From the capitals
EU border agency trials high tech controls as Afghan fighting spreads
The EU's border agency is trialling new high-tech surveillance equipment to detect migrant boats, just as rapid gains by Taliban fighters in Afghanistan have raised the prospect of a surge in people fleeing to Europe.
Greece appoints new minister to handle wildfire aftermath
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Friday appointed a new minister in charge of recovery from natural disasters in a bid to defuse growing anger over the struggle to curb wildfires that have charred thousands of hectares of forest.
US, UK to launch evacuation flights as Taliban advance across Afghanistan
The United States and Britain ordered Friday (13 August) the deployment of thousands of troops to Afghanistan to evacuate their nationals, as the Taliban overran more key regional cities in an offensive that has left the capital dangerously exposed.
EU foreign policy chief urges Afghan government to work with Taliban
The Afghan government should engage with the Taliban to reach an inclusive settlement, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday (12 August) as the militant group made rapid gains amid spiralling violence and worries of a refugee crisis.
Macron orders bike check U-turn to placate weary French
France's transport ministry hit the brakes on an order for the nation's army of motorbikers to get their machines tested every two years, after President Emmanuel Macron got wind of the plan.
EU to propose legislation on common mobile charger in September
The European Commission will next month present legislation to establish a common charger for mobile phones and other electronic devices within the 27-nation bloc, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday (12 August).
Algeria combats wildfires, observes day of mourning
Blazes raged across northern Algeria on Thursday (12 August) as the country observed a national day of mourning for dozens of people killed in the latest wildfires to sweep the Mediterranean.
Spain says EU rejects its request to change power pricing mechanism
The European Commission has rejected a Spanish request to change the rules that underpin member states' electricity markets as power prices in the country hit record highs, Spain's Energy and Environment Minister Teresa Ribera said on Thursday (12 August).
Pogroms attest of growing anti-Syrian sentiments in Turkey
Turkish police detained dozens of people on Thursday (12 August) after a mob of angry men smashed up shops and cars believed to belong to Syrian migrants in the capital Ankara.
Brussels slams Polish bill, urges EU media freedom act
European Commision vice-president for values and transparency Vera Jourová slammed Poland's planned new media law on Thursday and called for an EU act to protect press freedom.
EU urges all major economies to raise climate goals by November summit
The European Union's top diplomat on Thursday called on the world's biggest economies to set tougher climate targets - including a commitment to eliminate their greenhouse gas emissions - in time for a global climate summit in November.
Nordic countries to offer asylum for Afghan staff as France suspends expulsions of migrants
Roughly 45 Afghans employed by Denmark in the conflict-hit country will be offered temporary asylum as international troops withdraw, with other Nordic countries set to follow suit.
Polish lower house passes media reform bill, which US denounces
Polish lawmakers advanced a bill on Wednesday (11 August) that the opposition says aims to silence a US-owned news channel critical of the government, leading to a swift denunciation from the United States, one of Warsaw's most important allies.
Lithuania envoy in Beijing to leave China over Taiwan dispute
Lithuania's ambassador to China says she has been asked to leave the country, one day after Beijing demanded that Vilnius recall its envoy over allowing Taiwan to set up an office under its own name in the EU member state.
370 Iraqi would-be migrants to EU flown home from Belarus
Iraq has repatriated 370 of its nationals from the Belarus border with Lithuania, a government source said Wednesday (11 August), after accusations that Minsk has been encouraging unauthorised arrivals of migrants to the EU.
Latvia starts pushing back migrants at tense Belarus border
Latvian border guards turned back dozens of migrants into Belarus overnight under a new state of emergency designed to stem a flow of arrivals the European Union says is orchestrated by Minsk.
Greece says EU not ready for new migrant crisis as Afghan conflict grows
The European Union is not in a position to deal with a repeat of the migration crisis in 2015 and must try to keep people from fleeing the growing conflict in Afghanistan, Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said.
Belarus tells US to cut embassy staff in row over sanctions
Belarus has told the United States to reduce its embassy staff in Minsk and revoked its consent to the appointment of Julie Fisher as the ambassador in response to the latest sanctions by Washington, the Foreign Ministry said.
In about-turn, Dutch, Germany announce freeze on deportations to Afghanistan
The Netherlands and Germany on Wednesday abruptly reversed course and said they would not for the time being deport Afghan citizens who are seeking asylum, given the rapidly escalating conflict in their homeland.
Spain gets green light to test homegrown COVID vaccine on humans, PM says
Spain's medicines agency has authorized the first round of clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Spanish company Hipra, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday.
EU condemns sentencing of Canadian for spying in China
The European Union on Wednesday decried the jailing of Canadian businessman Michael Spavor for 11 years in China for spying, saying he had been denied a "fair trial".
Merkel prods Germans to get COVID-19 vaccine as 4th wave worries mount
Germany's coronavirus vaccination drive has slowed and those people who have not taken up the opportunity to have shots will have to take COVID-19 tests to take a full part in public life, Chancellor Angela Merkel said.
Biden says Afghan leaders must ‘fight for their nation’ as Taliban gains
Taliban insurgents tightened their grip on captured Afghan territory on Tuesday (10 August), now controlling 65% of the country, as US President Joe Biden urged the nation's leaders to fight for their homeland.