European Union

The EU's Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová has put pressure on Facebook to disclose further details of the massive security breach that impacted around fifty million users last week.

Italy's coalition government made up of the Five Star Movement and the League wants to add 27 billion euros to the public debt to finance the expansion of the welfare state. The money, which amounts to 2.4 percent of the GDP, would be used to fund basic security benefits for the poor and an early retirement scheme. EU Commissioner for Economic Affairs Pierre Moscovici called Italy's fresh debt plans "explosive". Commentators, too, warn of consequences that could rock the entire EU.

The referendum on the future name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Fyrom) has failed owing to low voter turnout. Since the vote wasn't binding the issue can now be presented to parliament for it to give its verdict. Commentators are still hopeful that the compromise negotiated with Athens will be successful.

Turkish President Erdoğan's three-day visit to Berlin and Cologne ended on the weekend. Despite harsh criticism from the German president and chancellor, Erdoğan concluded that the visit had been successful. It did not amount to a fresh start in relations between the two nations, some commentators say. Others call for the dialogue to continue.

The US Senate's Judiciary Committee heard the testimony of several women regarding allegations of sexual harassment against Republican Supreme Court candidate Brett Kavanaugh. The Committee then recommended Kavanaugh's nomination. The very fact that the hearings took place at all is already a success for the MeToo movement, some commentators stress. Others believe there is still too much tolerance for sexism in the US.

British Prime Minister May and former foreign secretary Johnson are at loggerheads as the Conservative Party conference gets underway. In an interview with The Sunday Times Johnson called May's Brexit plans ridiculous and the result of mental confusion. He himself proposed a free trade agreement with the EU and a bridge between Ireland and Britain. Who will win out?