Latest news with #Throssell
Observer
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Observer
UN demands justice in Ukraine talks, as deaths spike
GENEVA: The United Nations insisted on Tuesday that any peace talks on Russia's war in Ukraine must include full accountability for the conflict's litany of violations, following the deadliest month for civilians since May 2022. The call from UN rights chief Volker Turk came the day after US President Donald Trump told Moscow to end the war within 50 days or face massive new economic sanctions. Trump also laid out plans for infusions of weaponry for Kyiv via Nato. In recent weeks, Trump has shown increasing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Moscow stepping up attacks rather than stopping them. "An immediate ceasefire is needed now to end this unbearable suffering," Liz Throssell, a spokeswoman for Turk's office, told a media briefing. "Work on a lasting peace, in line with international law, must intensify — a peace that ensures accountability for gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law." Rather than being sidelined or overlooked, "any move towards ceasefire, towards peace — accountability must be at its heart", she added. Throssell said Turk wanted any negotiations to focus in the immediate term on ending attacks that affect civilians and protecting the rights of people in occupied territory. They should also seek to return forcibly transferred or deported children, establish humanitarian corridors across the line of control and an bring end to the torture and ill treatment of prisoners of war and other detainees, she said. Russia launched the full-scale attack of its neighbour in February 2022. Moscow has unleashed record waves of drone and missile attacks over the past few weeks, with the number of Ukrainian civilians killed or wounded in June hitting a three-year high, according to UN figures, with 232 people killed and 1,343 injured. "July has brought no respite for civilians in Ukraine," said Throssell. So far this month at least 139 civilians have reportedly been killed and 791 wounded, she said, citing the "intense and successive waves of missile and drone strikes" launched by Russian forces. "Intense and sustained attacks using explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas are likely to have indiscriminate impacts and as such raise serious concerns as to their compliance with international humanitarian law," said Throssell. The UN human rights office has so far been able to verify and document at least 13,580 civilians killed and 34,115 wounded since the Russian attack began but acknowledges that the full figures will be far higher. Meanwhile, the Kremlin warned on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump's pledge of more weapons for Kyiv and threat of sanctions targeting Russian trading partners could embolden Ukraine and further delay already stalled peace efforts. Trump a day earlier gave Russia 50 days to strike a peace deal with Ukraine, voicing fresh frustration with Moscow as he laid out an arrangement with Nato to supply Kyiv with new military aid sponsored by the alliance's members. The Republican forced Moscow and Kyiv to open peace talks to end the conflict, now in its fourth year, but Russia has rejected calls for a ceasefire and launched a record number of drones and missiles at Ukraine in recent months. Moscow said it needed more time to respond fully to Trump's statement, but hinted it did not appear conducive to successful negotiations. "It seems that such a decision made in Washington and in Nato countries and directly in Brussels will be perceived by Kyiv not as a signal for peace but for the continuation of the war," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "President Trump's statement is very serious. We certainly need time to analyse what was said in Washington," he told reporters in Moscow's first reaction to the comments. Two rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine, held in Türkiye in recent months, have made no progress towards ending the fighting and yielded only large-scale prisoner exchanges. Tens of thousands have been killed since Russia launched its offensive, with millions forced to flee their homes in eastern and southern Ukraine, which has been decimated by aerial attacks and ground assaults. — AFP
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
17 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
UN demands accountability in Ukraine peace talks amid soaring civilian toll
Volker Turk's appeal comes the day after US President Donald Trump warned Moscow that it would face significant new economic sanctions if the war was not ended within 50 days read more An explosion of a drone lights up the sky over the city during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Reuters The United Nations emphasised on Tuesday that any peace negotiations on Russia's war in Ukraine include full responsibility for the conflict's litany of crimes, coming after the bloodiest month for civilians since May 2022. Volker Turk's appeal comes the day after US President Donald Trump warned Moscow that it would face significant new economic sanctions if the war was not ended within 50 days. Trump also announced preparations to provide arms to Kyiv through NATO. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In recent weeks, Trump has been more frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has escalated assaults rather than stopped them. 'An immediate ceasefire is needed now to end this unbearable suffering,' Liz Throssell, a spokeswoman for Turk's office, told a media briefing. 