Eurotopics.net

At a meeting in Saint Petersburg Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have declared that their dispute after the shooting down of a Russian fighter jet last autumn is over. Commentators discuss whether the newly-formed alliance can achieve independence from the West.

First he insulted the Muslim parents of a fallen soldier, now he's accused of inciting violence against his rival Clinton: Donald Trump seems to be endangering his presidential bid with his reckless talk. Some commentators believe the Republican is dangerous. But does that rule him out as a White House hopeful?

The Summer Olympic Games open today in Rio de Janeiro. The run-up to the event has been overshadowed by protests at the torch relay and debate over whether to ban Russian athletes from competing because of the doping scandal. Commentators wonder whether the event hasn't long since lost its lustre.

The Bank of England has cut the benchmark interest rate to a record low of 0.25 percent in a bid to stave off recession after the Brexit vote. In addition it plans to increase purchases of government and corporate bonds. The flood of money has given the country a reprieve but Britain must soon make clear what policies it intends to pursue, commentators write.