Today we'll be discussing some of the biggest stories, including Sadiq Khan's new drug commission and an Al Jazeera reporter shot in cold blood. We'll also be answering today's big question: what's been going on in Sri Lanka?, as well as discussing the updates regarding the Northern Ireland protocol, but first updates on Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

Russia has been accused by many countries of committing war crimes in its invasion of Ukraine. So far, there hasn't been much movement internationally to start the process of holding the Russian state to account for these crimes. It's pretty tricky to do and will inevitably take quite a long time. Holding individuals to account, though, can be easier. For the first time since the beginning of the war, a Russian soldier accused of war crimes will face trial in Ukraine. According to the Russian prosecutor general, the 21-year-old captured Russian sergeant has been charged with the killing of a Ukrainian man in his 60s who was shot while pushing a bicycle. It's not yet known when the trial will begin.

The president and prime minister of Finland have today announced their intention to apply for NATO membership. Their joint statement said Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay. The decision follows recent assurances by western nations, including the UK and the US, that they would be given protection during the application process. Finland's decision to join NATO marks a huge shift in policy after decades of neutrality and comes at a time of significant international tension due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Finland shares an 810-mile land border with Russia and is undoubtedly fearful that Russia could turn its focus on them in the near future. Finland's neighbour, Sweden, is expected to make its own decision on NATO membership shortly. Like Finland, Sweden has experienced a large shift in opinion towards favouring joining the military alliance since Russia invaded Ukraine.

The prominent Al Jazeera journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, was shot and killed by Israeli forces, the network said while covering a military raid on the Jenin refugee camp on the occupied west bank. She was wearing a blue helmet and a flak jacket marked with the word press when she was killed. Another Palestinian journalist was also shot but is in stable condition. The Israeli military said its troops were returning fire after being shot at and originally suggested that Abu Akleh was shot by Palestinian gunmen, though they have since said that at the moment it is not possible to determine where the bullets came from. The EU, US, and U.N have all called for the killing to be investigated. Israeli authorities said that the Palestinian authorities had rejected their offer of a joint investigation. The Palestinian authorities said they were investigating and would refer the case to the international criminal court.

Senate Democrats failed to pass legislation intended to codify the right to abortion into federal law in advance of a potential Roe v. Wade overturned. The supreme court ruled that the legislation needed 60 votes to overcome the Senate filibuster but ended up with 49 in favour and 51 against. All Republican senators and one Democratic senator, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, opposed the measure. The outcome was predictable, but Democrats forced the vote anyway in the hopes of putting Republican opposition to protecting abortion rights on record in the hopes that the issue will be front and centre in the November midterm elections.

Moving to the UK now, the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched an expert commission to examine the effectiveness of UK policy toward non-class A drugs, particularly cannabis. Khan said an honest and open conversation about the evidence relating to UK cannabis law was needed and added that the UK drugs commission, which was also part of his re-election manifesto, would do this. He made the announcement following a visit to a cannabis farm and dispensary in California, which was the latest stop on his four-day tour of the United States to promote investment in London. The commission will make recommendations to London City Hall, the government, the police, and other relevant institutions, and while the mayor does not have the authority to change criminal law, he does have the ability to influence the conversation. Both the government and the current labour leadership oppose decriminalizing cannabis and show no indication of changing their stances.