​Philippines: International Criminal Court confirms jurisdiction over Duterte case

Today’s headlines: a Taiwanese minister’s exceptional visit to the islet of Itu Aba, claimed by China, Vietnam and the Philippines; The US is reportedly negotiating with the Democratic Republic of the Congo regarding the resettlement of 1,100 Afghans following the visa ban; Beijing: new proposal for youth-friendly urban living. Lebanon and Israel in Washington as the truce nears its end.

PHILIPPINES

Appeal judges have ruled that the International Criminal Court has jurisdiction over former President Rodrigo Duterte, rejecting the defence’s request to dismiss the case and release him regarding his role in the ‘death squads’. The victims’ families erupted with joy when the court’s ruling was read out. Duterte, who has been detained at the ICC in The Hague since his arrest in March 2025, was not present in court. The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2018.

TAIWAN

Taiwan’s Minister of Maritime Affairs, Kuan Bi-ling, attended humanitarian rescue and medical evacuation drills on Itu Aba, a small island controlled by Taiwan and claimed by China, Vietnam and the Philippines. The visit is an exceptional event against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the region. Kuan’s visit comes as US and Philippine forces are conducting the largest military exercises ever held in the Philippines, drawing criticism from Beijing.

USA - AFGHANISTAN - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

The Trump administration is reportedly in talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding the resettlement of 1,100 Afghans stranded in Qatar whilst awaiting US visas. The talks highlight the legal hurdles faced by Afghans who fled the Taliban after the processing of US immigration visas for Afghan nationals was suspended, leaving them in limbo more than four years after the US withdrawal from Kabul.

CHINA

China has put forward a new proposal urging cities to integrate youth development into urban planning, housing, healthcare, education and public services, as part of an effort to make urban life more conducive to young people, children and families. The plan, drawn up by 15 departments, aims to promote the creation of ‘youth-oriented cities’, with measures ranging from healthcare to family support.

ISRAEL - LEBANON

Israeli attacks have killed five more people in southern Lebanon, including a journalist – Amal Khalil, who worked for the local newspaper Al Akhbar – putting the fragile ceasefire under severe strain. Meanwhile, Lebanon is meeting with Israel in Washington to request an extension of the truce, with Tel Aviv calling for “cooperation” against Hezbollah, which is absent from the negotiations. The two countries held a meeting in Washington on 14 April, the first of its kind since 1993, in an attempt to end the war between Hezbollah and Israel, which has been ongoing for over six weeks. The US had announced a 10-day truce following the first meeting.

RUSSIA - NORTH KOREA

Russian and North Korean construction workers have begun work on the motorway bridge over the Tumannaya River, as announced by local governor Oleg Kozhemyako, who stated that as part of the ‘Efficient Transport System’ project, a checkpoint will be established near the village of Khasan on the coast, reducing the distance between Vladivostok and the border town of Ražin to 320 km. The crossing will be able to handle up to 300 vehicles a day.

AZERBAIJAN - ARMENIA

On the eve of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian Cathedral of the Protection of the Mother of God in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, was destroyed in Azerbaijan, as reported by the Armenian Agency for Tourism and Culture, an act that “continues the Turks’ policy of a century ago” in new forms, namely “cultural genocide and the systematic process of erasing the homeland, destroying the historical memory of Artsakh”.