News
MH17 plane crash trial starts, who will be held responsible?
Dutch judges will begin to hear evidence on the downing of the Malaysia Airlines flight.
The critical stage of a trial over the downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17 is set to begin.
Families of those who died in the 2014 tragedy have spoken of their heartache as details prepare to be handed down.
MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down by a missile.
Investigators believe the missile was fired from territory held by pro-Russian rebels during fighting with Ukrainian government troops.
All 298 people on board were killed, two-thirds of them Dutch nationals.
Dutch judges overseeing the murder trial of three Russian men and another from Ukraine will summarise evidence at the hearing in a high-security courtroom in Amsterdam.
“The court will open the MH17 criminal trial proper and, through examining and discussing the content of the prosecution file, elucidate the key questions which it has already begun to address,”
the court said in a statement.
Court proceedings officially began in March 2020 with discussions over the admissibility of evidence.
The trial phase:
The trial will start with hearings looking at the evidence and the investigation into the crash.
The defensee and prosecution will be granted time to discuss any conflicting information or issues, lasting until July 9, 2021.
Relatives of the victims will be allowed to address the court in what is understood will be an opportunity to give victim impact statements at some point in September.
The men on trial:
Three Russian nationals and one Ukrainian citizen are on trial for the downing of the Malaysian Airlines jet.
The tragic day of the downing of MH17:
The Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 jet was en route from Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
Investigators revealed the plane was shot down as it flew over a part of eastern Ukraine that is under the control of pro-Russian rebels.
All 298 people on board — including 196 Dutch citizens perished in the crash.
What’s happening in the Middle East?
- President Donald Trump says Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed.
- Trump describes the moment as the greatest opportunity for the Iranian people to “take back their country”.
- Iran insists its leader is “firmly commanding the field”.
- Israel and the U.S. have carried out strikes on Iran.
- Impacts have been reported in Israel and across Gulf states as Iran launches retaliatory attacks.
- The escalation has sparked fear and panic, with civilians fleeing major cities.
News
U.S. and Israel strike Iran as missiles hit Gulf bases and oil surges
U.S. and Israel launch major military operation against Iran; tensions rise as conflict escalates, impacting global markets.
U.S. and Israel launch major military operation against Iran; tensions rise as conflict escalates, impacting global markets.
The United States and Israel have launched a sweeping military operation against Iran, striking leadership targets and more than 500 military sites in what President Trump has dubbed Operation Epic Fury.
Explosions have rocked Tehran, with civilians fleeing the capital as U.S. sea and air assets carry out sustained attacks. Washington says the mission is designed to prevent a nuclear armed Iran and has even called on Iranians to rise up against the regime.
Iran has retaliated with a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Israel and U.S. bases across the region, including in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. While many projectiles were intercepted, a U.S. base in Bahrain sustained damage.
Gulf states long seen as stable hubs for global business are now directly in the firing line, raising fears of a wider regional war.
Oil prices are climbing and tankers are diverting from the Strait of Hormuz as markets react to the escalating conflict. U.S. aircraft carriers, advanced fighter jets and missile destroyers remain in position, signalling more strikes could follow.
With global leaders scrambling diplomatically, the world is watching to see whether this spirals further or shifts back to negotiations.
News
Iran warns ships to avoid Strait of Hormuz
Iran warns ships to avoid Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions and military buildup in the region
Iran warns ships to avoid Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions and military buildup in the region
– Iran’s Guard Corps advises ships to avoid the Strait of Hormuz due to rising tensions.
– Tankers have diverted to Qatar and UAE amidst concerns over safety and potential Iranian threats.
Ships have been repeatedly warned against entering the strait, as stated by crews in the area and the European Union’s naval command, Aspides. On Saturday, dozens of tankers diverted, with some seeking refuge in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates while others opted to steer clear of the region, as reported by oil brokers and shipowners.
Shipping Concerns
Tensions continue to impact shipping operations as carriers remain cautious in the Gulf region.
Tanker crews reported hearing explosions near Iran’s Kharg Island, which is vital for the country’s oil exports, as it handles 90% of its crude oil shipments.
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