Eurotopics.net

Sport in the shadow of war: the Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan refused to shake hands with her Russian adversary Anna Smirnova, who was competing as a neutral athlete at the Fencing World Championships in Milan - and was disqualified. Later the fencing federation FIE backpedalled. Kharlan was readmitted to the team competition - and the handshake is no longer obligatory.

The ECB has raised the key interest rate again by 0.25 percentage points to 4.25 percent. The goal of this ninth increase within a year is to reduce inflation in the Eurozone - which currently stands at 5.5 percent - to 2 percent. Commentators voice understanding for the move but also concern about a recession.

An elite military unit in Niger has deposed the country's president, Mohamed Bazoum. The military leadership then sided with coup plotters. Under Bazoum's rule Niger was considered a key partner of the US and Europe in the region, as a glance at the reactions in the commentary columns of the press confirms.