British troops operating on the ground in Ukraine

Leaked communications involving high-level German government and military figures appear to confirm that British army personnel are engaged on the ground in Ukraine. An unencrypted telephone call intercepted and leaked to Russian broadcaster RT suggested British troops were helping the defending forces in the use of Storm Shadow cruise missiles the UK has supplied to help Kyiv’s war effort. The episode raises some important questions as to whether training Ukrainian troops on the battlefield comprises an act of war – and whether this means Britain risks being designated a co-combatant alongside Ukraine. Konstantin Kosachev, the deputy speaker of Russia’s federation council, was reported by Russia’s state-run news agency Tass as saying that by supplying weapons to Ukraine, Nato countries were progressing along a path towards direct confrontation. Sending troops to Ukraine, he said, “can be interpreted as the alliance’s direct involvement in hostilities, or even as a declaration of war.”

PIL doctrine: Law of Neutrality - It defines the legal relationship between nations engaged in an armed conflict (belligerents) and nations not taking part in such hostilities (neutrals). The law of neutrality serves to localize war, to limit the conduct of war on both land and sea, and to lessen the impact of war on. The laws of neutrality have been interpreted so that states can provide weapons and other support to a state unjustly attacked by a belligerent country, to enable it to defend itself. According to this definition, third-party countries would become co-combatants only if they resort to armed force against Russia.

UN chief urges Israel and Hamas to reach ceasefire deal in Gaza

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has renewed his calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as a Hamas delegation is set to visit the Egyptian capital, Cairo, soon for renewed indirect talks.“For the sake of the people of Gaza, the hostages & their families, and the region & the wider world – I strongly encourage the government of Israel & Hamas leadership to reach an agreement in their negotiations,”Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, has been leading efforts to mediate between Israel and Hamas to broker a deal for a ceasefire and captive release in Gaza.

PIL DOCTRINE: SETTLING OF DISPUTES BETWEEN STATES- This main body of the UN settles legal disputes submitted to it by States parties in accordance with international law. The Court is competent to entertain a dispute only if the States concerned have accepted its jurisdiction. It also gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it from authorized UN organs and specialized agencies.

Trump's possible return reignites South Korea nuclear debate

South Korea calls to acquire nuclear weapons, which were subdued for the past year following steps to strengthen the U.S.-South Korea alliance, are once again bubbling to the surface ahead of the possible return of former U.S. President Donald Trump.Trump, who appears locked in a tight race with President Joe Biden as November’s election approaches, sparked concern this week after making comments that many Korean media interpreted as a threat to pull U.S. troops from South Korea.

In an interview with Time magazine, Trump lamented that U.S. troops are “in a precarious position” — a reference to nuclear-armed North Korea — and said Seoul should pay much more for U.S. protection. If South Korea ever pursues a nuclear arsenal, the decision will come with massive economic, reputational and regional security risks. Not only could the move upend South Korea’s alliance with the United States, but it could also prompt others in the region to pursue similar weapons, invite international economic sanctions, and would almost certainly elicit a fierce reaction from China, according to analysts.

PIL DOCTRINE: USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS - The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) includes a comprehensive set of prohibitions on participating in any nuclear weapon activities. These include undertakings not to develop, test, produce, acquire, possess, stockpile, use or threaten to use nuclear weapons. The Treaty also prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons on national territory and the provision of assistance to any State in the conduct of prohibited activities. States parties will be obliged to prevent and suppress any activity prohibited under the TPNW undertaken by persons or on territory under its jurisdiction or control.

Reported by Ms. Junaze Belga

SOURCE: Voice of America

Link: https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-s-possible-return-reignites-south-korea-nuclear-debate/7596584.html

Germany arrests two dual nationals over alleged Russian sabotage plot

Germany arrested two German-Russian dual nationals suspected of plotting sabotage attacks on US military sites to undermine Western support for Ukraine. The men, identified as Dieter S and Alexander J, were arrested in Bayreuth, Bavaria, after their homes and workplaces were searched. German prosecutors accuse them of working for a foreign intelligence service and gathering information on US military infrastructure and industrial sites.

Dieter, suspected of working for a foreign intelligence service, allegedly plotted to carry out explosive and arson attacks on military infrastructure and industrial sites in Germany, including US military facilities. He and Alexander allegedly scouted targets, took photos and videos, and passed them to a Russian contact. Dieter also faced charges for belonging to a foreign terrorist organization for his activities in Ukraine. The arrests were praised for preventing possible attacks targeting Germany's military aid to Ukraine.

