Nicolas Sarkozy is set to become France’s first post-war president to go to jail, after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy. Sarkozy’s case has deepened the rift between the French people and their political representatives, @liberation.fr writes. 🗞 www.eurotopics.net/en/345849

An AI-powered digital assistant has been appointed as a minister in Albania. Critics say the constitution doesn’t allow ministers who can’t appear in person. Nor did it provide for so many people with public office facing criminal charges, writes Correio da Manhã. www.eurotopics.net/en/345775

In another U-turn, President Trump now believes a return to Ukraine’s original borders as they were at the start of the war is an option. These shifts in stance clearly illustrate Trump’s disruptive foreign policy, @ddemeeus.bsky.social writes in @lalibre.be. 📰 www.eurotopics.net/en/345773

Incursions by drones of unknown origin left the airports in Copenhagen and Oslo crippled for several hours on Monday. The West should learn from Ukraine’s defence against drones, Göteborgs-Posten writes. The press review: www.eurotopics.net/en/345702/

US President Donald Trump launched a full-on assault at the United Nations in a meandering and inflammatory speech to its General Assembly. A Nobel Peace Prize without cooperation with other countries is hardly likely, the @sn.at comments. www.eurotopics.net/en/345700

US President Donald Trump launched a full-on assault at the United Nations in a meandering and inflammatory speech to its General Assembly. A Nobel Peace Prize without cooperation with other countries is hardly likely, @sn.at comments. www.eurotopics.net/en/345700

US comedian Jimmy Kimmel will return to the air on ABC today. His suspension called worldwide attention to the Trump administration’s assault on free speech. The truth has long been under attack in the US, @cumhuriyetgazetesi.bsky.social writes. www.eurotopics.net/en/345632

French President Emmanuel Macron announced his country’s recognition of a Palestinian state as world leaders gathered in New York to endorse a two-state solution. It will soon be too late for that @spiegel.de warns. The press review: www.eurotopics.net/en/345553

France and other European nations are expected to join the UK, Canada and Australia in recognising Palestine as an independent state. @theguardian.com calls for more steps. The press review: www.eurotopics.net/en/345553

Three Russian fighter jets reportedly violated Estonian airspace on Friday. Do as Turkey did, @taz.de recommends. Others debate Russia’s motives and the appropriate response: www.eurotopics.net/en/345552

Poland’s new President Karol Nawrocki reiterated his country’s demand for compensation of 1.3 trillion euros for the period of German occupation during World War II. German leaders disagree. Commentators take a closer look: www.eurotopics.net/en/345396

After a lavish state banquet hosted by King Charles III, US President Donald Trump is meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer today. Starmer accepts it is his duty to try and influence Trump, @theguardian.com writes. The press review: www.eurotopics.net/en/345394

Further incidents involving Russian drones are heightening the tensions between Moscow and Nato. To @benslat.bsky.social writing in Neatkarīgā, the drone incursions are helping Europe practice its defence. The press review: www.eurotopics.net/en/345265

Thousands are scrambling to flee Gaza City after the Israeli army launched a ground offensive aiming to completely eliminate Hamas forces in the area. @lalibre.be questions the credibility of the international community. The press review: www.eurotopics.net/en/345328

Israel’s participation in international sporting and cultural events has been called into question. In Spain, the La Vuelta cycling race was cut short due to protests against the war in Gaza. Europe’s press reacts: www.eurotopics.net/en/345264

Germany’s far-right AfD party nearly tripled its share of the vote in local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia. The vote confirmed the shift from SPD to AfD among German workers, La Repubblica writes. Commentators assess the results: www.eurotopics.net/en/345195

President Trump has called on Nato countries to step up the economic pressure on Russia, and hit China with high tariffs. Commentators discuss Trump’s demands: www.eurotopics.net/en/345193

President Trump has blamed the “radical left” for the death of Charlie Kirk, a right-wing conservative activist. Trump is adding fuel to the fire, @nrc.nl writes. Others assess the rise of political violence in the US: www.eurotopics.net/en/345112

Warsaw and other Nato members have condemned the incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace. US President Trump reacted cautiously. Europe’s press assesses the reactions: www.eurotopics.net/en/345043/

“This must be Europe’s independence moment,”* Ursula von der Leyen said in her State of the Union address. Commentators discuss the speech: www.eurotopics.net/en/344975

All eyes are on Nato and Europe after the Polish air force shot down Russian drones in its airspace. De Morgen pleads for caution while other commentators call for action: www.eurotopics.net/en/345043

From confidant to prime minister: Sébastien Lecornu will lead France’s new government. Without a strategic shift in the Élysée, there is no reason to believe the new premier will fare better than his predecessors The Guardian comments. Our press review: eurotopics.net/en/344978

In striking Doha, Israel said it was targeting the Hamas leadership. For La Stampa, Israel torpedoed peace negotiations. Here’s what other commentators in Europe had to say: www.eurotopics.net/en/344965

Talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine have so far failed to produce any tangible results. Europe’s commentators assess the chances of achieving peace: www.eurotopics.net/en/344907

French President Emmanuel Macron is seeking his fifth prime minister in less than two years. Commentators discuss his options: www.eurotopics.net/en/344904

European commentators react to Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani’s death, aged 91. ABC praises Armani’s work in creating elegance for the modern man and woman. www.eurotopics.net/en/344826

French Prime Minister François Bayrou will likely lose a vote of confidence today after losing opposition support for his minority government. Europe’s media debate the causes and consequences: www.eurotopics.net/en/344825

The EU is close to finalising a free trade agreement with #Mercosur, which has been negotiated since 1999. Despite concessions to farmers, protests continue against the massive coming free trade zone. The press welcomes the initiative, with reservations.

Pressure continues to mount on Israel over its war crimes in Gaza: EU Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera has described Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide." Europe's press discusses how the EU should respond.

In Paris, the "Coalition of the Willing" met to discuss future security guarantees for #Ukraine️. The press discuss the chances for peace, and ask whether the Western states can secure it.

Parliamentary elections will be held in Hungary in April 2026. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party have been in power since 2010. However, they now face a serious challenge from Péter Magyar and his Tisza party. What are his chances?

At the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, China and Russia present a united and confident front. Europe's status in the world, on the other hand, seems to be waning. The press asks: Will Europe manage to reposition itself?

China celebrated the 80th anniversary of Japan's WW2 surrender with a military parade. The parade in Beijing was attended by, among others, Russia's head of state #Putin and North Korea's leader #Kim Jong-un. What signal is #China sending to the world?

The latest CEO affair scandal: #Nestlé has sacked its boss Laurent #Freixe. He had concealed a romantic relationship with an employee from the board, thereby violating the company's code of conduct. Consistent or excessive? 🔽

The aircraft carrying EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced GPS interference during its landing in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian authorities suspect Russia is behind the attack. The press warns that Moscow is increasingly targeting Europe, beyond Ukraine.

A new law on military service is intended to bring new recruits to the German army - initially on a voluntary basis. Many European commentators applaud the move.

The summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is currently taking place in Tianjin - an alliance of China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, and Central Asian states. How strong is the alliance and what are its goals?

The pop star Taylor Swift and the American football player Travis Kelce got engaged. It’s an important cultural event and part of the discussion about the return to traditional values, Polityka argues. www.eurotopics.net/en/344393

At least 23 people were killed in a massive Russian air attack on Kyiv early Thursday morning. The EU delegation office and other institutions in the city centre were also badly hit. Commentators ask whether the attack was a message to Europe: www.eurotopics.net/en/344327

Ukraine’s attacks have twice this month interrupted the transit of Russian crude oil to Belarus and the EU on the Druzhba pipeline. Commentators examine the politics around the pipeline: www.eurotopics.net/en/344327

The Republic of Moldova is electing a new parliament on Sept. 28. Voters may confirm the country’s European course or opt for closer ties with Russia. Commentators see a watershed moment for Moldova and Europe: www.eurotopics.net/en/344326

Twenty people, including five local journalists, have been killed in Israeli strikes on a hospital in the Gaza Strip on Monday, Palestinian health officials said. Commentators call for journalists in Gaza to be protected: www.eurotopics.net/en/344255

Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki has vetoed legislation providing welfare benefits for Ukrainian refugees. Commentators see risks in Poland’s latest political battle: www.eurotopics.net/en/344256

There is growing concern among Europeans that the outcome of the war in Ukraine will be decided solely by Washington and Moscow. Commentators examine the far-reaching consequences for Europe’s role in the world: www.eurotopics.net/en/344184

French PM François Bayrou is seeking a confidence vote in September ​over massive budget cuts. It could be the end of his minority government. Bayrou has just two weeks to turn things around, Libération writes as commentators sound the alarm. eurotopics.net/en/344186

A 46-year-old French streamer known as Jean Pormanove has died during a live broadcast on the online platform Kick. He had been known for participating in videos showing him being subjected to violence and humiliation. Commentators condemn suffering as a spectacle: www.eurotopics.net/en/344122

After months of pressure from President Trump, the Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, hinted at interest rate cuts, in an address to a gathering of central bankers at Jackson Hole. Europe’s press reacts: www.eurotopics.net/en/344120

For Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, a peacekeeping operation carried out by European troops in Ukraine would be “absolutely unacceptable.” As Russia intensifies its airstrikes on Ukraine, Europe’s press sees little scope for peace negotiations: www.eurotopics.net/en/344048

Israel has approved a project to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank, effectively dividing the Palestinian territory in two. Meanwhile, the Israeli army is advancing on Gaza City. Commentators assess Israel’s actions in both locations: www.eurotopics.net/en/344047

What is the answer to Spain’s summer of extremes? Commentators call for cross-party action in the face of the climate crisis: www.eurotopics.net/en/343982