Russian President Vladimir Putin was sworn in for a fifth term at a ceremony in the Kremlin on Tuesday. The 71-year-old will now rule the country for another six years. Russia will emerge stronger from this difficult time, Putin promised during the ceremony, which many EU representatives did not attend. Commentators are critical in their assessments.

The radical Islamic Hamas says it has agreed to a mediated proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by saying that the proposal fell far short of Israel's demands but that he would send a high-ranking negotiating delegation to Egypt. In the meantime he is allowing the Rafah offensive to continue. The Israeli army has now gained control of parts of the city and of the Palestinian side of the border crossing.

China's head of state Xi Jinping is visiting Europe. At a meeting with Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen in Paris on Monday, the EU Commission President accused Xi of "flooding" Europe's market with subsidised goods and threatened to take "tough measures" and push for "fair and not distorted" competition with China. Xi visited Serbia on Tuesday and is in Hungary today, Wednesday. Commentators discuss how the Chinese leader and EU leaders are measuring up.

Last year Spain created 780,000 new jobs, more than ever before, accounting for 44 percent of all new jobs in the Eurozone. One factor behind this positive trend is probably the strong economic growth of 2.5 percent. Nonetheless, the country's unemployment rate is still the highest in the EU, particularly among young workers.

Four days after the attack on Saxony's leading SPD candidate for the European elections, Matthias Ecke (41) is still recovering in hospital. He was assaulted by four men while putting up election posters and had to undergo surgery. Other parties have also reported violent incidents and attempts at intimidation during the election campaign. What's going on?

Mass protests against the adoption of a "foreign agent" law, which stipulates that media and organisations that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad must disclose their income, are gaining momentum in Georgia. In March 2023, protests against a similar bill ultimately led to its withdrawal. What to make of the current developments - not least in light of Georgia's recently acquired EU candidate status?

The Tories have suffered a crushing defeat in local elections in England and Wales, losing around half of their seats, while Labour made gains in key areas. Commentators take stock with an eye to the general election, which will be held in January 2025 at the latest.

The EU plans to pay one billion euros in aid to Lebanon in exchange for its help in curbing the illegal immigration of Syrians to Europe, in particular via Cyprus. The agreement follows similar deals with Egypt, Tunisia and Mauritania. Commentators criticise the choice of partner and the timing, as well as this type of deal in general.

To mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, Reporters Without Borders has published a report with a ranking comparing the situation for journalists in 180 countries in areas such as safety, independence and access to information. Commentators warn of potential dangers but also see cause for optimism.

On 1 May 2004, the European Union gained ten new member states when Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Cyprus joined. What are the results?

For more than 130 years people have demonstrated for better working conditions and wages every year on 1 May. Europe's press looks at the significance of the public holiday, the importance of work today, and how to improve the situation for workers.

Dublin has blamed the controversial Rwanda deal in the UK for a surge in the number of asylum seekers arriving in Ireland. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak categorically rejected any discussion about their returning from Ireland to the UK, pointing out that Paris has also been intransigent towards London on this issue. Commentators see a dispute in which there are many losers and no winners.