Eurotopics.net

There is finally some movement in the stalled negotiations over a European refugee policy: Fourteen EU states are backing a German-French proposal for compromise on how to distribute migrants rescued in the Mediterranean, with eight of them even promising active engagement. But Italy is refusing to agree to the solution. Commentators see this as a huge stumbling block.

Britain is calling for a European naval mission to protect merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf. The initiative comes after Iran seized the British tanker Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz last week. How much sense does such a mission make?

The Czech Senate is accusing President Miloš Zeman of violating the country's constitution on several counts, one of them being his refusal for the past eight weeks to nominate a new Social Democrat cultural minister. Commentators wonder what Zeman is up to.

Following his election as Tory leader Boris Johnson will take over as British Prime Minister today, Wednesday. Johnson reaffirmed his intention of delivering Brexit by 31 October. While some commentators are unable to conceal their horror, others stress that his election could have its advantages.

After last month went down as the hottest June meteorologists have ever recorded, July is now bringing the next heatwave for Europe. Researchers say such weather phenomena will become increasingly frequent due to climate change. Commentators discuss whether we need to change our approach to motivating people to protect the climate.