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THE HAGUE, Netherlands — International Criminal Court prosecutors said Monday that they are “actively monitoring” events in Venezuela, where security forces have launched a crackdown on the opposition in the aftermath of the nation’s disputed presidential election. Maduro has called on Venezuelans to denounce election doubters via a government-run app originally created to report power outages. He also said the government was refurbishing two gang-dominated prisons to accommodate an expected surge in jailing of opponents. The ICC has an ongoing investigation into violence that followed Venezuela’s 2017 election but has so far not sought any arrest warrants. His office said Monday that “those investigations are continuing with focus.” It highlighted an online portal where potential evidence can be filed.

Persons: Nicolás Maduro, Karim Khan, ”, Maduro, ” Maduro, Venezuela’s, Khan, “ Organizations: Criminal, Forces, ICC, Government Locations: HAGUE, Netherlands, Venezuela, Rome, Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru

☆ The summer of sport for France rolls on as the annual Tour de France Femmes begins
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The week-long Tour de France Femmes kicked off Monday with the start of the annual eight-stage race in the Netherlands. Dutch rider Charlotte Kool of team DSM-Firmenich PostNL sprinted to an opening stage victory on her home soil for her first-ever Tour de France Femmes stage win. Fans line the streets for the opening stage of the Tour de France Femmes in Rotterdam. In 2023, Netherlands’ Demi Vollering secured her first-ever Tour de France Femmes title and is back to defend her yellow jersey. The history of the Tour de France Femmes dates back to September 1955

Persons: Charlotte Kool, PostNL, Romy Arroyo Fernandez, Kool, Hague, ”, Kristen Faulkner, Demi Vollering, Alpe d’Huez Organizations: CNN, Femmes, Paris, Tour de, Riders, ANP, Getty Locations: Paris, Netherlands, Rotterdam, France, Dordrecht, Belgium, Valkenburg, Liège, Bastogne, Amnéville, French

☆ Philippines condemns China’s ‘illegal and reckless’ actions for dropping flares in the skies above South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The Philippine military condemned “dangerous and provocative actions” when two Chinese aircraft dropped flares in the path of a Philippine aircraft during a routine patrol around the shoal on Thursday. The Chinese military’s Southern Theater Command countered that the Philippines had disrupted its training, accusing Manila of “illegally intruding” into its airspace. On Sunday, Marcos urged China to act responsibly both in the seas and in the skies. Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. China rejects a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that Beijing’s expansive claims had no basis under international law.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, ” Marcos, Chester Cabalza, ”, Cabalza Organizations: Sunday, South China, Southern Theater Command, Presidential Communications Office, International Development, Security Cooperation Locations: South, Manila, Beijing, Scarborough, Philippines, Philippine, “, China, South China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, The Hague

☆ Philippine military condemns China air force for ‘dangerous’ acts in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The Philippine military said on Saturday it strongly condemns “dangerous and provocative actions” by China’s air force at a contested shoal in the South China Sea. It was the first time the Philippines has complained of dangerous actions by Chinese aircraft, as opposed to navy or coast guard vessels, since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr took office in 2022. Two People’s Liberation Army Air Force aircraft executed a dangerous maneuver and dropped flares in the path of a NC-212i Philippine air force propeller aircraft conducting a routine maritime patrol over the Scarborough shoal on Thursday morning, the military said in a statement. Filipino fishermen frequent the Scarborough Shoal one of two flashpoints in a longstanding maritime rivalry with China. A China Coast Guard ship monitors a Philippine fisherman aboard his wooden boat in the disputed South China Sea.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Romeo Brawner, Ted Aljibe Organizations: People’s Liberation Army Air Force, China Coast Guard, Getty Locations: Philippine, South China, Philippines, Scarborough, Manila, China, Beijing, Bajo, Masinloc, AFP, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Hague

☆ Boeing Starliner: What life is like for two astronauts in limbo in space
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Jackie Wattles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

They’re not part of Expedition 71, the international crew of seven astronauts serving as the space station’s official staff. Crew-9 — a routine trip to the space station to replenish expedition staff — is currently slated to fly with four astronauts: NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Nick Hague and Stephanie Wilson, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are greeted by the crew of the International Space Station on June 6, 2024. In 2012, during an earlier trip to the International Space Station, she became the first person to finish a triathlon in space. Without a suitcaseFlying to the space station without the suitcases they had packed for their mission perhaps complicated the comfort of the Starliner astronauts’ extended stay.

