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The UN reports that famine has been declared in Gaza, with over 514,000 people affected and the number expected to rise. Israel's blockade and military actions have severely restricted aid, leading to widespread malnutrition and starvation, especially among children. The situation is described as a man-made catastrophe.
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Belgium will formally recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly on September 9, 2025, contingent on Hamas releasing all Israeli hostages and relinquishing political control in Gaza. The move aligns with France and the UK, signaling increased European pressure on Israel amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Belgium will also impose 12 sanctions on Israel, including bans on settlement goods and restrictions on Israeli officials.
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In September 2025, the ICC will decide whether to confirm charges against Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord's Resistance Army, over atrocities committed in Uganda between 2002-2005. Kony remains at large, and his trial hinges on his presence, with the court weighing evidence for potential prosecution.
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Philippine ex-president Duterte, charged with crimes against humanity over his drug war, is deemed unfit for trial due to cognitive decline. The ICC has postponed proceedings indefinitely as his health deteriorates, raising questions about accountability for alleged human rights abuses.
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Recent days in Sudan have seen intensified fighting between the Sudanese army and RSF, with drone strikes killing at least 75 civilians in El-Fasher, Darfur. The city remains under siege, with ongoing clashes, ethnic violence, and worsening humanitarian crises, including food shortages and disease outbreaks. The conflict has killed over 40,000 and displaced millions since April 2023.
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Qatar is seeking legal action at the ICC after Israeli forces targeted Hamas leaders in Doha, marking the first attack on Qatari soil. The strike killed six people, including civilians, and prompted Qatar to explore international legal avenues. The incident heightens regional tensions amid ongoing Gaza conflict.
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On September 23, 2025, the ICC publicly released a redacted charge sheet accusing former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte of crimes against humanity involving 76 murders linked to his anti-drug campaign from 2013 to 2018. Duterte, detained in The Hague since March, faces three counts covering killings during his mayoralty and presidency. A court hearing was postponed pending assessment of his fitness for trial.
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The US is weighing broad sanctions against the International Criminal Court, potentially targeting the entire court, in response to investigations into alleged Israeli war crimes. This move could disrupt the court's operations and escalate tensions with member countries. The decision is expected soon, amid diplomatic discussions.
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Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, citing concerns over sovereignty and alleging the court acts as a tool of neocolonial repression. The move follows military coups and a shift towards alliances with Russia, with withdrawal taking effect in a year.
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Slovenia has barred Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu from entering the country, citing an ICC arrest warrant. The move aligns with Slovenia's criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza and its support for international law, following previous bans on Israeli officials and an arms embargo.
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At the UN General Assembly, Israel faces widespread criticism over Gaza war, with many countries condemning its actions. Netanyahu's speech was met with walkouts and protests, amid calls for accountability and sanctions. The global debate highlights Israel's growing diplomatic isolation in the context of ongoing conflict.
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni acknowledged a court complaint accusing her and her ministers of complicity in supplying arms to Israel, which some claim contributes to alleged war crimes in Gaza. The complaint, signed by 50 individuals, calls for a formal investigation into genocide charges amid ongoing protests and international legal challenges.
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The ICC has found Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, including rape, murder, and torture. The verdict marks a significant step in justice for victims, amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises in Sudan. Sentencing will follow after hearings.
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The ICC is maintaining its investigation into Duterte's alleged crimes against humanity, despite a recent disqualification of Prosecutor Karim Khan over perceived bias linked to his prior representation of victims. The case involves charges related to Duterte's anti-drugs campaign, with ongoing legal proceedings and detention in The Hague.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin commended Donald Trump’s peace efforts, despite not receiving a Nobel, and expressed hope for extending the U.S.-Russia nuclear arms treaty. He discussed Ukraine, Gaza ceasefire, and regional security during visits to Tajikistan, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy amid ongoing tensions.
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On October 10, 2025, First Lady Melania Trump announced that eight children displaced by Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine were reunited with their families following months of back-channel talks with President Vladimir Putin. The dialogue began after she sent Putin a letter via President Trump at an August summit. Both sides have cooperated to share detailed information on the children’s welfare.
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A U.S. jury awarded three Sudanese-American plaintiffs damages after finding BNP Paribas helped fund Sudanese government abuses. The bank plans to appeal. The case links financial services to human rights violations during Sudan's conflict, with broader implications for corporate accountability.
