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Notes by Sky News | export

 Ukraine-Russia war latest: Tucker Carlson was at Putin's office, state media suggests as interview rumours swirl
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The Kremlin has declined to say whether or not Vladimir Putin would grant an interview to former Fox News host Tucker Carlson - or if he was in Moscow at all. Kyiv mayor gives backing to army chief on Zelenskyy's chopping block. Kremlin gives nothing away over rumours Tucker Carlson could interview Putin. US Senate proposes $60bn for Ukraine in latest bid to break deadlock. Anti-war presidential hopeful facing exclusion from election contest with Putin. Russia attacks regions along Ukrainian border. First Russians sentenced over rainbow items in crackdown on LGBTQ activism. Hungary calls on Swedish PM to visit before NATO bid approval. No new import bans in next package of EU sanctions on Russia. Georgia seizes explosives en route from Ukraine to Russia. Sweden to announce Nord Stream probe decision this week. Russia state media suggests Tucker Carlson was at Putin's office. Netherlands pledges six more F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Sunak says war has been 'strategic failure' for Putin - and UK in good position to defend against Russia. Putin to visit Turkey soon - in what would be his first trip to NATO country in two years

#Ukraine #Russia #TuckerCarlson #VladimirPutin #Interview #Kyiv #ArmyChief #Zelenskyy #UsSenate #LgbtqActivism #Hungary #Sweden #Nato #EuSanctions #Georgia #Explosives #NordStream #F-16FighterJets #RishiSunak #Turkey

https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-russia-war-latest-putin-tucker-carlson-sky-news-live-news-12541713 
 Exiled Chinese artist Ai Weiwei: 'Censorship in the West is exactly the same as Mao's China'
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Exiled Chinese artist Ai Weiwei compares political censorship in the West to that of Mao's China, stating that society becomes timid and avoids questioning or argument. He refers to the cancellation of his exhibition by the Lisson Gallery in London in November following social media posts about the Israel-Gaza conflict. Weiwei believes that the West is undergoing a cultural revolution that aims to destroy anyone with different attitudes or opinions. He criticizes Western artists for being corrupted by capitalism and seeking money and fame. Weiwei, known for addressing political issues in his art, was arrested in 2011 and detained for 81 days. He left China in 2015 and currently resides in Portugal with a studio in Berlin and a property in the UK. Weiwei's graphic memoir, Zodiac, was recently published.

#AiWeiwei #Censorship #PoliticalCensorship #Mao'sChina #LissonGallery #FreedomOfExpression #WesternArtists #Capitalism

https://news.sky.com/story/exiled-chinese-artist-ai-weiwei-censorship-in-the-west-is-exactly-the-same-as-maos-china-13063751 
 Israeli intelligence report claims four UNRWA staff in Gaza involved in Hamas kidnappings
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Israeli intelligence documents allege that four employees of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza were involved in kidnapping Israelis, while another worker provided logistics support. The report also claims that approximately 10% of UNRWA employees in Gaza are Hamas operatives and about 50% are first-degree relatives with a Hamas member. Critics argue that the number of staff allegedly involved is a small percentage of the agency's overall workforce. Several countries, including the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and Australia, have suspended funding to UNRWA pending further investigation. UNRWA's commissioner general has terminated the contracts of the accused staff and ordered an investigation. The move to cut funding has been criticized by other aid organizations as a form of collective punishment.

#IsraeliIntelligence #Unrwa #Hamas #Kidnappings #GazaStrip

https://news.sky.com/story/israeli-intelligence-report-claims-four-unrwa-staff-in-gaza-involved-in-hamas-kidnappings-13059967