Around seven million people went out to protest against Donald Trump in more than 800 cities across the US on Saturday. They accuse the US president of having an authoritarian style of government. The demonstrations under the slogan "No Kings" were for the most part peaceful. Commentators look at the causes of the protests and their potential impact.
In view of the threat posed by Russia, the European Union is undertaking steps to improve its security situation: the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030, a detailed plan to coordinate measures such as drone and air defence and military mobility among member states, was unveiled in Brussels on Thursday. According to Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas, the plan is to be implemented in close cooperation with Nato. Opinions are divided on the issue.
After the US Navy attacked several boats allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean, US President Trump has now announced plans to combat drug smugglers on land as well, and has authorised CIA covert operations in Venezuela. As the US strengthens its military presence in the region, Venezuela has appealed to the UN Security Council for support. European media see the Maduro regime as the real target of the operations.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has postponed the controversial reform raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 until January 2028. The idea is to create the confidence needed to develop new solutions, he explained on Tuesday. For the opposition Socialists, who had vigorously pushed for this move, the decision marks a victory. The planned reform led to months of mass protests across the country in 2023.
Despite the ceremonial signing of a Gaza peace declaration on Monday, Hamas has announced that it will continue its fight against Israel. According to media reports the terrorist organisation has taken action against armed gangs on the streets of Gaza and released a video showing several people described as "collaborators" being executed. Commentators examine the organisation's role.
Filip Turek, who is under discussion as a candidate for foreign minister in the new Czech government, is facing accusations of racism, homophobia and sexism. Deník N newspaper has published several posts with such content taken from Turek's Facebook page, which were later deleted. Election winner Andrej Babiš has described the problem as"serious" but needs Turek's party Motorists for Themselves to secure a governing majority.
Donald Trump is becoming more vocal about his frustration over Vladimir Putin's refusal to end the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to visit Trump again on Friday. The delivery of long-range, highly accurate US Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, which has been under discussion for some time, could be finalised at the meeting. What would this mean for Moscow?
A storm is brewing between Washington and Beijing again: China has tightened its restrictions on exports of rare earth metals and related technologies. Exports to third countries now require approval from Beijing. US President Donald Trump has responded by threatening to impose a 100 percent punitive tariff on Chinese goods as of 1 November. Is the world facing a new trade war between the two economic giants?
Following last Thursday's approval by Israel and Hamas on an agreement which includes the release of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire, the mediating states signed an accord on Gaza in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday, after more than two years of war. Further steps towards peace are now to be negotiated. Commentators voice a mixture of scepticism and hope.
Last Friday, Estonian border guards reported sightings of several heavily armed soldiers without insignia in the Saatse Boot area, where the road to the village of Saatse runs through Russian territory for one kilometre. The Estonian authorities closed the road as a precautionary measure. The incident has reignited the debate over whether the Baltic states are under threat.