Eurotopics.net

Annie Ernaux has become the first French woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. The Swedish committee awarded the 82-year-old for the "courage and clinical acuity" of her books which explore the roots, alienation and collective constraints behind her personal memories. Europe's press praises the decision to pay tribute to an intrepid and political writer.

In a debate in the EU Parliament, MEPs have spoken out in favour of admitting Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area as quickly as possible. However, final approval requires a unanimous decision in the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council in December. Romania's press comments on the prospect of the Netherlands vetoing the accession.

Against the backdrop of the protests in Iran, the headscarf has become a key issue in Turkey again. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of CHP, Turkey's largest opposition party, has called for a law guaranteeing the right to wear a headscarf. The secular CHP has fierecly opposed religious symbols in public institutions in the past.

Is Russia really willing to use nuclear weapons in its war against Ukraine? This is the question preoccupying Europe and the world, particularly after video footage showing a convoy of the Russian army's nuclear weapons division on its way to Ukraine began circulating on social media. According to experts, the convoy could just be delivering supplies. Commentators' assessments regarding the seriousness of the situation diverge.

The German government last week agreed on a 200 billion euro gas price cap to cushion the burden of soaring energy costs for consumers and businesses. The move drew heavy criticism from other EU countries and also the EU Commission. Does the relief package give Germany an unfair advantage over other member states?