Persons: Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, —, They’ve, Williams, They’re, ” Dana Weigel, “ Butch, Suni, ” Weigel, “, Zena Cardman, Nick Hague, Stephanie Wilson, Aleksandr Gorbunov, Wilmore, they’ve, Sunita Williams, Frank Rubio, yearlong, ’, ”, Bill Spetch, Spetch, they’re, Ken Bowersox Organizations: CNN, Space, NASA, SpaceX, International Space Station, Boeing, SpaceX’s, International, Station, AP, Boston Marathon, Space Station, Northrop Grumman, Space Operations, “ Locations: Russian

☆ China and Philippines already at odds over South China Sea deal to ease Second Thomas Shoal tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The dilapidated BRP Sierra Madre ship of the Philippine Navy is anchored near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea. Beijing claims “indisputable sovereignty” over almost all of the 1.3 million-square-mile South China Sea, and most of the islands and sandbars within it, including many features that are hundreds of miles from mainland China. Under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, the Philippines has taken increasingly assertive steps to protect its claim to shoals in the South China Sea, leading to several confrontations off the Philippine islands. The US is not a claimant to the South China Sea, but says the waters are crucial to its national interest of guaranteeing free passage through seas worldwide. A close up view taken on March 29, 2014 of the BRP Sierra Madre beached near the Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, Shoal, Ren’ai Jiao, ”, Mao Ning, pushback, Ritchie, Ferdinand “ Bongbong ” Marcos Jr, Marcos, Jake Sullivan, ” Sullivan, Thomas Shoal, Erik de Castro, Gregory Poling, “, ” Derek Grossman Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, BRP Sierra Madre, Foreign Ministry, The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, BRP, Philippine Navy, coastguard, US Navy, Aspen Security, US National, Reuters, Transparency Initiative, RAND Corporation Locations: Hong Kong, South, Manila, Beijing, Philippine, Spratly, Philippines, China, Palawan, Madre, South China, Second, The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, The Hague, Scarborough, BRP Sierra Madre, Washington, United States, Sierra Madre, BRP Sierra, Asia

☆ Top UN court says Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rule on emergency measures against Israel following accusations by South Africa that the Israeli military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide, in The Hague, Netherlands, January 26, 2024. The United Nations' highest court said on Friday that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there are illegal and should be withdrawn as soon as possible, in its strongest findings to date on the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The advisory opinion by judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), known as the World Court, was not binding but carries weight under international law and may weaken support for Israel. The court said Israel's obligations include paying restitution for harm and "the evacuation of all settlers from existing settlements". "The Jewish nation cannot be an occupier in its own land," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

Persons: Nawaf Salam, Benjamin Netanyahu's Organizations: International Court of Justice, United Nations, Israel, West Bank Locations: South Africa, Gaza, The Hague, Netherlands, Israel, East Jerusalem

☆ Europe has shown it's less afraid of calling Putin's bluff than the US and getting Ukraine what it needs to fight Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

Many European countries have also given more as a proportion of their GDP than the US has. AP Photo/Peter DejongIn early 2023, France became the first Western country to promise to send Ukraine Western armored combat vehicles. European countries have also led in letting Ukraine use Western weapons to hit military targets in Russia. But there are still hangups, and some European countries want partner support for Ukraine to go much further. He said that for most Americans, "if you ask them to name five European countries, they probably wouldn't be able to do it."

