Afghanistan's Taliban authorities responded on Monday (26 August) to international criticism of recently codified morality rules, saying rejecting the legislation without understanding Islamic law showed "arrogance".

At least 73 people were killed in Pakistan's province of Balochistan when separatist militants attacked police stations, railway lines and highways and security forces launched retaliatory operations, officials said on Monday (26 August).

China’s aggressive industrial strategy, characterised by significant subsidies and overcapacity, is increasingly putting it on a collision course with Germany’s leading export industries, particularly in sectors such as automotive and machinery.

Russian efforts to undermine European unity and security are having some effect, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský told the country's ambassadors on Monday (26 August), as Prime Minister Petr Fiala called for a deeper discussion on how to counter these threats.

The German government, under after increasing pressure by the opposition and upcoming state elections following a deadly stabbing, vows to increase deportation numbers, dismissing calls to fundamentally change its migration policy.

Subsidised Chinese exports increasingly threaten the viability of German top exporters on global markets, putting the two countries on a “collision course”, experts have told Euractiv.

Bulgarian parties must submit their nominations for the country's new European Commissioner by the end of the week, caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev urged on Monday, as continuing political instability and preparations for snap elections in October have delayed the process. Caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev asked on Monday the parliamentary political formations to nominate candidates for a new Bulgarian commissioner before the government makes the final choice.

The arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in Paris has nothing to do with restricting free speech, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP), costing €121 million to tackle mpox over the next six months.

Talks around the 'incentives-cluster' within the EU's pharma legislation remain wide open, with Athens supporting the so-called 'delinked option', says Aris Angelis, Secretary General for Strategic Planning of the Greek health ministry.

Fugitive Moldovan oligarchs Ilan Shor and Veaceslav Platon spent around €136,000 in the last three months on Facebook campaigns to spread panic, discredit Moldova's EU integration process and boost Russia's image, WatchDog.MD experts have found.

"It's Raining Men" is a disco anthem of the 1980s by the American musical duo The Weather Girls, celebrating female empowerment and liberation. It became a number-one dance hit in the US and other countries in cover versions by other artists, to mention only The Pointer Sisters.

Member states have until next week to submit their views to the European Commission on a proposal for a common definition of biocontrol products, which stakeholders say could help speed up the approval process.

The Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) fined Uber for transferring European taxi drivers' personal data to the US  without proper protection for over two years, violating the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the authority announced on Monday (26 August).

As Belgium is still locked in negotiations to form its federal government, the question of the appointment of the future European Commissioner - and the fate of current Belgian Commissioner Didier Reynders - is being raised with increasing urgency as the fateful date approaches.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares (PSOE/S&D) on Monday demanded that Venezuela "immediately" publish the results of last July's elections, under the threat that Spain could impose sanctions on the South American country.

Europe boasts some of the world’s most renowned spirits, from French cognac to Scottish whisky, but consumer tastes are shifting—mixing spirits and the rise of low and non-alcohol options are reshaping the industry due to pressure from economic challenges.

A hotly anticipated speech by a top European Central Bank official at the Jackson Hole annual US central bankers’ summit in Wyoming on Saturday (24 August) failed to provide significant guidance on the European bank’s future rate path, analysts say.

Germany’s biggest solar panel producer, Meyer Burger, will not close down its plant and move to the US, the company announced on Monday (26 August).

In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Slovak shops reporting a rise in shoplifting, the government of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk promising shorter working weeks, and so much more.