Eurotopics.net

US President Trump has once again made the headlines with attacks against the media. This time he called journalists "horrible, horrendous people" and said much of the press was an "enemy of the people". While some commentators say it's just a matter of time before Trump gets caught in the trap of his own lies, others warn that his excesses must not become the norm.

The UK's ex-foreign minister Boris Johnson has said in a column commenting on Denmark's burqa ban that women wearing full-body veils looked like "letter boxes" and "bank robbers". In the text for the daily The Telegraph he spoke out against the ban but described the clothing as "absolutely ridiculous". Are these the words of a free thinker or a racist provocation?

US President Donald Trump has warned companies against trading with Iran in spite of the US sanctions. "Anyone doing business with Iran will NOT be doing business with the United States", Trump posted on Twitter. Commentators see his comment as an attack on the sovereignty of the US's European allies, and believe that in the end it is the US that will suffer most as a result of its newfound isolationism.

After the devastating fires which claimed more than 90 lives the Greek government has announced plans to have buildings that were constructed without permits torn down. In the village of Mati the fences and walls of such buildings had blocked the escape routes of people fleeing the fires. To begin with, over 3,200 buildings in the resorts around Athens are to be knocked down. The Greek press takes a sceptical view of the plan.

Left-wing student and civil rights movements came to a head in many countries 50 years ago. The so-called "68ers" championed democracy, social freedom, emancipation, the environment and other causes.

The EU has taken action to protect companies affected by the US sanctions against Iran and compensate them for losses incurred. The blocking statute also provides for the possibility of companies that comply with the trade restrictions being punished. Commentators are delighted with the EU's feisty stance but doubt the law will have the desired effect.