Ukraine: evacuations continued in Azovstal according to Kiev, first trial for war crimes
The operation to "evacuate" the last Ukrainian soldiers entrenched in the strategic city of Mariupol continues Wednesday according to Kiev, as the first trial of a Russian soldier for war crimes since the invasion of the country opens in the Ukrainian capital. In Mariupol, in southern Ukraine, "the evacuation mission" of soldiers still inside the Azovstal steel plant "continues", said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his website, without specifying the number.  Moscow announced Tuesday the surrender of 265 Ukrainian fighters including 51 "griè "wounded", who had fallen back on this huge steel complex, the last bastion of the resistance in this city ravaged by Russian attacks.
NATO: Sweden and Finland close their candidacies, despite the Turkish cloud
Finland and Sweden will jointly submit their NATO candidacies on Wednesday, the two Nordic countries announced, despite the persistent shadow of a blockade by Turkey. With the green light by an overwhelming majority of more than 95% of the Finnish Parliament, everything is now in place for the simultaneous arrival of the two countries' applications for membership at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels. These will be handed over to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday morning at 08:00 (06:00 GMT) by the Swedish and Finnish ambassadors, the Finnish representation said on Tuesday evening. "I am happy that we have taken the same path and that we can do it together," swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said, alongside Finnish President Sauli Niinistö on a state visit to Stockholm. The Nordic duo will travel to Washington on Thursday to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden, the White House announced.
IN BRIEF
Pollution was responsible for the premature death of nine million people in 2019, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Lancet, a toll that is not improving, mainly because of poor air quality and chemical pollutants, lead in particular.
The United States on Tuesday announced a very limited easing of heavy sanctions against Venezuela, presented as a gesture to promote an imminent resumption of dialogue between President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition supported by Washington.
In order to put an end to a "taboo", the Spanish left-wing government on Tuesday presented a bill creating a "menstrual leave" for women suffering from painful periods, a first in Europe.
Joe Biden on Tuesday vehemently denounced the "poison" of white supremacism and condemned those who spread it, especially in the media, after paying tribute to the ten people, all African-American, killed in a racist attack Saturday in Buffalo (northeast).