European Union

The Summer Olympic Games open today in Rio de Janeiro. The run-up to the event has been overshadowed by protests at the torch relay and debate over whether to ban Russian athletes from competing because of the doping scandal. Commentators wonder whether the event hasn't long since lost its lustre.

The Bank of England has cut the benchmark interest rate to a record low of 0.25 percent in a bid to stave off recession after the Brexit vote. In addition it plans to increase purchases of government and corporate bonds. The flood of money has given the country a reprieve but Britain must soon make clear what policies it intends to pursue, commentators write.

In view of Erdoğan's reaction to the failed coup Austrian chancellor Christian Kern has called for the EU membership talks with Turkey to be broken off. An end to the negotiations would have major geopolitical repercussions, some commentators warn. Others show understanding for this break with taboo by a European leader.

Riga's Mayor Nils Ušakovs has been fined by Latvia's State Language Centre for exchanging Facebook comments in Russian with inhabitants of the Latvian capital. Is this punishment justified?