Australia's competition watchdog filed a lawsuit against&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;owner Meta Platforms on Friday, alleging the social media giant failed to prevent scammers using its platform to promote fake ads featuring well-known people.

The advertisements, which endorsed investment in cryptocurrency or money-making schemes, could have misled&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;users into believing they were promoted by famous Australians, the Australian Competition &amp; Consumer Commission (ACCC) said.

The lawsuit filed in the Federal Court also alleges&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;"aided and abetted or was knowingly concerned in false or misleading conduct and representations by the advertisers," the ACCC said in a statement.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-protests-against-covid-measures-rock-europe-australia-430905">&nbsp;In Pics: Protests against Covid measures rock Europe, Australia</a>

"The essence of our case is that Meta is responsible for these ads that it publishes on its platform," ACCC Chair Rod Sims said. "It is alleged that Meta was aware ... scam ads were being displayed on&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;but did not take sufficient steps to address the issue."

Meta said any ads that scammed people out of money or misled users violated its policies and the company uses technology to detect and block such posts, adding it had "cooperated with the ACCC's investigation into this matter to date."

"We will review the recent filing by the ACCC and intend to defend the proceedings," a Meta spokesperson said in an emailed statement, declining to comment further as the case was before court.

The ACCC said the ads used images of several Australian business leaders, TV hosts and politicians and contained links to fake media articles that included quotes attributed to the personalities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/children-and-climate-change-australian-court-strikes-down-landmark-ruling-protecting-minors-462384">Children and climate change: Australian court strikes down landmark ruling protecting minors</a>

Users who signed up were contacted by scammers to convince them to deposit funds into the fake schemes, the regulator said.

"We are aware of a consumer who lost more than A$650,000 ($480,000) due to one of these scams ... this is disgraceful," Sims said.

Australian iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest, chairman of Fortescue Metals Group, launched criminal proceedings against&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;last month over scam ads, including ones using his image to promote cryptocurrency schemes.

The corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), usually handles financial fraud complaints against companies. The ACCC, which is seeking financial penalties, said it was given temporary powers to file the lawsuit.

Facebook&nbsp;earlier this week announced a programme to help train Australian political candidates and influencers on cyber security to stop the spread of potential misinformation during campaigning for the country's upcoming federal election.

Watch |&nbsp;Australian dollar bruised by lockdown, US fed reserve set to raise rates

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Australia's competition watchdog filed a lawsuit against Facebook owner Meta Platforms on Friday, alleging the social media giant failed to prevent scammers using its platform to promote fake ads featuring well-known people.

Australia's competition watchdog filed a lawsuit against Facebook owner Meta Platforms on Friday, alleging the social media giant failed to prevent scammers using its platform to promote fake ads featuring well-known people. The advertisements, which endorsed investment in cryptocurrency or money-making schemes, could have misled Facebook users into believing they were promoted by famous Australians, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) said. The lawsuit filed in the Federal Court also alleges Facebook "aided and abetted or was knowingly concerned in false or misleading conduct and representations by the advertisers," the ACCC said in a statement. Also read | In Pics: Protests against Covid measures rock Europe, Australia "The essence of our case is that Meta is responsible for these ads that it publishes on its platform," ACCC Chair Rod Sims said. "It is alleged that Meta was aware ... scam ads were being displayed on Facebook but did not take sufficient steps to address the issue." Meta said any ads that scammed people out of money or misled users violated its policies and the company uses technology to detect and block such posts, adding it had "cooperated with the ACCC's investigation into this matter to date." "We will review the recent filing by the ACCC and intend to defend the proceedings," a Meta spokesperson said in an emailed statement, declining to comment further as the case was before court. The ACCC said the ads used images of several Australian business leaders, TV hosts and politicians and contained links to fake media articles that included quotes attributed to the personalities. Also read | Children and climate change: Australian court strikes down landmark ruling protecting minors Users who signed up were contacted by scammers to convince them to deposit funds into the fake schemes, the regulator said. "We are aware of a consumer who lost more than A$650,000 ($480,000) due to one of these scams ... this is disgraceful," Sims said. Australian iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest, chairman of Fortescue Metals Group, launched criminal proceedings against Facebook last month over scam ads, including ones using his image to promote cryptocurrency schemes. The corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), usually handles financial fraud complaints against companies. The ACCC, which is seeking financial penalties, said it was given temporary powers to file the lawsuit. Facebook earlier this week announced a programme to help train Australian political candidates and influencers on cyber security to stop the spread of potential misinformation during campaigning for the country's upcoming federal election. Watch | Australian dollar bruised by lockdown, US fed reserve set to raise rates

Australian watchdog sues Facebook-owner Meta over scam advertisements

French President Emmanuel&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;pledged further&nbsp;tax&nbsp;cuts, reforms to the welfare system and major public investments on Thursday as he unveiled his&nbsp;manifesto&nbsp;less than a month from&nbsp;elections.

The 44-year-old had delayed confirming his intention to seek a second term until March 3 and had been at the heart of Western diplomatic efforts to halt Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking for four hours at his first major campaign event, he announced a programme aimed at deepening pro-business reforms started in 2017 to reduce chronically high unemployment.

"We have to work more,"&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;told some 300 journalists gathered at a venue in a northern Paris suburb, in front of giant screens showing his slogan "With You".&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-have-to-re-evaluate-strategy-to-defend-food-sovereignty-macron-on-ukraine-war-461421">Will have to re-evaluate strategy to defend food sovereignty: Macron on Ukraine war</a>

"We have two levers: full employment and reforming the pension system," he said.

Macron&nbsp;acknowledged that he had been unable to push through the pension overhaul as promised in 2017, but pledged to tackle it again and push back the retirement age to 65 from 62.

He also proposed reforms to the&nbsp;benefits&nbsp;system that would require the unemployed to undertake 15 to 20 hours of work or training per week.

Another politically risky change would see all social&nbsp;benefits&nbsp;-- for unemployment, housing, or childcare -- centralised in a single system, affecting up to 20 million French people.

Major new public investments in the military, the energy sector and new technologies were also required in order to create "an independent France in a strong Europe," he said.

