Eurotopics.net

US President Donald Trump arrived in London for a state visit on Wednesday. King Charles III welcomed him at Windsor Castle and hosted a state banquet in his honour, and on Thursday Trump is scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Thousands of people took to the streets in London to protest the visit. Commentators waver between unease and approval.

A commission appointed by the UN Human Rights Council has published a report which concludes that four of the five criteria for genocide listed in the UN Genocide Convention have been fulfilled: killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about physical destruction, and imposing measures to prevent births. Reactions in the European press are mixed.

During his inaugural visit to Berlin, the new Polish President Karol Nawrocki reiterated Poland's demand for compensation of 1.3 trillion euros for the period of German occupation during the Second World War. Both German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rejected the demand, saying that in Germany's view the matter is closed from a legal perspective. Commentators take a closer look.

A Hollywood legend has passed away: American actor Robert Redford died on Tuesday at the age of 89. The screen idol starred in numerous blockbusters such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting and Three Days of the Condor. He also did much to promote the independent film scene and was a committed environmental activist. Commentators explain why he will be missed.

The Israeli army has launched a ground offensive in Gaza City that aims to completely eliminate Hamas forces in the area, according to a military spokesman. Hundreds of thousands of residents are trying to flee the city. The EU has called for a stop to the 'cycle of violence, destruction and suffering', while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed doubts that the Gaza war can be ended through diplomatic means.