The Israeli military has stepped up its attacks in Gaza since the ceasefire ended. According to the Hamas-controlled authorities more than 800 people have been killed there in the last ten days. In Israel, tens of thousands have taken to the streets to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies, while in the Gaza Strip several hundred have protested against Hamas. This conflict must not be forgotten, warns Europe's press.
Instead of using specially secured channels, Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz shared confidential information in a Signal chat group to which Washington-based journalist Jeffrey Goldberg had also been added. Among other things, the conversation revealed details of the schedule and targets for the airstrike against the Yemeni Houthi militia on 15 March. Commentators examine the various aspects of the fiasco.
Russia and Ukraine are reportedly ready to agree a temporary ceasefire in the Black Sea and with regard to energy infrastructure. The US announced that under the deal the two sides will refrain from attacks on ships and that Washington would comply with Russia's precondition that sanctions on grain and fertiliser exports be eased. Many details remain unclear, commentators emphasise.
Trump is negotiating with Putin on the war in Ukraine and Nato is in an existential crisis as a result of current US policy. The new situation has triggered a lively discussion about rearmament, joint defence and continued support for Kyiv. Europe's media examine the fundamental requirements for a new security model and the problems it poses.
New negotiations on a ceasefire in the war against Ukraine have begun in Saudi Arabia, which are being conducted in a form of shuttle diplomacy: negotiators from Ukraine and the US met first, with a meeting of Russian and US representatives planned next. The talks were constructive and informative, explained Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
London's Heathrow Airport - the busiest in Europe - was brought to a standstill for the whole of Friday due to a power outage caused by a fire at a nearby electricity substation. Around 1,300 flights and 200,000 passengers were affected by the shutdown. British commentators draw different conclusions after the blackout.
Despite a ban on public gatherings, thousands protested in Istanbul on Thursday against the arrest of the city's mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the revocation of his university degree. They see these moves as an attempt by President Erdoğan to eliminate his most dangerous rival. The opposition CHP has said that it will nonetheless designate İmamoğlu as its 2028 presidential candidate - for which a university degree is a prerequisite - on Sunday.
For the first time in years, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has indicated progress in talks on the Cyprus question. In a conference this week both sides agreed on joint initiatives. In addition to opening further checkpoints in the UN Buffer Zone, mines are to be cleared, a youth committee established and joint environmental projects planned and implemented. Further negotiations are planned for July.
Romanian interim president Ilie Bolojan has revealed details of his predecessor Klaus Iohannis's travel expenses which had long been kept under wraps. During his ten years in office, Iohannis made 193 foreign visits which cost Romania's taxpayers almost 23 million euros, and for which he liked to charter luxury jets. Opposition politicians and commentators condemn the exorbitant spending.
Volodymyr Zelensky has consented to refrain from attacks on Russian energy infrastructure for 30 days, in line with a deal negotiated in a phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. Putin had rejected a comprehensive ceasefire proposed by Washington and Kyiv. The US and Russia want to "work quickly on a complete ceasefire", Trump said after the call. US-Ukrainian talks are set to begin in Saudi Arabia on Friday.
Hungary's government aims to eliminate LGBT Pride events in the country: its parliament has passed a bill put forward by the ruling Fidesz party that could potentially make LGBT gatherings illegal, identify participants using facial recognition and subject them to fines of up to 500 euros. Commentators see red.