Will weakening human rights really stop the far right? – The Latest

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is engaging with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders to discuss a vision for peace amid ongoing territorial tensions with Russia. This dialogue comes as European leaders are pushing for a more assertive stance from the U.S. regarding Ukraine's situation.

U.S. forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, a significant escalation in President Donald Trump’s campaign against Nicolás Maduro's government, which has condemned the action as an act of international piracy. This seizure is part of a broader strategy to exert pressure on Maduro's regime amid ongoing tensions in the region.

British MPs have expressed concerns that the US is adopting extreme rightwing tropes reminiscent of the 1930s, warning of potential interference in European democracies. This follows Donald Trump’s national security strategy, which suggests Europe faces 'civilisational erasure' and promotes support for patriotic European parties.

The homelessness minister, Alison McGovern, has committed to ending the use of bed and breakfasts as emergency housing by the end of the current parliamentary term, despite recent data indicating a rise in homelessness since the Labour party took office.

Downing Street has announced the appointment of 34 new peers to the House of Lords, including former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, in an effort to address an imbalance favoring the Labour Party. This move is seen as a strategic response to the current political landscape within the House of Lords.

Leaders from the 'coalition of the willing' nations, including Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, are set to hold a video call to discuss a peace plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, coinciding with a pivotal moment in U.S. efforts to negotiate a resolution. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to present a revised peace proposal to U.S. negotiators prior to this call.

Keir Starmer has called for urgent amendments to human rights laws in Europe, specifically targeting the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), to allow member states to implement stricter border controls. This proposal aims to combat the rising influence of far-right populism across the continent, but has faced significant backlash from various campaigners and Labour MPs who fear it may lead to the abandonment of vulnerable populations and further stigmatization of refugees.

Downing Street has published a list of 34 new political peerages, which includes 25 Labour, five Liberal Democrats, and three Conservatives, highlighting notable appointments such as ex-Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies and Iceland supermarket chief Richard Walker. This announcement comes amid ongoing discussions regarding the government's fiscal policies and recent budget leaks.