Germany, France, UK slam Mike Pompeo’s Iran sanctions move

A key German market research index has predicted a slight dip in consumer confidence for September. The figure has been hovering in unusually low territory for months now.

The German chancellor insisted that "nuclear energy is over" after the Free Democrats (FDP) called for putting a halt on dismantling decommissioned power plants. It's the latest apparent division in the ruling coalition.

For the past 40 years, refugees in Germany have been able to claim temporary sanctuary in Christian churches, a practice known as church asylum. The impetus for this was an act of desperation.

The head of Germany's conservatives wants to recognize more states as "safe" countries of origin. The designation enables German authorities to more quickly deport people whose asylum applications have been rejected.

The maker of weight-loss drug Wegovy has become Europe's most valuable firm, dethroning the French luxury conglomerate LVMH. Shares rose after the Danish pharmaceutical giant, Novo Nordisk, launched the popular drug in the UK. At the close of trading on Monday, the firm had a stock market valuation of $428bn (£339bn).

Germany's International Motor Show has opened in Munich with Chinese EV makers out in force, revving their new electric models on the turf of German carmakers. Some say the market will never be the same after the event.

As a former colony of France in Africa, Gabon does not only have state structures based on the French model but the two economies are closely interwoven too.

Forced exile, grief, pressures of assimilation and generational trauma are recurring themes for many, if not most narratives about the refugee experience. They're at the heart of author Cecile Pin's first book, “Wandering Souls”, which recounts the lesser known stories of Vietnamese boat people who fled to the United Kingdom. She joined us for Perspective.

Talking Europe hosts Pascal Lamy, co-ordinator of the Jacques Delors institutes, and a distinguished former head of the World Trade Organization and former EU Trade Commissioner. We discuss great power competition in today's world; the EU’s influence when it comes to global trade and regulation; the critical importance of Africa to Europe; and climate adaptation in the light of Lamy’s role as a member of the Climate Overshoot Commission.

Families of killed activists are under pressure as authorities crack down on any sign of protest a year after the death of a young woman in police custody sparked an Iran-wide civil disobedience movement.

The French front pages are gripped by rugby fever as the World Cup kicks off this Friday on home soil. Will France convince as host nation, less than a year before the Olympics? Also: another South Korean elementary school teacher commits suicide as teachers protest nationwide against bullying and pressure from parents.

The UK has announced it's rejoining the European Union's flagship science funding programme, Horizon. In the wake of Brexit, London had been blocked from re-associating with the scheme, which is the world's biggest civil research and innovation programme. The UK government says the new deal gives local scientists "unrivalled opportunities" at a good price for taxpayers. We take a closer look.