Eurotopics.net

After NATO and the US expressed concerns about a potential Russian winter offensive against Ukraine in view of a mass deployment of Russian troops, Russia has reacted by claiming that it is Kyiv that is planning an offensive in the occupied Donbass region. Ukraine denies this. Europe's press sees the situation as similar to 2014 and discusses reasons for the escalation.

The French dictionary Le Robert included the neutral pronoun "iel", a hybrid of the masculine "il" and the feminine "elle", in its digital edition in June. The word is used to designate people who define themselves as neither male nor female. The head of the publishing house has justified its inclusion on the grounds that it is being more and more widely used. The decision is very much a bone of contention.

Austria has become the first EU country to announce mandatory Covid vaccination for all, which will apply from 1 February 2022 at the latest. After that date, the roughly one-third of the population that has so far refused to be vaccinated will face heavy fines. With almost 1,000 Covid cases per 100,000 inhabitants, Austria currently has one of the highest infection rates worldwide. Europe's press is divided on the issue of mandatory vaccination.

Demonstrations against tighter Covid restrictions in several European cities including Rotterdam, Vienna and Zagreb turned violent on the weekend. In Brussels, police used water cannons and tear gas when an initially peaceful demonstration of 35,000 people escalated. Europe's press fears a complete breakdown of social consensus and discusses positive examples.