The programme "has been informed by the crises we've experienced in the last five years which we weren't expecting," he said, referring to so-called "Yellow Vest" anti-government protests from 2018, the Covid-19 crisis, and the war in Ukraine.&nbsp;

Question of 'legitimacy'

Rivals across the political spectrum, who have struggled to make an impact as Russia's invasion of Ukraine has dominated headlines, have accused&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;of neglecting the&nbsp;election&nbsp;campaign until now.&nbsp;

He has taken a leading role in Western diplomatic efforts to stop the war in Ukraine, holding 20 hours of talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the last five weeks.&nbsp;

"The president wants to be re-elected without ever really having been a candidate, without a campaign, without a debate, without a competition of ideas," the head of the Senate, Gerard Larcher, said on Tuesday.

"If there isn't a campaign, then there will be questions about the legitimacy of the winner," Larcher, from the opposition Republicans party, told Le Figaro newspaper.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-accuses-putin-of-hypocrisy-and-cynicism-over-ukraine-corridor-459933">Macron accuses Putin of hypocrisy and cynicism over Ukraine corridor</a>

In the most recent voter surveys&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;has gained five to six points over the last month and could be on course to win the first round of the&nbsp;election&nbsp;on April 10 with a score of about 30 percent.

Veteran far-right leader Marine Le Pen is running in second place, on around 18 percent, a poll of polls by the Politico website suggests.

She is trailed by three candidates at around 11-12 percent -- right-wing challenger Valerie Pecresse, far-right former TV pundit Eric Zemmour and hard-left campaigner Jean-Luc Melenchon, who appears to be gaining momentum.

The top two candidates in the first round will progress to a run-off&nbsp;vote&nbsp;on April 24.&nbsp;

Polls suggest&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;will triumph by a large margin irrespective of his rival.

Behind the scenes, the president is reported to be urging ministers and campaign workers to guard against premature optimism -- to limited effect.

"Macron&nbsp;is winning by default. It's the others who are useless," one senior supporter told AFP this week.

Desire to act

Macron&nbsp;remains a highly divisive figure, dubbed the "president of the rich" by left-wing critics and criticised for his at-times abrasive personality.

Many of his proposed reforms will be subject to debate with stakeholders, he said, such as changes that would introduce more autonomy for schools and wage differences between teachers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-phone-call-putin-aiming-to-seize-whole-of-ukraine-says-aide-458670">Macron phone call: Putin aiming to seize whole of Ukraine, says aide</a>

"'With you' is not just a slogan, it will be for me a new democratic way of working," he said.

He also stressed his difference from the nationalist programmes of Le Pen, and Zemmour, without naming them.

"There are programmes that propose a withdrawal, a return of a certain type of nostalgia, a nostalgia for something that never really existed," he said.

"I believe on the contrary that faced with fears and a return of the tragic in our history, the war and the crises... we need to reply with clear-sighted ambition, a desire to act," he said.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Poll-bound French President Emmanuel Macron unveils election manifesto in a re-election bid

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/poll-bound-french-president-emmanuel-macron-unveils-election-manifesto-in-a-re-election-bid-463321/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

French President Emmanuel Macron pledged further tax cuts, reforms to the welfare system and major public investments on Thursday as he unveiled his manifesto less than a month from elections.

French President Emmanuel Macron pledged further tax cuts, reforms to the welfare system and major public investments on Thursday as he unveiled his manifesto less than a month from elections. The 44-year-old had delayed confirming his intention to seek a second term until March 3 and had been at the heart of Western diplomatic efforts to halt Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Speaking for four hours at his first major campaign event, he announced a programme aimed at deepening pro-business reforms started in 2017 to reduce chronically high unemployment. "We have to work more," Macron told some 300 journalists gathered at a venue in a northern Paris suburb, in front of giant screens showing his slogan "With You". Also read | Will have to re-evaluate strategy to defend food sovereignty: Macron on Ukraine war "We have two levers: full employment and reforming the pension system," he said. Macron acknowledged that he had been unable to push through the pension overhaul as promised in 2017, but pledged to tackle it again and push back the retirement age to 65 from 62. He also proposed reforms to the benefits system that would require the unemployed to undertake 15 to 20 hours of work or training per week. Another politically risky change would see all social benefits -- for unemployment, housing, or childcare -- centralised in a single system, affecting up to 20 million French people. Major new public investments in the military, the energy sector and new technologies were also required in order to create "an independent France in a strong Europe," he said. The programme "has been informed by the crises we've experienced in the last five years which we weren't expecting," he said, referring to so-called "Yellow Vest" anti-government protests from 2018, the Covid-19 crisis, and the war in Ukraine. Question of 'legitimacy' Rivals across the political spectrum, who have struggled to make an impact as Russia's invasion of Ukraine has dominated headlines, have accused Macron of neglecting the election campaign until now. He has taken a leading role in Western diplomatic efforts to stop the war in Ukraine, holding 20 hours of talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the last five weeks. "The president wants to be re-elected without ever really having been a candidate, without a campaign, without a debate, without a competition of ideas," the head of the Senate, Gerard Larcher, said on Tuesday. "If there isn't a campaign, then there will be questions about the legitimacy of the winner," Larcher, from the opposition Republicans party, told Le Figaro newspaper. Also read | Macron accuses Putin of hypocrisy and cynicism over Ukraine corridor In the most recent voter surveys Macron has gained five to six points over the last month and could be on course to win the first round of the election on April 10 with a score of about 30 percent. Veteran far-right leader Marine Le Pen is running in second place, on around 18 percent, a poll of polls by the Politico website suggests. She is trailed by three candidates at around 11-12 percent -- right-wing challenger Valerie Pecresse, far-right former TV pundit Eric Zemmour and hard-left campaigner Jean-Luc Melenchon, who appears to be gaining momentum. The top two candidates in the first round will progress to a run-off vote on April 24. Polls suggest Macron will triumph by a large margin irrespective of his rival. Behind the scenes, the president is reported to be urging ministers and campaign workers to guard against premature optimism -- to limited effect. "Macron is winning by default. It's the others who are useless," one senior supporter told AFP this week. Desire to act Macron remains a highly divisive figure, dubbed the "president of the rich" by left-wing critics and criticised for his at-times abrasive personality. Many of his proposed reforms will be subject to debate with stakeholders, he said, such as changes that would introduce more autonomy for schools and wage differences between teachers. Also read | Macron phone call: Putin aiming to seize whole of Ukraine, says aide "'With you' is not just a slogan, it will be for me a new democratic way of working," he said. He also stressed his difference from the nationalist programmes of Le Pen, and Zemmour, without naming them. "There are programmes that propose a withdrawal, a return of a certain type of nostalgia, a nostalgia for something that never really existed," he said. "I believe on the contrary that faced with fears and a return of the tragic in our history, the war and the crises... we need to reply with clear-sighted ambition, a desire to act," he said. Watch | Poll-bound French President Emmanuel Macron unveils election manifesto in a re-election bid