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin's, George Barros, Russia doesn't, Ukraine's, Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Peter Dejong, Bradleys, Abrams, Davis Ellison, John Hamilton, Russia didn't, Ellison, Donald Trump, Mark Cancian, Kaja, Andrew Kravchenko Barros, Ingrida Šimonytė, Putin, Barros, It's, forwardness, Philip Ingram, Ingrida Simonyte, Denys Shmyhal, it's, Getty Images Ingram, Biden, JD Vance, it'll Organizations: Service, Kyiv, Business, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, Mirage, AP, Ukraine Western, US, Army Tactical Missile Systems, Storm Shadows, The Hague, Strategic Studies, Army Tactical Missile, Russian, NATO, Marine, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Eastern, Estonia's, Lithuanian, REUTERS, British Army, Ukrainian Governmental Press Service, Anadolu, Getty Images, Republican, America, GOP, Ukraine, Prosecutor's, Getty, White Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Washington, Europe, United States, Russian, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, European, Sweden, France, Paris, Kharkiv, Poland, Germany, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Borodianka, Ukraine's Kyiv, Ukrainian

☆ Top UN court says Israeli occupation of West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | Mitchell Mccluskey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The United Nations’ top court said Friday that Israel’s presence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal, in an unprecedented opinion that called on Israel to end its decades-long occupation of territories claimed by Palestinians for a future state. The Palestinians want the West Bank and Gaza for a future state, with East Jerusalem at its capital. ‘False decision’Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other politicians rejected the ICJ opinion. “The answer to The Hague – sovereignty now,” Smotrich said on X, a call for Israel to annex the West Bank. The ICJ in 2004 delivered an advisory opinion on the Israeli separation barrier around the majority of the West Bank, urging Israel to remove it from occupied land.

Persons: Judge Nawaf Salam, ”, “, Israel, –, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, Israel Katz, Bezalel Smotrich, ” Smotrich, Eliav, ” Lieblich Organizations: CNN, United Nations ’, West Bank, Court of Justice, East Jerusalem, United Nations, UN, Assembly, Hamas, ”, Palestinian Authority, Tel Aviv University Locations: East Jerusalem, Israel, Palestinian Territory, Palestinian, The Hague, Netherlands, Jerusalem, Gaza, East, ”, United, of Israel, South Africa, Hague, Palestine

☆ George Clooney says Biden should drop out, can't win in November
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewGeorge Clooney on Wednesday called on President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race just weeks after co-hosting a star-studded fundraiser for the president's campaign. "He wasn't even the Joe Biden of 2020. I'm proud of what my party represents and what it stands for," Clooney wrote. AdvertisementIn his Times column, Clooney added that he help put on, "some of the biggest fund-raisers in my party's history. Joe Biden in 2020."

Persons: —, George Clooney, Joe Biden, Joe, Biden, Clooney, Reed Hastings, Barry Diller, Clooney's, Rob Reiner, Reiner, …, @robreiner, he's, Nancy Pelosi, lister, Julia Roberts, Barbra Streisand, Barack Obama, Steve Ricchetti, Amal Clooney, Hillary Clinton Organizations: Service, The New York Times, Business, Hollywood, Netflix, IAC, MSNBC, Seven House Democrats, Academy, The Washington Post, Democrats Locations: Washington, Hague

☆ Yulia Navalnaya: Russian court orders arrest in absentia
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Radina Gigova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A court in Moscow has ordered Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of late Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny, to be arrested in absentia, her spokesperson said Tuesday. The Basmannyy District Court in Moscow accused Navalnaya of “participation in an extremist organization,” her spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said in a post on social media. She has also been added to an international wanted list, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. He returned to Russia in 2021 from Germany, where he had been treated after being poisoned with Novichok, a Soviet-era nerve agent. Reacting to the court’s decision on Tuesday, Navalnaya reiterated claims of Putin’s involvement in the death of her husband.

Persons: CNN —, Yulia Navalnaya, Alexey Navalny, Navalnaya, ”, Kira Yarmysh, Navalny, Putin, ’, –, Vladimir Putin, ” Yulia Navalnaya, Instagram Navalnaya, Putin “, “, Alexey, ” CNN’s Nathan Hodge, Sahar Akbarzai, Jack Guy Organizations: CNN, RIA Novosti, Kremlin Locations: Moscow, Basmannyy, Siberia, Russia, Germany, Soviet, Russian, The Hague

☆ What is China’s ‘monster’ coast guard ship and why is the Philippines spooked by it?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“It’s an intimidation on the part of the China Coast Guard,” Tarriela said during a forum on Saturday, according to a Reuters report. Powell and other analysts say intimidation is one of the main jobs of the CCG-5901, which is larger than any regular coast guard ship in the world (a specialty US Coast Guard icebreaker is bigger) and even outsizes US Navy destroyers. The US Coast Guard, for instance, is part of the US Department of Homeland Security, not the Defense Department, although US Coast Guard vessels can come under US Navy control in certain scenarios. The China Coast Guard is part of the country’s People’s Armed Police, which is under the command of the Central Military Commission. The China Coast Guard “doesn’t want to be outdone thus this monster came along to show who’s got a bigger set of muscles,” Koh said.

