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Ronald dela Rosa, a former police chief and ally of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, took refuge in the Philippine senate to avoid arrest on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant related to alleged crimes in Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. The senate, controlled by Duterte supporters, gave him protective custody, while political tensions grow as Vice-President Sara Duterte faces impeachment proceedings.
Key Facts
Ronald dela Rosa served as police chief under President Rodrigo Duterte.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for dela Rosa for alleged crimes against humanity linked to Duterte’s anti-drug crackdown.
Dela Rosa avoided arrest by staying inside the Philippine senate, which offered him protection.
The senate is led by Alan Peter Cayetano, a Duterte ally who said arrest warrants are only valid if issued by Philippine courts.
Vice-President Sara Duterte, daughter of Rodrigo Duterte, faces impeachment for misuse of funds and threatening the president and first lady.
Sara Duterte has strong support but needs 9 senators to acquit her during the impeachment trial.
Families of victims in the anti-drug campaign demand dela Rosa be handed over to the ICC.
Political rivalry between Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has intensified recently.
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EU defence ministers met in Brussels to discuss support for Ukraine and security challenges in Europe and the Middle East. The meeting happened after a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, announced by President Donald Trump, ended with new Russian attacks damaging energy facilities and homes in Ukraine.
Key Facts
The three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine ended with fresh Russian drone attacks.
Russia launched over 200 attack drones causing damage to energy facilities, apartment buildings, and a kindergarten in Ukraine.
At least one person was killed and others injured due to the attacks.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said Ukraine will respond to the Russian strikes and called for continued sanctions against Russia.
EU defence ministers discussed how to use a €90 billion loan to meet Ukraine’s urgent needs.
Talks included ways to increase defence manufacturing within Europe.
The meeting also covered security issues in the Middle East.
Hungary’s new government was expected to be appointed during the same period, amid EU-wide security concerns.
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President Donald Trump will visit China this week for a three-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This visit marks their seventh face-to-face meeting and the first trip by a U.S. leader to China since 2017, focusing on issues like the US-Israel-Iran conflict, trade, and Taiwan.
Key Facts
President Trump and President Xi have met seven times since 2017.
Their first meeting was at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in April 2017.
Early talks aimed to improve US-China relations despite tensions over trade and Taiwan.
Meetings often happened at international events like the G20 summits.
In November 2017, Trump visited China with business leaders and announced $250 million in deals.
Trade tensions led to tariffs on billions of dollars of goods from both countries.
Despite conflicts, the leaders have continued to negotiate on issues like intellectual property and cybertheft.
The upcoming summit will discuss ongoing geopolitical and economic issues involving the two nations.
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In 2025, the number of people forced to move within their own countries because of war or violence reached a record high of 32.3 million, surpassing those displaced by natural disasters. Overall, 82.2 million people were displaced in total, with major conflicts in countries like Sudan, Colombia, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan causing most of these displacements.
Key Facts
Internal displacement means people are forced to leave their homes but stay inside their country.
In 2025, there were 32.3 million conflict-driven internal displacements, 60% more than in 2024.
Displacements due to violence were higher than those caused by natural disasters for the first time since 2008.
A total of 82.2 million people were displaced in 2025, slightly fewer than the record 83.5 million in 2024.
Nearly half of the conflict-driven displacements were in Sudan, Colombia, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan.
Sudan had the largest number of internally displaced people for the third year in a row.
About 46% of violence-related displacements were connected to international armed conflicts, almost double the previous year.
Some people have been displaced multiple times, but protection systems for displaced people are weakening.
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Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng spoke about the upcoming visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to China, emphasizing hopes to improve the China-U.S. relationship amid global tensions. He addressed issues like the war in Iran, denied military support to Iran by China, and highlighted the importance of peace and cooperation between the two countries.
Key Facts
President Trump will visit Beijing from May 13 to 15, marking his first trip to China since 2017.
Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng said both leaders respect each other and have maintained close communication, including phone calls and meetings.
The ambassador hopes the summit will lead to a stable and constructive China-U.S. relationship and improved cooperation.
China opposes the use of force in international relations and calls for peace amid the war in Iran.
China denies allegations that it is providing military support to Iran.
