The Israeli army has launched a ground offensive in Gaza City that aims to completely eliminate Hamas forces in the area, according to a military spokesman. Hundreds of thousands of residents are trying to flee the city. The EU has called for a stop to the 'cycle of violence, destruction and suffering', while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed doubts that the Gaza war can be ended through diplomatic means.
More than 100,000 people took to the streets of London on Saturday in response to a call by British right-wing extremist Tommy Robinson. Alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk, right-wing politicians from all over Europe, including France's Éric Zemmour, incited resentment against foreigners, the media and the British government. The commentaries reflect dismay, but not surprise.
After Russian drones entered Polish airspace last Wednesday, further incidents on Nato's external border are heightening the tensions between Moscow and the Western military alliance. The Polish army shot down a drone that had flown over government buildings in Warsaw on Monday night. Two Belarusians have reportedly been arrested in connection with that incident. A Russian drone also penetrated Romania's airspace at the weekend.
Austria's liberal education minister Christoph Wiederkehr has proposed fines of between 150 and 1,000 euros for parents who fail to cooperate with schools. The penalties would apply in cases such as parents refusing to talk to teachers when their children are suspended, or if they skip compulsory summer school without a valid excuse. Commentators debate the plan's merits and consequences.
The final stage of the La Vuelta cycling race was cut short in Spain on Sunday due to protests against the war in Gaza. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also called for Israel to be excluded from international sporting events and some countries are protesting Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, which they threaten to boycott. Europe's press discusses how to deal with Israeli athletes and artists.
The right-wing conservative US podcaster and activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead during an appearance at Utah Valley University last week. Kirk had close ties to US President Donald Trump and founded the organisation Turning Point USA, which is active at schools and universities. A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the killing. Commentators discuss the dangers of deepening polarisation.
In local elections in Germany's most populous state of North Rhine-Westphalia the CDU has maintained its leading position, securing 33.3 percent of the vote. The SPD and Greens suffered losses with 22.1 and 13.5 percent respectively, while with 14.5 percent the AfD almost tripled its share compared to the last local elections. Commentators assess the results of this first test of public opinion since February's federal election.
US President Donald Trump has called on Nato countries to step up the economic pressure on Russia, and made new US sanctions contingent on their doing so. All allies must stop buying oil from Russia, Trump demanded on his online platform Truth Social. He also urged Nato countries to impose high tariffs on China as a bloc. Are his demands justified?
Brazil's Supreme Court has sentenced Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison. The court found the 70-year-old former president guilty of leading a conspiracy to remain in office after his election defeat in 2022, making him become the first former president in the country's history to be convicted of an attack on democracy.
At least 19 Russian drones penetrated hundreds of kilometres into EU and Nato member Poland's airspace early on Wednesday. Most of them were shot down. Warsaw and other Nato member has condemned the incursion as a deliberate provocation aimed at the entire Western military alliance. US President Donald Trump reacted cautiously and mentioned the possibility of a mistake. Europe's press assesses the reactions.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dismissed the UK's ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, after it emerged that the latter had maintained close ties with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein even after his first conviction. Mandelson has been a leading figure in the Labour Party since the 1980s, serving in several ministerial positions and as EU Trade Commissioner from 2004 to 2008.
