EU member states have not helped European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her quest for a gender-balanced EU executive, with now little time left to weigh up all the factors that would make her new line-up pass parliamentary scrutiny.

The nearly 40-year-old treaty that established the European Union's border-free travel zone is under strain as countries like Austria, France, and Germany increasingly defy its rules.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described regular migration as a necessity for economic growth in Spain and the EU during an official visit to Mauritania on Wednesday (28 August), drawing sharp criticism from Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the main opposition Partido Popular.

EU imports from Russia slid to record lows in the second quarter this year, fresh data published on Wednesday (28 August) showed, but signs persist that Brussels' sanctions on Moscow are being circumvented via trade with third countries.

The Czech Agriculture Ministry has asked the European Commission to delay the application of the EU's new anti-deforestation law, arguing that its impact on businesses is unclear.

Bulgaria is aiming to get the "regional policy" portfolio in the next European Commission and has a chance to do so, several sources in Sofia, including state-run BNT television, report.

The Council of Europe has urged Italy to step up its fight against corruption and conflicts of interest, a report by its anti-corruption body published on Wednesday said.

A massive air-water heat pump in Helsinki will see the Finnish capital on the way to achieving its 2030 climate neutrality goal. 

As the Paris 2024 Paralympics kicks off, the event shines a light on the global disparities in access to life-changing assistive technology. In response, the WHO and IPC have launched a campaign to raise awareness and address this critical issue.

The new EU Commission should build on the European Green Deal to strengthen Europe’s economic competitiveness and geopolitical relevance. A Clean Industrial Deal could serve both ends if designed correctly.

The far-right, Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), is expected to bring home an electoral victory in the Austrian parliamentary elections in late September, paving the way for an unprecedented takeover of government policy. Austria used to call itself an “island...

The Spanish government has submitted the candidacy of Ecological Transition Minister Teresa Ribera to the European Commission on Wednesday (28 August) as Spain's commissioner candidate in Ursula von der Leyen's new executive, EU sources told Euractiv's partner EFE.

The Portuguese government has proposed former finance minister Maria Luís Albuquerque as its choice for European commissioner, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro announced on Wednesday.

The leadership of Greece’s main opposition leftist Syriza party chief, Stefanos Kasselakis, is again questioned as a new clash amongst leftist politicians has taken the situation to the edge.

In a move that challenges EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's desire for a gender-balanced Commission, Copenhagen on Wednesday (28 August) proposed current Development Minister Dan Jørgensen for the next EU Commission.

István Nagy, Hungary’s minister of agriculture and current chair of the EU’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council, will deliver the opening remarks at the international non-GMO summit, which this year will focus on the political debate surrounding new genomic techniques (NGTs).

Health

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday (27 August) that the war with Russia would eventually end in dialogue, but that Kyiv had to be in a strong position and that he would present a plan to US President Joe Biden and his two potential successors.

Ukraine's top commander said on Tuesday (27 August) that Kyiv's forces were still advancing in Russia's Kursk region, but warned that Moscow was building up its forces on the eastern Pokrovsk front, where Russian troops have been advancing.

In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Poland reported to be boosting its defence spending next year, Italy waiting until the last minute to officially announce its commissioner pick, and so much more.