Russia jails top hypersonics scientist for seven years on treason charges
Renowned Russian scientist Alexander Kuranov received a seven-year sentence in a high-security prison on Thursday for state treason, according to the Head of the United Press Service of the Courts of St. Petersburg. Kuranov, who formerly headed a state research institute in St. Petersburg overseeing the Ayaks hypersonic aircraft program, faced arrest in 2021 at the age [...]
Scotland ex-politician Peter Murrell charged with embezzling party funds
Scottish police charged Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), on Thursday in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds from the SNP. Murrell is also the husband of former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon. A report on the matter will now be sent to the to the Crown Office and Procurator [...]
The US vetoed Palestine’s application for full membership in the UN on Thursday. The veto came as the UN Security Council considered a resolution put forward by Algeria that would have granted Palestine full UN membership. The resolution received 12 votes in favor, more than the required 9, but the US used its veto to [...]
The UK’s ruling Conservative Party suspended Member of Parliament (MP) Mark Menzies following a Wednesday report from the Times, alleging misuse of campaign funds. The MP will lose his position in the party but will still remain in Parliament as an independent while the party undertakes further investigations. The Times broke the story, alleging that [...]
The UK Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that part of the UK’s trade union laws are incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Section 146 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (TULRCA) was held to breach Article 11 of the ECHR, which guarantees the right to freedom of assembly and [...]
The UK House of Commons voted Tuesday to advance the “Tobacco and Vapes Bill” that would make it illegal for anyone born in 2009 or later to buy tobacco and add restrictions to vaping. Legislators voted in favour of the bill in a 383 to 67 vote. Rather than banning smoking outright, the restrictions apply to [...]
Belgium police intervene at far-right event over concerns about public safety
Belgian police intervened at the National Conservatism Conference (NatCon) on Tuesday, following an order prohibiting the event. The order, issued by the mayor of the Brussels municipality of Saint-Joose-ten-Noode Emir Kir, was aimed at preventing public disorder. The conference, set for April 16 and 17, faced disruption on its first day due to the police [...]
Europe and Palestine human rights groups sue Germany over arms exports to Israel
The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), along with Palestinian human rights organizations Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), Al Mezan Center and Al-Haq, filed a lawsuit on Friday at the Administrative Court of Berlin to block German arms exports to Israel amid its war in Gaza. The lawsuit, brought on behalf of [...]
UK court sentences former Ministry of Defence official to 30 months imprisonment for misconduct
The Southwark Crown Court in London sentenced on Friday former Ministry of Defence (MoD) official Jeffrey Cook to 30 months imprisonment for misconduct in public office between 2004 and 2008. Cook was also Managing Director of GPT Special Project Management Limited (GPT), an Airbus subsidiary. He was convicted of the misconduct charge in March, when [...]
India reportedly withdraws 3 out of 15 lookout notices in 2023 London embassy attack
India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) reportedly withdrew Friday three out of 15 lookout notices against suspects of the attack on the Indian High Commission in London in March 2023, according to Indian national newspaper Indian Express. The alleged attack took place on March 19, 2023, during protests outside the Indian High Commission by alleged separatists [...]
