Europe

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed legislation that will grant former presidents lifetime immunity once they leave office. The bill, which was published online Tuesday, gives former presidents and their families immunity from prosecution for crimes committed during their lifetime. They will also be exempt from questioning by police or...

The Finnish parliament is due to elect Social Democratic deputy leader Sanna Marin as new prime minister at the helm of a coalition of five parties all led by women. Marin is set to become Finland’s third female prime minister and the country’s youngest head of government at age 34....

Britain will leave the European Union on January 31 as planned, Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised on Friday after winning a sweeping election victory. Condemning more than three years of political wrangling over Brexit, he said: “I will put an end to all that nonsense and we will get Brexit...

The UN human rights chief said Monday at least 102 civilians, including seven children, had been killed in Ukraine since Russia invaded five days ago, warning true numbers could be far higher. Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council, Michelle Bachelet said her office had recorded 406 civilian casualties in...

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called a summer UK general election to take place on Thursday 4 July. He had been widely expected to wait until the autumn before triggering the poll, which does not legally have to be held until January 2025. But in a surprise move, he announced the...

Ursula von der Leyen will meet the Prime Minister on Wednesday in Number 10 to discuss the opening positions of the EU and the UK in the upcoming negotiations. The visit comes ahead of Britain’s expected exit from the EU on January 31 and will provide the first opportunity for...

The British government on Sunday warned that outside exercise could be banned if people flout stringent guidelines to cut the spread of coronavirus infections. The UK government on March 23 ordered a three-week shutdown of non-essential shops and services to cut close-contact transmission of the virus. But warmer weekend weather has...

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged Britons to stay home and outlined stricter measures yet to come in the fight against the coronavirus. “It’s important for me to level with you – we know things will get worse before they get better,” Mr Johnson wrote in a letter issued by...

President Emmanuel Macron on Friday urged the French to limit visits to elderly people who are most vulnerable to the spread of the coronavirus that has already left nine dead in the country and made hundreds ill. Macron, who shook up his agenda this week to focus on efforts to...

United Kingdom Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has announced that bars, restaurants, hotels and salons can open in England from July 4, when social distancing rules will be eased. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, Johnson says people shall remain two metres apart where possible but a one metre plus rule...