Eurotopics.net

The Fifa Men's World Cup kicks off with the match between Mexico and South Africa today. A record 48 teams will compete in over 100 games across the three host nations: Mexico, Canada and the US. Europe's press notes that many of the organisers' decisions seem at odds with the values that the sport is supposed to embody.

Last Sunday marked the 100th day of the US and Israel's war against Iran. Despite the agreed ceasefire, military clashes between Washington and Tehran continue to occur. In addition, Lebanon remains a flashpoint where Israel and Hezbollah are engaged in fierce fighting. Commentators paint a grim picture of the situation in the Middle East.

A second night of rioting has rocked Northern Ireland after a video of a knife attack which left a man seriously injured on Monday was circulated online. The incident has triggered mass anti-immigration protests, with vehicles and buildings being set on fire. According to the police, the suspected perpetrator is a 30-year-old man from Sudan.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree giving a Ukrainian army unit the honorary title "Heroes of the UPA". However, in Poland the nationalist Ukrainska Povstanska Armiia (UPA) or Ukrainian Insurgent Army is notorious for the mass murder of civilians during WW II. Polish President Karol Nawrocki and his predecessor Lech Wałęsa are now calling for Zelensky to be stripped of the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest state honour, which he was awarded in 2023. Can the rift be bridged?

Germany's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027 and 2028 has failed. In the secret ballot held in the General Assembly, Portugal and Austria secured the necessary two-thirds majorities with 134 and 131 votes respectively while only 104 states voted in favour of Germany's bid, which is customarily submitted every eight years. The media examine the reasons for this defeat.