Celebrity peer Lord Charles Brocket charged with rape

Celebrity peer Lord Charles Brocket charged with rape

Peer who appeared on I’m a Celebrity denies charges of rape and sexual assault at Westminster magistrates court A celebrity peer and former reality TV show contestant has appeared in court after being charged with rape and sexual assault by penetration, police said. Lord Charles Brocket, 73, a contestant on I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!, appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Saturday. Continue reading...

'Exert maximum pressure' - Kallas insists Moscow won't get frozen assets back without reparations as EU mulls over next sanctions package

'Exert maximum pressure' - Kallas insists Moscow won't get frozen assets back without reparations as EU mulls over next sanctions package

"European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas said on Saturday that it is 'unthinkable' for Russia to get back their frozen assets without Moscow first paying reparations to Ukraine. "Given the devastation that Russia is causing in Ukraine and has caused in Ukraine so far, it is unthinkable that Russia will ever see this money again unless it fully compensates Ukraine the damages caused," Kallas stated following the foreign ministers' meeting in Copenhagen. "Everybody agrees still that Russia should pay for the damages, not our taxpayers. So that's why I'm stressing on the exit strategy to be politically realistic, to work to find a solution there," she stressed. On Friday, Kallas said that she was not 'very optimistic' about the EU reaching unanimity on freezing Russian assets as some foreign ministers backed increasing pressure on Moscow with new sanctions, but remained divided over the confiscation of Russian assets. Kallas noted that the EU's existing sanctions against Russia have been effective, but emphasised that new measures would carry greater weight if backed by 'transatlantic partners.' "Sanctions have deprived Russia tens of billions of euros to fund its war and sanctions work," Kallas said "The goal is to exert maximum pressure on Russia. Of course, new actions would be stronger if matched by our partners, including our transatlantic partners." "Ministers discussed the possible building blocks for the next sanction package. Options include secondary sanctions on those backing Russia's war, as well as import bans and tariffs on Russian products. Efforts against Shadow Fleet ships must also be stepped up," she continued. Approximately 210 billion euros ($245.85 billion) in Russian assets are frozen within the bloc due to sanctions linked to Moscow's operation in Ukraine, according to the EU. While Ukraine and several Baltic states urged the seizure of the assets and allocating them to support Kiev, major EU members, including France and Germany, have opposed the idea, questioning the legal basis for confiscation. The informal meeting of foreign ministers is held under the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU, from August 29 to 30."