Emmanuel Macron vows tax cuts, benefits shake-up in election manifesto

Trouble is mounting for Pakistan PM Imran Khan as cracks appear with the ruling alliance. This comes at a time when the opposition is also tightening the noose on Khan's government.

Trouble mounts for Pakistan PM Imran Khan as cracks appear with the ruling alliance

Here are some of the top stories to start your day: President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning to "traitors", US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he believes Moscow is guilty of committing war crimes as recent attacks in Ukrainian cities targetted civilians.

Here are some of the top stories to start your day: President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning to "traitors", US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he believes Moscow is guilty of committing war crimes as recent attacks in Ukrainian cities targetted civilians. Click on headlines to read the full report: As Ukraine conflict intensifies, Russian President Vladimir Putin issues warning to 'traitors' As Russia faces intense pressure in battlefield, President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning to "traitors" on Wednesday. The leader said that the West may try to use them as a fifth column to destroy Russia. Antony Blinken believes Russia guilty of committing war crimes US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday (March 17) said that Russia is not making enough efforts in peace talks with Ukraine to end the conflict. Blinken also said that he believes Moscow is guilty of committing war crimes as recent attacks in Ukrainian cities targetted civilians. As Russia's advance halts in Ukraine, US warns China over backing Putin The United States has voiced its concern on Thursday as China may help Russia with military equipment. This comes as the advance of Russian troops seems to have been halted at several locations in Ukraine. Hundreds of bulletproof vests destined for Ukraine, stolen in Manhattan Hundreds of bulletproof vests, destined for war-torn Ukraine, were stolen in New York, police and the organisation said Thursday (March 17). The vests were donated by officers. WATCH | Machine guns, body armour, helmets- US to send more arms to Ukraine | Sarang Shidore Exclusive President Joe Biden said that the US has offered Ukraine $1bn in security aid, adding America will continue to give Ukraine weapons so that people can fight and defend themselves. We are joined exclusively by Sarang Shidore, director of studies, Quincy institute to shed more light on this. ×

Morning news brief:  Putin warns 'traitors', Blinken believes Russia guilty of committing war crimes

Another massive blow to Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan as the ongoing power game in the country is turning out to be unfavourable for him. As per the reports, nearly two dozen lawmakers from Khan's ruling party have openly threatened to vote against him on the no-confidence motion.

Another massive blow to Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan as the ongoing power game in the country is turning out to be unfavourable for him. As per the reports, nearly two dozen lawmakers from Khan's ruling party have openly threatened to vote against him on the no-confidence motion. The no-confidence motion has been tabled in the country's Parliament by the opposition party, leaving Khan looking for ways to cling to power. Around 100 lawmakers from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) submitted it before the National Assembly Secretariat on March 8. Reports suggested that the National Assembly session for the move is expected to be convened on March 21 and the voting is likely to be held on March 28. The lawmakers alleged that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government led by Khan was responsible for the economic crisis and the spiralling inflation in the country. Pakistan-based The Express Tribune reported that several MNAs, who are taking refuge at the Sindh House in the federal capital, have stated that they have parted ways with the ruling party. They further said that they would not contest the next elections on a PTI ticket. As per the media outlet, PTI's Ramesh Kumar claimed that 33 members of the Assembly, including three federal ministers, had left the ruling party and the Prime Minister should immediately resign now. Sharing his reason for taking refuge at Sindh House, Kumar said he had sought protection from Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah after his wife was threatened at Parliament Lodges. (With inputs from agencies)

More trouble for Pakistan PM Imran Khan before the no-confidence vote

Hundreds of bulletproof vests, destined for war-torn Ukraine, were stolen in New York, police and the organisation said Thursday (March 17). The vests were donated by officers.&nbsp;

Around 400 bulletproof vests, that were supposed to help Ukraine against the ongoing invasion by Russia, have been stolen in Manhattan.&nbsp;

NY Police Department spokeswoman Lieutenant Jessica McRorie said that the theft occurred at the headquarters of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA).&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/targeting-civilians-is-a-war-crime-antony-blinken-believes-russia-guilty-of-committing-war-crimes-463292">'Targetting civilians is a war crime': Antony Blinken believes Russia guilty of committing war crimes</a>

McRorie said that when police arrived at the site on Wednesday, they learned that "approximately 400 bulletproof vests were removed from the location."&nbsp;

She added that "there are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing." Meanwhile, a spokesperson for UCCA said a smaller number of vests, about 300, were missing from the group's Manhattan location. "We don't know... why, how" the robbery occurred, or who would have committed it, the spokesperson told AFP.&nbsp;

The group said, the vests were donated by the police on Long Island, New York and were to be sent to aid workers who would deliver them by truck throughout Ukraine.&nbsp;

The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate with each day passing, with reports of civilians dying due to bombings and shellings.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-makes-debt-interest-payment-amid-sanctions-463249">Russia makes debt interest payment amid sanctions</a>

Journalists, who are risking their lives to bring reports from ground zero, are also facing the same issue. In the attacks, some of the journalists have also died.&nbsp;

Recently, the United Nations' cultural agency said on Thursday (March 17) it would provide bulletproof vests and helmets to journalists working in Ukraine after the deaths of several reporters covering Russia's invasion.&nbsp;

UNESCO will also organise online training courses for working in combat zones and first aid. It is also trying to provide in-person training soon for journalists in Lviv, the western city where many media organisations have moved as the capital Kyiv is besieged.

