分类： world

The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has strongly advocated for the continued detention of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, urging the Appeals Chamber to dismiss his request for temporary release. In a public redacted filing submitted on October 31, the prosecution defended the September 26 ruling by Pre-Trial Chamber I, which denied Duterte’s interim release under the Rome Statute. The prosecution argued that Duterte’s defense failed to identify any legal or factual errors in the initial decision to detain him. The chamber had previously emphasized that Duterte’s detention is essential to ensure his appearance at trial, prevent obstruction of justice, and halt any potential continuation of alleged crimes. The prosecution highlighted Duterte’s significant political influence and extensive network of loyal supporters, including his daughter, Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte, and his recent election as mayor of Davao City, as factors that could enable him to evade justice. They also dismissed Duterte’s health-related arguments for release, stating that his medical claims were insufficient and that detention posed no serious risk to his well-being. The OTP further justified the use of public information, such as media reports and NGO findings, to support their case, noting that such sources are routinely accepted in ICC proceedings. The prosecution concluded that the risks of Duterte fleeing or obstructing justice are not hypothetical but substantiated by his political connections and international reach.

A devastating stampede at the Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district on Saturday resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, with many more injured. The incident occurred as a large crowd of devotees gathered at the temple, leading to a chaotic surge that overwhelmed the area. Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer expressed profound grief over the tragedy, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the bereaved families and announced financial assistance for the victims. Modi stated, ‘I am deeply pained by the stampede at Venkateswara Swamy Temple. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones, and I pray for the swift recovery of the injured.’ The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund will provide Rs. 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 to the injured. This incident is the latest in a series of deadly crowd crushes at Indian religious gatherings, highlighting ongoing safety concerns. In recent months, similar tragedies have occurred at campaign rallies, festivals, and rituals across the country, underscoring the urgent need for improved crowd management and safety measures.

The Israeli military announced on Saturday that three bodies received from Gaza through the Red Cross on Friday were not those of hostages held in the Palestinian territory. Forensic analysis confirmed that the remains did not belong to any of the 11 deceased captives still expected to be returned under a US-brokered ceasefire agreement. Since the truce began on October 10, Hamas has returned 20 surviving hostages and initiated the process of repatriating the bodies of deceased captives. Among the 17 bodies already returned are 15 Israelis, one Thai national, and one Nepalese national. Israel has accused Hamas of delaying the return of the remaining bodies, while the Palestinian group claims the process is time-consuming due to the difficulty of locating remains buried in Gaza’s rubble.

In a significant diplomatic gesture, Pakistan has granted over 2,100 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims, marking the first major easing of travel restrictions since tensions between the two nations escalated in May 2025. The visas were issued for a 10-day religious festival in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. This move comes despite ongoing hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbors, which saw deadly clashes earlier this year, resulting in over 70 casualties and the closure of the Attari-Wagah land border to general traffic. The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi confirmed the issuance of visas, emphasizing the importance of facilitating religious tourism. The festival, set to begin on Tuesday, is expected to draw tens of thousands of Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan. The Attari-Wagah border, a colonial-era creation that divides Punjab between India and Pakistan, remains a symbolic site of both conflict and cultural exchange, hosting daily flag ceremonies that attract visitors. While New Delhi has yet to officially comment, Indian media reports suggest that the government has permitted select groups to travel for the event. This development highlights the complex interplay between religion, diplomacy, and regional tensions in South Asia.

Egypt is poised to unveil its monumental cultural achievement, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), with a grand opening ceremony on November 1, 2025. This event, attended by global dignitaries, will precede the museum’s public debut on November 4. Situated on the Giza Plateau, just two kilometers from the Great Pyramids, GEM spans over 500,000 square meters and houses more than 100,000 artifacts, offering an unparalleled journey through Ancient Egypt’s history from prehistoric times to the Roman era. The museum, dubbed the largest dedicated to a single civilization, features 12 exhibition galleries, including the complete collection of King Tutankhamun’s treasures, King Khufu’s Solar Boats, and a 20-meter-high hanging obelisk. Visitors will be greeted by an 11-meter-tall statue of King Ramses II and can explore the Grand Staircase adorned with statues of ancient kings, providing breathtaking views of the Pyramids. GEM’s opening is expected to revitalize Egypt’s tourism sector, which has faced challenges in recent years. Practical details for visitors include accessible transportation options, varied ticket prices, and guided tours in Arabic and English. The museum’s complex also offers dining options, and photography is permitted for personal use. With its rich exhibits and strategic location, GEM is set to become a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts worldwide.

Pakistan has partially reopened the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan, allowing thousands of stranded Afghan refugees to return home, officials confirmed on Saturday. However, restrictions on all other cross-border movements, including trade, remain in place. The border was closed on October 12 following deadly clashes between the two nations, which claimed dozens of lives on both sides. The nearly three-week closure left thousands of refugees and hundreds of trucks carrying goods stranded, disrupting vital trade routes. The reopening follows a ceasefire agreement reached after negotiations facilitated by Turkey and Qatar, aimed at preventing further escalation in the region. Since the ceasefire along the 2,611-kilometer Durand Line—a border Afghanistan has never formally recognized—no new exchange of fire has been reported. Thousands of refugees had been relocated to a temporary camp near the border, with many more waiting along the roadside. Despite the partial reopening, trade remains suspended. Local Afghan officials confirmed the gate was opened exclusively for refugees, with thousands expected to cross back into Afghanistan. The reopening comes amid heightened tensions, including Pakistan’s recent airstrikes on Pakistani Taliban hideouts in Afghanistan, which Afghan officials claim killed civilians. The ceasefire agreement, finalized in Istanbul on Thursday, follows a sharp rise in militant attacks in Pakistan, many claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, a group emboldened by the Afghan Taliban’s 2021 takeover of Kabul.