Eurotopics.net

Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt (BER) opened on Saturday. The airport's construction was marred by numerous fiascos and scandals and its inauguration, originally planned for 2011, was postponed six times, with the costs tripling to around six billion euros. So even before the pandemic there were no plans for a big inauguration ceremony. Europe's commentators are not inclined to celebrate, either.

Roughly three million of Slovakia's five million inhabitants were tested for coronavirus on the weekend. The unusual initiative, which is to be continued next weekend, attracted international attention, as it could potentially serve as a model for other countries. The reactions in Slovakia's press vary widely.

France has raised the terror alert level to the maximum "emergency" level nationwide after an alleged Islamist killed three people in a church in Nice. Alluding to tensions with Turkey and others, Macron said France would not give in to terror in the battle over values. Just over a fortnight ago, the government had announced a crackdown on Islamism and adopted a harsher rhetoric vis-à-vis Muslims. What is the right response to the attack?

Skyrocketing infection figures and the simultaneously increasing availability of various types of coronavirus tests are fuelling the discussion about the role of the proper testing strategy in the struggle against the pandemic. Slovakia's plans have attracted attention in this regard. But the commentators are already at odds over the wisest approach to testing.

Whether the topic is coronavirus, terror or immigration policy: fake news, filter bubbles and targeted disinformation have become a fixture in the media - via video channels and social media and even established publications at times. Commentators seek suitable countermeasures and examine why so many people are being duped by fake news.