News from March 14, 2025 at 2 PM

Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was taken into custody by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 12 to face charges of crimes against humanity, specifically murder, over his anti-drug campaign. The ICC, based in The Hague, Netherlands, stated there were reasonable grounds to believe Duterte committed the crime against humanity as an indirect co-perpetrator during the campaign, which rights groups estimate killed tens of thousands. In a video shared as he was about to land in The Netherlands, Duterte said he was responsible, emphasizing his leadership in law enforcement and military actions. He is the first former Asian head of state to face charges at the ICC.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that Russian-made Oreshnik intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile systems will soon be deployed in the Belarusian army. He revealed that tactical nuclear weapons have already been transferred to Belarus, and the latest Oreshnik hypersonic weapon systems are set to enter service. Speaking in the upper house of Russia's parliament, Lukashenko stated that Belarus will produce launchers for the Oreshnik missiles, aiming to complete production by the end of the year. Following this, Belarus will jointly determine the deployment sites for the missile systems with Russia. Lukashenko emphasized that an agreement with the Russian president has been reached to defend their common Fatherland, with the combined forces of Belarus and Russia and the regional air defense system forming their arsenal.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a constitutional declaration for a five-year transitional period on March 14, 2025. The declaration designates Islam as the president's religion and Islamic jurisprudence as the main source of legislation, while ensuring separation of powers, judicial independence, women's rights, and freedom of expression. UN special envoy Geir Pedersen welcomed the move, but the Kurdish-led administration in northeastern Syria criticized it for contradicting Syria's diversity. In January, rebel commanders named Sharaa president, abolished the 2012 Assad-era constitution, and dissolved former regime institutions. Last week, gunmen supporting Sharaa were accused of revenge killings against Assad's Alawite sect in the western coastal region, resulting in nearly 1,500 civilian deaths. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that Syria's future remains uncertain.

An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 flight made an emergency landing at Denver International Airport in Colorado on March 13 and caught fire, prompting the evacuation of 178 people on board. The plane, originally scheduled to fly from Colorado Springs Airport to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, diverted due to engine vibrations. The engine caught fire upon landing, resulting in 12 people sustaining minor injuries and being hospitalized. Passengers evacuated through emergency exits, and the fire has been extinguished with flight operations resuming normally. The FAA will investigate the incident.

On March 13, 2025, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized US influencer Sam Jones for a video showing her taking a wild baby wombat away from its mother, angering conservationists. Immigration officials are reviewing Jones's visa after over 10,500 people signed a petition calling for her deportation. The Wombat Protection Society expressed shock at the mishandling of the joey, noting it could have caused severe harm. Wombats, a protected species in Australia, form strong bonds with their mothers, and any separation can be distressing. Foreign Minister Penny Wong also condemned the video, urging protection for the baby wombat.

A report commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council accuses Israel of increasingly using sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, labeling the systematic destruction of maternal and reproductive healthcare facilities as 'genocidal acts'. The report, based on victim testimonies and public hearings, claims such violence is part of Israeli Security Forces' standard procedures. Israel denies the allegations, calling them 'unfounded'. The report also highlights the systematic destruction of reproductive health facilities in Gaza by Israeli forces, leading to deaths of Palestinian women and girls due to lack of medical access.

On December 12, the rescue operation for a train hijacked by terrorists in Pakistan entered its second day, with security forces rescuing 190 passengers and confirming their identities, while 30 terrorists were killed. On the afternoon of December 11, a train carrying about 450 passengers, including some security personnel, was attacked and hijacked by the Baloch Liberation Army in Balochistan. The attackers engaged in fierce gunfire with the soldiers and took hostage women and children. Ten people, including the train driver and several security personnel, have been confirmed dead, with the total number of passenger casualties still to be verified. Pakistan Railways suspended operations on all routes from Punjab and Sindh to Balochistan and set up information desks at nearby stations for relatives to inquire about rescued individuals. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning strongly condemned the attack, stating that China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and will continue to support Pakistan's anti-terrorism efforts.

