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.

The Bundestag passed a controversial reform of the debt brake enshrined in the German Basic Law with the required two-thirds majority on Tuesday. This clears the way for a massive boost in defence and security spending and the creation of a special fund for infrastructure and climate protection measures – provided the Bundesrat also approves the plan on Friday. The press is at odds over the move.

Israel began carrying out air strikes in the Gaza Strip again on Tuesday night. More than 400 people have been killed so far, according to Palestinian sources. The ceasefire that has been in place since January was supposed to have entered a second, extended phase, but Israel would only agree to this if Hamas released all remaining hostages, disarmed and relinquished control of the Gaza Strip, which it has refused to do.

The British government has announced massive cuts to welfare with a view to reducing spiralling government spending on benefits for people with long-term illnesses and limited working capacity, and also increasing incentives to work. The national press voices both understanding and harsh criticism.

The second phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin since Trump took office is scheduled for today, Tuesday. The main topic will be the US-Ukrainian proposal for a ceasefire, initially planned to last 30 days. Commentators assess the various elements of a potential agreement and the challenges facing Europe and Ukraine.

With its US partnership on the rocks, the EU is looking for new ways to bolster its defence. One option is to involve Turkey, with its strong army and arms industry. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has reportedly suggested that EU member states seek closer cooperation with Erdoğan. Turkey's strong man, for his part, has repeatedly stressed the 'strategic priority' of Turkey joining the EU. Is a major deal in the pipeline?

Donald Trump has issued a presidential order stipulating massive cuts to Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and other US international broadcasters. According to media reports, around 1,300 employees have already been placed on administrative leave. Since the Cold War, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has played a key role as an independent voice in autocracies and dictatorships worldwide. Commentators discuss how to respond.

More than 100,000 demonstrators marched against corruption under President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade on Saturday. Observers talk of this being the biggest popular rally since the fall of Slobodan Milošević 25 years ago. The months-long unrest was triggered by the fatal collapse of a roof at Novi Sad train station, which has been blamed on shoddy construction and cronyism. Europe's press chimes in.