Poland has one of the worst records on preventing violence against women in Europe.

The weeklong meeting of the National People’s Congress, which rubber stamps policies approved by the Communist Party leadership, provides a window into government priorities.

A stunning 83% of young women limit themselves in order to avoid harassment, a survey of EU citizens found.

Ahead of International Women’s Day, the United Nations Development Programme is calling for governments to implement temporary basic income for women to prevent rising poverty and widening gender inequalities.

Prince Harry also described being "trapped" in the royal lifestyle while his wife, Meghan Markle, said the isolation was such she contemplated suicide.

"His brutal death is a great loss," said French President Emmanuel Macron.

The tradition began in 1946 when feminists chose the mimosa as a rival flower to the traditional red rose of Valentine's Day.

Europe recorded one million new COVID-19 cases last week, an increase that ended a six-week decline in infections.

Singer Elena Tsagrinou, insists "El Diablo" has been misinterpreted and is actually about an abusive relationship, which is "extremely relevant" in these "MeToo" times.

Belarus's exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has said she continues to feel safe in Lithuania and is confident she won't be extradited.

Bars and restaurants, hotels and schools could reopen on Sunday. But certain places are allowed to the vaccinated only.

The British-Iranian's ankle tag has been removed, a British MP said on Sunday.

Irish foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to discuss the 2015 nuclear deal.

Pope Francis visited Iraq's war-ravaged north to pray for victims and call for peace in the first-ever papal visit to the country.

The escalation of violence in Myanmar as authorities crack down on protests against the February 1 coup is raising pressure for more sanctions against the junta.

Not a single Republican voted in favour of the massive rescue package, highlighting the bitter partisan divisions that have characterized the early days of the Biden presidency.

Police are now patrolling Brazil's most famous beach after its many stalls were closed on Friday.

The Dalai Lama, who is 85, was administered the first shot of the coronavirus vaccine on Saturday at a hospital in the north Indian hill town of Dharamsala.

Many of them SMEs, restaurants are edging further and further into the red, forced to rely on the temporary supportive measures being introduced across the continent. But where are they best supported?

The key stories of the week, captured by photographers around the world.

Perseverance moved forward a bit, turned 150 degrees and then backed up a few metres in its first test drive.

Security forces in Myanmar again used force on Saturday to disperse anti-coup protesters.

Pope Francis and Iraq's top Shia cleric delivered a message of peaceful coexistence on Saturday.

Supporters of Ousmane Sonko - a strong opponent of President Macky Sall and a popular with the country’s youth - say charges against him are politically motivated,

The UK government has vowed to scrap a law that bans British citizens - who have lived abroad for more than 15 years - from taking part in UK elections.

The world's largest online retailer Amazon directs customers towards books containing vaccine misinformation, a new study has found.

Opposition mayors in Eastern Europe are raising their voices against corruption and populism. We take a look at Hungary where they're accusing the central government of deliberate financial cuts to opposition-led municipalities.

Judges said the Romanian satirical movie, about a teacher facing scrutiny over a sex tape, "captures on screen the very content and essence, the mind and body, the values and the raw flesh of our present moment in time".

Several of the protesters stood on the plane's wings, carrying banners reading: "Is there a pilot to save the climate?"

The country held one of its regular referendums on whether to outlaw both the niqabs and burqas worn by a few Muslim women in the country and the ski masks and bandannas used by protesters.

Prosecutors in Bucharest have opened criminal proceedings against nine police officers for their treatment of two people they arrested for failing to wear facemasks in September.

Czech officials in Prague have been hit by a large-scale cyberattack, according to the city's mayor.

Historian and journalist Paul Lendvai lived through Hungary's Nazi occupation and witnessed the brutal suppression of the 1956 revolution by the Soviet Union. `Now he warns that Orban could be the next Alexander Lukashenko or Vladimir Putin.

Around 100 sinkholes have been spotted in central Croatia in the last two months following December's deadly earthquake.

The Pope's three-day visit will include a meeting with Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

Nine apes received an experimental coronavirus vaccine after an outbreak of COVID-19 among gorillas at the zoo.

The Congressional Budget Office projects that the nation will add a substantial 6.2 million jobs this year, though that wouldn't be nearly enough to restore employment to pre-pandemic levels.

China’s premier announced plans to make the nation self-reliant in technology amid tension with Washington and Europe over trade, Hong Kong and human rights.

The earthquake followed two very strong 7.3 and 7.4 magnitude tremors, prompting thousands to seek higher ground.

The artwork appeared to show that Banksy was throwing his support behind a campaign to turn the historic jail into an arts venue.

Slovakia's Prime Minister has apologised after commenting that he would hand over a Ukrainian region to Russia in exchange for COVID-19 vaccines.

Inequalities throughout the European Union have been highlighted by the pandemic and in many situations, they have been worsened by it too. But these inequalities also existed before. We talk to Helena Dalli, the EU Commissioner for Equality, to disc...

A military helicopter has crashed in eastern Turkey, killing 11 military personnel on board and injuring three others, the country's defence ministry said.

Portugal's president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, paid tribute to the 59 victims of the 2001 tragedy.

Facebook has taken down more than 500 accounts aiming to drown out the online conversation about pro-Navalny demonstrations.

Central European neighbours Slovakia and Hungary have already taken delivery of Russia's Sputnik V jab.

Austria was one of the world's first countries to make FFP2 masks compulsory in shops, schools, and on public transport in light of the COVID pandemic.

Italy's former prime minister thanked people for their messages of support after the incident and called on the country to move "forward together with freedom and courage".

"It is utterly abhorrent that security forces are firing live ammunition against peaceful protesters across the country," said UNHR chief Michelle Bachelet

The UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore and Switzerland plan to fast-track modified COVID-19 vaccines so they can tackle new variants more swiftly.