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Ben Roberts‑Smith, a former Australian special‑forces operative, was taken into custody at Sydney Airport on Tuesday after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) announced he faces five separate war‑crime counts linked to the killing of five individuals in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2012. The charges, each punishable by life imprisonment, allege that the victims were unarmed civilians who were not engaged in hostilities at the time of their deaths. AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett told reporters that the prosecution will argue the victims were shot either directly by Roberts‑Smith or by subordinates acting on his orders while he was present. Barrett emphasized that the accusations stem from a "complex" investigation conducted jointly by the AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator, a probe that began in 2021. The New South Wales Local Court has scheduled a bail hearing for Roberts‑Smith on Wednesday, where he will appear before a magistrate. This arrest follows a high‑profile legal defeat for Roberts‑Smith: an Australian judge in 2023 ruled that journalists who reported he was "complicit in and responsible for the murder" of unarmed Afghan men had not defamed him, a decision upheld by the Full Court of the Federal Court in May of the previous year. Rawan Arraf, executive director of the Australian Centre for International Justice, described the development as a "significant and long‑awaited step for victims and affected communities" in Afghanistan. She added that prosecuting alleged war crimes by Australian special‑forces personnel is essential for delivering justice and for Australia to meet its international law obligations. Since the 2001 NATO‑led intervention, roughly 39,000 Australian soldiers have served in Afghanistan, supporting operations against the Taliban and other armed groups. Roberts‑Smith, who previously received the Victoria Cross for his fifth tour, was regarded as the most‑decorated living Australian war veteran before the charges. The case also revives attention on former army lawyer David McBride, who remains incarcerated for disclosing information about alleged Australian war crimes in Afghanistan. In response to Roberts‑Smith’s arrest, Senator David Shoebridge posted a brief message on X urging the release of McBride.

The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has reached a critical point, with intensified airstrikes on Iranian targets, including universities and oil facilities. US President Donald Trump has warned of the “complete demolition” of Iran’s key infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened by a looming deadline.Iran’s military has dismissed Trump’s threats as “delusional”, saying they cannot mask what it described as US “disgrace and humiliation” in the region. Iranian missiles and drones continue to target sites across the Gulf region.US ultimatum: Trump has issued a strict deadline, threatening the “complete demolition” of Iran’s power plants and bridges by Tuesday evening (00:00 GMT, Wednesday) if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Experts say targeting civilian infrastructure is a war crime.Iran rejects pause offer: Iran has rejected a proposal for a temporary ceasefire, arguing it would give the US and Israel time to regroup and launch further attacks. Instead, Iranian officials have put forward a 10-point proposal calling for a comprehensive and permanent end to the war.The conflict has also spread to other countries in the region, with Saudi Arabia intercepting up to 18 drones over the past few hours and Bahrain closing an important bridge linking the island nation to Saudi Arabia due to fears of attacks from Iran.The United Nations has reported that more than 1.1 million people have now been registered as displaced in Lebanon as Israel continues its ground invasion in the country’s south.

President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on Thursday, stating that the United States could carry out a “complete demolition” of Iran’s power plants and bridges within hours if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz by the Tuesday deadline.The ultimatum follows a U.S. cease‑fire proposal that has been conveyed to Tehran through intermediaries. While Trump described Iran’s reply as “significant,” he added that it falls short of what Washington considers acceptable.Trump’s remarks intensify pressure on Iran to restore the vital shipping lane, which transports a large share of global oil. Failure to meet the deadline could trigger the threatened military action, raising the risk of further destabilisation in the already volatile Middle East region.

