European Union

Both prior to and during the G7 summit Trump made the case for allowing Russia to return to the group. Macron said the proposal was worthy of consideration, but the other leaders rejected the idea in view of the situation in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Putin may, however, be invited to attend next year's G7 summit in the US as a guest. Things certainly aren't looking too bad for the Russian president, commentators conclude.

The Berlin Senate's draft law for introducing a rent cap is kicking up a storm. The plan is to limit base rent prices to no more than 7.97 euros per square meter. Anyone who pays more can apply for a reduction. This will smother the free market, some critics say. Others argue that the free market doesn't work anyway.

Portugal is debating a draft law that would allow transgender school children to choose whether to use the boys' or the girls' toilets. Conservative parties are fiercely opposed to the idea. Those on the left argue that school is the best place to introduce acceptance for sexual minorities. The Portuguese press is equally divided.

Although awareness and EU coordination on vaccination has increased, Europe is still experiencing an embarrassingly severe measles’ outbreak.

The Swiss government announced on Wednesday (28 August) that it will cut its greenhouse gas emissions to a net-zero level by 2050, taking heed of a landmark UN report on climate change.

The Bulgarian government is planning to boost production of local fruits and vegetable by introducing a new VAT reimbursement system, local media quoted Deputy Minister of Agriculture Chavdar Marinov as saying.

EU defence and foreign ministers meeting in Helsinki on Thursday will hold informal talks on the security implications of climate change "for the first time ever", EU top diplomat Federica Mogherini said. They will also discuss hostile propaganda, cyber attacks, and maritime security, including in the Gulf. Defence ministers met executives from top tech firms on Wednesday to discuss emerging threats posed by artificial intelligence.

Junkcer failed to protect the public interest from powerful corporate lobbies - von Der Leyen must do better.

Italy's far-right deputy leader, Matteo Salvini, wanted it all. He gambled on elections, but instead he got a new government composed of his arch-enemies and himself out in the cold.

Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft have all been listening to users' private conversations, prompting investigations by EU data authorities.

At the end of a second round of talks on Wednesday (28 August), the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) announced they will attempt to form a new ruling coalition with the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), breaking the deadlock in Italy's attempt to form a new government.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date.