Eurotopics.net

The pressure on Europe is growing as a result of the reduced gas supplies from Russia: in Germany, Economics Minister Robert Habeck has announced that the country will move to stage two of its emergency gas plan. "We are in a gas crisis," Habeck said, warning of further price increases. How to ease the burden for Europeans?

The Austrian government has decided to abolish the compulsory Covid-19 vaccination mandate that has been in place since February. The law and the associated penalties were never applied anyway. Does it make sense to rely on voluntary vaccination?

At least 1,000 people were killed and 1,500 more injured when a mountainous region in eastern Afghanistan was hit by a major earthquake on Wednesday morning. Rescue efforts are complicated by the inaccessibility of the affected region and a lack of equipment. Who has a responsibility to help?

The West has been relatively united in its reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine so far. But beyond the US and Europe, attitudes are not so clear. Beijing has invited the Brics countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to a virtual summit taking place this Thursday. Commentators view the emerging world order from different perspectives.