Eurotopics.net

The worst fires in many years are now raging in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. President Bolsonaro has accused environmental groups of starting the blazes. Researchers counter that cattle breeders have dramatically increased slash and burn agriculture since Bolsonaro took office in January. Must the world look on helplessly as the rainforest goes up in flames?

The fighting has intensified in the Syrian province of Idlib, which had been declared a de-escalation zone. Supported by Russia, Assad's army is advancing through the rebel-held territory towards the city of Khan Shaykhu, prompting tens of thousands to flee the area. Meanwhile the tensions between Ankara and Moscow have escalated after a Turkish military convoy was hit by an airstrike. Europe's press looks at the reasons for the escalation.

The seaside resort of Biarritz in the South of France is preparing for this weekend's G7 summit with stringent security measures. According to French Minister of the Interior Christoph Castaner, 13,200 police officers will be deployed, with the backing of military anti-terrorism units. A security zone is being set up in the sea. But what problems will the politicians deal with behind the barricades?

Trump has cancelled an official visit to Denmark in September after Copenhagen rejected his offer to buy Greenland. The US president justified the decision citing Prime Minister Frederiksen's "nasty" choice of words after she described the offer as "absurd". Commentators are incensed and speculate on the geopolitical consequences of the dispute.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is meeting with the leaders of key European countries to try to convince them to take the backstop out of the Brexit deal. On Wednesday Angela Merkel signalled Berlin's willingness to talk about the idea. EU Council President Donald Tusk had, however, responded negatively to a letter from Johnson demanding alternatives to the backstop. Commentators are just as divided as politicians on the issue.