"Journalists and media workers are risking their lives in Ukraine to provide life-saving information to local populations and inform the world of the reality of this war," UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said in a statement.

WATCH |&nbsp;30,000 evacuated from the city of Mariupol amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine

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Hundreds of bulletproof vests, destined for war-torn Ukraine, were stolen in New York, police and the organisation said Thursday (March 17). The vests were donated by officers.

Hundreds of bulletproof vests, destined for war-torn Ukraine, were stolen in New York, police and the organisation said Thursday (March 17). The vests were donated by officers. Around 400 bulletproof vests, that were supposed to help Ukraine against the ongoing invasion by Russia, have been stolen in Manhattan. NY Police Department spokeswoman Lieutenant Jessica McRorie said that the theft occurred at the headquarters of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA). ALSO READ | 'Targetting civilians is a war crime': Antony Blinken believes Russia guilty of committing war crimes McRorie said that when police arrived at the site on Wednesday, they learned that "approximately 400 bulletproof vests were removed from the location." She added that "there are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing." Meanwhile, a spokesperson for UCCA said a smaller number of vests, about 300, were missing from the group's Manhattan location. "We don't know... why, how" the robbery occurred, or who would have committed it, the spokesperson told AFP. The group said, the vests were donated by the police on Long Island, New York and were to be sent to aid workers who would deliver them by truck throughout Ukraine. The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate with each day passing, with reports of civilians dying due to bombings and shellings. ALSO READ | Russia makes debt interest payment amid sanctions Journalists, who are risking their lives to bring reports from ground zero, are also facing the same issue. In the attacks, some of the journalists have also died. Recently, the United Nations' cultural agency said on Thursday (March 17) it would provide bulletproof vests and helmets to journalists working in Ukraine after the deaths of several reporters covering Russia's invasion. UNESCO will also organise online training courses for working in combat zones and first aid. It is also trying to provide in-person training soon for journalists in Lviv, the western city where many media organisations have moved as the capital Kyiv is besieged. "Journalists and media workers are risking their lives in Ukraine to provide life-saving information to local populations and inform the world of the reality of this war," UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said in a statement. WATCH | 30,000 evacuated from the city of Mariupol amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine ×

Ukraine under attack: Hundreds of bulletproof vests destined for Ukraine, stolen in Manhattan

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday (March 17) said that Russia is not making enough efforts in peace talks with Ukraine to end the conflict.&nbsp;

Blinken also said that he believes Moscow is guilty of committing war crimes as recent attacks in Ukrainian cities targetted civilians.&nbsp;

Blinken told reporters at the State Department, "Yesterday, President Biden said that in his opinion, war crimes have been committed in Ukraine."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-makes-debt-interest-payment-amid-sanctions-463249">Russia makes debt interest payment amid sanctions</a>

"Personally, I agree. Intentionally targetting civilians is a war crime. After all the destruction of the past few weeks, I find it difficult to conclude that the Russians are doing otherwise," he said.&nbsp;

Blinken further said that the United States President Joe Biden was preparing to issue a warning to China not to send arms to Russia in support of its invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

As per United Nations, the concept of war crimes developed particularly at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. During that time, the international humanitarian law, which is also known as the law of armed conflict, was codified. &nbsp;

The Hague Conventions was adopted in 1899 and 1907 focus on the prohibition to warring parties to use certain means and methods of warfare.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-ukraine-war-uk-to-deploy-sky-sabre-missile-system-in-poland-463265">Amid Ukraine war, UK to deploy Sky Sabre missile system in Poland</a>

Blinken gave reference to the recent bombing of a theatre in Mariupol in southern Ukraine where many people had taken refuge, including children to save themselves from shellings. He also cited allegations that Russians opened fire on 10 civilians in line to buy bread in Chernihiv.&nbsp;

"With every day that passes the number of civilians, including children, killed and wounded, continues to climb. Russia continues to attack civilian sites, including this week alone, a hospital, three schools (and) a boarding school for visually impaired kids in the Luhansk region of Ukraine," he said.&nbsp;

He said US experts were now documenting and evaluating reports of attacks on civilians to determine if formal war crimes cases can be made.&nbsp;

"We need to go through this process of compiling the evidence, collecting the evidence, understanding the evidence. We'll share that, and our allies and partners I'm sure will do the same, with all of the investigations that are ongoing, to support accountability using every tool that we have available," he said.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: What is Volodymyr Zelensky's strategy?

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday (March 17) said that Russia is not making enough efforts in peace talks with Ukraine to end the conflict. Blinken also said that he believes Moscow is guilty of committing war crimes as recent attacks in Ukrainian cities targetted civilians.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday (March 17) said that Russia is not making enough efforts in peace talks with Ukraine to end the conflict. Blinken also said that he believes Moscow is guilty of committing war crimes as recent attacks in Ukrainian cities targetted civilians. Blinken told reporters at the State Department, "Yesterday, President Biden said that in his opinion, war crimes have been committed in Ukraine." ALSO READ | Russia makes debt interest payment amid sanctions "Personally, I agree. Intentionally targetting civilians is a war crime. After all the destruction of the past few weeks, I find it difficult to conclude that the Russians are doing otherwise," he said. Blinken further said that the United States President Joe Biden was preparing to issue a warning to China not to send arms to Russia in support of its invasion of Ukraine. As per United Nations, the concept of war crimes developed particularly at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. During that time, the international humanitarian law, which is also known as the law of armed conflict, was codified. The Hague Conventions was adopted in 1899 and 1907 focus on the prohibition to warring parties to use certain means and methods of warfare. ALSO READ | Amid Ukraine war, UK to deploy Sky Sabre missile system in Poland Blinken gave reference to the recent bombing of a theatre in Mariupol in southern Ukraine where many people had taken refuge, including children to save themselves from shellings. He also cited allegations that Russians opened fire on 10 civilians in line to buy bread in Chernihiv. "With every day that passes the number of civilians, including children, killed and wounded, continues to climb. Russia continues to attack civilian sites, including this week alone, a hospital, three schools (and) a boarding school for visually impaired kids in the Luhansk region of Ukraine," he said. He said US experts were now documenting and evaluating reports of attacks on civilians to determine if formal war crimes cases can be made. "We need to go through this process of compiling the evidence, collecting the evidence, understanding the evidence. We'll share that, and our allies and partners I'm sure will do the same, with all of the investigations that are ongoing, to support accountability using every tool that we have available," he said. WATCH | Gravitas: What is Volodymyr Zelensky's strategy? ×

