US sanctions ICC president, senior trial lawyer in latest attack on court

Sri Lankan authorities have stepped up security measures at prisons across the country after a violent riot at Mahara Prison left one person dead and six others injured. The latest unrest has once again highlighted the serious overcrowding and growing pressure within the country’s prison system. The violence broke out on Saturday at Mahara Prison, located about 15 kilometres from the capital Colombo. According to police sources, the disturbance began during family visiting hours when a group of inmates climbed onto rooftops, set fire to a building inside the prison compound and damaged several facilities. The unrest also resulted in the destruction of documents kept in administrative offices, while parts of the prison hospital, training centre and kitchen suffered extensive damage. Law enforcement agencies, supported by the military and other security personnel, were deployed to regain control of the situation. Officials said the operation successfully ended the riot and prevented further violence from spreading within the prison. The Sri Lankan Air Force also assisted by deploying helicopters and drones to monitor the prison complex during the emergency. The incident has renewed concerns about the country’s overcrowded prisons. Mahara Prison currently holds around 4,100 inmates despite having space for only about one quarter of that number. Similar conditions exist throughout Sri Lanka’s prison network, where more than 41,000 convicted prisoners are housed in 22 facilities built to accommodate only around 11,000 inmates. In addition to convicted prisoners, thousands of remand prisoners awaiting trial are also being held in these facilities, adding to the strain on available space and resources. The latest violence comes only weeks after another deadly prison clash in the coastal town of Negombo. In early July, fighting between rival inmate groups resulted in the deaths of 10 prison officials and 20 prisoners over two days. Authorities described that incident as the country’s worst prison violence since 2012, prompting the deployment of police special forces, the military and navy to restore order. Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Sajeewa Medawatta said security has now been increased at major prisons across the country, particularly those located near Colombo, including Negombo Prison. He said officials have transferred inmates back to their cells and are ensuring they receive food and water as normal while security operations continue. According to Medawatta, the combined efforts of police, military and prison authorities were crucial in bringing the Mahara situation under control. Outside the prison, dozens of worried relatives gathered on Saturday evening seeking information about family members inside. Police established security cordons to prevent crowds from approaching the prison during the operation. To maintain public order, authorities also imposed a temporary curfew in three nearby villages. The restrictions remained in place overnight before being lifted by midday on Sunday after officials confirmed the situation had stabilised. The repeated outbreaks of violence have intensified calls for reforms within Sri Lanka’s prison system. Human rights groups and legal experts have long warned that severe overcrowding, ageing infrastructure and limited resources have created dangerous conditions that increase the risk of unrest. The latest incident has added further pressure on the government to address these long standing challenges while ensuring the safety of both prison staff and inmates.

Former Israeli ambassador to the United States Mike Herzog has said Israel’s ability to influence decisions in Washington has declined significantly during President Donald Trump’s current administration. He also warned that support for Israel among the American public has been steadily weakening, creating long term challenges for the country’s relationship with its closest ally. Speaking in an interview with Israeli radio station 103FM, Herzog said the close personal bond that once existed between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump no longer appears as strong as before. While Netanyahu recently described his latest meeting with Trump at the White House as one of their best meetings, Herzog argued that the event should be viewed more carefully. In his opinion, the meeting lacked the warmth and personal interaction that previously defined the relationship between the two leaders. Herzog said one positive outcome for Netanyahu was that Trump avoided publicly criticising Israel or placing any visible demands on the Israeli government during the meeting. He suggested that this helped Netanyahu present the visit as a diplomatic success, particularly as Israel moves closer to national elections. According to Herzog, the prime minister had a political interest in showing that his ties with Trump remain strong despite growing speculation that relations between the two leaders have cooled. The former ambassador also pointed to several details surrounding the visit that, in his view, reflected a more distant relationship. Netanyahu entered the White House through a side entrance instead of receiving a more prominent arrival. There was no private one on one meeting between the leaders and media attention surrounding the visit remained limited. Herzog said these diplomatic signals suggested the White House wanted to avoid creating the impression that Trump was closely aligned with Netanyahu. He linked this cautious approach to political concerns in the United States following the conflict with Iran. Herzog said many Americans believe Israel played a major role in drawing the United States into the confrontation. Since the conflict has been unpopular with parts of the American public, he believes Trump is careful not to appear as though he acted under pressure from the Israeli leadership. Even so, Herzog said there are currently no major disagreements between Washington and Tel Aviv over Iran, although the relationship is no longer as close as it once was. Beyond the immediate political situation, Herzog warned that Israel’s overall standing in the United States has suffered lasting damage. He said changes in American society, political shifts, economic developments, international campaigns against Israel and policy decisions made by successive Israeli governments have all contributed to a steady decline in public support. He also acknowledged that the actions of Israel’s current government and the ongoing military campaign in Gaza have negatively affected how many Americans view the country. Netanyahu himself recently admitted that support for Israel has weakened in the United States, arguing that social media has played a major role in shaping public opinion. His comments came as recent polling showed a noticeable increase in negative attitudes toward both the Israeli government and the Israeli people. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that public opinion has shifted over the past several years. The percentage of Americans holding unfavourable views of the Israeli people rose from 28 percent in 2019 to 42 percent in 2026. During the same period, favourable views of the Israeli government fell from 41 percent to 32 percent. International criticism of Israel has also intensified since the war in Gaza began in October 2023. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. According to reported figures, more than 73,000 people have been killed during the conflict, which has continued despite a truce agreement reached in October 2025.

PYONGYANG: North Korea has warned that a new nuclear strategy being considered by the United States could trigger a fresh global arms race and increase the risk of nuclear conflict. A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry criticised the proposed US nuclear policy and accused Washington of using nuclear weapons for strategic dominance and political and military objectives. The spokesperson described the reported US strategy as a serious and dangerous development. North Korea said the policy could undermine the existing nuclear balance and accelerate the development and deployment of nuclear weapons around the world. According to the North Korean statement, continued expansion of nuclear capabilities could push the international security environment closer to the threshold of nuclear war. However, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby said on Thursday that he did not expect any major or fundamental changes in the nuclear strategy currently under consideration. North Korea also criticised planned joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. It warned that it would exercise what it described as its right to self-defence in response to what it considers hostile military activities. A statement carried by North Korean state media said Pyongyang would not tolerate what it described as an increasingly confrontational situation created by hostile states. The United States and South Korea are scheduled to begin their joint military exercises on August 17. The drills are expected to continue until August 27. The exercises are also expected to take into account possible lessons from North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine, particularly its military experience and battlefield capabilities. The latest warnings came after North Korea conducted its second missile test in less than a week. On Wednesday, Pyongyang launched a ballistic missile from its eastern coast towards the sea. Six days earlier, it had conducted another test involving a short-range missile. North Korea’s latest military activity comes amid continued tensions with Washington and Seoul. Diplomatic efforts to restart talks have so far failed to produce a breakthrough. According to reports, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has largely rejected recent calls for renewed diplomatic engagement with the United States and South Korea. Since the collapse of diplomatic efforts involving former US President Donald Trump in 2019, Kim has instead focused on strengthening North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities. Analysts believe Pyongyang could eventually use its expanding nuclear capabilities as leverage to seek concessions from Washington. These could include relief from international sanctions and other measures imposed on North Korea over its nuclear and missile programmes.