Day: July 27, 2023

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin for the suspected deportation of children from Ukraine, which would be a war crime.  President Joe Biden has decided to allow the US to cooperate with the International Criminal Court’s investigation of Russian war crimes in Ukraine.  Over the course of the war, Biden administration officials have obtained evidence of alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine.  It would be the first time the US has agreed to share evidence with the court as part of a criminal probe into a country that…

Ukraine says it intercepted 36 Russian cruise missiles in one day.  Ukraine counteroffensive ‘not a stalemate’, says US  Two alleged Ukrainian intelligence agents were jailed in Russia.  Russia claims that three battalions of Ukrainian soldiers conducted a “massive assault” on the Russian frontline.  Russian reports suggest there has been a significant Ukrainian mechanized operation which has broken through some pre-prepared Russian defences to the east of Zaporizhzhia.  The focus appears to be the town of Robotyne which is southeast of Orikhiv. Interpreting what’s going on is complicated by the fact Ukraine…

Shell profits cut by half due to plunging energy prices, Q2 profits slump 56% at Shell, 49% at Total Energies   Oil, gas, and LNG prices much lower in 2023 vs 2022  Total Energies sees LNG prices recover somewhat in winter  Shell slows the pace of the share buyback program. Shell and Total Energies reported sharp falls in second-quarter profit from bumper 2022 earnings as oil and gas prices, refining margins, and trading results all weakened. Oil and gas prices soared last year in the wake of Russia’s invasion of…

An Indian crew member was killed and 20 others were injured when a major fire broke out on board a cargo vessel carrying nearly 3,000 cars off the Netherlands coast.  The Indian Embassy in the Netherlands said in a social media post the fire had resulted in the death of an Indian national.  The fire may have been started by one of the 25 electric cars on board, according to a Dutch national broadcaster.  It could take hours, days, or even weeks to make sure the fire is completely out,…

North Korea marks the 70th year of ‘Victory Day  Russia, China’s first prominent visitors since the COVID pandemic  Leader Kim shows Russia’s defence chief missiles at an arms expo  North backs Russia’s ‘battle for justice  Mr. Putin is reaching out to other countries for help and support in fighting his war in Ukraine- US  North Korea and Russia deny they have conducted arms transactions.  Russia’s defence minister accompanied North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to a defence exhibition that featured the North’s banned ballistic missiles as the neighbours pledged to…

Niger soldiers say President Bazoum’s government has been removed  Colonel declares borders closed  Takeover seventh coup in West, Central Africa region since 2020  Niger pivotal ally for Western powers in battling insurgencies.  Bazoum’s election was the first democratic transition of power in a state that has witnessed four military coups since independence from France in 1960.  The United States urged Bazoum’s release, while the European Union, United Nations, France, and others condemned the uprising and said they were following the events with concern.  Niger President Mohamed Bazoum has been removed…