'Targetting civilians is a war crime': Antony Blinken believes Russia guilty of committing war crimes

After a two year hiatus, St Patrick's Day parades return to Ireland

The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate with reports of deaths and massive destruction coming in almost every day since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in Ukrainian cities on February 24.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate with reports of deaths and massive destruction coming in almost every day since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in Ukrainian cities on February 24. Amid the chaos, both facts and fake news about the Russian invasion of Ukraine are circulating on social media platforms with a number of people consuming the information and also sharing it. It is slightly difficult, but the world needs to differentiate between truth and propaganda. Here are a few incidents: Zelensky's Deepfake footage Recently, a poorly edited video purporting to show Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly capitulating to Russian demands was circulated on Wednesday (March 16). The video appeared to show Zelensky speaking from the presidential lectern and urging his countrymen to down their weapons in the face of Russian invaders. However, the users flagged the discrepancies between the skin tone on Zelensky's neck and face, the odd accent in the 68-second deepfake clip and the pixelation around his head. Later, a Facebook official said the company was removing the footage from its platform. IN PICS | Drone warfare in Ukraine: Switchblade 'buzzing bee' drones vs Russia's Orlan-10 Fake call from 'Ukrainian PM' On Thursday (March 17), British defence minister Ben Wallace ordered an inquiry as he claimed that he received a call from the Ukrainian prime minister. The apparent video call was set up after an email was sent to a government department, purportedly from an aide at the Ukrainian embassy, which was then passed on to the Ministry of Defence. "Today an attempt was made by an imposter claiming to be Ukrainian PM to speak with me. He posed several misleading questions and after becoming suspicious I terminated the call. No amount of Russian disinformation, distortion and dirty tricks can distract from Russia’s human rights abuses and illegal invasion of Ukraine. A desperate attempt," Wallace said on Twitter. IN PICS | Ukraine to get US Stingers, Javelin, anti-armour systems; is it a gamechanger? Hoax call to Britain's Home Secretary Just like Wallace, UK's Home Secretary Priti Patel said she had also been targeted. "This also happened to me earlier this week," the interior minister wrote on Twitter. "Pathetic attempt at such difficult times to divide us. We stand with Ukraine," she added. US soldiers alive The Tennessee National Guard said on Thursday (March 17) that three current and former members of the Tennessee National Guard falsely identified in a Russian media report as mercenaries who were killed in Ukraine are in fact alive and well. The report published in Russia's Pravda newspaper identified the Americans by name and gave military ranks for each of them, citing information from pro-Russian militia in Ukraine's Donetsk. The report even offered an intricate explanation for how the three were identified, using items from a backpack "near the remains of one of the militants" - including a Tennessee state flag. "The Tennessee Guard is aware of the fake news coming out of Russia," said Tracy O'Grady, a spokesperson for the larger US National Guard. The Tennessee Guard said in a statement: "They are accounted for, safe and not, as the article headline erroneously states, U.S. mercenaries killed in Donetsk People's Republic." WATCH | UK defence secy receives hoax call; caller posed as Ukrainian PM × (With inputs from agencies)

From Deepfakes to hoax calls: 'Fake news war' in Russia-Ukraine crisis

Argentina's&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;on Thursday gave final approval to an agreement with the International Monetary Fund that restructures a $45&nbsp;billion&nbsp;debt, clearing the country's short-term financial horizon but leaving a serious inflationary challenge.

The late-night vote greenlights the new credit program ironed out between&nbsp;Argentine&nbsp;officials and&nbsp;IMF&nbsp;staff as they sought to finalize the&nbsp;debt, the legacy of a record loan contracted in 2018 under former president Mauricio Macri.

Outside the&nbsp;Senate, several hundred people demonstrated, called by unions and leftist movements to oppose the restructuring.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-pakistan-china-to-build-nuclear-power-plant-in-argentina-453096">After Pakistan, China to build nuclear power plant in Argentina</a>

Last week, the agreement won the approval of the&nbsp;Chamber of Deputies&nbsp;with a broad consensus between the center-left ruling coalition and the center-right opposition, a rarity in&nbsp;Argentina.

Faced with the spectre of a ruinous payment default if the agreement was not approved, the&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;greenlit it by a vote of 56 to 13, with three abstentions.

"It is the responsibility of our government to build certainty in a context of uncertainty," Economic Minister Martin Guzman, the&nbsp;deal's chief architect, said in defending the package before senators.

The agreement provides for a series of macroeconomic measures to control the country's chronic inflation (50.9 percent in 2021) and reduce its budget deficit of three percent of GDP last year until it is balanced in 2025.&nbsp;

Under the agreement, which must also be ratified by the&nbsp;IMF&nbsp;board of directors before it comes into force, the fund will monitor&nbsp;Argentina's progress regularly.

In 2018, under the government of center-right Macri, the&nbsp;IMF&nbsp;approved its biggest-ever loan of $57&nbsp;billion&nbsp;to&nbsp;Argentina. The country received $44&nbsp;billion&nbsp;of that amount.

Macri's successor, Alberto Fernandez, refused to accept the rest and sought to renegotiate repayment terms.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-lambasts-china-for-supporting-argentinas-falklands-islands-claim-451290">Britain lambasts China for supporting Argentina's Falklands Islands claim</a>

Payments of $19&nbsp;billion&nbsp;and $20&nbsp;billion&nbsp;were due this year -- a timeline the government considered impossible.

Argentina&nbsp;is just emerging from three years of economic recession and battling rising inflation and a high poverty rate.

The country recorded a 4.7 percent jump in its consumer price index in February compared to January, with a 7.5 percent rise in the cost of food.

Under the new&nbsp;deal&nbsp;-- the 13th that Buenos Aires has signed with the&nbsp;IMF&nbsp;since the return of democracy in 1983 -- repayments will be made from 2026 to 2034 after a grace period.

