The four-person Orion crew has successfully completed its orbit of the Moon. The space capsule is now making its return, with the help of Earth's gravitational pull. The photos and live streams from Orion are circulating around the world. But as the media commentary shows, people's excitement about technological progress is matched by their concern for the future.
Trump has issued the Iranian leadership with an ultimatum, saying that unless the Strait of Hormuz is reopened by Tuesday night, power stations and bridges across Iran will be destroyed. Israel has also warned the Iranians on X to keep away from trains and railway stations. The UN is calling for a ceasefire and warning against violations of international law. Alarm bells are ringing in Europe's press.
Hungary has entered the final week in the run-up to next Sunday's general election. The polls put Péter Magyar's centre-right opposition party, Tisza, well ahead of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz, which has been ruling the country in an increasingly authoritarian manner for the past 16 years. Europe's media discuss the wider implications of the election beyond Hungary's borders.
After US Secretary of State Marco Rubio lashed out at Nato, US President Donald Trump has now threatened to pull the US out of the defence alliance altogether. In an interview on Wednesday he said that he was seriously considering withdrawal after the war with Iran ends. His comments were prompted by the refusal of several EU countries to assist the US in attacking Iran. How seriously should Europe take this threat?
The CEO of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, has provoked outrage with comments about Ukrainian drone production. He described it as crude technology being put together by 'housewives' in kitchens. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded by saying the remarks were bizarre.
As a four-time world champion, Italy has prided itself on being a football nation for generations. But its defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina means that the Squadra Azzurra has failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row. A glance at the national press reveals the extent of the heartbreak.
The number of baptisms among adults and young people in France has doubled since 2023, and more than 21,000 people are due to be baptised during the upcoming Easter Vigil. Other countries such as Belgium are also seeing an increase in this rite of initiation into the Church. With Easter celebrations beginning tomorrow, commentators reflect on the fundamental significance of faith, religion and spirituality.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has slammed Spain's government for refusing to allow the US to use its airspace for the Iran war. In an interview he said that Nato could not be "a one-way street" and announced that the alliance would have to be re-examined. Italy also recently denied US fighter jets the right to land in Sicily. Europe's press sees the alliance in grave danger.
According to a leaked audio recording published by investigative media, Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister Péter Szijjártó promised his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, that he would do his utmost to have the sister of a Russian oligarch removed from the EU sanctions list. He also reportedly promised Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin that he would work towards having the sanctions against the Russian shadow fleet lifted.
The Israeli parliament has voted to introduce the death penalty for terrorists. Of 120 members, 62 voted in favour of the legislation initiated by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party. The law applies to deadly attacks deemed acts of terrorism by military courts in the occupied territories – meaning that in practice it applies only to Palestinians. Europe's press is alarmed.
Local elections in ten small Serbian municipalities on Sunday were marred by widespread obstructions and outbreaks of violence. Commentators see this as an indication of just how much President Aleksandar Vučić fears losing power and how strong the protest movement that emerged eighteen months ago still is.