'Work on a lasting peace, in line with international law, must intensify - a peace that ensures accountability for gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law.' Rather than being sidelined or overlooked, 'any move towards ceasefire, towards peace - accountability must be at its heart', she added. Surging civilian casualties Throssell said Turk wanted any negotiations to focus in the immediate term on ending attacks that affect civilians and protecting the rights of people in occupied territory. They should also seek to return forcibly transferred or deported children, establish humanitarian corridors across the line of control and an bring end to the torture and ill treatment of prisoners of war and other detainees, she said. Russia launched the full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022. Moscow has unleashed record waves of drone and missile attacks over the past few weeks, with the number of Ukrainian civilians killed or wounded in June hitting a three-year high, according to UN figures, with 232 people killed and 1,343 injured. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'July has brought no respite for civilians in Ukraine,' said Throssell. So far this month at least 139 civilians have reportedly been killed and 791 wounded, she said, citing the 'intense and successive waves of missile and drone strikes' launched by Russian forces. 'Intense and sustained attacks using explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas are likely to have indiscriminate impacts and as such raise serious concerns as to their compliance with international humanitarian law,' said Throssell. The UN human rights office has so far been able to verify and document at least 13,580 civilians killed and 34,115 wounded since the Russian invasion began but acknowledges that the full figures will be far higher. Attacks on healthcare Meanwhile Jarno Habicht, the World Health Organization's representative in Ukraine, said civilian casualties 'almost doubled' in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the first. He said the WHO had recorded 2,504 attacks on healthcare since the start of the war, involving 212 deaths and 768 injuries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The WHO records attacks but does not attribute blame as it is not a criminal investigations body. 'That means that healthcare is not a safe place for the patients and healthcare workers – and it's a violation of humanitarian law,' said Habicht. He also sounded an alarm on 'problem' behaviours growing during the war – heavy drinking among adults, and new tobacco products used by youths.
Int'l Business Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
UN Demands Justice In Any Ukraine Peace Talks, As Civilian Deaths Spike
The United Nations insisted on Tuesday that any peace talks on Russia's war in Ukraine must include full accountability for the conflict's litany of violations, following the deadliest month for civilians since May 2022. The call from UN rights chief Volker Turk came the day after US President Donald Trump told Moscow to end the war within 50 days or face massive new economic sanctions. Trump also laid out plans for infusions of weaponry for Kyiv via NATO. In recent weeks, Trump has shown increasing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Moscow stepping up attacks rather than stopping them. "An immediate ceasefire is needed now to end this unbearable suffering," Liz Throssell, a spokeswoman for Turk's office, told a media briefing. "Work on a lasting peace, in line with international law, must intensify -- a peace that ensures accountability for gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law." Rather than being sidelined or overlooked, "any move towards ceasefire, towards peace -- accountability must be at its heart", she added. Throssell said Turk wanted any negotiations to focus in the immediate term on ending attacks that affect civilians and protecting the rights of people in occupied territory. They should also seek to return forcibly transferred or deported children, establish humanitarian corridors across the line of control and an bring end to the torture and ill treatment of prisoners of war and other detainees, she said. Russia launched the full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022. Moscow has unleashed record waves of drone and missile attacks over the past few weeks, with the number of Ukrainian civilians killed or wounded in June hitting a three-year high, according to UN figures, with 232 people killed and 1,343 injured. "July has brought no respite for civilians in Ukraine," said Throssell. So far this month at least 139 civilians have reportedly been killed and 791 wounded, she said, citing the "intense and successive waves of missile and drone strikes" launched by Russian forces. "Intense and sustained attacks using explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas are likely to have indiscriminate impacts and as such raise serious concerns as to their compliance with international humanitarian law," said Throssell. The UN human rights office has so far been able to verify and document at least 13,580 civilians killed and 34,115 wounded since the Russian invasion began but acknowledges that the full figures will be far higher. Meanwhile Jarno Habicht, the World Health Organization's representative in Ukraine, said civilian casualties "almost doubled" in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the first. He said the WHO had recorded 2,504 attacks on healthcare since the start of the war, involving 212 deaths and 768 injuries. The WHO records attacks but does not attribute blame as it is not a criminal investigations body. "That means that healthcare is not a safe place for the patients and healthcare workers -- and it's a violation of humanitarian law," said Habicht. He also sounded an alarm on "problem" behaviours growing during the war -- heavy drinking among adults, and new tobacco products used by youths. A Russian drone is shot down during overnight attacks on Kyiv AFP
Wales Online
16-06-2025
- Wales Online
Man punched and kicked his partner then strangled her teen daughter