PIL DOCTRINE: SABOTAGE under the Article 5 of the Geneva Convention should be understood to mean acts whose object or effect is to damage or destroy material belonging to the army of occupation or utilized by it.

Reported by: ALLISON MARAYAG SOURCE: AL JAZEERA LINK: https://aje.io/d7lhht

35 Somalis Arrive in India to Face Trial Over Ship Hijacking

35 accused Somali pirates arrived in Mumbai, India to face trial over the hijacking of a Maltese-flagged ship, the MV Ruen, in December 2023. This marks the first time since 2017 that a cargo vessel has been successfully boarded by Somali pirates. Indian naval commandos recaptured the ship and rescued several hostages in a 40-hour operation. The accused pirates face the death sentence if convicted of a killing or attempted killing, and life imprisonment for piracy alone under India's anti-piracy laws.

The Maltese-flagged MV Ruen was the first cargo vessel successfully boarded by Somali pirates since 2017. The captured pirates face the death sentence if convicted of killing or attempted killing, and life imprisonment for piracy alone. India's navy has been continuously deployed off Somalia since 2008, stepping up anti-piracy efforts last year.

PIL DOCTRINE: HIJACKING - the illegal seizure of a land vehicle, ship, or aircraft in transit and its forcible diversion to a new destination against the will of its crew. In international law, both the hijacking of a ship (Piracy) and an aircraft are recognized as international crimes without controversy.

Reported by: SARAH CANTERA SOURCE: VOICE OF AMERICA (VOA) LINK: https://www.voanews.com/a/somalis-arrive-in-india-to-face-trial-over-ship-hijacking-/7539636.html

Chandrayaan-3: India makes historic landing near Moon's south pole

India's Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully lands near the lunar south pole, making India the first country to achieve this feat. This historic moment marks India's emergence as a space power, with the government looking to spur investment in private space launches and related satellite-based businesses. The successful landing also raises hopes of discovering vital reserves of frozen water and precious elements on the moon.

The Pragyaan rover will explore the area for two weeks, taking pictures and conducting experiments on geology and the presence of water ice. This achievement establishes India as a space power and supports its growing economy.

This signal's India'second triumph after their first achievement of landing on the south pole. Using less powerful rockets than the US did in the 1960s and 70s, the probe took a month-long trajectory to reach the moon. A rover called Pragyaan will explore the lunar surface for two weeks, conducting experiments and searching for water ice. This successful landing demonstrates India's rising standing as a technology and space powerhouse.

India's successful solar mission and upcoming space endeavors, including a lunar mission, are expected to boost its global standing and popularity ahead of a crucial general election. This success comes as China continues to advance in space exploration and Russia faces setbacks.

PIL DOCTRINE: OUTER SPACE TREATY Article VIII A State Party to the Treaty on whose registry an object launched into outer space is carried shall retain jurisdiction and control over such object, and over any personnel thereof, while in outer space or on a celestial body.

Source: The Guardian Link: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/aug/23/india-chandrayaan-3-moon-landing-mission?CMP=share_btn_url Reported by: EDGAR C. TADEO. JR.

State Department: No immunity for Israeli diplomat’s son accused of running over Sunny Isles Beach cop

The son of an Israeli diplomat, Avraham Gil, has been accused of running over a Sunny Isles Beach police officer and faces felony charges. Despite initial claims of diplomatic immunity, the U.S. Department of State has confirmed that he is not entitled to any immunity based on his father's position at the consulate. Gil was arrested on charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence.

His attorneys maintain his innocence, claiming law enforcement failed to follow protocols to verify his diplomatic status. The Israeli consulate has not commented on the charges. The incident involved the son hitting a police officer during a traffic stop, with video showing him driving and having no intention to harm the officer.

PIL DOCTRINE: IMMUNITY is a doctrine in international law that protects the sovereignty and independence of States by preventing them or their agents from being prosecuted before foreign courts.

Source: LOCAL 10 NEWS US

Link: https://www.local10.com/news/local/2024/02/01/state-department-no-immunity-for-israeli-diplomats-son-accused-of-running-over-sunny-isles-beach-cop/

Reported by: JEFFREY TOLENTINO