Eurotopics.net

The British government has presented a plan for drastic changes to UK asylum laws aimed at deterring people from crossing the English Channel in small boats to enter the country. Under the planned legislation, migrants arriving via this route would be deported to their country of origin or a third country without judicial review. Because the law contradicts the international right to asylum, commentators are sceptical about whether the plan is at all realistic.

The investigation into who carried out the attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines continues. Journalistic research has now revealed that the findings of intelligence services point to Ukraine. According to these investigations, a pro-Ukrainian group may have carried out the attack. For Europe's press, the mystery is far from being solved.

A government bill in Georgia has sparked mass demonstrations. Under the law, which bears strong similarities to Russian legislation, media and NGOs that receive money from abroad would be classified as foreign agents. On Thursday morning, the government withdrew the bill. The comments in Europe's press - written before the withdrawal - highlight what is at stake here.

The Turkish opposition alliance made up of six parties has agreed on CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as its joint presidential candidate after almost splitting up over the issue on the weekend. Commentators assess the candidate's prospects.

In France, the string of nationwide strikes and demonstrations against the government's pension reform plans continues. According to the authorities, 1.3 million people took to the streets across the country on Tuesday. Long-distance and local trains were cancelled, teachers staged walkouts and refineries were blocked. What does this fierce resistance mean?