ICC issues arrest warrants for senior Taliban officials

 

TT

 

Published 19.38Updated 21.05

 

Many schools for girls in Afghanistan have been closed following a decision by the country's Taliban administration. File photo. Photo: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP/TT

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague is issuing arrest warrants for two senior figures within the Taliban administration in Afghanistan.

The ICC has named the Taliban’s Minister of Education, Habibullah Agha, and the Minister of Higher Education, Neda Mohammad Nadeem. They are accused of crimes against humanity stemming from the Taliban administration's oppression of women and girls.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban administration, condemns the court's decision and states that Afghanistan does not recognize any court designated as an "international court." Consequently, the country attaches no importance to the court's positions:

"We adhere to Sharia and its courts," Mujahid said in a written statement.

The ICC lacks its own police force and therefore relies on member states to carry out arrests should the ministers cross their borders.

The Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in August 2021 and has since imposed extensive restrictions and bans regarding the education of girls and women.
 

Palestinian killed in the West Bank

 

TT

 

Published 13.51

 

Israeli soldiers in the West Bank. File photo. Photo: Majdi Mohammed/AP/TT

Israeli forces have shot and killed one Palestinian and wounded two others in the West Bank, according to Palestinian authorities.

The incident occurred on Monday at the entrance to the Palestinian town of Bani Naim, north of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The Israeli military states that the three Palestinians were traveling in a car that accelerated toward a military vehicle and rammed into it, and that soldiers subsequently opened fire. Palestinian authorities describe the incident as Israeli forces opening fire on a civilian vehicle but do not mention whether the driver attempted to run over Israeli soldiers.

Violence in the West Bank has surged since the Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Since then, more than 1,100 Palestinians in the area have been killed by Israeli settlers or forces. 

Rubio heads to Iceland – aims to boost Arctic presence

 

TT

 

Published 16.23

 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to reporters before departing for Iceland. Photo: Mark Schiefelbein /AP/TT

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to Iceland on Monday with the aim of increasing the country's economic and military presence in the Arctic.

Rubio will meet with officials in Reykjavik to "discuss cooperation on economic and security matters," according to a press release from the US State Department.

Before his departure, Rubio described Iceland as a "good friend to the US" and the visit as the result of several conversations with NATO allies.

The visit comes two weeks after the US, Denmark, and Greenland signed an agreement in New York. The agreement entails, among other things, that the US will build two "very large" military bases in Greenland. 

US approves billion-dollar arms sale

 

TT-AFP

 

Published 19.06

 

US flag outside the Capitol. File photo. Photo: Mariam Zuhaib /AP/TT

The US has approved an arms deal worth one billion dollars—equivalent to over ten billion kronor—with the United Arab Emirates.

The deal covers up to 10,000 precision guidance systems for missiles.

"The proposed sale will improve the United Arab Emirates' capability to meet current and future threats," the US State Department said in a press release.

"It will support US foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the security of an important defense partner," the statement continued.

Like several other US-allied Gulf states, the United Arab Emirates has been hit hard by missile and drone attacks from Iran. 

Suspected Chinese spy arrested in the US

 

 

TT-AFP

 

Published  07.18

 

The woman was about to board a flight at Los Angeles International Airport when she was arrested. File photo. Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP/TT

A Chinese woman has been arrested in the US, suspected of spying on the family of Taiwan's leader on behalf of China.

The woman was arrested at the airport in Los Angeles while preparing to fly to Shanghai, China, prosecutors stated on X.

She is suspected of spying on Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's son and his family—including by filming their home and vehicles and sending the information to China—according to the FBI.

Lai's office condemns the "barbaric acts."

"Such behavior should not be tolerated in the civilized world," a spokesperson for the office said in a statement.

China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, but in practice, Taiwan has been self-governing for several decades.

"Down with the Tsar" – many arrested in Moscow”

 

TT

 

Published 06.59

 

A photo released by the Russian Communist Party's press service shows demonstrators being led away during Saturday's protest. Photo: Russian Communist Party/AP/TT

Around 60 demonstrators have been arrested in Moscow during an anti-government protest, reports The Kyiv Independent, citing the Russian human rights group OVD-Info.

Saturday's protest was organized by the Russian Communist Party (KPRF) and had received official authorization. It was held to mark the anniversary of the country's 1993 constitutional crisis, during which hundreds of people were killed.

The arrests began after demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans—such as "down with the Tsar" and "down with the party of crooks and thieves"—aimed at President Vladimir Putin and his United Russia party.

About 60 demonstrators were arrested, writes The Kyiv Independent. According to OVD-Info, roughly half of them belonged to the Communist Party, while the other half belonged to the liberal Yabloko party.

  

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