Briefly

EUROPE

Washington's threats against ICC slammed

The European Union on Tuesday denounced threats against the International Criminal Court, after the United States vowed a sweeping campaign against the tribunal. "We are strongly committed to international criminal justice and the fight against impunity," said Anouar El Anouni, EU spokesman for foreign affairs and security policy. "Attacks or threats against the court-elected officials, personnel or those cooperating with the court, are simply not acceptable." Washington on Monday menaced the court with further sanctions and other measures, accusing it of posing "an intolerable threat to US sovereignty".

GERMANY

Volkswagen CEO flags 50,000 extra job cuts

Volkswagen may need to cut about 50,000 extra jobs to keep up with rivals in an increasingly fierce car market, its CEO told staff in an internal memo on Monday, effectively confirming for the first time that the automaker is looking to reduce up to 100,000 positions. After already agreeing 50,000 job cuts across the group, including its Porsche and Audi subsidiaries, the company must work on reducing costs further, CEO Oliver Blume said in the memo seen by Reuters. This means a "theoretical deduction" of another 50,000 jobs worldwide, the memo said.

AGENCIES VIA XINHUA