Eurotopics.net

After a tug of war over responsibilities, France has allowed the migrant rescue ship Ocean Viking to dock in Toulon. Paris had insisted that Italy comply with maritime and international laws according to which it must allow the refugees to disembark, and suspended plans to take in 3,500 migrants from Italy by next summer. But despite the pressure, Italy refused to allow the ship into its ports.

Several dozen Russian opposition members have met in Jabłonna, Poland, to discuss the future of their country. Among the participants were several former State Duma members and city councillors. The aim was to create a "parliament in exile" and to promote a change of system in Russia. The press reaction is unenthusiastic.

With just over a week to go before the FIFA men's World Cup kicks off, debate continues about what attitude to take vis-à-vis host country Qatar, whose World Cup ambassador recently described homosexuality as "damage in the mind". In a letter to the football associations, Fifa boss Gianni Infantino called on participants to focus on the game.

A full day after the US congressional elections the results are still not clear. While the Republicans look set to secure a majority in the House of Representatives, the balance of power in the Senate remains open. In any event, the clear-cut victory of the Republicans predicted by polls has failed to materialise. Europe's press identifies various signals.