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ICC judges in The Hague have upheld jurisdiction over Duterte's case, allowing the investigation into alleged crimes committed during his presidency to proceed. Duterte's legal team challenged the court's authority, citing his country's withdrawal from the ICC, but the challenge was rejected. Duterte faces charges related to mass killings during his war on drugs.
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Fighting in Sudan's el-Fasher has led to mass killings, sexual violence, and a humanitarian crisis. Leaders call for an immediate ceasefire as thousands are displaced and civilians face famine-like conditions. Reports indicate widespread atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces, with the situation deteriorating rapidly.
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The RSF captured el-Fasher in Darfur after an 18-month siege, with reports of civilians killed, sexual assaults, and hospital attacks. The ICC is collecting evidence for future prosecutions, amid fears of a return to past genocidal violence. The fall marks a new, brutal phase in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
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On November 7, 2025, Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) agreed to a US- and Arab-led proposal for a three-month humanitarian ceasefire amid a brutal two-year conflict with the Sudanese army. The RSF's acceptance follows its recent capture of El-Fasher, Darfur's last army stronghold, amid reports of mass killings and atrocities. The Sudanese army has yet to respond to the truce offer.
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As of November 17, 2025, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani confirmed outreach to the White House for a meeting with President Donald Trump. Despite months of mutual criticism, including Trump's threats to cut federal funding and question Mamdani's citizenship, both leaders express willingness to discuss city issues like affordability. Mamdani remains committed to opposing policies harming New Yorkers while seeking cooperation where possible.
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Libyan judiciary police chief Osama Elmasry Njeem was detained in Italy on ICC charges of war crimes, including torture and murder, linked to detention abuses since 2015. Italy released and repatriated him, prompting international criticism and investigations into Italian officials' handling of the case.
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Zohran Mamdani has been elected mayor of New York City, with support from progressive voters and some Jewish communities, despite his anti-Israel stance and support for BDS. His victory raises concerns over US-Israel relations, antisemitism, and the city’s political future, amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza.
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A Dutch court dismissed a lawsuit by NGOs seeking a ban on arms exports to Israel, citing government discretion and existing measures. The court acknowledged the risk of genocide in Gaza but ruled the Dutch government already does enough to discourage exports, emphasizing the importance of foreign policy decisions.
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The ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber confirmed charges against Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord's Resistance Army, for atrocities committed in Uganda between 2002 and 2005. Kony remains at large, but the ruling advances efforts for his arrest and trial, marking a historic in absentia decision.
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Turkey issued arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials, accusing them of genocide in Gaza. Israel dismisses the charges as a PR stunt. The dispute escalates tensions amid ongoing Gaza conflict, with Turkey seeking a role in postwar security arrangements despite Israeli opposition.
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On November 12, 2025, former US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog urging a full pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling the ongoing corruption trial politically motivated. Herzog's office responded that any pardon request must follow formal procedures, and Netanyahu or his family have yet to submit such a request. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing amid a trial that began in 2020. Separately, Israel has appealed to the International Criminal Court to disqualify ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct allegations, challenging his arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes.
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The ICC opened a sentencing hearing for Ali Kushayb, convicted of 27 war crimes including mass murder and rape committed during the Darfur conflict in 2003-2004. Prosecutors seek a life sentence, while the defense requests seven years. The case marks the first ICC conviction for Darfur atrocities.
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) is under significant pressure as US sanctions target staff, including judges and prosecutors, amid ongoing investigations into US and Israeli officials. The court's independence is reaffirmed, but operational challenges and internal investigations threaten its future. The 24th Assembly of States Parties is ongoing today.
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Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, a Libyan prison official, has been transferred to the ICC in The Hague to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to detention abuses in Libya from 2015 to 2020. His arrest in Germany followed a sealed warrant issued by the court. This marks the first Libyan suspect set for trial at the ICC, amid ongoing efforts to hold officials accountable for atrocities committed during Libya's civil conflict.
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New York's incoming mayor Mamdani has vowed to enforce ICC arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu, but Governor Hochul has publicly disagreed, emphasizing legal limits. Netanyahu confirmed he will visit New York despite the threats, amid ongoing tensions over ICC jurisdiction and US-Israel relations.