European Union

The worst fires in many years are now raging in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. President Bolsonaro has accused environmental groups of starting the blazes. Researchers counter that cattle breeders have dramatically increased slash and burn agriculture since Bolsonaro took office in January. Must the world look on helplessly as the rainforest goes up in flames?

The fighting has intensified in the Syrian province of Idlib, which had been declared a de-escalation zone. Supported by Russia, Assad's army is advancing through the rebel-held territory towards the city of Khan Shaykhu, prompting tens of thousands to flee the area. Meanwhile the tensions between Ankara and Moscow have escalated after a Turkish military convoy was hit by an airstrike. Europe's press looks at the reasons for the escalation.

The seaside resort of Biarritz in the South of France is preparing for this weekend's G7 summit with stringent security measures. According to French Minister of the Interior Christoph Castaner, 13,200 police officers will be deployed, with the backing of military anti-terrorism units. A security zone is being set up in the sea. But what problems will the politicians deal with behind the barricades?

The latest Czech government crisis is over: President Miloš Zeman will appoint Lubomír Zaorálek as the new minister of culture on Tuesday (27 August), ending a dispute over the post that almost caused a collapse of the government. However, the crisis has exposed the deteriorating state of democracy in the country.

French and Brazilian presidents have clashed on Twitter over the Amazon fires, as G7 and other states plan treaty to protect biodiversity.

Women, such as Adaura, who escape traffickers and return to Nigeria face fresh trauma and abuses, but the EU does too little to help.

Five EU states issued a statement condemning a World War 2-era German-Russian treaty which divided Europe, but Russia has defended the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

The German manufacturing industry has expressed concern of a looming economic recession in Germany, as demand is decreasing sharply, according to Bloomberg. Orders are at their lowest level in six years time. Some analysts say that the reason is the shrinking demand from China, rather than a German domestic decline. The German economy shrank in the second quarter of 2019, adding to fears of a global recession.

Amid growing international criticism over the wildfires raging through the Amazon, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday (22 August) admitted farmers could be illegally setting the rainforest ablaze but told foreign powers not to interfere.

Syrian army advances in northwest Syria are putting Turkish troops in the firing line and threaten Ankara's hopes of preventing a new wave of refugees on its southern border.