Vodka wars
The week's news at a glance.
Brussels
A proposal to define vodka as a spirit made from potatoes is causing battles in the European Parliament. Finland, Poland, Sweden, and the Baltic countries are pushing the proposal to prevent other countries from passing off grape- or beet-based clear liquors as vodka. Finnish representative Alexander Stubb pointed out that the ingredients of other drinks, including Scotch whisky, are strictly regulated. “My argument is that we need equality,” he said. British vodka producers, who use a mix of ingredients, were incensed. The Brit-dominated European Vodka Alliance said the proposal was a brazen “attempt to corner the market.” Britain is the E.U.’s second-largest vodka producer, after Poland.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
'"Andor" examines all sides of how empires operate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eatery
Speed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Harvard sues Trump over frozen grant money
Speed Read The Trump administration withheld $2.2 billion in federal grants and contracts after Harvard rejected its demands
By Peter Weber, The Week US