The ambassador talked about other topics including trade, Taiwan, and growing interest in Chinese culture in the West.
Both countries want to manage their differences and reduce conflicts while increasing dialogue.
The meeting aims to help China and the U.S. find ways to coexist peacefully and work together for mutual benefit.
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U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit China for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first visit by a U.S. leader since 2017. The two leaders plan to discuss U.S.-China relations and global issues, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran, aiming to improve cooperation and manage differences.
Key Facts
President Trump will visit China for a two-day summit with President Xi Jinping.
This is the first visit by a U.S. president to China since 2017.
The summit aims to address both U.S.-China relations and international issues like the Iran conflict.
China's Ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, emphasized the importance of stable China-U.S. relations for global stability.
The ambassador hopes the meeting will increase cooperation and reduce conflicts between the two nations.
Both countries want to respect international laws and avoid selective rule enforcement.
President Trump has described Xi Jinping positively and values their relationship.
The Iran conflict, including disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz, has affected U.S.-China ties and delayed the summit.
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A 45-year-old man named Moses Edwards has been charged with arson after a fire at a former synagogue in east London. The fire caused minor damage, no one was injured, and the building is being sold to a Muslim group to become a mosque and community center.
Key Facts
Moses Edwards, 45, faces arson charges for a fire on May 5 in Whitechapel, east London.
The fire damaged only the gates and a lock; no injuries occurred.
The former synagogue is being sold to a Muslim organization for use as a mosque and community center.
The fire happened shortly after 5 a.m. on Nelson Street.
The case will be heard at Westminster magistrates court on Tuesday.
This attack is part of several alleged arson incidents at Jewish sites in London over the past two months.
A 52-year-old woman was also arrested but has been released on bail until August.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing calls to resign after Labour lost many local election seats. His cabinet is divided, but Starmer says he will not step down and plans to continue leading the party.
Key Facts
Over 80 Labour MPs have asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign following local election losses.
Labour lost more than 1,400 local seats and lost control in Wales in recent elections.
Some cabinet members disagree on whether Starmer should stay as leader.
Six ministerial aides have resigned amid the crisis.
Potential challengers to Starmer include Health Secretary Wes Streeting, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Angela Rayner faces an investigation related to tax issues, which may affect her leadership bid.
Andy Burnham would need to become an MP again to run but was blocked from a recent by-election.
Starmer says Labour is a party ready to govern, not one that constantly changes leaders like the Conservatives have done.
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A lorry sent to fix a sinkhole near Walton in Somerset got stuck when the ground collapsed beneath it. The workers had to leave the lorry at a steep angle, and the council is planning to recover the vehicle and reassess how to finish the road repairs.
Key Facts
A lorry became stuck in a sinkhole while trying to repair it in Somerset.
The ground gave way near Walton, leaving the lorry stuck at about a 45-degree angle.
Workers abandoned the lorry because it was unsafe to continue.
The road in this area is built on peat, which can cause shifting and damage.
The repairs are connected to damage from Storm Chandra and other weather conditions.
Wet and freezing weather has made many roads worse in the region and elsewhere.
The council’s contractors are currently recovering the stuck lorry.
After recovery, the site will be checked to decide the best way to complete the repairs.
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Mexico has cancelled its plan to shorten the school year before the World Cup after many people, including parents and local leaders, strongly opposed the idea. Education officials have decided to keep the school calendar unchanged, with classes ending on July 15 and resuming on August 31.
Key Facts
Mexico planned to end the school year about 40 days early because of the World Cup and a heatwave.
Education Secretary Mario Delgado announced the early end date of June 5.
The plan faced strong criticism from parents, think tanks, and some local governments.
President Claudia Sheinbaum called for a meeting to gather feedback and reconsider the plan.
Officials agreed to keep the school year schedule as usual, ending July 15.
Mexico Evalua, a think tank, warned the early end would reduce learning time for over 23 million students.
The World Cup starts on June 11, with Mexico playing South Africa in Mexico City.
Sheinbaum also promised safe conditions for the games and completion of important public projects.
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On March 16, 2026, a Pakistani airstrike hit the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing at least 269 people. Pakistan said they targeted military sites, but families of victims and the UN confirmed the strike hit civilians receiving treatment.
