Europe

04 July 2022; MEMO: The International Federation of Journalists will be a partner in a lawsuit against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) following the murder of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by an Israeli sniper, Wafa news agency has reported.

05 July 2022; MEMO: Acclaimed artists are due to lead a protest against China's policies against the minority Uyghur community on the 13th anniversary of the Urumqi Massacre tomorrow.

Some 1,000 Muslim Uyghur were killed in the massacre and 5,000 more were arrested by Chines authorities.

To commemorate the event, Stand4Uyghurs Campaign is coming together with numerous rights groups to host the 'Paints an Image of China's Genocide Against Uyghur Muslims' outside the Chinese Embassy in central London tomorrow.

MOSCOW, July 4. /TASS/: Russia welcomes measures taken in Uzbekistan to normalize the situation in the country, the Russian foreign ministry said on Monday, following the situation in Karakalpakstan.

"We welcome measures taken by Uzbekistan’s authorities and are convinced that they will help normalize the situation in this part of the country," it said.

KHERSON, July 4. /TASS/: A new government has been formed in the Kherson region, the regional military-civilian administration said in a statement on Telegram on Monday.

"Having studied the experience of Russian regional government agencies, Head of the Kherson region’s military-civilian administration Vladimir Saldo decided to form a new government in the Kherson region, recruiting the best people not only from the Kherson region’s residents but also from Russian experts and managers," the statement reads.

LONDON, July 4. /TASS/: The UK will prohibit export of oil refining goods, luxury goods, including British artwork and designer handbags, as well as advanced technology components such as those used in quantum computing, to Belarus, the Foreign Office said in a statement on Monday.

Moreover, the British authorities announced the intention to ban imports of Belarusian iron and steel, as well as restrict the country's access "to the UK’s world class financial services sector" through banning Belarusian companies from issuing debt and securities in London.

MOSCOW, July 4. /TASS/: The events in the Karakalpakstan region are Uzbekistan’s domestic affair, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.

"Uzbekistan is our ally, a friendly country and a very important partner for us. Everything that happens in Uzbekistan is this country’s domestic affair," he pointed out, when asked if Moscow was keeping an eye on the developments in Karakalpakstan.

According to Peskov, Russia has no doubt that "all the existing issues will be resolved through active efforts by Uzbekistan’s leadership."

BRUSSELS, July 4./TASS/: Finland and Sweden on Monday began and completed in one round the NATO accession talks, the accession protocols are due to be signed on July 5, NATO said in a statement circulated in Brussels.

"Finland and Sweden completed accession talks at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Monday (4 July 2022), as agreed last week by NATO leaders at their Summit in Madrid [on June 28-30]. Both countries formally confirmed their willingness and ability to meet the political, legal and military obligations and commitments of NATO membership," it said.

PARIS, July 4 (Reuters) - The Eiffel Tower is riddled with rust and in need of full repairs, but instead it is being given a cosmetic 60 million euro paint job ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, according to confidential reports cited by French magazine Marianne.

The wrought-iron 324-metre (1,063 ft) high tower, built by Gustave Eiffel in the late 19th century, is among the most visited tourist sites in the world, welcoming about six million visitors each year.

MOSCOW, July 4 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will not congratulate his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden on Monday's U.S. Independence Day because of Washington's "unfriendly" actions towards Moscow, the Kremlin said.

"Congratulations this year can hardly be considered appropriate," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call. "The United States' unfriendly policies are the reason."

MILAN, July 4 (Reuters) - An Italian judge on Monday ruled that Oscar-winning screenwriter and director Paul Haggis should be released from house arrest while authorities continue to investigate allegations that he raped a woman, his lawyer told Reuters.

"Our request to revoke house arrest was accepted by the judge without further measures, so Mr. Haggis is free," said Michele Laforgia, his lawyer, adding that he still did not know if his client wanted to leave Italy.