Global Pulse

分类： world

  • Will ex-president Duterte’s absence at ICC trial affect proceedings?

    Will ex-president Duterte’s absence at ICC trial affect proceedings?

    THE HAGUE – The International Criminal Court has authorized former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to waive his physical presence during this week’s critical confirmation of charges hearing, proceeding with the case despite objections from prosecution and victim representatives.

    Pre-Trial Chamber I determined that Duterte, facing allegations of murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity, has voluntarily relinquished his right to attend the four-day proceedings commencing February 23. The Chamber emphasized that his absence would not impede judicial processes, noting that defense counsel had thoroughly explained the consequences of this decision.

    This marks the latest development in Duterte’s pattern of non-appearance before the ICC. Since initially confirming his identity at the March 2025 hearing, the former leader has consistently avoided subsequent sessions, including those addressing petitions for temporary release.

    His legal team, led by attorney Nicholas Kaufman, has repeatedly cited deteriorating health conditions as justification for absence, claims the Chamber has previously rejected. Human rights advocates now question the validity of these health assertions.

    Ephraim Cortez, president of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers representing victims’ families, challenged the health narrative directly: ‘Duterte is fit as a fiddle. His non-appearance is strategic – preventing public observation of his actual physical condition.’

    Legal analysts suggest the absence reflects broader defense strategies rather than genuine health concerns. Cortez noted that confirmation hearings would proceed based on evidence rather than defendant presence, with the right to remain silent remaining available should Duterte eventually testify.

    Philippine opposition lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc have characterized Duterte’s avoidance as ‘cowardice’ and ‘a shameless display of arrogance,’ referencing the thousands of victims affected by the controversial anti-drug campaign between 2011-2019.

    The case represents one of the ICC’s most significant examinations of state-sponsored violence in recent years, with proceedings continuing despite the defendant’s absence.

  • Dozens of protesters sentenced to death in Iran, says rights group

    Dozens of protesters sentenced to death in Iran, says rights group

    Iran’s judicial system faces mounting international criticism following reports of imminent executions for dozens of individuals detained during recent anti-government demonstrations. According to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization (IHRNGO), at least 26 protesters face pending execution orders, with hundreds more—including minors—charged with capital offenses.

    The protests, which erupted in December, represented widespread public discontent with government corruption, economic instability, and state repression. While official Iranian sources report 3,117 fatalities, independent monitoring by Hrana news agency suggests the actual death toll may exceed 6,500.

    IHRNGO Director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam characterized the judicial proceedings as fundamentally flawed, stating that convictions rely predominantly on confessions extracted through torture within judicial processes that lack basic fairness standards. The organization reports that authorities are actively pressuring defendants to prevent public disclosure of their cases.

    Despite official denials regarding protest-related executions, hanging sentences continue to be implemented nationwide. Recent reports indicate at least nine executions occurred on Tuesday across multiple cities, with 26 additional hangings documented over the weekend—though authorities attribute these to drug and murder charges.

    Legal advocates confirm systematic denial of representation rights to the accused, while Amnesty International has previously documented Iran’s strategic use of capital punishment to suppress dissent through institutionalized fear.

  • Israel bans thousands of Palestinian from Al-Aqsa for first Ramadan prayers

    Israel bans thousands of Palestinian from Al-Aqsa for first Ramadan prayers

    Israeli authorities implemented stringent access limitations at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem during the inaugural Friday prayer of Ramadan, preventing thousands of Palestinian worshippers from entering despite their possession of previously authorized permits.

    Contrary to the typical Ramadan gatherings numbering in the hundreds of thousands, Israeli officials enforced a strict cap of 10,000 worshippers from the West Bank for weekly prayers throughout the holy month. The Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities (Cogat), which administers operations in Palestinian territories, specified that only individuals above 50 or below 12 years old would receive approval after military authorization.

    At the Qalandiya military checkpoint, approximately 2,000 Palestinians managed to cross according to Israeli reports, while thousands more faced rejection despite valid documentation. The Palestinian Authority’s Jerusalem Governorate reported severe overcrowding as Israeli authorities turned away worshippers after reaching the predetermined quota.

    Maarof al-Rifaai, media advisor to the Palestinian Governor of Jerusalem, detailed the extensive bureaucratic requirements imposed on worshippers, including magnetic cards, dual fingerprint scanning, and conditional permits. He characterized these measures as deliberate complications designed to reduce attendance. Israeli forces further escalated tensions by preventing ambulance crews from entering and detaining volunteer medical personnel.

