Eurotopics.net

There were more violent protests by right-wing extremists in the UK on the weekend, triggered by a knife attack in which a 17-year-old allegedly killed three girls and seriously injured several other people in the seaside town of Southport last Monday. Online misinformation according to which the perpetrator was a Muslim asylum seeker fuelled the protests. Europe's press looks for answers.

In response to Iran's threats to retaliate for the assassination of Hamas leader Haniyeh in Tehran, Israel has reportedly put its military on high alert in preparation for an attack that may involve not only Iran and the Hezbollah but also Yemeni Houthis and militias in Iraq and Syria. Europe's media speculate on what lies ahead.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has rejected the EU Commission's criticism of the state of press freedom in her country. In a letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, she defended herself against the accusations and criticised certain media, describing them as "stakeholders" who had influenced the Commission. Commentators weigh in.

The largest prisoner exchange between Western states and Russia since the end of the Cold War took place last week. Russia and Belarus released 16 prisoners, including US journalist Evan Gershkovich, Russian human rights activist Oleg Orlov and opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza. Ten prisoners were handed over to Russia, including Vadim Krassikov, also known in Germany as the 'Tiergarten killer'.