Venta Maersk's voyage in the North East Passage is a message to Asian competitors, experts say, as climate change melts ice and eases sea traffic north of Russia.

Hungarian provocateur Viktor Orban will face down EU leaders at a summit in Austria on migration, while Britain's Theresa May will defend her Brexit plan.

Earlier this week, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in his state of the union announced a new relationship with Africa. On Friday, his subordinates outlined the vision, promising jobs and growth by leveraging public funds for investments.

This is not about the EU doing the UN's job. But instead about the EU being an active player in the security and stability of its Southern neighbourhood.

A form of skin inflammation, which could be linked to environmental factors, now affects two to three more times people in Europe than 40 years ago.

Th next EU budget is the most pivotal opportunity to advance a vision for Europe rooted in human rights and that builds a Union that works for all its members.

Uncontrolled migration at a global level finds very little support. This is a reality which every European politician should heed.

In August, Jean-Claude Juncker and his EU commissioners held a two-day seminar at a chateau outside Brussels to prepare this week's State of the Union speech. The commission implies there is no written record.

In a speech of almost 5,000 words, covering the EU's priority to be a strong global actor, the eurozone and security union, EU citizens were only referenced five times.

The EU and US have voiced concern on Chinese and Russian influence in the Balkans as the region's countries prepare to move closer to Western bloc.

Poland has vowed to protect Hungary against any EU sanctions - one day after the Polish president belittled Europe in a speech.

Netherlands positive, but Slovakia negative on proposal to do foreign policy by majority vote, as Jean-Claude Juncker outlines vision for "sovereign Europe".

The parliament launched a sanctions procedure against Hungary in an unprecedented vote that required a two-thirds majority from MEPs. Hungary is calling the vote a "fraud" and a "petty revenge" for its hardline migration policy.

Despite bold propositions for the EU's future, one could not help feeling the Commission chief's State of the Union address already sounded like a farewell speech.