Eurotopics.net

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has concluded a three-day trip to Africa, where migration was one of the main topics during talks with the governments of Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia. The arrival of refugees is a major bone of contention in Spain, as a glance at the national press shows.

Despite the warrant for his arrest put out by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to travel to Mongolia on Tuesday. Ulan Bator recognises the court's authority and would therefore be obliged to arrest Putin. However, spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that the friendly relations between the two countries means that the Kremlin is 'not worried'.

The European press is closely following developments ahead of Sunday's state elections in Saxony and Thuringia. Commentators are seeking explanations for the high poll ratings of the AfD, which is classified as a suspected right-wing extremist party by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, and the new Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW). There is also advice on hand for what will likely be complicated coalition negotiations after the votes are counted.

Israel has launched a major military operation in the West Bank; at least nine Palestinians have been killed so far, apparently including a Hamas fighter. The UN sharply criticised the operation for causing unnecessary loss of life and called for the protection of civilians. Israel has declared that it is looking for those behind an attempted suicide bombing on 18 August and has accused Iran of trying to establish a terrorist network in the West Bank.