rights and the typical scenarios where they apply. Your Europe: Air passenger rights.

Human reality check: when you’re standing in a crowded terminal, the “best” option is not universal. If you have children, medication, or an urgent connection, rerouting fast may matter more than compensation later. If you’re travelling for a non-refundable event that is now impossible, a refund may be the cleanest decision. EU law is designed to let you choose—so choose deliberately, not just quickly.

Step 3: Demand “care” now: food, communications, and sometimes a hotel

Even before any compensation question is settled, airlines can owe you basic assistance while you wait. This is often called the right to “care”. It may include:

• Meals and refreshments proportionate to waiting time,
• Two communications (calls, emails, or messages),
• Hotel accommodation and transport to/from the hotel when an overnight stay becomes necessary.

Many passengers miss this because they assume “care” is a goodwill gesture. It is not. It is part of the EU framework, explained in the official EU FAQ. Your Europe: Air passenger rights FAQ.

Practical tip: If staff are unreachable and you must buy essentials yourself, keep receipts and stay reasonable (think: basic meals, standard hotels, necessary transport). If you later claim reimbursement, “reasonable” is the word that tends to decide disputes.

Step 4: Check whether EU261 compensation may apply

Refunds and care are one thing. Compensation is another: EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (commonly “EU261”) can require fixed compensation in certain cancellations, unless the airline can show that the cancellation was caused by “extraordinary circumstances” and that it took all reasonable measures.

You can read the legal text itself on EUR-Lex: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (EUR-Lex).

What passengers often misunderstand: “Extraordinary circumstances” is not a magic phrase that automatically ends the story. Airlines typically need to explain the specific circumstances and why they could not be avoided—even with reasonable measures. That is why written reasons and documentation matter.

If you want a country-level explainer with concrete examples, national authorities often publish plain-language guidance (useful when disputes arise locally). For example: Belgium: passenger rights under Regulation 261/2004.

Step 5: If the airline refuses, escalate without drama—just structure

When a cancellation turns into a long email exchange, many passengers lose momentum. Airlines know this. The best response is a simple, organised escalation path.

• Complain in writing to the operating airline (the carrier that was meant to fly the route). Attach screenshots, your written cancellation proof, and receipts.
• Ask for a reasoned reply (not a template). If they cite “extraordinary circumstances,” ask what, precisely, and what measures were taken.
• Set a clear deadline for a written response (for example, 14–21 days).
• Escalate to the relevant national enforcement or dispute-resolution route if the airline ignores you or refuses without a clear explanation (the “Your Europe” portal helps you identify official channels).

Human tip: Keep your tone calm and factual. You are building a file, not venting. A clean timeline (who said what, when) is often more persuasive than a long argument.

Why this topic keeps returning to EU politics

These rules matter because they are one of the EU’s most visible consumer protections: cross-border rights that ordinary people actually try to use in real time, in crowded terminals, under stress. They are also politically contested. EU institutions have been debating revisions to air passenger rights for years, and the file resurfaced again recently in Brussels policy discussions.

For a brief overview of where reform talks stand, the European Parliament Research Service (EPRS) summarised positions and proposals in early 2026. EPRS briefing: Revising air passenger rights (PDF).

A one-screen airport checklist

• Proof: screenshot + photo of the board + written cancellation confirmation.
• Choice: refund or rerouting (state it clearly; keep screenshots).
• Care: ask for meals, communications, hotel if overnight.
• Receipts: keep everything (photograph receipts immediately).
• Follow-up: written complaint to the operating airline; escalate if needed.

The bigger picture: rights that only work when people can use them

Cancelled flights are not just inconvenience; they are a test of whether rights are practical in the moment they are needed. EU rules are designed to create predictable remedies across borders—refunds, rerouting, care, and (sometimes) compensation. The difference between “rights on paper” and real outcomes often comes down to small, human steps: keeping calm, documenting everything, and insisting on clear answers.