Eurotopics.net

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has postponed the controversial reform raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 until January 2028. The idea is to create the confidence needed to develop new solutions, he explained on Tuesday. For the opposition Socialists, who had vigorously pushed for this move, the decision marks a victory. The planned reform led to months of mass protests across the country in 2023.

Donald Trump is becoming more vocal about his frustration over Vladimir Putin's refusal to end the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to visit Trump again on Friday. The delivery of long-range, highly accurate US Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, which has been under discussion for some time, could be finalised at the meeting. What would this mean for Moscow?

Despite the ceremonial signing of a Gaza peace declaration on Monday, Hamas has announced that it will continue its fight against Israel. The terrorist organisation is said to have taken action against armed gangs on the streets of Gaza and has released a video showing several people described as "collaborators" being executed. Commentators voice concern.

A storm is brewing between Washington and Beijing again: China has tightened its restrictions on exports of rare earth metals and related technologies. Exports to third countries now require approval from Beijing. US President Donald Trump has responded by threatening to impose a 100 percent punitive tariff on Chinese goods as of 1 November. Is the world facing a new trade war between the two economic giants?

Following last Thursday's approval by Israel and Hamas on an agreement which includes the release of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire, the mediating states signed an accord on Gaza in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday, after more than two years of war. Further steps towards peace are now to be negotiated. Commentators voice a mixture of scepticism and hope.