The European Commission unveiled a raft of new rules yesterday to ensure media independence after growing fears of state meddling in eastern EU countries such as Hungary and Poland.

The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled a series of proposals to curb the energy price spike that has rocked Europe in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while stressing that the EU's solidarity with Kyiv would be "unshakeable."

Jean-Luc Godard, one of the most influential filmmakers of the 20th century and the father of the French New Wave cinema, died “peacefully at home” yesterday aged 91, his family said.

Queen Elizabeth’s coffin will be flown to London yesterday at the end of 24 hours of lying at rest in Edinburgh’s historic cathedral, where her son King Charles and his three siblings held a silent vigil.

Russia yesterday said it was carrying out “massive strikes” across the Ukrainian front line as Kyiv said it aimed to liberate all of its territory after driving back Russian forces in the northeast of country in a rapid offensive.

Fifty million people around the world are trapped in forced labour or forced marriage, the UN said yesterday, warning that their ranks had swelled dramatically in recent years.

Sweden yesterday began a days-long wait for the final results of its too-close-to-call general election, with an unprecedented right-wing and far-right bloc in position to wrest power from Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson’s Social Democrats.

The fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria has saved 50 million lives over the past 20 years, the Global Fund said yesterday, appealing for $18 billion to save millions more.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said yesterday that Iran has failed to agree to proposals from European countries on reviving a deal on restricting its nuclear programme, warning this would put any accord out of reach “in the near future”.

King Charles called Britain’s parliament the “living and breathing instrument of our democracy” and pledged to follow his late mother Queen Elizabeth’s example in maintaining its independence in an address to both chambers yesterday.

Amid the grief over Elizabeth II’s death, personal anecdotes have emerged about meetings with the late queen, highlighting her keen sense of duty -- and humour. Here are a few anecdotes which has been widely reshared.

Queen Elizabeth II’s death could help start a reconciliation between Prince Harry and wife Meghan and the rest of the royal family, after a reported rift and their relocation to the United States.

The British monarch is mainly a ceremonial figurehead and is generally expected not to intervene in political matters. But as head of state, they have retained some constitutional powers.

It began with a short but worrying statement. Less than 48 hours after a frail but smiling Queen Elizabeth II was photographed appointing new Prime Minister Liz Truss, her doctors said they were “concerned”.

The queen’s coffin is expected to be transported from Balmoral to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, her official Scottish residence in Edinburgh. The journey by road will pass through many small towns and villages, giving members of the public their first chance to pay respects.

European powers yesterday raised “serious doubts” over Iran’s sincerity in seeking a nuclear agreement, warning that Tehran’s position jeopardises prospects of restoring the 2015 accord.

Britain’s King Charles on Friday bestowed on his eldest son William and daughter-in-law Kate the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales, which he and his late wife Diana previously held.

Denmark’s popular Queen Margrethe II is now Europe’s longest-serving monarch and also its only reigning queen after the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.

King Charles III greeted crowds singing “God Save the King” outside Buckingham Palace yesterday before making his inaugural address to Britain and the Commonwealth after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Republicans in Australia and New Zealand held back on demands for a removal of the British monarch as head of state yesterday, biding their time as tributes poured in for the late Queen Elizabeth.