Eurotopics.net

US President Donald Trump reportedly pressed his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in a phone call to launch an investigation against the son of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. Trump apparently promised Zelensky something in return, but it is not known what. Commentator discuss the consequences of the affair for Biden and Zelensky.

A photo showing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wearing brownface makeup and dressed as Aladdin has compromised the liberal politician in the midst of an election campaign. The picture was taken in 2001 at a costume party with the theme of the Arabian Nights. Trudeau apologised for the makeup, saying he didn't think it was racist at the time. Is too much being made of the story?

The Bucharest Court of Appeal has upheld a ruling by the National Council for the Study of Securitate Archives (CNSAS) according to which the former Romanian head of state Traian Băsescu worked as an informant for the Securitate, Romania's communist-era secret police. As president, Băsescu promoted the process of opening up the Securitate files. Commentators take different views of his term in office.

The Fridays for Future movement has called a global climate strike for this Friday. Greta Thunberg will take part in the march in New York, where the UN Climate Change Summit will kick off on Monday. Less consumption or more capitalism? Radical action or peaceful protest? Europe's journalists puzzle over how to go about saving the planet.

The New Yorker has published a highly controversial essay on climate change by US author Jonathan Franzen. In the piece Franzen calls on humanity to prepare for the consequences of climate change, which he says can no longer be prevented. Not all commentators agree.