The European Parliament is embroiled in a bribery scandal, with Belgian and Portuguese police detaining suspects accused of lobbying for Chinese tech giant Huawei. None of those detained are EU parliamentarians. On Thursday, about 100 police officers conducted 21 raids in Belgium and Portugal, investigating Huawei's activities in Brussels since 2021. Suspicions include Huawei lobbyists bribing MEPs with football tickets, luxury goods, and expensive trips to China. Fifteen former and current MEPs are under scrutiny. Huawei has stated a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and pledged to cooperate with the investigation. This case echoes the 'Qatar Gate' scandal that hit the EU Parliament over two years ago.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stranded at the International Space Station for nine months. The SpaceX Crew-10 mission, originally scheduled for March 12, was delayed to March 14 due to issues with the rocket's ground systems. This mission will enable the astronauts to return to Earth. They were the first to test-fly Boeing's Starliner spacecraft to the ISS in June 2024, but propulsion system problems extended their stay. NASA decided they would return in a SpaceX capsule. US President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, without evidence, accused former President Joe Biden of politically delaying their return. The astronauts have been conducting scientific research and maintenance at the ISS and are in good condition. The new crew is expected to arrive at the ISS on March 15, with the Crew-9 astronauts returning to Earth on March 19.

Polish President Andrzej Duda calls on the United States to deploy nuclear weapons in Poland, discussing the issue with US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg. Duda stated that since NATO's borders moved east in 1999, NATO infrastructure should also shift east 26 years later, believing it would be safer if those weapons were in Poland. In 2022, Duda proposed a similar initiative to the Joe Biden administration, but it failed. Previously, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland should seek access to nuclear and other non-conventional weapons, including participating in French President Emmanuel Macron's nuclear umbrella initiative. Poland will hold presidential elections in May, with Duda, who has served two terms and is ineligible to run again, being replaced by his party's nominee, Karol Nawrocki.

On March 14, 2025, a 79-year-old British man, Edgar Charles Frederick, was killed in a hit-and-run incident involving a vehicle in the motorcade of Kenyan President William Ruto on Ngong Road in Nairobi, Kenya. The driver was detained by police but later released on bail. Police spokesman Michael Muchiri stated that Frederick was visiting Kenya to see his sister and nephew. The victim's family has been informed, and a post-mortem is expected to be conducted on Friday. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with some questioning the size and speed of the convoy. The UK High Commission said it was aware of the reports and seeking further information.

The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board of South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated on the 14th that the fire on a Busan passenger plane was likely caused by a passenger's power bank. The National Forensic Service's investigation indicated that the fire was probably due to an internal short circuit in the battery. The possibility of the fire being caused by the plane's internal facilities was ruled out. On the evening of January 28th, a passenger plane at Busan Gimhae Airport caught fire while preparing for takeoff, resulting in severe damage to the aircraft. All 176 passengers and crew were evacuated emergency via slides, with several sustaining injuries.

The UK economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.1% in January, falling short of forecasts due to a decline in the manufacturing sector. Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces challenges from the slowing economy as she prepares the Spring Statement, balancing tax and spending. The Office for National Statistics noted that while retail, particularly food shops, saw growth, the overall economic picture remained weak. Businesses are concerned about upcoming tax hikes and rising minimum wages. The Bank of England has already halved its growth forecast for this year, and the Office for Budget Responsibility is likely to follow suit. The government is expected to announce significant cuts to the welfare budget as part of cost-saving measures.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to announce a cabinet reshuffle in the coming days amid mass protests over a deadly 2023 train crash. Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis and Transport Minister Christos Staikouras are expected to step down. The reshuffle, anticipated by Saturday, follows widespread demonstrations by hundreds of thousands demanding justice for Greece's worst rail disaster, which killed 57 people, mostly students. The largest protest in years has shaken Mitsotakis' center-right government, which has seen declining poll numbers and narrowly survived a no-confidence vote last week. Despite promising railway reforms after the 2023 crash, progress has been slow. A state inquiry last month revealed that safety gaps remain unaddressed two years later, and no convictions have been made. A separate judicial investigation is ongoing and expected to conclude this year.