Eurotopics.net

Although the Polish government coalition collapsed over the issue, the majority of the Sejm deputies passed a controversial media law on Wednesday. It is widely seen as aiming to revoke the licence of the anti-government broadcasting network TVN. Commentators discuss the tense relations between Poland and the US and the increasingly frequent comparisons with the style of government in Hungary.

Since the withdrawal of international troops, the Taliban have advanced faster than expected, taking control of the country's third-largest city Herat on Thursday and its second-largest city Kandahar just a few hours later. The US and the UK have sent troops to Kabul to ensure diplomats can leave the country safely. Commentators discuss whether the Taliban's onslaught can still be stopped.

Latvia has followed Lithuania's example and also declared a state of emergency in a bid to stop refugees from entering the country via Belarus. Brussels has accused Lukashenka of deliberately sending Iraqis on to the two Baltic states to put pressure on the EU because of the sanctions it has imposed. The Latvian border is now closed, but some commentators stress that this is not enough.

Although the Polish government coalition was collapsed over the issue, the majority of the Sejm deputies passed a controversial media law on Wednesday. Many believe the legislation is aimed at revoking the licence of the anti-government broadcasting network TVN. Now the law must be approved by the second chamber of the Polish parliament, where the opposition has a tiny majority. Commentators see scope for the EU to intervene and contradict a frequently cited comparison.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is facing new charges. He has now been charged with founding an organisation that infringes on civil rights. The application of the law, which is normally aimed at cults, could add another three years to his prison term. Earlier this year, Navalny was sentenced to several years' imprisonment that would end in 2023 on other charges.