By seizing strategic islands and port cities on Yemen's Red Sea coast, the pro-Iranian Houthi militia is asserting control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital waterway for global trade. During the Iran war the strait has become a key alternative route for Saudi Arabian oil exports. How will this impact energy markets, which are already under intense strain?
In view of soaring fuel prices, the rising cost of living and the country's huge national debt, economic and social issues are dominating the campaign for the French presidential elections in spring 2027. Numerous calls for nationwide protests are already circulating on social media. The French press examines the problems waiting to be solved.
Incidents involving drones are on the rise in Europe: a train travelling from Kyiv to Warsaw was attacked on Sunday, Nato fighter jets shot down another drone that entered Lithuanian airspace on Tuesday, and a drone containing explosives was found and defused at Leipzig airport a few weeks ago. Commentators examine the background to these events and the impact on different regions.
Leading tech entrepreneurs from the US have called for the development of AI to be slowed down. In a post on his blog, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has stressed the need to pace AI development and allow the industry more time for risk prevention. Otherwise we run the risk of losing control of AI systems in six to twelve months, he wrote. Amodei's statements were echoed by Elon Musk, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Google.
Two days after the parliamentary election in Sweden, there is still no clear winner. With most of the votes counted, the centre-left opposition, led by the Social Democrats, is three seats ahead of the centre-right governing coalition comprising the liberal conservative Moderate Party, the Christian Democrats and the Liberals, which is supported by the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats. The official election result is expected for Wednesday.
A passenger train travelling from Kyiv to Warsaw was hit by a Russian drone in Ukraine on Sunday. It was not far from the Polish border. The 206 passengers were evacuated without any injuries. A petrol station in the Ukrainian border region with Poland was also hit. Given the proximity of the strikes, the incident is provoking growing concern in Poland.
The heads of government of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland signed a joint declaration on Monday calling for greater self-determination for their regions, which form part of the United Kingdom. Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, called for a new independence referendum for his nation within five years. Commentators assess the significance of the meeting.
US President Donald Trump has promised to pay every adult US citizen 5,000 dollars (around 4,300 euros) if the Republicans win the mid-term elections in November. "If the Republicans win, you win with us and get 5,000 dollars," he said at the Republican Party Convention in Dallas. Europe's press asks how exactly the "Trump dividend" is to be financed.
The US technology group Google has announced plans to invest 13 billion euros in data centres and digital infrastructure in Finland over the next two years. Google emphasised that the investments would encompass "clean energy projects" and the company also plans to support projects aimed at protecting biodiversity and restoring damaged ecosystems. The Finnish press takes stock.
Twenty-five years ago today, Islamist terrorists hijacked four US passenger aircraft and attacked key symbols of American power. Nearly 3,000 people died. The attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon triggered lasting changes in international security and foreign policy. Europe's press discusses the knock-on effects.
In the run-up to the Swedish general election on Sunday, the centre-left opposition comprising the Social Democrats, the Left Party, the Greens and the Centre Party is leading the polls, ahead of the centre-right coalition of Liberal Conservatives, Christian Democrats and Liberals, which cooperates with the right-wing Sweden Democrats (SD). However, both camps have been hit by new scandals shortly before the vote.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has raised its key interest rate from 2.25 to 2.5 percent. Officials said the decision was prompted by inflationary pressure caused by the conflict in the Middle East. Prices are being driven up primarily by the oil price shock resulting from the war in Iran. Commentators see little hope of the situation improving with this measure.