    Personal accounts emerged from worshippers like Jihad Basharat from Tammun, who described obtaining permits early only to face last-minute cancellations at restricted access points. The situation developed alongside recent Israeli detention of Sheikh Mohammed al-Abbasi, Imam of Al-Aqsa, without explanation—an action condemned by Hamas as part of systematic violations against religious freedom.

    Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, the former grand mufti of Jerusalem currently barred from the mosque, accused Israel of deliberately disrupting Muslim observance of Ramadan. The escalating restrictions occur within the broader context of Al-Aqsa’s significance as one of Islam’s holiest sites and a symbol of Palestinian identity and resistance. Since Israel’s 1967 occupation of East Jerusalem, gradual erosion of Islamic administrative control has coincided with expanded Jewish presence, challenging longstanding international agreements governing the site’s religious status.

    The current tensions unfold against intensified Israeli military operations across the West Bank since October 2023, involving increased settler violence, demolitions, and displacement activities.

  • Diplomacy is still the only viable path to peace in Ukraine, UN refugee chief Barham Salih says

    Diplomacy is still the only viable path to peace in Ukraine, UN refugee chief Barham Salih says

    KYIV, Ukraine — The newly appointed head of the United Nations refugee agency emphasized Friday that despite significant obstacles, diplomacy remains the sole viable path to ending the conflict in Ukraine. Barham Salih, former Iraqi president who assumed leadership of UNHCR in December, concluded his first official visit to Ukraine with sobering assessments of the humanitarian situation.

    During his tour of front-line cities including Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, Salih witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of Russia’s targeted attacks on energy infrastructure during harsh winter conditions. His meetings with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy focused on both immediate relief efforts and long-term peace prospects.

    ‘While I maintain hope, I fully recognize the considerable difficulties in achieving peace,’ Salih stated in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press. ‘Ultimately, there exists no military solution to this conflict. What Ukraine requires is a durable and just peace that enables citizens to reclaim their normal lives.’

    The UNHCR faces severe operational challenges, with only $150 million pledged toward its $470 million Ukraine appeal. This funding gap reflects broader reductions in humanitarian aid worldwide, complicating relief efforts across multiple simultaneous crises.

    Current statistics reveal 3.7 million internally displaced Ukrainians and nearly 6 million refugees abroad. The agency projects that 10.8 million Ukrainians will require humanitarian assistance in 2026, with the most critical needs concentrated along active front lines in eastern and southern regions.

    Salih’s Ukraine visit forms part of a broader global tour that has included Kenya, Chad, Turkey, and Jordan—regions grappling with their own refugee emergencies. The erosion of humanitarian infrastructure, particularly following drastic cuts to U.S. funding during the Trump administration, has severely constrained organizational capacity to deliver aid.

    Globally, 117 million people remain displaced, including at least 42 million refugees, with two-thirds experiencing protracted displacement and continued reliance on humanitarian support. Salih emphasized the difficult prioritization decisions required amid shrinking resources and expanding needs.

    In his discussions with Ukrainian leadership, Salih stressed the importance of transitioning toward recovery phases and sustainable solutions that promote self-reliance rather than perpetuating dependency on aid.

  • ICC approves ex Philippine President Duterte’s request to skip pre-trial hearing

    ICC approves ex Philippine President Duterte’s request to skip pre-trial hearing

    The International Criminal Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber I has authorized former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to absent himself from the upcoming confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for February 23-27, 2026. This judicial decision permits the proceedings to advance despite the defendant’s non-attendance, marking a significant development in the high-profile case concerning Duterte’s controversial war on drugs campaign.

    The prosecution team, led by Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, had formally contested Duterte’s petition in a comprehensive six-page submission dated February 19. The legal opposition argued that the former leader’s justification—centered on non-recognition of the court’s jurisdiction and claims of political persecution—failed to meet the necessary legal standards for excusal from physical appearance.

    Court documents reveal Duterte’s defense characterized the charges as “an outrageous lie” fabricated by political adversaries, while simultaneously asserting that his involvement with the ICC proceedings amounted to being “kidnapped” by the judicial process. These statements, according to prosecution analysis, demonstrate Duterte’s continued rejection of the court’s legitimacy and authority.

    The upcoming hearing represents a critical phase in determining whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to full trial regarding allegations of crimes against humanity connected to Duterte’s anti-drug initiative, which reportedly resulted in thousands of fatalities during his presidential term from 2016 to 2022.

