Eurotopics.net

A global investigative journalism project has revealed that governments around the world have used the Israeli Pegasus spy software to spy on journalists, activists and opposition members. Hungarian media workers were also affected. Pegasus manufacturer NSO maintained that the software could only be used to fight crime and terrorism and was only sold to "vetted governments". Such reassurances are not enough for Europe's press.

In Romania, Liviu Dragnea, former leader of the social democratic PSD and president of the Romanian parliament, has been released early from prison. He was seens as the string-puller for various government coalitions before he was sentenced to three and a half years in prison in 2018 for inciting abuse of office - of which he has served two years and two months. Commentators discuss what comes next for the former political heavyweight.

Two children playing outside were injured in a shooting in the Stockholm suburb of Huddinge on the weekend. Nine people have been arrested in connection with the incident, one of whom is just 17 years old. Investigators suspect the shooting was an accident. Sweden's press examines how the country is faring in the fight against gang crime and harsh conditions in the suburbs.

More than 180 people have perished in devastating floods in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, and many more are still missing. While in many places evacuees can now return to their homes, others have lost everything. Europe's press discusses the role of climate protection in reducing the risk of such disasters.