French EU presidency to face strike by civil servants

Germany must cut its gas use by a fifth if it wants to prevent an energy shortage this winter. If it fails to reach 20 percent gas savings, the country is at "serious risk" of an energy crunch.

Some 660,000 hectares of land has been burned from the start of the year until 13 August, according to figures from the European Forest Fire Information System (Effis).

With war-fatigue starting to take root in the EU, there is a real risk Moscow and Ankara could share the spoils of Ukraine, in a way that leaves its sovereignty severely compromised.

Despite the war, the Ukrainian Premier League is preparing for a new football season. "We continue to compete and cheer. We continue to fight and win," Ukraine's sports minister said.

The Swedish government has agreed to extradite a Turkish citizen with Kurdish roots wanted for credit card fraud to Turkey, amid the backdrop of Turkey's Nato threat.

The EU needs to be clear eyed about China's new diplomatic charm offensive, as it's more likely driven by short-term necessity than any fundamental policy re-assessment.