Eurotopics.net

The row over which countries should take in refugees from Afghanistan is in full swing. So far the EU member states have been unable to agree on a joint approach, but there is a consensus on sending money to the country's neighbouring states to help finance the cost of them taking in fleeing Afghans - a solution that does not convince commentators.

Idrak Mirzalizade, a Belarusian comedian, has been sentenced to ten days in jail in Moscow, declared an "undesirable person" and expelled from Russia for life. The judges ruled that he had insulted Russians as an ethnic group on a TV talk show when he used crude words to joke about non-Slavs facing discrimination when trying to rent apartments.

Although Europe has plenty of vaccines, fewer and fewer people want to be vaccinated against coronavirus. Some politicians and doctors are accusing those who refuse the jab of selfishness, laziness and irresponsibility. Current regulations also exempt the vaccinated from testing obligations in many places, while those who haven't been vaccinated must now pay for rapid tests.

On Sunday evening, four weeks before Germany's parliamentary elections, the most promising chancellor candidates Armin Laschet (CDU), Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Annalena Baerbock (The Greens) shared their views on key campaign issues in a televised debate. Commentators are divided over just how bold the candidates' statements on climate policy were.

The situation in Afghanistan remains dangerous: the Taliban's deadline for the Western forces' evacuation operations expires tomorrow even though thousands are still stranded at Kabul Airport. France's President Emmanuel Macron has called for a safe zone around Kabul, and the EU will discuss the situation again on Tuesday. Europe's press examines whether - and how - it might be possible to negotiate with the Taliban.