In a bid to promote reading skills, the Danish government has announced it will abolish VAT on books - which at 25 percent is currently the highest in Europe. Danish media are delighted and hope that lower prices will boost reading among the population. In Finland, on the other hand, VAT on books was raised from 10 to 14 percent at the start of the year - a step which has drawn much criticism.

The leaders of five European countries attended Monday's Ukraine summit in Washington, but there were no representatives from Eastern European EU member states. Eastern European media outlets ask why these countries' support for Ukraine and their proximity to the war zone aren't giving them a more prominent role.

Following the summits in Alaska and Washington initiated by US President Donald Trump, Europe's press examines whether we are any closer to peace in Ukraine, what further steps are needed and what role individual countries can play.

Spain is experiencing a summer of extremes: wildfires have burned through 350,000 hectares of land and forced thousands to flee their homes in rural areas, while city dwellers are enduring temperatures well above 40 degrees Celsius. Commentators see the country experiencing the life-threatening consequences of the climate crisis and urge the political leadership to agree on a cross-party state pact.

After lengthy negotiations, the EU finally reached an agreement with the US administration in the tariffs dispute. Two weeks have now passed in which the majority of exports from EU member states to the US have been subject to a 15-percent tariff. Europe's press takes a look at the consequences.

Following redoubled diplomatic efforts to achieve peace at the summits in Alaska and Washington, discussions are now focusing on what form the West's security guarantees for Ukraine could take. Europe's commentators look at who can provide support, and in what form, and whether such measures can deter Russia in the long run.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in Israel at the weekend to demand a deal with Hamas for the release of the hostages and protest against an expansion of the military operations in the Gaza Strip. Demonstrators blocked major roads and intersections across the country. Thousands also took part in a nationwide strike called by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Europe's press takes stock.

They're always available for a chat, they're empathetic and they don't talk back: for some people AI chatbots are more than just machines. According to a new survey 370,000 people in Ireland have pursued a romantic relationship with an AI. Commentators discuss the consequences, especially for lonely people.

In the wake of the Alaska summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of five European states, the EU and Nato convened with Donald Trump at the White House on Monday to seek a solution to the war in Ukraine. According to Trump, following a phone call with Putin preparations for a meeting between the Russian leader and Zelensky are under way. The press response is mixed.

After months of demonstrations, the protests against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić have reached a new peak. Several cities have seen violent clashes, including Valjevo, where protesters set fire to the headquarters of the Serbian ruling party SNS after alleged party thugs attacked sympathisers on the fringes of the demonstrations and vandalised their shops.

Fanned by drought, water shortages and record temperatures, devastating wildfires are raging across southern Europe, with Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey all severely hit. The media take aim at politicians for failing to implement preventive measures.

After ten days of intense negotiations in Geneva, representatives from around 180 countries were unable to agree on a UN internationally binding instrument on reducing plastic pollution. The efforts, which have been ongoing for three years, failed mainly due to resistance from oil-exporting states. European commentators examine the options for further action.