Slovenia has vetoed a joint statement by the EU and its 27 Member States condemning Israel's decision to build new settlements in the West Bank. As a result the document could only be issued as a communiqué from the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas. The Foreign Ministry of the new centre-right government in Ljubljana explained the veto saying that the statement "would not bring added value at this moment".
This Saturday, the people of Iceland will vote on whether the country should begin accession talks with the EU. Iceland had already entered negotiations with the EU in 2010 but the government in Reykjavík suspended them in 2013, mainly due to differences over fisheries policy. Commentators look to the north - and to the future.
The head of the US Central Intelligence Agency John Ratcliffe was in Moscow on Tuesday for talks. The visit was unofficial and unannounced, but a large US military cargo aircraft flying from Washington to Moscow did not escape public attention. The Kremlin later confirmed the visit, saying there had been "talks between the intelligence services". Most media outlets see a connection with the war in Ukraine.
In the US and around the world fans are mourning the loss of country singer and entertainer Dolly Parton, who died on Tuesday at the age of 80. Parton epitomised the American dream: born into extreme poverty, she rose to superstardom in the 1970s. Beyond her musical career, the star was active as an entrepreneur and supporter of research and social projects.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have signed a memorandum of understanding on the financing of three new theme parks in the Paris region. Six billion euros are to be used to build among other things a theme park based on the manga series Dragon Ball Z, of which both leaders are fans.
The US administration is upping the economic pressure in the conflict with Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated on Monday President Trump's "economic D-Day" threat, stressing that the goal is to cut Iran off from all sources of income, and called on countries that maintain trade ties with Iran to immediately suspend them.
There has been a surge in the number of serious accidents in the UK and Ireland involving teenagers who steal cars and post videos of their joyrides on social media. After twelve people were recently killed in two accidents involving cars driving in the wrong direction on the motorway, the British press examines how to end the joyriding trend.
Ukraine marked its 35th Independence Day on Monday, five years into the Russian war of aggression. The leaders of numerous supporting countries travelled to Kyiv for the occasion, with the EU pledging further financial aid running into the billions. Commentators describe a country that has not given up hope of a free and peaceful future.
The Hungarian government led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar has been in office for one hundred, turbulent, days. Magyar and his Tisza Party, which holds a two-thirds majority in parliament, came to power in May with the promise to restore the rule of law and democracy in Hungary and ruthlessly expose the corrupt dealings of the previous government led by Viktor Orbán.
More than three weeks after the crisis began, the humanitarian situation in Ceuta remains catastrophic. Despite the fact that the majority of migrants have returned to Morocco, those who remain are only now being given accommodation, and minors are being taken to the mainland. Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez has convened the National Security Council to coordinate a response.
Humanoid robot technology is advancing, with China in particular focusing on speed and innovation. The second edition of the World Humanoid Robot Games is being held in Beijing, where a robot named 'Superman' ran the 100-metres race faster than the human world record holder, Usain Bolt. Commentators discuss China's pioneering role, its lead on the global market and where Europe stands.