Eurotopics.net

Much is being said about the public appearances of the two US presidential candidates, as well as their scandals in the US election campaign. Commentators on both sides of the Atlantic now take a closer look at the economic policy proposals of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

The Dutch government wants to make it possible for elderly people who are not seriously ill to end their own lives. Loneliness or the loss of independence can cause just as much suffering as illness and are therefore a legitimate reason for assisted suicide, a report put out by the country's Ministries of Health and Justice has found. Commentators ask how far self-determination should be taken.

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?