Argentina&nbsp;has committed to reducing its fiscal deficit from 3.0 percent of GDP today to 0.9 percent by 2024.

IMF&nbsp;spokesman Gerry Rice said the aim of the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;was to "reduce persistently high inflation" but warned of the challenges faced by the global economy following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;parliament&nbsp;building was fenced off ahead of the&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;vote last week, following protests when the lower house approved the bill, with some demonstrators burning rubbish and throwing stones towards the building entrance.

A police officer was struck by a Molotov cocktail and some windows were hit with stones, including those at the offices of the&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;president and Vice President Cristina Kirchner.

&nbsp;

Argentina's Senate on Thursday gave final approval to an agreement with the International Monetary Fund that restructures a $45 billion debt, clearing the country's short-term financial horizon but leaving a serious inflationary challenge.

Argentina's Senate on Thursday gave final approval to an agreement with the International Monetary Fund that restructures a $45 billion debt, clearing the country's short-term financial horizon but leaving a serious inflationary challenge. The late-night vote greenlights the new credit program ironed out between Argentine officials and IMF staff as they sought to finalize the debt, the legacy of a record loan contracted in 2018 under former president Mauricio Macri. Outside the Senate, several hundred people demonstrated, called by unions and leftist movements to oppose the restructuring. Also read | After Pakistan, China to build nuclear power plant in Argentina Last week, the agreement won the approval of the Chamber of Deputies with a broad consensus between the center-left ruling coalition and the center-right opposition, a rarity in Argentina. Faced with the spectre of a ruinous payment default if the agreement was not approved, the Senate greenlit it by a vote of 56 to 13, with three abstentions. "It is the responsibility of our government to build certainty in a context of uncertainty," Economic Minister Martin Guzman, the deal's chief architect, said in defending the package before senators. The agreement provides for a series of macroeconomic measures to control the country's chronic inflation (50.9 percent in 2021) and reduce its budget deficit of three percent of GDP last year until it is balanced in 2025. Under the agreement, which must also be ratified by the IMF board of directors before it comes into force, the fund will monitor Argentina's progress regularly. In 2018, under the government of center-right Macri, the IMF approved its biggest-ever loan of $57 billion to Argentina. The country received $44 billion of that amount. Macri's successor, Alberto Fernandez, refused to accept the rest and sought to renegotiate repayment terms. Also read | Britain lambasts China for supporting Argentina's Falklands Islands claim Payments of $19 billion and $20 billion were due this year -- a timeline the government considered impossible. Argentina is just emerging from three years of economic recession and battling rising inflation and a high poverty rate. The country recorded a 4.7 percent jump in its consumer price index in February compared to January, with a 7.5 percent rise in the cost of food. Under the new deal -- the 13th that Buenos Aires has signed with the IMF since the return of democracy in 1983 -- repayments will be made from 2026 to 2034 after a grace period. Argentina has committed to reducing its fiscal deficit from 3.0 percent of GDP today to 0.9 percent by 2024. IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said the aim of the deal was to "reduce persistently high inflation" but warned of the challenges faced by the global economy following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The parliament building was fenced off ahead of the Senate vote last week, following protests when the lower house approved the bill, with some demonstrators burning rubbish and throwing stones towards the building entrance. A police officer was struck by a Molotov cocktail and some windows were hit with stones, including those at the offices of the Senate president and Vice President Cristina Kirchner.

Argentina parliament approves IMF deal to restructure $45 billion debt

Britain's media regulator said on Friday it has revoked Russian-backed television channel RT's licence to broadcast in the UK with immediate effect after a probe into the impartiality of its coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The regulator, Ofcom, said in a statement it was not satisfied that RT could be a responsible broadcaster.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-tv-protester-marina-ovsyannikova-quits-channel-but-turns-down-france-asylum-offer-463354">Russia TV protester Marina Ovsyannikova quits channel but turns down France asylum offer</a>

"Freedom of expression is something we guard fiercely in this country, and the bar for action on broadcasters is rightly set very high. Following an independent regulatory process, we have today found that RT is not fit and proper to hold a licence in the UK," Ofcom Chief Executive Dame Melanie Dawes said.

RT is currently off air in Britain due to sanctions brought on by the European Union since Moscow's invasion late last month.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oksana-shvets-acclaimed-ukrainian-actor-killed-in-russias-rocket-attack-no-forgiveness-463334">Oksana Shvets, acclaimed Ukrainian actor, killed in Russia's rocket attack</a>

RT responded by saying the regulator had shown itself to be nothing more than a tool of the British government.

Britain's media regulator said on Friday it has revoked Russian-backed television channel RT's licence to broadcast in the UK with immediate effect after a probe into the impartiality of its coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Britain's media regulator said on Friday it has revoked Russian-backed television channel RT's licence to broadcast in the UK with immediate effect after a probe into the impartiality of its coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The regulator, Ofcom, said in a statement it was not satisfied that RT could be a responsible broadcaster. Also read | Russia TV protester Marina Ovsyannikova quits channel but turns down France asylum offer "Freedom of expression is something we guard fiercely in this country, and the bar for action on broadcasters is rightly set very high. Following an independent regulatory process, we have today found that RT is not fit and proper to hold a licence in the UK," Ofcom Chief Executive Dame Melanie Dawes said. RT is currently off air in Britain due to sanctions brought on by the European Union since Moscow's invasion late last month. Also read | Oksana Shvets, acclaimed Ukrainian actor, killed in Russia's rocket attack RT responded by saying the regulator had shown itself to be nothing more than a tool of the British government.

UK revokes Russian channel RT's licence after probe into Ukraine coverage

When President Joe Biden on Wednesday declared to reporters, almost off the cuff, that Russian President Vladimir Putin was a “war criminal,” he was speaking from the heart, his aides said, reacting to the wrenching images of civilians — including children — being dragged, dead or disfigured, from ruins of buildings shelled by Russian forces.

But he was also personalizing the conflict, in a way past presidents have avoided at moments of crisis with the United States’ leading nuclear-armed adversary. And his remark underscored how personal condemnation has become policy, as Biden and his top aides frame Putin as a pariah, an indiscriminate killer who should be standing trial at The Hague.