Man punched and kicked his partner then strangled her teen daughter Thomas Throssell, 25, kicked his partner in the shin with force and assaulted her 18-year-old daughter after she intervened Thomas Throssell, 25, kicked and punched his partner before strangling her teenage daughter when she intervened. (Image: South Wales Police ) A thug repeatedly punched and kicked his partner before strangling her teenage daughter who intervened to protect her mother. He went on to punch and destroy a bathroom mirror before fleeing the scene. Thomas Throssell, 25, had been arguing with his partner at her home in Cardiff which spilled over to the morning of December 3 last year. The defendant attempted to use the victim's home address for his Universal Credit application but she did not want him to do this. A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Monday heard the victim took Throssell's phone and threw it. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter. He responded by grabbing hold of her hair and held her down for two minutes. The defendant kicked the victim to her right shin with force, causing her to bruise, and shouted abuse at her. At this point, the victim's 18-year-old daughter walked into the room but Throssell attempted to keep her out. Article continues below She tried to push the defendant away from her mother but he grabbed her by the throat and pushed her onto the bed. He squeezed her throat for a minute and she described it as being so "tight" she thought he was "going to kill her". The defendant's partner pulled him off of her daughter and he went downstairs. Prosecutor Abdallah Barakat said Throssell went to the bathroom and punched a mirror, which he broke. He was told to leave the property by the victim but he refused and punched her to the face. The defendant was then pushed out of the front door and the emergency services were called. Throssell, now of Groveley Lane, Birmingham, attempted to get back in but he was unsuccessful and was arrested when police arrived. During his interview, he claimed the victim was "a manipulative narcissist" and lied about her committing the injuries to herself by striking her head against a wall. The defendant later found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, two counts of assault by beating, and criminal damage, following a trial. The court heard he has four previous convictions for offences including battery, assault by beating, criminal damage and harassment. In a victim personal statement read to the court, the victim said: "Since this incident I have not felt able to leave the house and have barely slept. Since the assault my mental health was declining due to the mental abuse (the defendant) subjected me to. "I don't know who I am anymore, he's completely changed me. I was bubbly and outgoing but I am a shell of what I used to be. "My body has been extremely sore and I've not been able to walk much and I spent a lot of my time in bed. I have headaches from where he's punched me and my shin is very sore from where he kicked me. He has cut me off from everyone and didn't allow me to see family and friends." In mitigation, it was said the defendant had a "difficult upbringing", his father wasn't in his life due to alcoholism and he left his home at the age of 16 after having a strained relationship with his mother. It was said he has a number of job offers as a forklift truck driver should he maintain his liberty. Sentencing, Judge Celia Hughes said: "This was an appalling way to behave to your partner and her (daughter) in her own home. You have lost any chance of restoring your relationship and forced your victims to give evidence twice." Article continues below Throssell was sentenced to three years detention in a young offenders institute. He was also made subject to a restraining order for six years.
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Penistone mum of sons killed by father in fire writes new book
The mother of two children killed by their father in a deliberate house fire has said she hopes her autobiography will "reach out" to victims of domestic Throssell's sons, Paul and Jack, died alongside their father - Ms Throssell's ex-husband - on an unsupervised parental visit to the home in Penistone in October book, called For My Boys, is scheduled for release in October."It's not healed anything, but I felt that I had to give a true, raw, honest account of what domestic abuse is like," she said. "People don't realise when you live in abuse, it's every second of every day."Ms Throssell and Darren Sykes had been divorced for two weeks when he lured the boys to the attic to play with trains he had bought them, before setting fires around the then barricaded them inside with and his father died in the house, while Jack was taken to hospital and died days Throssell has since campaigned to stop dangerous parents having unsafe access to their children, helping to pass the Domestic Abuse Act in 2011 and being awarded an MBE. 'Lasting testimony' She said writing the book had been emotional, and she had used "countless boxes of tissues" and sometimes "couldn't even see the page for tears"."There's hundreds of books out there about how to wean [children], how to bring them up, and how to get them to sleep," she said."No expert has ever written a book about how to live without your children - now I know why."However, she called the book a "lasting testimony" to Jack, 12, and Paul, nine."Whenever I do anything now, I do it for those two beautiful eyes - their eyes made the stars look dull and the sun look boring."They could've stood on my shoulders and reached the stars, and all that was taken away."She said she also wanted to reach other families who were suffering from domestic abuse."The biggest power an abuser has is isolation, because you think 'it's only me that's going through this, I must be doing something wrong'," she said."I've always felt I need to reach out to these women and say 'I see you, I hear you, I believe you, and now I'm going to support you'."Nobody ever did with Jack and Paul, or myself." If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can visit BBC Action Line for support. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
