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       The campaign is on: the Congress of the European People's Party, which brings together MEPs, party leaders and no fewer than 12 heads of state or government, has officially endorsed Ursula von der Leyen's candidacy. Several senior figures spoke to Euronews Romania and Euronews Brussels during their conference in Bucharest.

       "We are sending a message of stability at a time of uncertainty linked to the war in Europe and the global economic challenge with China. We are keeping Europe together. That's our main message. We need strong and firm leadership" explains Manfred Weber, President of the European People's Party.

       The Green Pact, which supports the European Union in its ecological transition, was one of the key achievements of the Von Der Leyen Commission. Manfred Weber assures us that this policy is not threatened by the agricultural protest.

       "I'm 52 years old and I'm telling you, from my generation, the fight against climate change is probably the biggest, most important task for all of us. It's a historic issue to stop climate change. That's why our commitment is clear: we are the party to fight climate change," adds Manfred Weber.

       With or without US support, 'we cannot let Russia win,' says Ursula von der Leyen

       Former Commission President José Manuel Barroso told Euronews that the Green Deal would be under threat if the European Union failed to take account of the concerns of the farming community: "Of course, the European Union must continue to play a leading role in the green transition. At the same time, it must do so while respecting the social concerns of its citizens and without imposing too many costs on those who are most vulnerable. will turn some of our population against the green agenda. That would be a mistake. And we must also pursue our commitments to green transition, but without putting our industry and agriculture at a competitive disadvantage to other parts of the world. rest of the world."

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       Out of more than 400,000 soldiers currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, about 20% are women. But majority serve in supporting roles.

       Oleksandra used to work in a bakery; today, she’s a sniper. She showcases her skills on a 100-metre range somewhere in central Ukraine. At the frontline, her targets can be more than a kilometre away. Her job takes skill and a certain mindset.

       "I see my enemy, I see the occupier who came to our land to destroy our state, our people. Nothing more," she explains.

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       Oleksandra says many still question her ability to do this because she’s a woman. Females have long served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but few take part in combat.

       "Every woman in the army has to show that she is worthy to be in the same combat position and fight on an equal footing with a man," she adds.

       Her theory is that gender stereotypes can become self-fulfilling. As a sniper, you need to be invisible, she says. And women in general can be less emotionally driven than men, she suggests. But that’s not a view shared by many in the military.

       Ukrainian government army women soldiers patrol an area in the village of Debaltseve, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, Wednesday, Dec 24, 2014.Sergei Chuzavkov/AP

       Olena is also a soldier. Before the war, she was a communication trainer in Kyiv. A few months into the full-scale invasion, she signed up to join the army. She said felt she’d ignored the war for too long.

       Now Olena clears trenches with the infantry. She had to push for a frontline job has now been decorated for her courage by president Zelenskyy himself. She says she has been accepted by her peers.

       Two years into the war, as Ukraine struggles to fill the ranks, many women who want to follow her example have their own fight to win to do so.

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       During winter, the usual process of winter mixing, is when oxygen-rich surface waters blend with deeper waters, which is crucial for oxygenation and biodiversity.

       Marie-Elodie Perga, an expert in lake studies at the University of Lausanne, highlighted the significance, stating, "Overall, we achieve adequate reoxygenation down to 170 meters, but the concern lies beyond that depth. It has been 12 years since the lake bottom experienced reoxygenation through winter mixing." Urgent measures to mitigate global warming by reducing CO2 emissions are vital.

       Professional fishermen are witnessing the effects firsthand, noticing a significant increase in perch catches compared to normal times. Typically, perch spawning occurs from May onwards.

       Climate change remains worse for women and girls — but it doesn’t have to be

       While some species appear to benefit from the rising temperatures, others face threats. The ecosystem of Western Europe's largest freshwater reserve is undergoing substantial changes. Scientists, alarmed by this phenomenon, installed a platform with hundreds of sensors on the lake five years ago to conduct comprehensive analyses.