Biden amplified his attacks Thursday, calling Putin “a murderous dictator, a pure thug who is waging an immoral war against the people of Ukraine.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken chimed in, saying: “Personally, I agree. Intentionally targeting civilians is a war crime.”

But what began as a visceral reaction appears to reflect a strategic decision. Branding Putin as a war criminal supports the administration’s case as it simultaneously tries to keep the Western alliance unified and attempts to pressure China not to bail Putin out of his economic crisis and military mistakes. That effort will face a new test Friday, when Biden is scheduled to talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time since the invasion, and warn him against supplying weapons to Putin.

And Biden’s comments came after three weeks in which the United States and its allies piled sanctions on Russia that the administration said were designed to force Putin to withdraw his forces from Ukraine. But diplomats and intelligence officials from several countries say those sanctions are seen by Putin as an effort to stoke Russian unrest, turning both wealthy oligarchs and ordinary Russians against his rule.

The White House says that “regime change” in Russia is not on Washington’s strategic agenda. But in past cases when presidents have called national leaders war criminals — Iraq's Saddam Hussein or Syria's Bashar Assad — it has frequently been linked to an effort, covert or overt, to drive them from office.

When promised anonymity, many American officials say that they cannot imagine that Ukraine could be safe from Russian military action while Putin, stewing in grievances and now angry at his own military’s performance, is still in office.

Last week, CIA Director William Burns, a former U.S. ambassador to Moscow who knew Putin as he tightened his control over Russia, told the House Intelligence Committee that Putin’s moves have been “premeditated and savage.” He predicted that Putin was “likely to double down and try to grind down the Ukrainian military with no regard for civilian casualties.”

“He has no sustainable political endgame in the face of what is going to continue to be fierce resistance from Ukrainians,” Burns said.

Other U.S. intelligence officials have said that Putin views the conflict not only as a war to reclaim Ukraine but to push back on American power. They said he increasingly sees himself wrapped in a struggle with Biden, whom he views as the last of a generation of Washington Cold Warriors.

Biden and Putin have not talked since Feb. 12, when the American president made one last attempt to warn the Russian leader that an attack would lead to crushing sanctions, more arms to the Ukrainians and a major buildup of troops and arms on NATO’s eastern front. That buildup was exactly the result Putin was trying to forestall.

It is almost unimaginable that the two men will be dealing with each other directly anytime soon. Hours after Biden’s “war criminal” comments, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov called the characterization “unacceptable and unforgivable rhetoric.”

Putin has not said much about Biden, but he vowed this week to cleanse Russia of “scum and traitors” who he said were being organized by the West as a “fifth column” to destroy the country.

The enmity between the two men has been barely disguised for years, since the day when Biden, as vice president, by his account told Putin that he had looked in his eyes and had seen no soul. “We understand one another,” Putin is said to have replied.

But it comes at a moment when Washington’s biggest concern is that Putin will escalate the war — and reach for weapons of mass destruction.

Just hours before Biden’s declaration, his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told Nikolai Patrushev, Putin’s main national security adviser, that “any possible Russian decision to use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine” would result in an even harsher Western response. Several of Biden's aides have been concerned that if the Russian leader feels cornered or believes the United States is trying to foment opposition, the chances that he will reach for such weapons could be heightened.

So, the debate underway in Washington now is what, exactly, might trigger Putin. Some believe he could lash out if dissent in Russia, already visible in street demonstrations, poses a real threat. Others believe that his trigger point might be a more direct entry into the war by NATO countries. They are already providing anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons that have contributed to what the Pentagon now estimates is a Russian death toll of at least 7,000 troops.

One former intelligence official noted that it was Hillary Rodham Clinton’s support for anti-Putin street demonstrations in Russia that prompted him to order the hacking of the Democratic National Committee when Clinton was running for president in 2016. Putin is a believer, the official said, in retribution.

Putin would have good reason to think the Biden administration is looking forward to his exit, although U.S. officials choose their words carefully to avoid the implication that Washington’s policy is to speed the process. Blinken, speaking to reporters Thursday, said that “when all is said and done, an independent Ukraine will be there, and at some point Vladimir Putin will not.”

The last time an American president went head to head with a Russian or Soviet leader with so much at stake was 60 years ago, during the Cuban missile crisis, widely regarded as the closest the world came to Armageddon. And yet at that moment, in October 1962, President John F. Kennedy’s instinct was to avoid personalizing the conflict — and to help his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, find a way out of direct confrontation.

“I think it is the most natural comparison to this moment,” said Fredrik Logevall, a Harvard historian and Kennedy biographer.

“He kept warning the members of X-COMM that they had to see things from Khrushchev’s perspective,” he said, referring to the committee Kennedy established to guide through the 13 days of the crisis. “He said we had to give him something here to step away. And he was careful in his public comments not to personalize his criticisms of Khrushchev himself. It’s a direct contrast to what Biden did.”

Putin is not the first foreign adversary Biden has called a war criminal, as he himself recounted in “Promises to Keep,” a 2007 memoir. He recalled meeting Slobodan Milosevic, president of Serbia and then of Yugoslavia, who ultimately became the first sitting head of a government to be charged with war crimes.

“He could tell I had just about had it with his lies, and at one point he looked up from the maps and said, without any emotion, ‘What do you think of me?’” Biden wrote.

“‘I think you’re a damn war criminal and you should be tried as one,’” Biden wrote. “I was looking right in Milosevic’s eyes, and his expression didn’t change. There was not the slightest twitch in his face. It was like I’d just told him he was a wonderful guy.”

Blinken said the president was now willing to go further with Putin, and begin collecting evidence of war crimes. “So when I tell you that there will be accountability and consequences for any war crimes that have been committed,” Blinken said Thursday, “I hope you’ll take me at my word, but actions always speak louder than words.”

When President Joe Biden on Wednesday declared to reporters, almost off the cuff, that Russian President Vladimir Putin was a “war criminal,” he was speaking from the heart, his aides said, reacting to the wrenching images of civilians — including children — being dragged, dead or disfigured, from ruins of buildings shelled by Russian forces.