Key Facts
The airstrike occurred on March 16, 2026, at a drug rehab hospital in Kabul.
At least 269 people died in the attack.
Pakistan claimed they targeted military and terrorist locations.
Families of victims, including patients and staff, said the hospital was a civilian facility.
The United Nations inspected the site and confirmed civilian casualties.
The BBC’s Afghan teams reported from the scene shortly after the strike.
The victims included recovering addicts and hospital employees.
The incident caused widespread concern about civilian safety in the region.
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Israeli settlers have destroyed thousands of Palestinian-planted trees in the West Bank to expand settlements, while Israeli officials pushed to cancel parts of the Oslo Accords. Violent incidents continue with Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank causing multiple Palestinian deaths, alongside frequent attacks by settlers on Palestinian communities.
Key Facts
Israeli settlers uprooted 3,000 Palestinian trees in the West Bank to expand their settlements.
The Israeli Ministerial Committee backed a bill to repeal the 1993 Oslo Accords, which set up Palestinian self-rule in parts of the West Bank.
Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed at least 13 Palestinians recently, including children and police officers.
More than 854 Palestinians have been killed since the October ceasefire in Gaza, with the total since October 2023 exceeding 72,740.
In the West Bank, at least 44 Palestinians have been killed in 2026, including 13 by Israeli settlers.
Over 760 attacks by settlers have been recorded in 2026, averaging about six attacks per day.
About 2,000 Palestinians, including nearly 900 children, have been displaced this year due to settler violence and movement restrictions.
The European Union has imposed new sanctions targeting violent Israeli settlers and Hamas officials in response to ongoing violence.
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A Pakistani airstrike hit the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing at least 269 people, mostly civilians receiving treatment. Families and human rights groups are demanding an investigation, but Pakistan denies targeting a civilian facility, claiming it was a military site.
Key Facts
At least 269 people died in the airstrike on the drug rehab centre in Kabul.
Many victims were civilians seeking treatment for drug addiction.
The exact number of dead may be higher, according to a UN report.
The rehab centre had been operating since 2016 in a former military base.
Pakistan claims it targeted military and terrorist sites, not civilian facilities.
Afghan families and witnesses reject Pakistan’s claims and say the centre was for healing.
Human Rights Watch labeled the attack a possible war crime.
Fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan has caused many deaths recently, with Pakistan accusing the Taliban government of supporting militants.
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Keir Starmer, leader of the UK Labour Party and prime minister, is facing calls from over 70 Labour MPs to resign after poor election results in England, Wales, and Scotland. Starmer and his close allies say he is listening to concerns but plans to stay and focus on leading the party and government forward.
Key Facts
More than 70 Labour MPs have publicly asked Starmer to step down after recent election losses.
Darren Jones, a close ally of Starmer, said being prime minister is a tough job that cannot be easily fixed.
Starmer’s senior cabinet ministers discussed with him the election defeats and urged either a planned transition or to continue leading.
Starmer stated he will not resign and will fight any leadership challenge.
Some Labour MPs have publicly supported Starmer, calling for unity and focus on party policies.
Labour plans to continue working on government programs, including the upcoming king’s speech and new bills.
Starmer emphasized the need to avoid political chaos similar to past Conservative governments.
The party is adjusting to a political environment with five major parties and rising populist movements.
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Israeli lawmakers approved a law to create a special court that will try Palestinians involved in the 2023 Hamas-led attack and could sentence them to death. The bill passed with strong support and includes live-streamed trials and a special appeals court, drawing criticism from rights groups over fairness concerns.
Key Facts
The Israeli Knesset voted 93-0 to create a special tribunal for Palestinians accused in the 2023 Hamas attack.
The tribunal can impose the death penalty, which has not been used in Israel since 1962.
Trials will be live-streamed from Jerusalem and judged by a panel with majority vote power.
Appeals must be heard by a special appeals court, not regular courts.
Critics worry about fair trial protections and possible pressure on defendants to confess.
The 2023 attack led to around 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken by Hamas militants.
Israeli military operations in response killed over 72,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Gaza Health Ministry figures.
The new law is separate from a March law enabling the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis in future cases.
