Eurotopics.net

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has authorised the US to impose punitive tariffs on around seven billion euros worth of EU imports per year. The arbitrators approved this as a retaliatory measure against illegal subsidies granted to European aircraft manufacturer Airbus. Following the ruling Washington announced it would impose tariffs on olives, cheese and whisky as well as aircraft. Commentators outline the potential repercussions.

Together with EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has travelled to Ankara to bolster the refugee agreement with Turkey. After Turkey Seehofer will visit Greece to discuss the problem of overcrowded refugee camps. Does the EU need a new concept for dealing with migration?

An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale shook Istanbul last week. Nobody was injured, but scientists have been warning for some time that the region is facing a major earthquake similar to that in 1999, when more than 18,000 people died. Turkish media debate how well prepared for an earthquake the metropolis on the Bosporus is and reach different conclusions.

A year after the gruesome murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Crown Prince Bin Salman has assumed responsibility for the crime in an interview. He rejected accusations that he commissioned the murder, however. Commentators take stock of the reactions from the international community.

Heinz-Christian Strache, former FPÖ leader and Austrian vice-chancellor, has announced his retirement from politics but said that he will remain a member of the party. The FPÖ suspended Strache over the party financing scandal. The right-wing populist party suffered bitter losses in the elections to the National Council on Sunday. Journalists take stock of the party's prospects.