When President Joe Biden on Wednesday declared to reporters, almost off the cuff, that Russian President Vladimir Putin was a “war criminal,” he was speaking from the heart, his aides said, reacting to the wrenching images of civilians — including children — being dragged, dead or disfigured, from ruins of buildings shelled by Russian forces. But he was also personalizing the conflict, in a way past presidents have avoided at moments of crisis with the United States’ leading nuclear-armed adversary. And his remark underscored how personal condemnation has become policy, as Biden and his top aides frame Putin as a pariah, an indiscriminate killer who should be standing trial at The Hague. Biden amplified his attacks Thursday, calling Putin “a murderous dictator, a pure thug who is waging an immoral war against the people of Ukraine.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken chimed in, saying: “Personally, I agree. Intentionally targeting civilians is a war crime.” But what began as a visceral reaction appears to reflect a strategic decision. Branding Putin as a war criminal supports the administration’s case as it simultaneously tries to keep the Western alliance unified and attempts to pressure China not to bail Putin out of his economic crisis and military mistakes. That effort will face a new test Friday, when Biden is scheduled to talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time since the invasion, and warn him against supplying weapons to Putin. And Biden’s comments came after three weeks in which the United States and its allies piled sanctions on Russia that the administration said were designed to force Putin to withdraw his forces from Ukraine. But diplomats and intelligence officials from several countries say those sanctions are seen by Putin as an effort to stoke Russian unrest, turning both wealthy oligarchs and ordinary Russians against his rule. The White House says that “regime change” in Russia is not on Washington’s strategic agenda. But in past cases when presidents have called national leaders war criminals — Iraq's Saddam Hussein or Syria's Bashar Assad — it has frequently been linked to an effort, covert or overt, to drive them from office. When promised anonymity, many American officials say that they cannot imagine that Ukraine could be safe from Russian military action while Putin, stewing in grievances and now angry at his own military’s performance, is still in office. Last week, CIA Director William Burns, a former U.S. ambassador to Moscow who knew Putin as he tightened his control over Russia, told the House Intelligence Committee that Putin’s moves have been “premeditated and savage.” He predicted that Putin was “likely to double down and try to grind down the Ukrainian military with no regard for civilian casualties.” “He has no sustainable political endgame in the face of what is going to continue to be fierce resistance from Ukrainians,” Burns said. Other U.S. intelligence officials have said that Putin views the conflict not only as a war to reclaim Ukraine but to push back on American power. They said he increasingly sees himself wrapped in a struggle with Biden, whom he views as the last of a generation of Washington Cold Warriors. Biden and Putin have not talked since Feb. 12, when the American president made one last attempt to warn the Russian leader that an attack would lead to crushing sanctions, more arms to the Ukrainians and a major buildup of troops and arms on NATO’s eastern front. That buildup was exactly the result Putin was trying to forestall. It is almost unimaginable that the two men will be dealing with each other directly anytime soon. Hours after Biden’s “war criminal” comments, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov called the characterization “unacceptable and unforgivable rhetoric.” Putin has not said much about Biden, but he vowed this week to cleanse Russia of “scum and traitors” who he said were being organized by the West as a “fifth column” to destroy the country. The enmity between the two men has been barely disguised for years, since the day when Biden, as vice president, by his account told Putin that he had looked in his eyes and had seen no soul. “We understand one another,” Putin is said to have replied. But it comes at a moment when Washington’s biggest concern is that Putin will escalate the war — and reach for weapons of mass destruction. Just hours before Biden’s declaration, his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told Nikolai Patrushev, Putin’s main national security adviser, that “any possible Russian decision to use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine” would result in an even harsher Western response. Several of Biden's aides have been concerned that if the Russian leader feels cornered or believes the United States is trying to foment opposition, the chances that he will reach for such weapons could be heightened. So, the debate underway in Washington now is what, exactly, might trigger Putin. Some believe he could lash out if dissent in Russia, already visible in street demonstrations, poses a real threat. Others believe that his trigger point might be a more direct entry into the war by NATO countries. They are already providing anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons that have contributed to what the Pentagon now estimates is a Russian death toll of at least 7,000 troops. One former intelligence official noted that it was Hillary Rodham Clinton’s support for anti-Putin street demonstrations in Russia that prompted him to order the hacking of the Democratic National Committee when Clinton was running for president in 2016. Putin is a believer, the official said, in retribution. Putin would have good reason to think the Biden administration is looking forward to his exit, although U.S. officials choose their words carefully to avoid the implication that Washington’s policy is to speed the process. Blinken, speaking to reporters Thursday, said that “when all is said and done, an independent Ukraine will be there, and at some point Vladimir Putin will not.” The last time an American president went head to head with a Russian or Soviet leader with so much at stake was 60 years ago, during the Cuban missile crisis, widely regarded as the closest the world came to Armageddon. And yet at that moment, in October 1962, President John F. Kennedy’s instinct was to avoid personalizing the conflict — and to help his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, find a way out of direct confrontation. “I think it is the most natural comparison to this moment,” said Fredrik Logevall, a Harvard historian and Kennedy biographer. “He kept warning the members of X-COMM that they had to see things from Khrushchev’s perspective,” he said, referring to the committee Kennedy established to guide through the 13 days of the crisis. “He said we had to give him something here to step away. And he was careful in his public comments not to personalize his criticisms of Khrushchev himself. It’s a direct contrast to what Biden did.” Putin is not the first foreign adversary Biden has called a war criminal, as he himself recounted in “Promises to Keep,” a 2007 memoir. He recalled meeting Slobodan Milosevic, president of Serbia and then of Yugoslavia, who ultimately became the first sitting head of a government to be charged with war crimes. “He could tell I had just about had it with his lies, and at one point he looked up from the maps and said, without any emotion, ‘What do you think of me?’” Biden wrote. “‘I think you’re a damn war criminal and you should be tried as one,’” Biden wrote. “I was looking right in Milosevic’s eyes, and his expression didn’t change. There was not the slightest twitch in his face. It was like I’d just told him he was a wonderful guy.” Blinken said the president was now willing to go further with Putin, and begin collecting evidence of war crimes. “So when I tell you that there will be accountability and consequences for any war crimes that have been committed,” Blinken said Thursday, “I hope you’ll take me at my word, but actions always speak louder than words.”

By labeling Putin a 'war criminal,' Biden personalizes the conflict

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