PHILIPPINES: The International Criminal Court began pre-trial hearings today for former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, who is facing three counts of crimes against humanity for deadly anti-drugs crackdowns he oversaw while in office.

Mr Duterte, who denies the charges, was not in The Hague courtroom, having waived his right to appear as prosecutors began presenting evidence of his alleged involvement in dozens of killings.

The charges date from Mr Duterte’s time as mayor of the city of Davao and later as president.

HONG KONG: A court dismissed all appeals today in a case brought under national security law, upholding the convictions and sentences of 47 defendants.

Those who appealed were charged in 2021 with conspiracy to commit subversion for their involvement in an unofficial primary election.

NETHERLANDS: A new minority Dutch coalition government led by the Netherlands’ youngest-ever prime minister, Rob Jetten, was sworn in for a four-year term today.

Mr Jetten, 38, heads a three-party coalition made up of his centrist D66, the centre-right Christian Democrats and the centre-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy.

The parties together hold only 66 of the lower house of parliament’s 150 seats.

MIGRATION: A boat carrying migrants overturned on the Una River in western Croatia early today, killing at least one person, officials said.

The accident happened near the town of Hrvatska Kostajnica on the border with Bosnia. Migrants were apparently trying to cross the river in cold weather when their boat capsized, rescuers told HRT state television.

Police said a man from Bosnia, who was rescued, was suspected of people smuggling.