Eurotopics.net

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.

Pavel Durov, the Russian billionaire and founder and CEO of messaging service Telegram who also holds French citizenship, has been arrested on entering France. He is accused of doing too little to combat the use of Telegram for criminal activities such as drug trafficking, fraud and sexualised violence against children and of not cooperating with the investigating authorities.