Ukraine president decrees martial law, parliament has to approve
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree on Monday to introduce martial law for 60 days, a statement on his website said, though it needs parliamentary approval to come into force.
Germany’s Merkel to push for de-escalation on Ukraine, Russia: Poroshenko
German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko that she would do everything to try to defuse the standoff between Ukraine and Russia, Poroshenko’s office said after a phone call between the two leaders.
Russia detained 24 Ukrainian sailors in Kerch Strait incident: Ifax
Russia is holding 24 Ukrainian sailors who were detained on board three navy ships in the Kerch Strait on Sunday, Interfax news agency cited Russian human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova as saying on Monday.
Iraqi parliament to vote on remaining ministers in next session
Iraq’s parliament will vote in its next session scheduled on Tuesday on whether to approve the remaining eight candidates for Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s cabinet, the speaker’s office said on Monday.
Russia ignores Western calls to free captured Ukrainian ships
Russia on Monday ignored Western calls to release three Ukrainian naval ships and their crews it fired on and captured near Crimea at the weekend and accused Kiev of plotting with its Western allies to provoke a conflict.
Austrian rail strike stalls trains, disrupts 100,000 passengers
Trains stopped running across Austria on Monday as last-minute pay negotiations failed to avert a planned two-hour strike, disrupting travel for 100,000 travelers in Europe.
Macron warns that protest ‘battle scenes’ may harm France’s image
President Emmanuel Macron warned his cabinet on Monday that violent protests against diesel tax hikes in France risked unnerving foreigners and pressed his government to respond to the concerns of voters.
France drops plan for urban tolls amid fuel price protests
The French government has dropped plans that would have eased the introduction of urban tolls amid nationwide protests against rising fuel costs, the transport minister said on Monday.
Russia summons Ukrainian diplomat over Kerch Strait incident: RIA
A Ukrainian diplomat was seen entering the Russian foreign ministry on Monday, RIA news agency reported, hours after Moscow promised to summon a Ukrainian representative to discuss an incident in the Kerch Strait on Sunday.
Stopping Brexit? EU’s top court hears UK exit reversal case
Europe’s top court will hold an urgent hearing on Tuesday over whether Britain can unilaterally reverse its decision to leave the EU, in a case supporters of membership hope could pave the way to a second referendum and ultimately stop Brexit.
