Eurotopics.net

After the US's withdrawal from the Syria talks and Russia's veto on a UN resolution, relations between the two major powers are at a new low point. US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet in Lausanne on Saturday in an attempt to defuse the tensions. Commentators assess the chances for détente and a ceasefire in Syria.

A leaked British Treasury report warns that Britain would lose billions of euros per year as a result of a hard Brexit. But this didn't stop Prime Minister Theresa May from announcing a hard break with the EU last week. Commentators discuss the consequences and say it's not too late for Britain to change course.

After the publication of a video in which Donald Trump makes disparaging comments about women, even leading Republicans have distanced themselves from their candidate. In the TV debate with his Democratic rival he apologised for the statements and then went back on the offensive. Commentators assess Trump's chances of getting the keys to the White House after this latest scandal.

Just a week ago the people of Colombia rejected his peace deal with the Farc rebels; now he has been named as the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has been distinguished for his efforts to end the civil war in his country. Is the prize going to the right person this year?

The UN Security Council concluded its meeting on Saturday without passing a resolution on Syria. Last week tensions between Washington and Moscow had already escalated over the situation in the country. The press finds the situation very worrying.

Hungary's biggest opposition newspaper Népszabadság was closed in a surprise move on Saturday. The owner announced that the paper was losing too much money, but the employees claim the closure was a putsch. The liberal daily was unflagging in its critical reporting on the Orbán government. Should Hungary fear the loss of its press freedom?