European Union backs ICC after US sanctions on court judges

According to European Commission Chairman Ursula von der Leyen, the United States “deeply regrets” the sanctions being applied to four judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio placed sanctions on four judges, who the US claims are “illegitimate and baseless” with regard to the US and its allies, on Thursday.

Von der Leyen responded to the news on Friday, stating that the Hague-based court possessed “full support” from the EU.

Von der Leyen stated on X on Friday that the ICC “gives victims a voice” and “the holds perpetrators of the world’s gravest crimes to account.” It must be free to take any pressure off of it.

Volker Turk, the head of the UN’s human rights divisions, described the US decision as “profoundly disturbing.”

“Attacks against judges for the performance of their judicial functions, at national or international levels, go against the principles of the US’s longstanding rule of law and equal protection of the law,” Turk said.

He continued, calling for the removal of the sanctions, adding that “these attacks are deeply corrosive of good governance and the proper administration of justice.”

The court, which represents the 27 EU member states’ national governments, was described as “a cornerstone of international justice” by Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, and stressed that its autonomy and integrity must be safeguarded.

The court’s decision to launch an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by US troops in Afghanistan led to the US State Department’s release, according to the US State Department.

Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, Reine Alapini-Gansou of Benin, and Slovenian Beti Hohler are the four sanctioned judges.

Slovenia, a member of the EU, “rejects pressure on judicial institutions” and urged the EU to use its blocking statute.

Slovenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a post on X that “a citizen of an EU member state will propose the immediate activation of the blocking act.”

The mechanism allows Brussels to impose sanctions against European businesses that the EU considers to be unlawful. In the past, Washington has used the power to thwart trade agreements with Cuba and Iran.

The judges are now included in a list of people who have been specifically sanctioned by the US. Any US assets they may have will be blocked, and they will be placed on a screening service that is used by many banks around the world to make it difficult for those who have been sanctioned to hold bank accounts, open bank accounts, or transfer money.

Since Trump took office for a second term on January 20th, the US has placed restrictions on an ICC official for the first time.

Trump issued a broad executive order shortly after taking office that slapped anyone who participated in ICC investigations. Critics warned that broad language like that could obstruct the flow of justice by preventing witnesses from presenting evidence.

However, according to Trump, such measures were required by the 2024 arrest warrants issued for former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Netanyahu.

‘I feel happy and content’ – Mentor on retirement

Images courtesy of Getty

Geva Mentor, the legendary English netball player who announced her retirement, described her as “happy and content” with her newfound success.

The 40-year-old Leeds Rhinos defender will play in the final two games of the current Super League season before deciding to end her playing career.

The time is right for me to retire, Mentor said to BBC South Today, “I’m very happy and content with my decision.”

“Last year I wasn’t sure if I was ready, but after a few games this year, I knew it was time to play.”

I was able to compete this year and play it, but I’m ready for the upcoming chapter, which will allow me to spend more time at home and travel less.

Since moving to the Rhinos in 2024, Mentor, who is originally from Bournemouth, has had to travel frequently between her house and the club.

She appeared in more than 310 club games over the course of 16 seasons playing in New Zealand and Australia.

In his 24-year career, Mentor was twice chosen as the “World’s Best Netballer.”

She continued, “This year, I took a step back from the leadership positions and enjoy my netball.”

When I leave the sport, I can say yes to more things that are exciting for me when I’m not on the court.

I’m working hard in France, and I might also continue to do that. I want to help advance our sport because I’m a strong proponent of it.

“I’m very grateful for everything that the sport has given me, and I want others to have experiences like that.”

Leeds Rhinos face Cardiff Dragons in Sheffield on Sunday in their final Super League game before Nottingham Forest’s clash on 15 June.

Mentor’s team has struggled in the league this season, winning just two games to finish third in the standings.

There are still two games left, according to Mentor, who is excited about them.

I just want to take to the court, play, and give it my all in those crucial games, and win.

It’s been crazy to think where I’ve come from and the journey that has followed, to say the least.

related subjects

  • Netball

Can AI be held accountable? AI ethicist on tech giants and the AI boom

What will AI’s future hold and how will efforts to regulate its effects be? Rumman Chowdhury, an AI ethicist, speaks with Marc Lamont Hill.

Tech companies and international organizations are working to create more sophisticated artificial intelligence. There are growing concerns about AI spreading misinformation and being used in government surveillance and war as this technology becomes more widespread in daily life. Where do efforts to control AI now leave room for improvement? And how is global politics being impacted by the growing influence of tech billionaires?

‘Not trying to be men’s team’ – Betts on Wigan rise

SWPix

St Helens vs. Wigan Warriors in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup final

The Women’s Challenge Cup final earlier this year attracted a lot of attention from Wigan Warriors.

