Commission proposes better protection for child migrants

As a Green MEP, ex-environment minister and former vice prime-minister of Sweden, Isabella Lovin spent many years advocating for ocean conservation and the welfare of fisheries dependent communities. The UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon was all words, no action.

As Europe re-opens for business, the tragic death of a three-month old infant at the squalid and over-crowded Ter Apel refugee centre in the Netherlands has sparked shock, horror and recrimination.

The EU Commission said anti-corruption measures, and "adequate audit and control arrangements" are still points of discussion with the Hungarian government of Viktor Orbán.

EU officials are warning of devastating impacts of a sustained drought hitting the Horn of Africa and the Sahel, as humanitarian workers face a dilemma of having to choose to help the starving over the hungry.

Germany voiced optimism over energy security, while Spain promises to help countries who are suffering from "Putin's energy blackmail".

France and Germany have promised further economic sanctions on Russia in future, while urging EU hawks to drop calls for a ban on Russian tourists.