UK joins call for Europe’s human rights laws to be ‘constrained’

The UK has imposed sanctions on four senior commanders of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) due to their alleged involvement in mass killings of civilians in El Fasher. These sanctions include asset freezes, while the UK has refrained from taking action against the RSF's key backer, the United Arab Emirates, or its chief commander, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.

The UK economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.1% in October, primarily influenced by the ongoing repercussions of a cyber-attack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and uncertainty surrounding the government's budget. This decline highlights the fragility of economic recovery in the UK amidst external shocks and internal challenges.

Kim Leadbeater, the MP leading the assisted dying bill, has criticized the House of Lords for proposing over 1,150 amendments, which she describes as unnecessary and cruel, aimed at delaying the legislation. One particularly contentious amendment suggests that terminally ill individuals should be filmed during the assisted death process.

Otters, once rare in urban areas of the UK, are increasingly spotted in cities like Lincoln and London, showcasing a remarkable conservation success story. Recent sightings include an otter dragging a large fish along a river-boat dock in Canary Wharf, highlighting their return to urban environments after decades of conservation efforts.

The UK government has announced a new strategy aimed at addressing violence against women, with a focus on changing attitudes among boys and young men. This initiative is part of a broader effort to tackle the root causes of gender-based violence and promote healthier relationships from a young age.

A Ryanair flight from Italy to London Stansted experienced a serious incident when a passenger suffering a mental health episode attempted to open an emergency exit door during descent. The situation escalated as another passenger shouted that it was not a terrorist act but a mental health crisis, highlighting the urgent need for intervention. The author, a thriller writer, intervened to prevent a potential disaster.

Rwanda has denied any involvement in the recent violence in South Kivu, instead blaming the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi for violating a peace agreement reached in Washington. The Rwandan government has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and adherence to the terms of the accord, as reported by FRANCE 24’s Juliette Montilly.

M23 rebels, allegedly supported by Rwanda, have advanced into the city of Uvira in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), transforming it into a ghost town amid escalating violence. The Red Cross is treating numerous casualties at a hospital that is struggling to cope with the influx of injured individuals, just days after a peace agreement was signed between DRC and Rwanda.