  • ICC prosecution opposes ex Philippine president Duterte’s bid to skip hearing

    ICC prosecution opposes ex Philippine president Duterte’s bid to skip hearing

    The International Criminal Court’s prosecution team has formally contested former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s attempt to waive his right to appear at his upcoming confirmation of charges hearing. In a comprehensive six-page legal submission dated February 19, Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang asserted that Duterte’s request fails to meet the necessary legal standards for proceeding without his physical presence in court.

    The prosecution’s filing systematically dismantles Duterte’s justification for non-attendance, noting that his primary argument stems from his refusal to ‘recognize the jurisdiction’ of the court rather than legitimate health concerns. The document characterizes Duterte’s claims of being ‘kidnapped’ and describing the charges as ‘an outrageous lie’ invented by political opponents as continued rejection of the proceedings’ legitimacy.

    Contrary to Duterte’s portrayal of himself as ‘old, tired, and frail,’ the prosecution emphasized that independent medical evaluations have confirmed his physical and mental fitness to participate in the hearings. The court has implemented appropriate measures to ensure his comfort throughout the proceedings, further undermining health-related excuses.

    The filing concludes that Duterte’s unwillingness to attend—including his refusal to participate via video link—demonstrates ‘lack of respect for the Court’ rather than genuine medical limitations. Prosecutors have consequently requested the chamber to reject Duterte’s waiver petition and mandate his attendance at the hearing scheduled from February 23-27.

    Following the confirmation hearing, ICC judges will have sixty days to determine whether to confirm some, all, or none of the charges against the former president. Should at least one charge be confirmed, Duterte would formally become an accused individual, advancing the case to trial before a Trial Chamber. The charges involve crimes against humanity, specifically murder and attempted murder allegedly committed during Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign between November 2011 and March 2019.

  • Drone strike hits aid convoy, killing 3 in Sudan’s Kordofan region

    Drone strike hits aid convoy, killing 3 in Sudan’s Kordofan region

    A humanitarian convoy transporting vital supplies to conflict-ravaged regions in central Sudan became the target of lethal drone strikes on Thursday, resulting in three fatalities and four injured aid workers. According to the Sudan Doctors Network, which monitors violence nationwide, the attack occurred in the Kartala area as trucks carried food and essential provisions toward the cities of Kadugli and Dilling in South Kordofan.

    The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were identified as responsible for the drone assault, though the specific aid organization operating the convoy remains undisclosed. This incident marks the second attack on humanitarian transport in under a month, following a previous strike on a World Food Program convoy in North Kordofan earlier in June.

    These developments unfold against the backdrop of Sudan’s devastating internal conflict, which escalated into full-scale war in April 2023 between the national army and RSF fighters. The World Health Organization estimates the conflict has claimed at least 40,000 lives while displacing 12 million people, with actual casualty figures potentially significantly higher due to inaccessible conflict zones.

    Despite military claims of having broken the siege on Kadugli and Dilling, Kordofan region has experienced intensified drone warfare that severely impedes aid operations and endangers civilians. February alone witnessed 77 fatalities from various aerial attacks in the region.

    In a related development, a UN-backed fact-finding mission released a report Thursday detailing evidence of RSF crimes committed in North Darfur’s capital el-Fasher in late October, indicating ‘hallmarks of genocide.’ In response, the United States Treasury Department sanctioned three RSF commanders and renewed calls for immediate ceasefire implementation.

    The strategic timing of these events highlights the deteriorating security situation, even as UN agencies successfully delivered aid to over 130,000 people in Dilling and Kadugli this week—the first major humanitarian shipment to reach these areas in three months.

  • Rare prison sentences handed to Cameroon soldiers after killing of 21 civilians

    Rare prison sentences handed to Cameroon soldiers after killing of 21 civilians

    In an unprecedented judicial ruling, three Cameroonian military personnel have received prison sentences ranging from five to ten years for their involvement in the 2020 Ngarbuh village massacre that claimed 21 civilian lives. The conviction marks a rare instance of accountability for security forces in Cameroon’s protracted Anglophone conflict.

    The military tribunal found the soldiers guilty on multiple charges including murder, arson, and property destruction during a February 2020 operation in the Northwest region. According to Human Rights Watch documentation, the victims included thirteen children among those killed when government forces and ethnic Fulani militia members raided the settlement.

    This judicial outcome represents a significant departure from customary impunity for military personnel in civilian atrocities. The case gained international prominence after initial government denials collapsed under evidentiary pressure, prompting President Paul Biya to authorize an official investigation.