Donald Trump's open threats to commit war crimes in Iran have raised concerns about his impunity. The US Supreme Court's recent ruling in Trump v United States has given him reason to believe he can act with impunity within the US. However, there are international options for prosecution that lie beyond the court's lawless license.Trump's plan to bomb Iran and destroy civilian infrastructure, such as desalination plants, electrical-generating facilities, and bridges, would violate international humanitarian law's rule of proportionality. The destruction of civilian infrastructure would have a disproportionate impact on civilians, and therefore, it is not justified.The International Criminal Court (ICC) has charged Russian military commanders with war crimes for attacking electrical infrastructure in Ukraine. Similarly, Trump's actions could be prosecuted as war crimes. However, the ICC has no jurisdiction over crimes committed on Iranian territory since Iran is not a member of the ICC.There are alternative routes for prosecution. The Iranian government could join the ICC and grant it retroactive jurisdiction, similar to what Ukraine did to allow prosecution of Russian war crimes. Additionally, under the concept of universal jurisdiction, governments can use their national courts to prosecute certain crimes even if committed by non-nationals abroad.A group of countries, such as the European Union, NATO, or the G7, could establish an international tribunal to address crimes committed in Iran, including war crimes and aggression. This would allow Trump to be prosecuted as soon as the tribunal is established, without waiting for him to leave office.

Iranian officials have urged young people to form human chains around the country's power plants, as tensions escalate with the US and Israel. The call to action comes as US President Donald Trump threatens massive strikes on civilian infrastructure if Iran doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz.Iranian media showed people gathering outside electricity stations, waving Iranian flags and holding up banners. In Dezful, people gathered on a 1,700-year-old bridge. The country's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said 14 million people had signed up to fight for their country and declared their readiness to sacrifice their lives in defence of Iran.The US and Israel carried out waves of preparatory strikes that appeared to knock off course the chances of a last-minute ceasefire deal before Trump's 8pm ET (1am BST) deadline for Iran to reopen the strait. Attacks on civilian infrastructure amount to war crimes, legal experts say.Alireza Rahimi, identified by Iranian state television as the secretary of the Supreme Council of Youth and Adolescents, issued a video message calling on young people to form human chains around power plants. He asked them to gather on Tuesday at 2pm around the power plants, which he described as national assets and capital.Iran has formed human-chain demonstrations, also known as human shields, in the past around its nuclear sites at times of heightened tensions with the west. A man in Tehran said his household had collected basic necessities and equipment to charge their mobile phones, in preparation to flee the capital if necessary.The indirect negotiations between the US and Iran are continuing, largely by passing messages through Pakistan. However, the intermediaries said they feared that Israel was bombing the chances of reaching an agreement.

The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has raised concerns about the protection of civilians in war. Donald Trump's threats to bomb civilian infrastructure, including power stations, desalination plants, and bridges, have been widely criticized as potential war crimes. In a recent statement, Trump doubled down on his threat, saying that a whole civilization will die if his demands are not met. This rhetoric has sparked fears of a humanitarian crisis and raised questions about the US's commitment to protecting civilians in war.Historically, the protection of civilians has been a cornerstone of international law. The Geneva Conventions, established in 1949, clearly state that civilian objects shall not be the object of attack or reprisals. The US has a long tradition of upholding these principles, dating back to the Lieber Code of 1863, which established protocols for the protection of the innocent during the Civil War.The article argues that protecting civilians is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength and self-discipline. It cites examples of leaders who have prioritized humanitarian concerns in times of war, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt's vision for a world united around democratic values and international organizations. In contrast, Trump's approach has been criticized for its lack of nuance and disregard for humanitarian concerns. The article notes that the US must distinguish between military targets and civilian infrastructure, and that cyber-attacks and other non-lethal methods should be used whenever possible to minimize harm to civilians.Ultimately, the article concludes that upholding American values and international law is essential to maintaining global stability and preventing humanitarian crises. By prioritizing the protection of civilians, the US can demonstrate its commitment to humanitarian principles and show that it is capable of fighting wars with greater purpose and a plan for peace.

