Eurotopics.net

The crisis that has been smouldering for decades in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo is now coming to a head: the M23 rebel group, supported by neighbouring Rwanda, has overtaken the regional capital Goma. UN peacekeepers have been caught in the crossfire, aid programmes have been suspended and 400,000 people have fled their homes, according to the UN. Riots have also been reported in the capital Kinshasa. What can Europe do?

The Council of Europe's Venice Commission has indirectly issued a warning to Romania following the annulment of its 2024 presidential election. Although the Commission says it does not consider itself responsible for examining this specific case, it recommends that elections only be annulled on the basis of clear, transparent and publicly accessible evidence, and that affected parties be given the opportunity to present their own points of view.

The sale of the 100-hectare former Rákosrendező freight yard by the Hungarian state to the Emirati Eagle Hills Group has led to a conflict between the opposition-led capital and the national government. Also because a company belonging to the municipal authorities has a purchase option on the site - and the city council now wants to exercise it. The national press is also at odds over the megaproject.

Israel and Hamas have agreed on a ceasefire which is to come into force in the Gaza Strip on Sunday. In the first of three phases, 33 Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are to be released in batches. The media look at whether the agreement can bring lasting peace to the region and speculate on the role of US President-elect Donald Trump in the negotiations.