It would be an understatement to say that Leeds Rhinos were thrashed.

The two-time winners were destroyed by Denis Betts’ side 44-14, and Wigan never looked particularly vulnerable in the 80 minutes, despite a late Leeds rally.

With St Helens and York dominating the last few years along with Leeds, it signaled the rise of a new side to the top of the women’s game in England.

What is the cause of Wigan’s recent rise, though? And where did Leeds play in that game?

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Leeds had already defeated Wigan in the semi-final in May.

However, Warriors held on to lead the Super League standings with three victories from three, and finished in the tie.

The key to forging their own path as opposed to imitating their quadruple-winning men’s team is unknown, according to Wigan legend Betts, who claims there is no secret why his side have stooped their way to 2025.

Former Wigan and Great Britain second row Betts, 55, told BBC Sport, “We’ve tried to do as a team that we’re not trying to look like a men’s team.”

We’re just trying to be who we are as a group of young, inspiring women who want to play rugby, pass the ball, and have fun while doing it.

In his nine years with the club, from 1986 to 1995, Betts won seven men’s Challenge Cups out of a slew of titles, including seven championship titles with an all-capiting Wigan side.

He quickly rebuilt Wigan as the women’s head coach in 2024 after serving as a coach for a number of clubs, including Widnes, and quickly began to transform their fortunes.

After losing to eventual champions Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup last year, Betts has seen the progression of his team.

He believes that the team’s current state was a result of their experiences in 2024, despite the outcome, and that their performance was influenced by that loss.

It took a few games and months for things to get going, Betts added, but we did witness a small amount of it in the semi-final [in 2024] when Leeds defeated us at St Helens.

We saw glimpses of it, and over the course of the season, we’ve improved, culminating in a fantastic win over York [Leeds] in the semi-final of 2025.

“We’ve given ourselves a chance in the top four, but we’ve never really taken that chance and put on a performance that, in theory, would give us a real foothold in that elite group.”

Betts knows that Wembley is an accomplishment in itself, so despite their recent advancement, he is not putting pressure on himself to win.

Wigan has never reached the Women’s Challenge Cup final since it was founded in 2012, but they know they must work hard if they want to defeat Saints, who have won the competition for the past four years.

Wembley is a fantastic occasion, but it’s not the end all, “Betts continued.”

This group is improving, and this is just the start, not the end. Nothing is the end, just the beginning.

related subjects

  • Rugby League
  • Wigan Warriors

Massive Attack slam ‘unethical’ Barclays and demand removal of adverts at venue before gig

Before a performance at Co-op Live in Manchester, Massive Attack, which consists of bandmates Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall, criticised Barclays in a statement.

Massive Attack criticised Barclays in a statement released ahead of a gig at Co-Op Live today(Image: Getty Images)

Massive Attack have criticised Barclays and shared their views, claiming it is an “unethical corporate identity” ahead of a gig at a venue sponsored by the company this week. The band were set to take to the stage at Co-op Live in Manchester before they made the statement.

It follows the news of a partnership between the indoor arena and Barclays last month. Two weeks ago, it was announced that the bank has become a “founding partner” of Co-op Live, which opened in the city last year.

Massive Attack – comprised of Robert ‘3D’ Del Naja and Grant ‘Daddy G’ Marshall – hit out over the partnership in a statement shared on Instagram just hours before their concert at the venue last night. They referenced both fossil fuel extraction and Palestine, and accused Barclays of being a “profoundly unethical corporate identity”.

The band, which is renowned for songs like Teardrop and Unfinished Sympathy, however, stated that the performance would continue. They informed the audience that the organizers had agreed to take away Barclays advertising material from the arena in exchange for it.

Statement issued by band Massive Attack about Barclays.
Massive Attack issued a statement, across two slides on Instagram, earlier today through which they criticised Barclays(Image: massiveattackofficial/Instagram)

The band stated in a statement shared with their 401, 000 followers, “We’re so happy to be back in Manchester, and we’re playing in this city tonight. We confirmed this performance at Co Op Live Arena in January, not least because of the venue’s strong commitment to sustainability and its ethical sponsorship.

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They continued by writing: “15 days ago, without any advance warning or notification, the arena ownership announced a new corporate sponsorship with Barclays: a commercial identity synonymous with the large-scale financing of new fossil fuel extraction, and billions of dollars of investments in arms companies that supply Israel in its genocidal onslaught of Gaza, and war crimes in the West Bank.

Objectively speaking, Barclays is a deeply unethical corporate identity. We think Barclays should not be involved in any of our cultural or sporting arenas, but rather, we have been taught (with disbelief) about the partnership through a local media story.