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Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines face severe food shortages after being cut off from regular supplies due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing combat. Advances in military drone technology have made traditional supply methods difficult, forcing reliance on drones and robotic carts to deliver food, ammunition, and medical aid.
Key Facts
Four Ukrainian soldiers were reported starving after going up to 17 days without food delivery.
Bridges damaged by Russian attacks blocked supply routes, isolating soldiers on the eastern side of the Oskil River.
Soldiers resort to eating limited rations like chocolate bars and oatmeal, with some drinking rainwater.
Military drones now monitor the front lines constantly, making open movement dangerous.
Suicide drones have made heavy vehicles vulnerable, forcing soldiers to use fast-moving pickups sparingly.
Robotized carts and delivery drones are used to carry supplies and evacuate wounded troops.
Front-line logistics rely heavily on technology due to the risk and difficulty of traditional supply routes.
Both Ukrainian and Russian soldiers face supply and operational challenges from these combat conditions.
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At the Africa Forward Summit in Kenya, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed a new way for France to work with African countries. Leaders from over 30 African nations attended the event, where Macron also announced a €23 billion investment plan for the continent.
Key Facts
The Africa Forward Summit took place at the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
More than 30 African countries sent leaders and officials to the summit.
President Emmanuel Macron presented a new French partnership model for Africa.
Macron announced a €23 billion investment in Africa during the summit.
Kenya’s President William Ruto also took part in the event.
The summit aims to strengthen cooperation between France and African nations.
The new partnership model focuses on mutual benefits and long-term development.
The event highlights France’s strategic interest in Africa’s growth and stability.
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The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Vienna, Austria, with Israel competing this year. Several countries, including Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, and Iceland, announced they will boycott the contest because of Israel’s participation due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The contest is organized by the European Broadcasting Union, which allows countries with European broadcasting ties to participate.
Key Facts
Eurovision is an annual music contest organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) since 1956.
The 70th edition of Eurovision will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 16, 2026.
Israel has participated since 1973 and hosted the contest in Tel Aviv in 2019.
This year, Israel is represented by singer Noam Bettan with the song "Michelle."
Five countries (Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, and Iceland) are boycotting Eurovision due to Israel’s participation linked to the Gaza conflict.
Over 1,000 musicians and cultural workers signed a letter calling for a boycott and criticized the contest’s organizers for banning Russia but allowing Israel.
Eurovision participants are mainly European countries, but some non-European nations can join by invitation.
Each country submits one song performed by up to six artists, with events including semifinals and a final round.
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Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high after President Trump called the fragile ceasefire “on life support” and rejected Iran’s response to his peace proposal. Iran warned it is ready to respond to any attack, while diplomatic talks have stalled amid ongoing conflicts affecting global energy and regional security.
Key Facts
President Trump rejected Iran’s latest response to his peace proposal, calling it “stupid.”
Iran’s parliamentary speaker said Iranian forces are ready to retaliate if attacked and warned the US would be surprised.
Iran seized six properties linked to exiled football captain Ali Karimi, a critic of the regime.
The US and Iran disagree on core issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and security guarantees.
US, UK, and French officials are meeting to discuss securing trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
The US has imposed new sanctions on individuals and entities over Iranian oil sales to China.
Rising fuel costs linked to the conflict are causing higher transport and supermarket prices in the US.
Israel and Lebanon continue to experience disruptions and attacks linked to the broader conflict.
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A boat carrying 37 undocumented migrants sank off Malaysia’s west coast. So far, local fishermen have rescued 23 people, and 14 are still missing as authorities continue their search.
Key Facts
The boat had 37 undocumented migrants when it sank near Perak state, Malaysia.
Local fishermen rescued 23 survivors, including 16 men and 7 women.
The missing number of migrants is 14.
The migrants left Kisaran, Indonesia on May 9, headed for several places in Malaysia.
Malaysian authorities are using boats, a helicopter, and aircraft to search for the missing people.
Human trafficking groups often organize these dangerous crossings, causing many accidents.
Malaysia has millions of migrants, many undocumented, working in industries like construction and farming.
In a similar incident in November 2025, 36 migrants died when their boat capsized near the Thai-Malaysian coast.
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