Eurotopics.net

The Paralympic Games in Tokyo opened on Tuesday with a spectacular show. Sports events for athletes with disabilities have long since left the shadows and entered the spotlight, some commentators rejoice. Others, however, note that despite the new brilliance of the Paralympics, many inequalities still exist.

Following the Taliban's recapture of Afghanistan, European commentators are fundamentally questioning Western involvement in Islamic countries. Is "exporting democracy " a laudable endeavour? A hopeless mission? Or even an imperialist presumption?

At their impromptu meeting on Wednesday, the EU interior ministers could not agree on a joint approach to taking in refugees from Afghanistan. The focus keeps returning to the possibilities for relocation in Afghanistan's neighbouring countries. Is the EU shirking its responsibilities?

After the earthquake in Haiti last weekend, the aid agency Unicef estimates that at least 15 million US dollars are needed to meet the most urgent needs of those affected. Since many localities can only be reached by air, aid deliveries are arriving very slowly. In the face of this disaster, Europe's press debates how sustainable international emergency aid is.