Exterior view of the Co-op Live arena in Manchester.
The statement was shared just hours before their show at the Co-Op Live, which announced a partnership with Barclays recently(Image: Getty Images)

Massive Attack continued, “We do not want to disappoint fans who have purchased their hard-earned money in tickets and are anticipating the show, especially on such a short notice. Owners of Co Op Live have consented to us requiring that all Barclays livery and logos, both physically and digital, be completely removed from both the arena and our show page on the arena website. No show tickets will be offered to Barclays, either for sale or for free.

The band’s statement concluded: “At a time when the world works to tackle climate emergency, and watches on in despair and horror at the scenes of civilian slaughter in Gaza, we’re stunned that the arena ownership took this decision to partner with Barclays – especially in a progressive city like Manchester – and then attempted to retroactively apply that sponsorship to artists who would have been deeply uneasy, or refused to align their performances with a venue with Barclays as partner. See you tonight, Manchester. In love and rage, Massive Attack.”

Massive Attack bandmates Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall, stood as part of a group which also included Andy Burnham, holding up a sign for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Massive Attack – consisting of Robert Del Naja (centre left) and Grant Marshall (centre) – later posted that they were promoting the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty alongside the likes of mayor Andy Burnham (left) whilst in Manchester(Image: massiveattackofficial/Instagram)

Massive Attack shared posts promoting the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, an initiative to “accelerate a transition to renewable energy,” shortly after posting their statement. In addition to posting a photo of themselves holding up a sign for it while they were in Manchester, they also posted a photo of themselves.

Among the group of five was Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester. The band wrote in the caption of the photo: “Proud to be part of this story: endorsing the [initiative] with Mayor of Greater Manchester [Andy].”

Co-Op Live previously stated that it was “leading the future of sustainable live entertainment with Massive Attack.” It stated on a page for the show that it would commit to having a “fully plant-based” menu for the show in keeping with the band’s long-standing commitment to environmental activism.

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Does David Beckham deserve to be knighted? Vote in our poll

After being in line for the award for more than ten years, David Beckham will finally be knighted next week as part of the King’s birthday celebrations. We want to hear what you think.

David Beckham will be knighted next week(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

David Beckham will finally be awarded with a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours list next week after years of public calls – and we want to hear your thoughts on the news. The Manchester United icon will officially become a Sir and join a host of other football legends who have been honoured by the Royal Family, reports The Sun.

The former England star, who recently turned 50, serves as an ambassador for The King’s Foundation and has continued to make notable donations to charity. He has developed a friendship with the King, who hinted at last month’s Chelsea Flower Show that David’s honour was finally on its way.

Charles responded, “You got it, didn’t you?” Beckham responded, “Thank you, it was incredible. It was very kind. Victoria, his wife, will go by the name Lady Beckham. It comes after David received an OBE in 2003 for his contributions to football.

Becks, who played 115 times for England, was first put forward for a knighthood in 2011 following his role in securing the London 2012 Olympics – but was blocked by the Honours Committee after he became embroiled in a tax avoidance scheme, which he was cleared of four years ago. The now Inter Miami co-owner had been kept waiting in his bid to earn a knighthood, with Beckham narrowly missing out in the New Year Honours List published in December last year, the Sun reports.

Beckham’s anger at the New Years’ honours committee and possible setbacks in his quest for knighthood were revealed in shocking emails released in 2017. The former midfielder has claimed some of the emails leaked were fakes, but the football star is said to have called the committee “unappreciative c***s” and added that he “didn’t care about being knighted.”

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According to the emails that were leaked, the former football player said, “I expected nothing less. To be honest, this is a disgrace, and ten years ago, I would have acquired something like this. Katherine Jenkins, an opera star, was reportedly hit by him after receiving an OBE. What does Katherine Jenkins OBE stand for? attending the rugby and seeing the soldiers. F***ing joke”.

A close friend of Beckham exclusively told The Mirror in 2017: “To be honest, he does feel that he has given so much to his country. And sometimes you say things in private that anyone would say and you don’t really mean it. While he was frustrated in those emails, he was over it the moment he sent them. Getting the knighthood is not what his work is about. He doesn’t care if he gets a knighthood or not.”

Beckham’s appointment as an ambassador for King’s Foundation, which earlier this year was viewed as a positive sign, was welcomed with a new role. He added at the time, “I’m thrilled to be working with The King’s Foundation and have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity’s work.”

I’ve always been interested in helping young people broaden their horizons, and I’m particularly interested in supporting the Foundation’s education initiatives and efforts to give young people greater access to nature.

Following the announcement that Beckham will be awarded with a knighthood next week, we want to know if you think the football legend deserves the honour. Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.

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The Mirror will also be discussing the topic with you in the comments section below and you can join in! All you have to do is sign up, submit your comment, register your details and then you can take part.

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