Eurotopics.net

In the Czech Republic, the public prosecutor's office has launched a formal investigation into the killings of refugees on the western border of the former Czechoslovakia. Three men are being prosecuted: the ex-Communist Party Secretary General Miloš Jakeš (97), the former prime minister of Czechoslovakia Lubomír Štrougal (95) and former interior minister Vratislav Vajnar (89). The press sees this as a move towards justice finally being done.

More and more companies are luring consumers with sales offers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday before the Christmas shopping season actually begins. Commentators take a critical look at the shopping frenzy mentality that is often encouraged by e-commerce.

According to a report by the World Anti-Doping Agency Wada, Russia has intentionally manipulated doping test results. Its compliance review committee has therefore recommended that Russian athletes be banned from participating in all major sports competitions for four years - an unprecedentedly harsh punitive measure. The final decision is to be made in December. Is a ban justified, and does it make sense?

The European Parliament has elected Ursula von der Leyen as the new President of the EU Commission with nine votes more than she needed. Since the heads of government ignored the actual lead candidates for the top EU post many MEPs only decided to vote for the German politician at the last minute. Reactions in the press to her election are divided.

After ten months in office France's Environment Minister François de Rugy has resigned over a spending scandal. According to French online magazine Mediapart Rugy invited guests to lavish dinners on several occasions at the expense of the state. De Rugy has announced that he will bring an action for libel. Was he condemned prematurely?