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Cotler Appointed Canada’s Envoy for Holocaust Remembrance, Fighting Anti Semitism

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Brexit Deal ‘Down to Political Will’ From UK, Says Irish PM

The prime minister of Ireland—where the impact of a Brexit deal will be felt most keenly within the European Union—says he hopes the outline of a free-trade deal between the UK and the EU will emerge by the end of the week. The fate of the deal rests on UK political will, he said. Talks started up again on Monday, albeit online, with the EU’s chief negotiator saying that “fundamental divergences remain.” In just six weeks the UK will sever ties with the trading bloc, regardless of whether a deal has been struck or not. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said he had received a sense of progress from both negotiating teams. “I would be hopeful that, by the end of this week, that we could see the outlines of a…

Cotler Appointed Canada’s Envoy for Holocaust Remembrance, Fighting Anti Semitism

OTTAWA—Irwin Cotler, a former Liberal cabinet minster and long-time advocate for human rights, has been appointed Canada’s first special envoy for Holocaust remembrance and combating anti-Semitism.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is announcing the appointment today, saying Jewish communities in Canada and around the world face rising anti-Semitism.

Trudeau is affirming Canada’s solidarity with Jewish people and the need to preserve the stories of the Holocaust in the face of hate and intolerance.

Cotler will lead Canada’s delegation to the the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and will also work domestically to promote Holocaust education, remembrance, and research.

The 80-year-old lawyer founded the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights in Montreal after retiring from federal politics in 2015, a career that included serving as Canada’s justice minister under former Liberal prime minister Paul Martin.

Earlier this month, Cotler released a report he wrote on behalf of a coalition of international lawyers calling for a new global charter to protect the rights of imprisoned journalists in an increasingly hostile world.

Focus News: Cotler Appointed Canada’s Envoy for Holocaust Remembrance, Fighting Anti Semitism

Kirkup to Step up as the Youngest Leader of WA Liberals

The 33-year-old Member of Parliament Zak Kirkup will become the youngest West Australian Liberal leader in 20 years as his rival pulled out shortly before the party room meeting. Kirkup’s opponent, former cabinet minister Dean Nalder, announced his withdrawal in a statement released on Tuesday, saying it was clear that the numbers were not on his side, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. “It has become apparent that I don’t have the majority support of my parliamentary colleagues and therefore will clear a path for the new leader,” Nalder told AAP. “I have been humbled at the level of support from my electorate and the wider community.” Kirkup’s victory means the Liberal party would welcome its youngest leader since Matt Birney’s short-lived reign in the mid-2000s. “I think anyone should judge a…