Italian prime minister nominated +++ Puigdemont extradition under preparation +++ Palestinians take Israel to ICC

22. Juni 2018, 02:00

Italian prime minister nominated

Italy's populist Five Star Movement and the far-right League have nominated a law professor at Florence University, Giuseppe Conte, as the country's next prime minister. Conte has no political experience. President Sergio Mattarella must approve the appointment. Mattarella holds talks today amid concerns the cost of the proposed coalition’s reform plans would dramatically increase Italy’s public debt, already the second highest in the EU after Greece.

Puigdemont extradition under preparation

German prosecutors have said they are preparing an application to allow the extradition of former Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont to Spain. Spain is seeking his return on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds.

Palestinians take Israel to ICC

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki has asked the International Criminal Court in The Hague to investigate alleged crimes committed by Israel. Speaking after talks with the court’s chief prosecutor, Malki said the complaint includes settlement policy and the recent violence in Gaza: “Palestine took this step due to the intensification of the rate and severity of the crimes committed against our people, including settlement expansion as well as the brutal and calculated targeting of unarmed protestors.” Israel has described the move as absurd and called on the court to reject the complaint.

N. Korea stages nuclear test site destruction

A group of foreign journalists has arrived in North Korea to witness the closure of its nuclear test site. Neither South Korean journalists nor technical experts are included. North Korea is refusing to talk to the South because of major military exercises it is holding with the US. South Korean president Moon Jae-in is in Washington for talks with president Trump, amid uncertainty over whether the proposed summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un will go ahead next month.

Pompeo threatens Iran

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has demanded that Iran make sweeping changes to its military and regional policies or face what he called "the strongest sanctions in history." German foreign minister Heiko Maas who is to hold talks with Pompeo, has said his remarks largely reiterated the views of president Trump, and that Europe remains committed to the Iran nuclear deal.

The weather

Partly sunny with cloud, showers and thunderstorms. Top temperatures 17 to 28 degrees.

Übersicht

• News In English