The South African government has begun a formal withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, after beginning official proceedings according to media reports.

An "Instrument of Withdrawal" document has been signed by South Africa's foreign minister and sent to the United Nations, report several media outlets, who have obtained copies of the document.

"The Republic of South Africa has found that its obligations with respect to the peaceful resolution of conflicts at times are incompatible with the interpretation given by the International Criminal Court," it says.

Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza signed a decree on Tuesday for Burundi to undertake proceedings to leave the International Criminal Court , reports Reuters.

The decision to remove the country from the ICC came after a parliamentary vote saw 94 parliamentarians vote to leave the ICC whilst 2 voted to remain within its jurisdiction.

Last month, a United Nations report named officials accused of orchestrating the torture and killing of political opponents in a damming report.

The Russian and Syrian forces have halted all air strikes on Aleppo two days ahead of the planned pause to allow rebels and civilians to leave the city reports Reuters.

The Russian Defence Minister Sergei Soigu, in an announcement made on Tuesday, said strikes had been halted from 1000 local time (0700 GMT) to guarantee the safety of six corridors for civilian evacuation and to prepare for the removal of sick and wounded people from eastern Aleppo.

Saudi Arabia has agreed to a ceasefire if the Houthi militants agree said the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Monday.

Speaking to reporters in London , the Saudi Foreign Minister said, “We are prepared, the Yemeni government is prepared, to agree to a cessation of hostilities if the Houthis agree to it. The coalition countries will respect the desire of the Yemeni government.”

The Saudi government received heavy criticism this month, after an air strike on a funeral gathering in Yemen killed over 100 people according to the United Nations. 

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) announced that it will be discussing the impact of major pharmaceutical companies in a meeting set to take place this week.

The meeting, discussing consumer protection law and policy is set to take place from October 19th – 21st, and the tactics of companies such as Pfizer, Novartis and Roche is set to be discussed. The UNCTAD aims to make the benefits of globalization and trade expansion more equitable and the role of major pharmaceutical companies has sparked much criticism.

Maldives Foreign Minister, Mohamed Asim, announced his government will withdraw from the Commonwealth, after criticism over the country’s human rights record.

“The decision to leave the Commonwealth was difficult, but inevitable,” he said, as the foreign ministry release a statement announcing the move. 

The move followed a warning given by the Commonwealth of possible suspension if adequate progress on democracy was not fulfilled. Concerns include the detention of political leaders, reinstatement of capital punishment and strict defamation laws.

India signed 3 bi-lateral deals with Russia including the purchase of air defence missile systems, reports the Times of India.

The agreements were signed at the end of “fruitful and substantive talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on enhancing bilateral ties.  

Angela Merkel wants to other European Union members to agree to step up sanctions according to sources close to the German chancellor reported.

The issue of sanctions is due to be discussed at an European Union summit on Thursday and Friday.

German papers cited sources  as saying that Ms Merkel was considering further sanctions against the aviation industry or in sectors that affected the Russian Defence Ministry.

A German government spokesperson could not immediately comment on the issue, reports Reuters.

The former Catalan leader, Artur Mas is to be prosecuted over the 2014 independence referendum, facing charges of "serious disobedience" and "malfeasance". 

The decision, announced by Catalan's High Court on Thursday, accuses Mr Mas of organising the referendum despite Spain's Constitutional Court imposing an injuction on it. 

If found guilty, Mr Mas will be prohibited from holding public office for 10 years. 

See here and here. 

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told her party’s Glasgow conference that an independence Referendum Bill would be published later next week.

Speaking at the Scottish National Party (SNP) conference in Glasgow, Ms Sturgeon, said,

“I am determined that Scotland will have the ability to reconsider the question of independence and to do so before the UK leaves the EU, if that is necessary to protect our country’s interests.  So I can confirm today that the Independence Referendum Bill will be published for consultation next week.”

Adding that she would oppose parliamentary attempts to leave the European Union Single market,  she said,