Eurotopics.net

The UK plans to drastically tighten its asylum law. British Home Secretary Priti Patel spoke of the "most radical changes in decades". The plans include life imprisonment for smugglers, the interception of boats on the open sea and reception centres in third countries. Anyone entering the country illegally will have fewer rights from the outset. Not only aid organisations are appalled.

Two weeks after losing a vote of no confidence and one week after resigning, Sweden's Social Democratic Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has been re-elected by a narrow majority. The vote of no confidence was initiated by the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats after the Social Democrats and the Left Party had a falling-out. Observers point to numerous flaws in Sweden's political landscape.

As the US and Nato troops withdraw from Afghanistan, the Taliban are expanding their influence in the country. They recently seized ten districts in the south and have surrounded almost all the major cities in the country. On Sunday night 1,037 Afghan soldiers crossed into Tajikistan after fighting on the border. Commentators are reminded of earlier interventions and the mood is pessimistic.

After 27 years at the helm of Amazon, the founder of the e-commerce giant Jeff Bezos handed over the reins to its new CEO Andy Jassy this week. Bezos will continue to hold considerable sway as the company's executive chairman but wants to devote more time to his various foundations and will be flying into space on 20 July. Europe's press looks back on a success story marked by innovative zeal and ruthlessness.