Persons: ”, Jay Tarriela, Sabina Shoal, Tarriela, BRP Teresa Magbanua, “, ” Tarriela, “ We’re, we’re, Shoal, wasn’t, Ray Powell, SeaLight, ” Powell, Powell, Arleigh Burke, ‘, ” Carl Schuster, Collin Koh, Teresa Magbanua, who’s, ” Koh Organizations: CNN, Philippine, Philippine Coast Guard, China Coast Guard, United, Coast, National Security, BRP, Stanford University, Coast Guard, US, Guard’s National Security Cutters, Chinese Coast Guard, CNN Coast, US Coast Guard, US Department of Homeland Security, Defense Department, Armed Police, Central Military Commission, Analysts, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, Guard, Rajaratnam, of International Studies Locations: China, Philippines, Beijing, Manila, South China, Sabina, Spratly, Philippine, Palawan, The Hague, Singapore

☆ Ukrainian navy chief says sea drone strikes have rendered Russia's Black Sea Fleet HQ in occupied Crimea effectively useless
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-06 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewUkraine's sea drone and missile attacks have left Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters at Sevastopol effectively useless and forced many of its ships to relocate to other locations, the head of the Ukrainian navy has said. The Sevastopol headquarters was the site of numerous key functions for the Black Sea Fleet, including training, repairs, and storing ammunition. Ukraine, which lost most of its traditional navy during the annexation of Crimea in 2014, has targeted Russia's Black Sea fleet with great success using sea drones , as well as hitting targets in occupied Crimea with US-made ATACMS missiles. Neizhpapa told Reuters that the expected delivery of F-16 fighter aircraft later this year would help Ukraine challenge Russia's dominance over the region. "The northwestern part of the Black Sea, particularly the corridor for civilian ships, will be almost 100% secure."

Persons: —, Oleksiy Neizhpapa, Neizhpapa, Novorossiisk, Sergei Kotov, Vladimir Putin's, Putin, Frederik Mertens Organizations: Service, Fleet, Ukrainian, Reuters, Black, Business, Ministry of Defence, Hague, Strategic Studies Locations: Sevastopol, Novorossiisk, Azov, Ukraine, Crimea, Kerch, Russian

☆ Russian spies only need $3 a month to dupe someone online: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

According to the report, one of the operations in Project Kylo would have cost the Russian spies around $3 a month to manipulate one Western internet user. "It is precisely the fear for the future, uncertainty about tomorrow, the inability to make long-term plans, the unclear fate of children and future generations," the document read. And the number of Russian spies in the West is now estimated to be at the highest it has been in decades. Russian spy activities "are as high or even higher than during the Cold War," a Western intelligence officer told The Financial Times in March. AdvertisementGerman newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported in April 2023 that Russian spies have used Tinder to target German politicians and soldiers in a bid to obtain intelligence related to the Ukraine war.

Persons: —, Der, Der Spiegel, Victor Muller, Sonntag Organizations: Service, The, Der Spiegel, Business, SVR, Der, Criminal, Financial Times, Welt Locations: Ukraine, Germany, Russian, The Hague, West

☆ 'The Man with 1000 Kids' sperm donor Jonathan Jacob Meijer said his children should use a symbol on social media to prevent incest
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewJonathan Jacob Meijer, the prolific sperm donor who is the focus of the show "The Man with 1000 Kids," said that his children should use a symbol on social media to avoid unwittingly having incestuous relationships. Meijer confirmed that he fathered 550 children during the 2023 court case, and it's unclear why Netflix chose the title "The Man with 1000 Kids." He suggested that his children should use a symbol on social media as a way of avoiding incest. A narrator reading the court transcript in the docuseries said: "The defence argues that if they are worried about incest, his donor children can use a social media symbol to identify themselves as one of his children." In an interview broadcast on Wednesday on BBC Radio 4's "Woman's Hour," the host asked Meijer if he really thought social media was a good way for his children to identify themselves.