Israel’s military issued a stark advisory to Iranians early Tuesday, urging them to avoid all train travel across the country from 8:50 am to 9:00 pm Iran time. The warning, posted in Farsi on social media, warned that anyone near railway lines or stations could become a target as Israel prepared to strike infrastructure. The advisory comes just hours before the U.S. President Donald Trump’s ultimatum expires at 8 pm ET on Tuesday (1 am GMT Wednesday). Trump has repeatedly threatened to “take out” Iran’s bridges and power plants in a single night, a claim he reiterated at a White House press briefing on Monday. Iran rejected a cease‑fire proposal brokered by Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey, insisting on a permanent end to the war and presenting a 10‑point counter‑proposal that the U.S. deemed insufficient. Legal experts have warned that indiscriminate bombing of civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime, a concern dismissed by the Trump administration. On the diplomatic front, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on X that over 14 million Iranians are prepared to sacrifice their lives for the nation, underscoring the high domestic stakes. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that Monday would see the “largest volume of strikes” on Iran, with Tuesday expected to see even more attacks as the deadline approached. According to Iranian media, Israel struck Khorramabad airport in western Iran, while Israeli forces also hit a petrochemical plant in Shiraz and a ballistic‑missile launch site in the northwest. The United States reportedly deployed B‑2 stealth bombers that dropped 30,000‑lb GBU‑57 “bunker buster” bombs on an IRGC compound in Tehran, the same munitions used in the June attack on the Fordow nuclear site. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his security cabinet that the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon would continue independently of the U.S.–Iran negotiations, describing a “separation of theatres.” In a related development, a missile strike hit a petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia’s eastern city of Jubail, forcing an evacuation of workers. Israel reported multiple missile impacts in the Tel Aviv area, claiming Iran launched ballistic missiles equipped with cluster warheads, though no casualties were confirmed. Amid the heightened tension, Brent crude rose marginally to just above $110 a barrel in morning trading, reflecting market anxiety over potential disruptions to Middle‑East oil supplies.

Manchester City's long-serving captain, Bernardo Silva, will be departing the Premier League club at the end of the current season. This confirmation comes from assistant manager Pep Lijnders, following City's convincing 4-0 FA Cup quarterfinal victory over Liverpool on Sunday. Lijnders reflected on Silva's impending exit, stating, 'Every good story comes to an end.' He expressed his hope that Silva will enjoy his final months with the club and receive a fitting farewell, highlighting that he 'deserves all that attention.' The 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder, who has been an integral part of Manchester City since joining from AS Monaco in 2017 for approximately $57.35 million, will be leaving as a free agent upon the expiration of his contract. During his nine-year tenure at the Etihad Stadium, Silva has secured six Premier League titles and the Champions League, making 450 appearances for the club. Silva's versatility, exceptional technique, and relentless work ethic have made him a cornerstone of City's success under Pep Guardiola, who has previously described him as 'irreplaceable.' Manchester City are still in contention for a domestic treble, currently trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by nine points, although they do have a game in hand and eight matches remaining to bridge the deficit. Silva's departure follows in the footsteps of another high-profile exit, as Liverpool's Mohamed Salah also announced his departure at the end of the season, marking a significant change for top Premier League clubs.

The United States has issued a threat to demolish Iran's critical infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if Tehran does not open the Strait of Hormuz by early Wednesday. This move, described by President Donald Trump as 'Bridge Day', has raised concerns among experts, who warn that it could amount to war crimes.Iran has approximately 300,000 bridges and technical structures, with only about 185 exceeding 100m in length. Five of the country's most prominent bridges are at risk:1. Persian Gulf Bridge (Qeshm Island): A 3.4km-long unfinished bridge connecting Qeshm Island to Bandar Abbas, representing an investment of up to $700m. Destroying it would erase decades of national planning and impact Iran's hopes for a direct link to the island.2. Lake Urmia Bridge (Shahid Kalantari Bridge): A 1.7km-long bridge connecting Tabriz and Urmia, cutting the driving distance between the cities from 240km to 130km. An attack could trigger an ecological disaster by dumping steel pilings and concrete into the shrinking Lake Urmia.3. Sadr Multilevel Expressway: An 11km-long bridge in Tehran, supporting millions of commuters daily. An attack could cause massive urban casualties, destroy a key transport artery, and plunge Tehran's emergency evacuation systems into chaos.4. Karun 4 Arch Bridge: A 378m-long bridge in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, crucial for connecting Shahr-e-Kord and Izeh. Bombing it risks causing secondary damage to the hydroelectric facility, potentially leading to fatal flooding.5. Ghadir Cable-stayed Bridge (8th Bridge): A 1,014m-long bridge in Ahvaz, spanning the Karun River. Destroying it would cut the city in two, choking off daily movement and emergency services in a province already battered by air strikes.