Eurotopics.net

Tens of thousands of young Europeans have taken up the cause of climate protection in recent weeks. Inspired by the 16-year-old Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg protests have been staged in Belgium, France, Germany and other European states. The fact that some pupils have made a point of protesting during school hours earns them applause from not a few journalists.

The US and the radical Islamist Taliban have agreed on a framework for a peace accord for Afghanistan. According to Washington the deal includes a promise by the Taliban not to allow international terrorists to hide in the country as well as plans for a speedy US troop withdrawal. Commentators turn their attention to the latter aspect in particular.

Investor George Soros has warned of the impact advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence could have in the hands of authoritarian states. He stressed that China's leader Xi Jinping could become the most dangerous threat to democracy - particularly as he is expanding his influence through global investments. Not all commentators agree.

This Tuesday evening the British parliament will vote on amendments to the Brexit deal negotiated by May and the EU which it rejected around two weeks ago. The main points are the removal of the "backstop" and a postponement of the EU exit date to avoid a no-deal Brexit. Journalists show little understanding for the impasse.