    Legal representatives for the victims expressed profound dissatisfaction with the sentencing severity. Attorney Sother Menkem characterized the penalties as “insignificant” and “friendly” given that Cameroonian law mandates minimum ten-year sentences for such felonies. The court additionally rejected victim compensation claims and declined to prosecute higher-ranking officials allegedly responsible for ordering the operation.

    The Ngarbuh case endured six years of procedural delays before concluding, highlighting systemic challenges in addressing human rights violations within Cameroon’s ongoing separatist conflict. Since 2017, English-speaking regions have witnessed violent clashes between government forces and separatists advocating for an independent state.

    United Nations data indicates the broader conflict has resulted in approximately 6,000 fatalities and displaced over 500,000 civilians, with both government and rebel forces facing allegations of widespread human rights abuses. The sentencing, while historic, underscores continuing tensions between judicial accountability and conflict resolution in Central Africa.

  • Iran warns US bases, assets ‘legitimate targets’ if attacked

    Iran warns US bases, assets ‘legitimate targets’ if attacked

    In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions, Iran has formally declared United States military installations and assets as “legitimate targets” should Washington initiate military action against the Islamic Republic. The warning was delivered through an official letter from Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council president.

    The communication directly referenced President Donald Trump’s recent social media post suggesting potential use of UK military bases, including facilities in the Indian Ocean, for operations against Iran. Ambassador Iravani characterized these statements as “belligerent” and indicative of “a real risk of military aggression” that would have catastrophic regional consequences and pose grave threats to international peace.

    This development occurs amid substantial US military deployments to the Middle East, including warships and fighter aircraft, ostensibly to prevent Iranian nuclear weapons development—a ambition Tehran consistently denies pursuing. The Iranian delegation simultaneously affirmed its commitment to diplomatic solutions and addressing concerns regarding its nuclear program on a reciprocal basis.

    President Trump has intensified rhetoric against Iran following recent internal crackdowns on protesters and continued nuclear program concerns, issuing an ultimatum giving Tehran approximately 15 days to reach an agreement. This warning follows indirect talks in Geneva between US envoys, including presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Iranian diplomatic representatives, which reportedly showed some progress despite previous negotiation failures following Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities last June.

  • Organizers of the Winter Games made clean energy a priority. Here’s how they did it

    Organizers of the Winter Games made clean energy a priority. Here’s how they did it

    CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics have embarked on an ambitious sustainability initiative by committing to virtually 100% renewable energy usage throughout the Games. This environmental strategy represents a significant step toward reducing the carbon footprint of major international sporting events.

    Organizers identified energy consumption as the most impactful area for emissions reduction at large-scale events. Italian energy giant Enel has guaranteed the supply of entirely certified renewable electricity to all Olympic venues through an innovative certificate system. The company purchased 85 gigawatt-hours of “guarantee of origin” (GO) certificates from renewable energy plants across European markets to cover the Games’ complete energy demand.

    The GO certificate mechanism, established in 2001, provides a verification system where each certificate corresponds to one megawatt-hour of electricity generated from certified renewable sources. These certificates are traded on power markets and immediately canceled after use to prevent double-counting, creating a transparent system that supports renewable energy development.

    While approximately 74% of Enel’s Italian electricity production in 2025 was carbon-free—primarily from hydropower (50%), geothermal (17%), and renewable sources under 10%—the national grid remains largely dependent on fossil fuels. To enhance local infrastructure, Enel constructed new primary substations in Livigno and Arabba and upgraded distribution systems in Olympic regions, creating lasting benefits for residents beyond the Games.

    Despite the renewable energy commitment, experts note limitations. Matteo Villa of the Italian Institute for International Political Studies acknowledges the promotional value but questions the actual environmental impact, stating that the Games can only be as sustainable as Italy’s overall energy landscape.

    The broader sustainability challenge involves addressing indirect emissions from spectator travel, athlete transportation, and accommodations, which constitute the largest share of the Olympic carbon footprint. The estimated greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to four million average cars driving from Paris to Rome highlights the scale of the challenge. Professor Matteo Di Castelnuovo of SDA Bocconi School of Management emphasizes that transportation emissions represent the more complex sustainability hurdle for Olympic organizers.

    As climate change accelerates glacier melt—a concern voiced by elite skiers including Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin—the International Olympic Committee considers potential future reductions in sports, athletes, and spectators to minimize environmental impact while preserving winter sports for generations to come.