Persons: —, Jonathan Jacob Meijer, Meijer, he'll, Kate, we've Organizations: Service, Netflix, Reuters, Business, BBC Locations: Netherlands, Hague, Australia

☆ The sperm donor at the center of 'The Man with 1000 Kids' says he plans to sue Netflix. Here's where Jonathan Jacob Meijer is now.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read preview"The Man with 1000 Kids" tells the story of four couples and a single woman as they gradually realize their sperm donor has fathered hundreds of children. The Netflix docuseries details how Jonathan Jacob Meijer told those who used him as a donor that he had only helped a handful of families. It later emerges he has been donating sperm around the world. In an email to Business Insider, Meijer denied running the site. He explained that he spent "over 50,000 hours" as a sperm donor until 2019, when he said he stopped donating to clinics.

Persons: —, Jonathan Jacob Meijer, John, Meijer, Leon Organizations: Service, Netflix, Business, Hague, Court, Independent, YouTube Locations: Netherlands, Leon, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Africa

☆ Netflix's 'The Man with 1000 Kids' is about a prolific Danish sperm donor. Mothers who say he tricked them 'just want him to stop.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Eammon Jacobs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Some mothers who have used Jonathan Jacob Meijer's sperm claim the number is much higher. Released on July 3, it features five couples who used Meijer as a sperm donor to start families after finding him on a website called "Longing for a Child." Natalie, who also appeared on the Netflix documentary, highlighted the possible ramifications for future generations because of the number of children Meijer has fathered. Netflix/YouTubeWhen asked about the claims that he has donated globally, Meijer told Business Insider: "As a bank donor doing regular visits, I only was active in the Netherlands for Cryos. Responding to Meijer's decision not to appear in the documentary, Natalie said: "He was given a right to respond.

Persons: —, Jonathan Jacob, Meijer, It's, Natalie, Suzanne, he's, Jonathan Jacob Meijer, I've Organizations: Service, Business, Dutch Society of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Cryos, Netflix, Independent, The Hague, News, YouTube, BI Locations: Netherlands

☆ France votes in snap election that could hand power to the far right
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Vandalized posters with images of local candidates for the European Parliament election mixed with those from the first round of the 2024 French legislative elections, seen on June 24 2024, in Val d Arry, Calvados. France will hold an early legislative election in two rounds on June 30 and July 7 2024, following President Emmanuel Macrons decision which was triggered by his party's heavy defeat to the far-right National Rally in the 2024 European Parliament election. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesFrench voters are heading to the polls on Sunday for the first round of voting in a snap parliamentary election that could see the far-right National Rally group become the biggest party in France's National Assembly, polls suggest. Calling the snap election, which will involve two rounds of polling on Sunday and on July 7, Macron said the vote would provide "clarification" and that "France needs a clear majority to act in serenity and harmony." French President Emmanuel Macron waits for guest arrivals for a conference in support of Ukraine with European leaders and government representatives on February 26, 2024 in Paris, France.

Persons: Emmanuel Macrons, Emmanuel Macron, Jordan Bardella, Macron, Le Pen, Jordan Bardella —, Pen, Peter Garnry, Giorgia Meloni, George Dyson, Dyson, Ludovic Marin Organizations: Nurphoto, Getty, National Assembly, National, Analysts, Chesnot, New Popular, National Rally, Le, Palais des Sports, Saxo Bank, Risks, Republicans, Renaissance, Nexus Institute, AFP Locations: Val d, Calvados, France, Ukraine, Paris, Germany, The Hague, Netherlands

