Discussions about the future of Ukraine continue on several levels. The 28-point plan presented by the US president has been amended in negotiations with Ukraine and European states. However leading figures in Moscow described the proposals from Europe as "completely unconstructive" on Monday. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have also had a phone conversation on the issue. Europe's press examines the interests at play.
The European Commission's Digital Omnibus legislative package aims to simplify EU regulations in the areas of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data protection and data management in response to tech industry demands. Commentators discuss whether the legislation is detrimental to civil rights.
The ratification process for the EU-Mercosur trade agreement has triggered protests by citizens and farmers' associations, as well as in the European Parliament, where 145 MEPs had planned to challenge the deal in court until this was blocked on procedural grounds. The Parliament is due to vote on the agreement in December. Commentators see criticism of the deal as justified to a certain degree.
Slovenians rejected a new law on assisted dying in a referendum on Sunday. With a turnout of 41 percent, around 53 percent of those who cast their ballots voted against it. The law would have legalised assisted dying for terminally ill patients in certain circumstances. Conservative and religious groups campaigned against it.
At a meeting in Geneva, representatives from Ukraine, the European Commission and several European countries negotiated with US officials over changes to the 28-point plan. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke of a "tremendous amount of progress". Now the presidents in Washington and Kyiv must reach a decision, explained Ukrainian negotiator Andriy Yermak. The press debates how much clout Europe has – and how it should be used.
The 30th World Climate Conference (COP30) ended on Saturday in Belém, Brazil. A voluntary platform outside the COP committees to speed up progress on climate protection and a new rainforest protection fund were set up, but no consensus on an action plan was reached. Concrete targets for moving away from coal, oil and gas also failed to materialise. Europe's press takes stock.
Spain's Attorney General Álvaro García Ortiz has been barred from holding public office for two years and sentenced to pay a fine of 7,200 euros for leaking confidential information. He must also pay 10,000 euros in damages to businessman Alberto González Amador, the partner of Madrid Regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso (PP). Ortiz was found guilty of leaking an email that incriminated Amador.
The 28-point plan drawn up by Russian and US negotiators to end the war in Ukraine has now been presented to Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky has announced that he will work with the US on the plan to achieve a "dignified end to the war". US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the document as a "list of potential ideas" rather than a final proposal. EU Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas has warned that the Europeans must be involved in the negotiations to ensure that the plan can work.
The US is upping the pressure on Venezuela and its leader Nicolás Maduro. In recent weeks, the US military has killed at least 80 people in attacks on speedboats that Washington claims were transporting drugs. The US Navy's largest aircraft carrier has now arrived in the area. Europe's media see military intervention as a distinct possibility and draw historical comparisons.
Obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease - according to the latest scientific findings, the consumption of ultra-processed foods significantly increases the risk of such diseases. In a series of three papers published in the medical journal The Lancet, scientists call on politicians and society to do more to promote a diet based on fresh and minimally processed foods. Commentators discuss ways to achieve this.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has visited Donald Trump at the White House and brought several gifts including billions in investments and arms deals. He was accompanied by the most famous footballer on the planet, Ronaldo, who is under contract with the Saudi club Al-Nassr. Commentators examine the three men's shared interests and take a critical view of the meeting.
