The EU and US in a joint Wednesday statement called for swift action in Kosovo amid rapidly rising tensions. The statement urged all parties “to exercise maximum restraint, to take immediate action to unconditionally de-escalate the situation, and to refrain from provocations, threats, or intimidation.” The statement is in response to a rapidly deteriorating situation [...]

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Tuesday condemned the destruction of Imo State’s High Court in Orlu. Unknown assailants attacked and burned the building on Friday. The fire destroyed thousands of legal documents, books and exhibits. NBA national publicity secretary Akorede Habeeb Lawal called the attack “premeditated” and part of a series of assaults on judicial [...]

The Swedish Supreme Court Monday ruled that the extradition of journalist Bulent Kenes to Turkey would violate Swedish law. Kenes is a Turkish national who obtained asylum in Sweden after Turkish officials accused Kenes of participating in the 2016 attempted coup to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey has tied Sweden’s cooperation in extraditing wanted [...]

The UN Economic and Social Council (ESC) Wednesday voted to remove Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Of the 54 current ESC members, 29 voted in favor of removal, 8 voted against and 16 abstained. Iran was to serve its term from 2022-2026. In early November, the US promised to [...]

EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell called for calm on Monday amid violence across Kosovo’s ethnic Serbian north. Recent political flashpoints have reignited decades of tensions between minority Serbs and majority Kosovo Albanians. Borrell ordered, “arricades must be removed immediately by groups of Kosovo Serbs. Calm must be restored.” He also demanded that all parties [...]

Russian President Vladimir Putin Wednesday signed an amended “LGBT propaganda” bill into law. The amendments significantly expand the scope of the previous legislation. Last week, the amended legislation passed unanimously in the Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament, and it faced no opposition in the Federal Council, the upper house. The law, originally passed [...]

The Solicitor Regulation Agency (SRA) Monday warned solicitors in England and Wales of disciplinary action resulting from “meritless” lawsuits such as Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs). According to SRA, “the key aim of a SLAPP is to prevent publication on matters of public importance, such as academic research, whistleblowing or campaigning or investigative journalism.” [...]

David Eby, premier of the Canadian province of British Columbia, announced an amendment to the 2013 Community Safety Act Tuesday to expand the province’s authority to seize assets amassed by suspected criminals. Under the amendment, unexplained wealth orders (UWO) would target property, vehicles and other luxury goods. The expanded authority would no longer require a [...]

Malta’s parliament began discussions on Monday to end a total ban on abortions. If passed, the bill would allow abortions if the health of a pregnant person is in “grave jeopardy.” Malta is currently one of only three European countries and the only EU member to ban all abortions no matter the reason. The bill [...]

The military-controlled government of Myanmar Thursday announced the release of some 5,700 prisoners. Among those released are Japanese documentary filmmaker Toru Kubota, former UK ambassador to Myanmar Vicky Bowman, American agricultural scientist Kyaw Htay Oo and numerous local personalities. Australian Sean Turnell was also among those granted amnesty. He served as advisor to former State [...]