☆ France's far-right National Rally seen leading in first round of snap election, exit polls show
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The first round of a snap parliamentary election in France points to a surge in votes for the anti-immigrant National Rally party, with President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance coming into third place. Early polling data from national broadcaster France 2 indicates that National Rally (RN) won 34% of the vote while the leftist New Popular Front (NFP) alliance got 28.1%. If no candidate meets that standard, a second round of voting is held, listing the top two candidates and any other candidates who secured more than 12.5% of registered voters' support. The second round of voting on July 7 is the one to watch, according to Antonio Barroso, deputy director of Research at Teneo. As such, National Rally is widely expected to significantly increase the number of seats it has in France's 577-seat parliament, the National Assembly, from the current level of 89.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Emmanuel Macron's, Antonio Barroso Organizations: Nexus Institute, National Rally, France, New Popular Front, Research, NFP, National Assembly Locations: The Hague, Netherlands, France, Teneo

☆ ICC convicts al Qaeda-linked leader of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Mali
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Catherine Nicholls | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The International Criminal Court on Wednesday convicted an al Qaeda-linked leader of crimes against humanity and war crimes that took place in Timbuktu, northern Mali. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, who was a senior member of the Islamic Police, was recruited by al Qaeda leaders, the ICC said in a statement. Al Hassan was convicted by majority of directly committing, contributing to, or aiding and abetting crimes against humanity of torture and war crimes of torture and outrages upon personal dignity, the ICC confirmed. Al Hassan will remain in detention until he is sentenced in a separate hearing. Following a 2012 coup in Mali, Islamic extremists, some with ties to al Qaeda, capitalized on the country’s instability.

Persons: al, Al Hassan Ag, Aziz, Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, Ansar Dine, Al Hassan Organizations: CNN, Islamic Police, ICC, United Nations Locations: al Qaeda, Timbuktu, Mali, Qaeda, Dutch, The Hague

☆ I.C.C. Issues Arrest Warrants for 2 Senior Russian Security Officials
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Anatoly Kurmanaev | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The International Criminal Court said on Tuesday that it had issued arrest warrants for two top Russian security officials over strikes against civilian targets, delivering a stinging, if largely symbolic, condemnation of the Kremlin’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine. The Hague-based court accused Russia’s most senior military officer, Gen. Valery V. Gerasimov, and a senior member of the country’s Security Council, Sergei K. Shoigu, of directing a campaign of strikes against Ukraine’s power plants in the winter of 2022. “The expected incidental civilian harm and damage would have been clearly excessive to the anticipated military advantage,” the court said in a statement on Tuesday, referring to the strikes. It issued the warrants on Monday. Russia’s Security Council denounced the warrants, calling them “pathetic” examples of “the West’s hybrid war against our country,” according to comments provided to the Moscow-based Interfax news agency.

Persons: Russia’s, Valery V, Sergei K, “ Organizations: country’s Security, Russia’s Locations: Ukraine, The Hague, Moscow

☆ Leila de Lima: Philippine court clears fierce Duterte critic of drugs charges after long legal battle
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The charges stemmed from allegations by Duterte that De Lima had received payoffs from convicted drug gangs to fund her 2016 senatorial bid. Speaking to reporters outside the court, De Lima said Duterte would be held responsible for “sins committed” against Filipinos. Jam Sta Rosa/AFP/Getty ImagesDuring his tenure as president, Duterte repeatedly said the killings of drug suspects are lawful if police are acting in self defense. In July last year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected an appeal by the Philippine government to block an investigation by prosecutors into Duterte’s drug war. The Philippines was formerly a signatory to the ICC but Duterte canceled the country’s membership after the court began probing his drug war.

Persons: Rodrigo Duterte’s, Leila De Lima, Duterte, De Lima, De, “ Leila, “, ”, Leila de Lima, Sta Rosa, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, pullout Organizations: CNN, PTV, ” Former, Criminal Court, ICC, Hague, Duterte Locations: Muntinlupa, ” Former Philippine, AFP, Davao City, Philippine, Philippines

☆ China's ax-wielding clash at sea with the Philippines is a way to 'exhaust' it into accepting territory claims, expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The incident on Monday is the latest "gray-zone" skirmish in the South China Sea, where China has increasingly used nonlethal but highly provocative measures to harass other countries there. China has claimed sovereignty over the South China Sea for decades, a claim that was roundly rejected in the Hague in 2016. On Saturday, it enacted a law allowing its Coast Guard to seize foreign ships suspected of trespassing, CNN reported. It comes after several other aggressive acts from Beijing in the South China Sea in recent months, involving lasers, water cannons, maritime militias, and even the alleged poisoning of fishing waters. A screen grab from a video provided by the Philippine Coast Guard showing Chinese vessels shooting water cannons at a ship in the South China Sea, on April 30, 2024.

