World news

Biden: Putin has committed war crimes, charges justified

U.S. President Joe Biden said that International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin is justified. "He's clearly committed war crimes," Biden added. Earlier, U.S. National Security Council Communications Coordinator John Kirby declined to answer whether Putin would

In rare rebuke, Germany’s Scholz voices ‘great concern’ over Israel’s judicial reforms

The chancellor urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to revisit a proposed compromise on the controversial measures.

General Strike Brings Greece to Standstill Amid Anger over Fatal Train Crash

In Greece, riot police deployed tear gas and sound grenades against protesters Thursday as workers held a general strike amid ongoing anger over last month’s rail disaster that killed 57 people. The strike grounded flights, halted public transport, kept ferries docked, canceled classes and left public hospitals running with emergency staff. Rail workers say government neglect and privatization led to the decay of the train system.

Taiwan, facing loss of ally Honduras, says it won't bow to China

Taiwan will remain resilient and pragmatic and support its allies, not bowing before the "big bully in the neighbourhood", Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said on Friday as the island faces the loss of long-term ally Honduras to China.

Half a billion in US imports blocked due to Uyghur forced labor

US agency launches website to track shipments blocked under a 2021 law

International court issues war crimes warrant for Putin

THE HAGUE (AP) — The International Criminal Court said Friday that it has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine .

Britain says China should encourage Russia to withdraw troops from Ukraine

Chinese President Xi Jinping should use a trip to Moscow to encourage President Vladimir Putin to withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine. — Ukrinform.

Kremlin determined to continue the war despite fearing defeat, Estonian intelligence says

The Russian leadership is extremely nervous about a possible military defeat in Ukraine, but the Kremlin is determined to keep fighting, German newspaper Bild reported on March 17, citing Estonian intelligence services.

North Korea claims almost 800,000 people have signed up for military to fight against US

North Korea claims that about 800,000 of its citizens volunteered to join or reenlist in the nation's military to fight against the United States, North Korea's state newspaper reported on Saturday.

Hungary's ruling party to back Finland's NATO accession in March 27 vote

Hungary's legislature will vote on the ratification of Finland's NATO accession on March 27 and the majority ruling party bloc will unanimously support the bid, the leader of the ruling Fidesz party's parliamentary group said on Friday.

Russia threatens to destroy Ukraine jets after Poland and Slovakia pledges

Slovakia becomes the second Nato country after Poland to offer fighter jets to Ukraine.

International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Putin over war crimes in Ukraine

France on ICC arrest warrant for Putin: No-one should escape justice

The French government said on Friday that "no-one should escape justice", as it reacted to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to issue an arrest warrant for Russia President Vladimir Putin.

Turkey Will Ratify Finland’s NATO Membership, Erdogan Says

Turkey will ratify Finland’s NATO bid, Erdogan says

Finland’s NATO membership is now pending Hungary’s ratification.

Xi Jinping heading to Russia to deepen ties with Vladimir Putin

In what Vladimir Putin is describing as "the main political event of the year in bilateral relations", Xi Jinping will visit Russia for three days, during which the Kremlin says the leaders will further their partnership and strategic cooperation.

ICC judges issue arrest warrants against Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova

Today, 17 March 2023, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “the Court”) issued warrants of arrest for two individuals in the context of the situation in Ukraine: Mr Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Ms Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova. Mr Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, born on 7 October 1952, President of the Russian Federation, is allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and that of unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation (under articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute). The crimes were allegedly committed in Ukrainian occupied territory at least from 24 February 2022. There are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Putin bears individual criminal responsibility for the aforementioned crimes, (i) for having committed the acts directly, jointly with others and/or through others (article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute), and (ii) for his failure to exercise control properly over civilian and military subordinates who committed the acts, or allowed for their commission, and who were under his effective authority and control, pursuant to superior responsibility (article 28(b) of the Rome Statute). Ms Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, born on 25 October 1984, Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Office of the  President of the Russian Federation, is allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and that of unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation (under articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute). The crimes were allegedly committed in Ukrainian occupied territory at least from 24 February 2022. There are reasonable grounds to believe that Ms Lvova-Belova bears individual criminal responsibility for the aforementioned crimes, for having committed the acts directly, jointly with others and/or through others (article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute). Pre-Trial Chamber II considered, based on the Prosecution’s applications of 22 February 2023, that there are reasonable grounds to believe that each suspect bears responsibility for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population and that of unlawful transfer of population from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation, in prejudice of Ukrainian children. The Chamber considered that the warrants are secret in order to protect victims and witnesses and also to safeguard the investigation. Nevertheless, mindful that the conduct addressed in the present situation is allegedly ongoing, and that the public awareness of the warrants may contribute to the prevention of the further commission of crimes, the Chamber considered that it is in the interests of justice to authorise the Registry to publicly disclose the existence of the warrants, the name of the suspects, the crimes for which the warrants are issued, and the modes of liability as established by the Chamber. The abovementioned warrants of arrests were issued pursuant to the applications submitted by the Prosecution on 22 February 2023. Image Video statement of ICC President Judge Piotr Hofmański: YouTube (for viewing) Video (MPEG-4) for download For further information, please contact Fadi El Abdallah, Spokesperson and Head of Public Affairs Unit, International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +31 (0)70 515-9152 or +31 (0)6 46448938 or by e-mail at: fadi.el-abdallah@icc-cpi.int   You can also follow the Court's activities on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube, Instagram and Flickr

Ukraine will remember who backed us - foreign minister

Ukraine's foreign minister tells the BBC nations that don't back Ukraine will be held to account.

The Slovak government approved sending MIG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine

Slovakia on Friday became the second of Ukraine's allies to provide MIG-29 fighter jets which Kyiv believes are crucial to repel Russia's year-long invasion.