Israel has intercepted the international Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to bring aid to the Gaza Strip, long before it reached the coast, and seized its 40 ships and boats. Of the 462 people on board, more than 300 are still in Israeli custody. Israel described the flotilla's mission as a provocation and is in the process of deporting the activists one after the other.
In recent days Morocco has been shaken by major protests staged mainly by young people. Initially they were peaceful, but in the meantime there have been clashes in which three people have died and hundreds have been injured or arrested. The demonstrators are calling for investments in education and healthcare instead of in infrastructure for the 2030 World Cup.
EU leaders convened at an informal summit in Copenhagen on Wednesday to discuss, among other things, plans for a 'drone wall' proposed by the European Commission. Numerous recent airspace violations – especially in host country Denmark – have highlighted the need for protective measures against drones. Europe's press discusses the priorities and problems of joint defence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted a 20-point plan presented by US President Donald Trump with the aim of ending the war in Gaza. However Hamas, which was not involved in drawing up the plan, has yet to give its approval. The plan stipulates that the terrorist organisation must release all hostages and lay down its arms. In return, Israel's army would withdraw. The media discuss whether the initiative could really end the war.
Many government services in the US remain closed until further notice because Congress has been unable to agree on a budget for the 2026 fiscal year which began on 1 October. Proposals put forward by both the Republicans and the Democrats failed to achieve the required three-fifths majority in the Senate on Wednesday. The main bone of contention is the reversal of recent cuts to healthcare for low-income earners.
Portugal's conservative minority government under Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has passed a new migration law with the votes of André Ventura's right-wing populist Chega party, significantly tightening family reunification regulations among other things. With local elections looming, the national press debates the motives and consequences of this cooperation between the two parties.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer committed Labour members to a clear government course at the party's annual conference in Liverpool on Tuesday. The focus was on economic renewal, social reforms - and a sharp demarcation from Nigel Farage's right-wing populist Reform UK, which currently has a big lead against Labour in the polls. Commentators take stock.
In the Republic of Moldova, President Maia Sandu's pro-European ruling party PAS won Sunday's parliamentary election with 50.2 percent of the vote. The pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc led by former president Igor Dodon was left trailing with 24.2 percent. Despite minor losses, PAS can now continue the country's path towards EU accession without a coalition partner. Europe's media take a closer look at the outcome.
Parliamentary elections will take place in the Czech Republic this Friday and Saturday. Former prime minister Andrej Babiš's populist ANO party has a ten-percentage-point lead against Prime Minister Petr Fiala's liberal-conservative governing coalition in the polls. Commentators observe a tense mood in the country and examine the reasons.
Drones of unknown origin were again spotted near airports and military bases in Denmark and Norway over the weekend. In response, the Danish government issued a flight ban on civilian drones and model aircraft which will remain in effect until Friday - also because an EU summit is scheduled to take place in Copenhagen this week. The media discuss how Europe should respond to these and other hybrid threats.
In a trial over illegal campaign funding a Paris court has found Nicolas Sarkozy guilty on the charge of criminal conspiracy and sentenced him to five years in prison. The former president was accused of having close associates try to secure funding from former Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi for his 2007 election campaign. Commentators take stock.