Euractiv.com

Ursula von der Leyen recommitted to climate action and an accompanying reindustrialisation of Europe, in her re-appointment pitch to the European Parliament, but restricted herself to only positive rhetoric about nature protection.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday (18 July) announced she would create a separate portfolio to deal with the Mediterranean, as part of her next team, signalling her next term will pay more attention to the region.

Von der Leyen aims to boost Europe's competitiveness through tech, implementing existing regulation while boosting investments.

The majority of Czech MEPs will not support the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as the European Commission’s president despite promises in her efforts to secure a majority.

The Netherlands commemorated on Wednesday (17 July) the 298 victims of flight MH17 that was shot down over Ukraine 10 years ago with a ceremony attended by the bereaved and representatives from Malaysia, Australia, Britain, Belgium and Ukraine.

The pro-European coalition We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB / Renew Europe - EPP) is seeking agreements to implement anti-corruption reforms in the country before starting negotiations to elect a regular government, despite the slim chances of reaching a deal.

New hard-right Polish MEP Mariusz Kamiński announced he would sue Poland to the European Parliament, saying he was tortured in jail after being sentenced for office abuse.

Slovakia falls behind in submitting its finalised national plan for emissions reduction by 2030, which now includes doubling the natural gas share in central heating systems and lacks a clear timetable for reducing fossil fuel use, raising concerns amongst environmentalists.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez (PSOE/S&D) on Wednesday proposed a “democratic regeneration” plan that he said would improve media transparency and shed more light on media ownership and funding.

Germany plans to halve its military aid to Ukraine next year, despite concerns that US support for Kyiv could potentially diminish if Republican candidate Donald Trump returns to the White House.

The majority of Czech MEPs will not support the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as the European Commission’s president despite promises in her efforts to secure a majority.

The frontrunner for Commission president is expected to deliver a compromise programme to gather a majority of votes from the Parliament on Thursday (18 July).

Donald Trump's vice presidential running mate, US Senator J.D. Vance, presented himself to the nation on Wednesday night (17 July) as the son of a forgotten industrial Ohio town who will fight for the working class if elected in November.

Estonia and Lithuania said on Wednesday (17 July) they would no longer allow Belarus-registered cars to enter through checkpoints on their borders with Russia or Belarus, citing European Union sanctions against the country.

Today (17 July) marks new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's debut on the international political scene as he hosts the European Political Community (EPC) Summit, where 50 leaders from all over the world will discuss a hot list of topics, including rebuilding closer ties between the UK and the EU, four years after Brexit.

As some 50 European leaders gather in the UK on Thursday (18 July) under the helm of the European Political Community, it is increasingly clear that the format is struggling to justify its existence.

German industry umbrella association BDI expects only “marginal” growth effects from a package adopted by the German government on Wednesday (17 July), which includes tax for foreign workers, bureaucracy reduction, and initiatives at EU level.

Thirty-eight sub-Saharan African migrants were arrested in Tunisia on Wednesday (17 July) after clashes with coastguards who intercepted their boat during an attempt to migrate to Europe, Tunisian media reported.

New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Irish counterpart Simon Harris sought to usher in improved relations with pints of Guinness on Wednesday (17 July), promising to work together closely on Northern Ireland and on healing Brexit wounds.

The Czech government on Wednesday (17 July) picked South Korea's KHNP to build two new nuclear power units, with the possibility of more.