News about Slobodan Milosevic

Gen Sir Mike (left), the former head of the British Army, died at the age of 80 following an illustrious career that saw him command UK forces during US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. But it was during the celebrated officer's time in Kosovo in 1999 which saw him taking a crucial decision to prevent the conflict from exploding into all-out war between Nato and Russia . He famously refused an order from his US commander to intercept Russian forces (pictured right) when they entered Kosovo without Nato's agreement - in a move credited with saving thousands of lives. 'I'm not going to start the Third World War for you,' Sir Mike - dubbed a true 'soldier's soldier' and the 'Prince of Darkness' - is reported to have told his American boss, General Wesley Clark (inset)..

Israel has been accused of orchestrating the blasts, and while it has not claimed responsibility, Hezbollah and its backers Iran have condemned their arch-foe for carrying out 'mass murder' and have vowed to exact revenge. The chief of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, is set to make an address this afternoon, with Lebanese civilians holding their breath over how the hardline militia will retaliate and how Israel will respond in turn. In a sign that a major escalation is imminent, Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant last night declared a 'new phase' of the war had begun, after nearly a year of cross-border fighting with Hezbollah. Israel has been moving more troops and tanks to its northern border since the pager blasts began, ratcheting up fears of a regional conflagration.

DAVID WILKES: Red Star Belgrade, champions of the Serbian SuperLiga, are at home tonight, but I'm glued to the action away from the pitch - in the human bearpit known as the North Stand off to my left. Flares and firecrackers light up the night sky, giant plumes of red-tinted smoke drift across the stadium while, to the relentless sound of drumming, a crowd of young men in black mix hymns of praise to their team with chants of ugly nationalism.  These are the Red Star 'ultras', a thuggish army of superfans with one of the most fearsome reputations in Europe. They call themselves the Delije, or 'strong boys', although it's not mere strength they're known for.

Boro Marusic, 64, faces trial for four wartime offences in Croatia - where he could be extradited to answer for the crimes he allegedly carried out as a soldier during the tyranny of Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic. Croat prosecutors claim he was a paramilitary fighter in the former Yugoslav Army (JNA) who was involved in a violent abduction and an operation to forcibly evict non-Serbs from their villages. More than 30 years after the crimes are said to have taken place, when the claims were put to him, he told The Mirror: 'I deny all of the allegations. I was in the army because it was war. Everyone was, they had to be.' After moving to Britain in 1999, Marusic currently lives on a quiet street in Bedford, and was recently seen out shopping and chatting with locals in workwear dungarees and a baseball cap.

The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (pictured) of the United Kingdom profitted from the removal of a Caribbean plantation in the 18th century. Now health chiefs will implement steps that include a public apology, commissioning works, and informing employees about the connection. The NHS Lothian Charity is assisting the project, but it will not require direct financial contributions made as part of the reparations. However, there are budget issues, given that the NHS is already stretched beyond capacity.

According to Russian media, British prosecutor Karim Khan (pictured left) was added to the Interior Ministry's wanted list, citing the ministry's website. On March 20, days after Putin's arrest order was released, Moscow opened proceedings against Khan and three ICC judges. The ICC warrant has ordered the detention of Putin and Russia's children's rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, in March last year, according to charges relating to the abduction of Ukrainian children. During the invasion of Ukraine, Russia and Putin denied any war crimes, saying they were victims of Western imperialism and lies.

Xi visited Moscow last week and spoke to his despotic Russian counterpart on March 21 – where the two professed friendship and pledged closer links as Putin's forces continue to fail to make gains in what the pair describes as a "special military mission" in Ukraine. The full details of their summit talks have not been published, but the meeting has been seen as China is delivering its support to Putin as Western nations, such as the United States, England, Germany, and other NATO allies, rally behind Ukraine. Following the invasion, several analysts have also interpreted the meeting as a show that the Xi has more influence in the relationship, with Beijing assisting Russia in escaping harsh western sanctions imposed on Moscow's economy following the coup. According to a ministerial adviser in Ukraine, one of the summit's topics was over Putin's safety, so it is likely that he should lose his office.

The hero's welcome on Kosovo's streets in 1999 (the authentic Tony Blair inset) was recreated for the Netflix royal drama The Crown (photos from the set left and right). The production turned Southend-on-Sea, Essex, into the streets of the wartorn Balkan state, where Bertie Carvel played Tony Blair - visiting the country, which now has many Toni's and Tonybler's named after him. It was Blair's first visit to Kosovo after the NATO air campaign against Yugoslavia, which compelled Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to call off his crackdown against ethnic Albanians.