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Switzerland Adopts Additional EU Sanctions Against Russia

Switzerland Adopts Additional EU Sanctions Against Russia

Bloomberg12 hours ago
Switzerland adopts further sanctions against Russia, following the 18th sanctions package of the European Union, the government said in a statement.
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US accuses UK of 'significant human rights issues' and restricting free speech
US accuses UK of 'significant human rights issues' and restricting free speech

Yahoo

time32 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

US accuses UK of 'significant human rights issues' and restricting free speech

The US State Department has accused the UK of having "significant human rights issues", including restrictions on free speech. The unflattering assessment comes via a new version of an annual Human Rights Practices report, with its publication coinciding with Vice President JD Vance's holiday in the Cotswolds. Politics Hub: Follow latest updates and analysis It says human rights in the UK "worsened" in 2024, with "credible reports of serious restrictions on freedom of expression", as well as "crimes, violence, or threats of violence motivated by antisemitism" since the 7 October Hamas attack against Israel. On free speech, while "generally provided" for, the report cites "specific areas of concern" around limits on "political speech deemed 'hateful' or 'offensive'". Sir Keir Starmer has previously defended the UK's record on free speech after concerns were raised by Mr Vance. In response to the report, a UK government spokesperson said: "Free speech is vital for democracy around the world including here in the UK, and we are proud to uphold freedoms whilst keeping our citizens safe." The US report highlights Britain's public space protection orders, which allow councils to restrict certain activities in some public places to prevent antisocial behaviour. It also references "safe access zones" around abortion clinics, which the Home Office says are designed to protect women from harassment or distress. They have been criticised by Mr Vance before, notably back in February during a headline-grabbing speech at the Munich Security Conference. The report also criticises the Online Safety Act and accuses ministers of intervening to "chill speech" about last summer's murders in Southport, highlighting arrests made in the wake of the subsequent riots. Ministers have said the Online Safety Act is about protecting children, and repeatedly gone so far as to suggest people who are opposed to it are on the side of predators. Read more politics news: The report comes months after during a summit at the White House, cutting in when Donald Trump's VP claimed there are "infringements on free speech" in the UK. "We've had free speech for a very long time, it will last a long time, and we are very proud of that," the PM said. But Mr Vance again raised concerns during a meeting with Foreign Secretary David Lammy at his country estate in Kent last week, saying he didn't want the UK to go down a "very dark path" of losing free speech. The US State Department's report echoes similar accusations made by the likes of Nigel Farage and Elon Musk. The Trump administration itself has been accused of trying to curtail free speech and stifle criticism, most notably by targeting universities - Harvard chief among them.

Putin Briefs Kim Jong Un in Phone Call Ahead of Trump Meeting
Putin Briefs Kim Jong Un in Phone Call Ahead of Trump Meeting

Bloomberg

time34 minutes ago

  • Bloomberg

Putin Briefs Kim Jong Un in Phone Call Ahead of Trump Meeting

Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to brief him on the war in Ukraine ahead of the Russian president's planned summit with President Donald Trump in Alaska. During the call on Tuesday, Putin thanked Kim for supporting his war on Ukraine as the two leaders 'exchanged views on the issues of mutual concern,' North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said. The Kremlin had earlier said Putin shared information with Kim 'in the context of the upcoming talks' with Trump.

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