Persons: —, Sari Arho Havrén, Collin Koh, Havrén, Xi Jinping, Biden, Joe Biden, Xi, Xi's Organizations: Service, Business, Coast Guard, CNN, Royal United Services Institute, AFP, —, Forces, Armed Forces, China Coast Guard, South China, Chinese Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Getty, Financial Times Locations: South China, China, South, Hague, Philippines, AFP, Palawan, Philippines China, Beijing, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Gaza, Ukraine

☆ Putin signs deals with Vietnam in bid to shore up ties in Asia to offset Moscow’s growing isolation
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Russia and Vietnam pledged on June 20, 2024 to deepen ties as President Vladimir Putin made a state visit aimed at bolstering his alliances to counter Moscow's growing isolation over the war in Ukraine. Putin and President To Lam agreed to further cooperate in education, science and technology, oil and gas exploration and clean energy. The two countries also agreed to work on a roadmap for a nuclear science and technology center in Vietnam. In Hanoi, Putin also met Vietnam’s most powerful politician, Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, according to the official Vietnam News Agency. Putin drove to Vietnam’s Presidential Palace on Thursday afternoon, where he was greeted by school children waving Russian and Vietnamese flags.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Lam, Gavriil Grigorov, Putin, ” Lam, “, Kim Jong, Nigel Gould, Davies, ”, Nguyen Khac Giang, Giang, Nguyen Phu Trong, Pham Minh Chinh, Putin’s, Ridzwan Rahmat, Janes, ” Rahmat, Prashanth, Wilson, Vladimir Lenin, Trong, Nhan Dan, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Gould, they’ve, he’s, Parameswaran Organizations: Sputnik, Hanoi Opera, Afp, Getty, North, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Singapore’s, Yusof, Institute, Communist Party General, Vietnam News Agency, Criminal, Kremlin, U.S, Embassy, Security, NATO, Asia, Communist Party’s, Vietnam’s Communist Party Locations: Russian, Hanoi, Russia, Vietnam, Ukraine, Moscow, Asia, Pacific, Eurasia, London, British, Belarus, China, North Korea, U.S, Hague, Korea, Singapore, Soviet Union, Soviet, trickier, Washington

☆ ‘Only pirates do this’: Philippines accuses China of using bladed weapons in major South China Sea escalation
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Nectar Gan | Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Hong Kong CNN —The Philippines has accused China’s Coast Guard of launching a “brutal assault” with bladed weapons during a South China Sea clash earlier this week, a major escalation in a festering dispute that threatens to drag the United States into another global conflict. A Philippine Navy serviceman on the rubber boat lost his right thumb when the Chinese Coast Guard rammed it, Torres said. China’s Coast Guard also deployed tear gas, “blinding” strobe lights and continuously blared sirens, the AFP said. “The Chinese Coast Guard personnel had bladed weapons and our personnel fought with bare hands. This is the closest China’s Coast Guard has come to the BRP Sierra Madre, Koh noted.

Persons: Thomas Shoal, –, ” Collin Koh, ” Koh, “, ”, Alfonso Torres Jr, Torres, Romeo Brawner Jr, ” Brawner, Ferdinand “ Bongbong ” Marcos Jr, Marcos, Matthew Miller, Enrique A, Antony Blinken, ” Derek Grossman, Koh, they’re, Thomas, Washington “, ” “ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Coast Guard, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Philippine, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Philippine Navy, Armed Forces, Getty, Western Command, Chinese Coast Guard, China’s Coast Guard, Staff, Getty Images Mutual, South China, US State Department, Mutual Defense, RAND Corporation, China Coast Guard, Philippine personnel, Navy Special Operations Group, BRP, BRP Sierra Madre Locations: Hong Kong, Philippines, China, United States, Manila, Spratly, Philippine, Singapore, AFP, ’, China’s, South, States, US, Washington, South China, The Hague, Beijing, India, BRP Sierra, BRP Sierra Madre

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