UK braced power cuts amid heavy snow and freezing rain

The UK government has ordered Apple to grant access to users' encrypted files under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, sparking concerns about privacy rights. The Home Office requested a broad ability to view encrypted material, rather than access to specific accounts, but has not confirmed the existence of the order. Apple has emphasized privacy as a fundamental human right and stated that its current setup prevents anyone, including Apple, from accessing user data, with the...

Grenfell Tower, site of Britain's worst residential fire post-World War II, will be demolished due to a lethal combination of negligence and cost-cutting. Families of the victims are divided on the decision, with some wanting justice before demolition and others acknowledging the necessity. The government plans to preserve parts of the building for a future memorial, while facing debate over the significance of the tower as a crime scene and the need for closure in...

Masked phone-snatching gangs utilizing 70mph e-bikes are driving a surge in mobile thefts across the UK, with over 225 phones stolen daily. London is the epicenter of the crime wave, recording 65,600 thefts last year. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to crack down on the issue, announcing increased police powers and calling for improved mobile device security measures from tech companies. Full Article

Professor Nazila Ghanea, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, submitted a groundbreaking report on the connection between torture prevention and religious liberty, highlighting coercion as the main link between the two rights and emphasizing systemic violations impacting minority groups and women. The report reveals patterns of religiously motivated maltreatment, including demands to act against religious beliefs and interference with religious practices, while offering transformative recommendations for states to prohibit coercion, prevent attempts...

The government has announced that Grenfell Tower, the site of a tragic blaze in June 2017 that claimed 72 lives, will be demolished over a two-year period and transformed into a memorial. Housing secretary Angela Rayner faced backlash from Grenfell United, representing bereaved families and survivors, who felt their voices were not considered in the decision-making process. Rayner was unable to provide a clear rationale for the demolition, causing shock and disappointment among those affected...

Armenia's "Crossroads of Peace" initiative aims to revitalize transport links, connecting the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean and the Gulf to Georgia's Black Sea ports, fostering regional cooperation, trade, and stability. The project is built on principles of sovereignty, security, shared access, and equality, with a vision of peace and prosperity for the South Caucasus. Armenia invites global support for this transformative project that could reshape the geopolitical landscape and promote a future of connectivity,...