Factbox: Impact of Russia ban on Olympics medal hopefuls
Russia was banned from the world’s top sporting events for four years on Monday, including the next summer and winter Olympics and the 2022 soccer World Cup, for tampering with doping tests.
Russia hands out passports to 125,000 residents of rebel-held east Ukraine
Russia has issued passports to 125,000 residents of rebel-held eastern Ukraine, Russia’s interior minister said on Monday, deepening Moscow’s ties with the separatist region even as it begins talks with Kiev aimed at ending the conflict.
Netherlands reduces terror threat level after six years
The Dutch national anti-terrorism agency (NCTV) has downgraded the threat of a terror attack in the Netherlands for the first time since 2013.
Hungary government submits bill to boost grip over theaters
Hungary’s government submitted plans to parliament on Monday to tighten control over theaters, a move that has triggered protests from actors and audiences who see artistic freedom under threat.
Sweden charges former China envoy over dissident bookseller case
Swedish prosecutors said on Monday they had brought criminal charges against the country’s former ambassador to China over unauthorized meetings in Stockholm aimed at freeing dissident bookseller Gui Minhai.
Turkey joins Nobel ceremony boycott in protest against Handke
Turkey said on Monday it would join Albania and Kosovo in boycotting the Nobel awards ceremony in protest against 2019 literature prize laureate Peter Handke, who has been criticized for backing late Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic.
UK Labour would deliver first budget on February 5: McDonnell
The man who would be Britain’s finance minister if the opposition Labour Party takes power after Thursday’s election said on Monday he would deliver his first tax-and-spending budget statement on Feb. 5.
Brexit in January or second referendum: the UK election choice
The Dec. 12 election will decide whether the United Kingdom leaves the European Union in January or moves toward another EU referendum.
Labour’s McDonnell: No run on sterling if we win election
Britain’s opposition Labour Party is not expecting a run on the pound if the party wins Thursday’s election, Labour’s would-be finance minister John McDonnell said on Monday, adding that he thought the currency could rise instead.
Cambodia to start opposition leader trial in January
The trial of Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha on treason charges will begin on Jan. 15, a court said on Monday.
