The radical Islamist Taliban, who after returning to power have ruled Afghanistan for the past three years, have continued to restrict freedom and human rights. A new law 'to prevent vice and promote virtue' prohibits women from singing or reading aloud in public. The law also introduces stricter dress codes for women and men and bans homosexuality, music and extramarital relationships.
The Hezbollah militia says it has fired more than 320 rockets at Israel in the 'first phase' of the announced response to the killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr just under a month ago. Immediately before the attack, the Israeli military launched pre-emptive strikes against dozens of militia positions in Lebanon. Europe's press weighs up the risk of further escalation.
Three people were killed and several more injured at a festival celebrating diversity and the 650th anniversary of the city of Solingen in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany on Friday. The suspected perpetrator, a Syrian national thought to be a supporter of the Islamic State, is said to have deliberately stabbed the victims' necks and upper bodies. A heated debate about the causes and consequences has ensued.
Forecasts anticipate record numbers of tourists and tourism revenues in Europe for 2024. Yet a growing number of holiday destinations are complaining about the negative consequences of the boom, for example for the environment and the housing market, but also for the experience of tourists themselves. Commentators weigh up possible countermeasures and existing role models.
After visiting Warsaw, India's prime minister Narendra Modi has continued on to Kyiv for talks. India maintains good contacts with both the West and Moscow and is calling for a peaceful solution to the Ukraine war through dialogue. This has provoked speculation about whether Modi might want to act as mediator. Commentators discuss the pragmatics.
The US, Qatar and Egypt will meet in Cairo to continue negotiations to prevent further escalation in the Middle East. The peace plan envisages a ceasefire with an exchange of hostages and prisoners, followed by a withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip. Commentators voice more doubts than hope.
This Thursday evening, the Democratic National Convention in Chicago will close with a speech by presidential candidate Kamala Harris. In the run-up to the event, Harris had presented the key points of her economic policy. With an eye on the presidential election in November, Europe's press assesses where Harris and the Democrats stand.
Ukraine claims to have advanced over 30 kilometres into the Russian Kursk region and destroyed or damaged three important bridges. According to Ukrainian President Zelensky, the goal of the offensive is to increase the pressure on Russia and to create a buffer zone. Europe's media ask whether the strategy is working.
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine more than half a million people have left Russia. President Vladimir Putin has now issued a new law to reduce the once high immigration hurdles. The aim is to make Russia attractive to citizens from states where "traditional values" are being repressed. The press ridicules the idea.
One and a half months after the left-wing alliance Nouveau Front populaire (NFP) won the most seats in the French parliamentary elections, the government building process is still in limbo. On Friday President Macron – whose camp is seeking a centrist "republican front" to prevent the left-wing populist LFI from joining the government – will receive the NFP's prime ministerial candidate Lucie Castets. Commentators have varying degrees of patience.