Eurotopics.net

Although roughly three million hectares of forest are burning in Siberia, firefighting measures were initially undertaken in just three percent of the surface area. Smoke now hangs over many cities and clearly also poses a major threat to the global climate. The situation has prompted Putin to call in the Russian army to help tackle the fires. Russian commentators ask in dismay why this action was so long in coming.

The contest is in full swing. Six female and fourteen male politicians from the Democratic Party who hope to be chosen to challenge Donald Trump - and will have to convince US voters in the next stage - have faced off in two televised evening debates. Only those who scored at least two percent and have secured the backing of at least 130,000 donors will be invited to take part in the third round. How will the Democrats position themselves for the 2020 presidential election?

In reaction to France's introduction of a digital tax that will mainly affect the technology giants Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon (Gafa), US President Donald Trump has threatened to tax French wine. While some commentators voice concern for French wine producers, others focus on the sensitivities of the US economy.

Epaminondas Korkoneas, sentenced to life imprisonment for the 2008 murder of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos, has been released from prison. In a new ruling Korkoneas's lack of a previous criminal record has been recognised as a mitigating circumstance. Does the court's decision legitimise violence?