Since Donald Trump took office in January, the democratic world has been watching the US with growing concern. In view of the Republican majority in both chambers of Congress, a Supreme Court most of whose judges are pro-Trump and the barrage of open attacks on the judiciary and other independent institutions many fear for the separation of powers, with commentators already talking about the end of democracy in the US.
Germany has passed a new law on military service aimed at bring in tens of thousands of new recruits every year. The draft bill initially foresees voluntary service. A questionnaire will be sent out to all men and women 18 and over to ask about their interest in signing up. Commentators in Europe applaud the initiative.
School starts again on 1 September in many European countries after the summer holidays. But education is not the same with each passing year, and nowadays the rapid development of artificial intelligence inevitably affects both teachers and pupils. Commentators assess the potential harm and benefits of AI in the classroom, and the tasks now facing educators.
An attack on a Bangladeshi food courier has ignited a debate in Romania. The attacker filmed himself punching the courier in the face and telling him to go back to where he came from. A few days before the attack, the deputy leader of the far-right AUR Party, Dan Tănasă, had sent out a social media post calling for people to refuse deliveries from foreign workers.
At least 23 people were killed early Thursday morning in a massive Russian air attack on Kyiv. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, 629 drones, hypersonic and ballistic missiles as well as cruise missiles were used. The EU delegation office and other institutions in the city centre were also badly hit. Europe's press reflects on the message behind the attack.
US President Trump is once again upping the economic pressure on the EU, threatening countries that tax US digital companies with retaliatory measures in the form of "significant additional tariffs" and restrictions on the export of cutting-edge technology and semiconductors if the 'discriminatory measures' are not stopped. Is Europe facing another clash with the US after the hard-won agreement on tariffs?
In the dispute over massive budget cuts, French Prime Minister François Bayrou has called a confidence vote for 8 September. He made the announcement after conferring with French President Emmanuel Macron. If the vote fails, it will mean the end of Bayrou's minority government. Europe's press is alarmed.
In Poland, a major controversy has broken out over social benefits for Ukrainian refugees. Polish President Karol Nawrocki has lodged an objection to the government's Ukraine aid law, which is intended to guarantee benefits such as child benefit and social assistance until March 2026. Commentators see symptoms of a declining willingness to help, as well as risks for Poland and Europe as a whole.
Pop superstar Taylor Swift and American professional footballer Travis Kelce have got engaged in Missouri. A news story which would normally only make headlines in the tabloids and in fan circles is making waves well beyond, and has even drawn comment from the US President. Europe's press also asks: what does this say about our society and our times?
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the Republic of Moldova to mark its Independence Day on Wednesday, appearing together with President Maia Sandu in the capital Chișinău. The country will elect a new parliament on 28 September. The press profiles the small state on the fault line between the EU and Russia.
Ukraine has fired twice this month at pumping stations that form part of the Druzhba pipeline in western Russia, interrupting the transit of Russian crude oil to Belarus and the EU. Hungary and Slovakia have protested against the attacks, both in Kyiv and Brussels, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán even complaining to US President Donald Trump. Commentators shed light on the complex web of economic and political interests surrounding oil deliveries.
UK right-wing populist Nigel Farage has said that if he becomes prime minister he would introduce radical measures against illegal immigration, including mass deportations to countries like Iran, Eritrea and Afghanistan and sending asylum seekers to isolated British overseas territories. Farage's Reform UK party is currently leading the polls, which is upping the pressure on Keir Starmer's Labour government.