Eurotopics.net

Two devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela last week, claiming more than 1,400 lives and leaving tens of thousands injured, missing or homeless. Entire blocks of buildings collapsed. Rescue teams from within the country and abroad continue the search for survivors. Commentators see more in play here than a spontaneous readiness to help.

Several European countries are recording the hottest temperatures for June in decades – and in some cases the hottest since records began. Many regions are on the highest level of heat alert. Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said that we would see more of what we've been seeing over the past few days. The press discusses responsibilities and solutions.

The European Commission has hosted a meeting with representatives of the Taliban in Brussels for the first time. The talks focused on the deportation of Afghans from Europe and increasing the number of the Islamist group's diplomats in the EU. Human rights activists protested against the visit. Europe's press is divided.

Since the energy blockade imposed by the US at the start of the year, Cuba's already struggling economy has been plunged into crisis. In a bid to ease the situation, the leadership in Havana has presented a 176-point plan to open up the economy, modelled on state capitalism as practised in China and Vietnam. Europe's press takes stock.