Eurotopics.net

Israel's new ultra-nationalist and far-right Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has provoked criticism with a visit to Jerusalem's Temple Mount. The Mount, with the Al-Aqsa Mosque at the top and the Wailing Wall at the bottom, is the main holy site in Jerusalem for both Jews and Muslims and a highly sensitive issue in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Visits are strictly regulated and this is the first time an Israeli minister has been to the site in five years.

Turkey will hold parliamentary and presidential elections in June - unless they are brought forward. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is being challenged by a six-party alliance that plans to field a joint rival candidate. The opposition also wants to abolish the current presidential system, which gives Erdoğan enormous power. The press weighs up the odds.

The US Republicans, who have held the majority in the House of Representatives since the midterms, failed to elect a speaker on Tuesday. Kevin McCarthy, seen as the more moderate candidate, failed to secure the necessary support after three rounds of voting due to the opposition of 19, and ultimately 20 party colleagues. The House of Representatives cannot function without a speaker. For commentators the GOP is facing a major crisis.

More than a dozen foreign heads of state and government travelled to Brasilia on Sunday to attend Lula da Silva's inauguration ceremony. Expectations are high for the new Brazilian president, who has set his sights on protecting the country's vast Amazon region. But commentators caution against too much optimism.