ICC charges former Philippine President Duterte crimes against humanity
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The crimes against humanity charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte allege his involvement in the killings of at least 76 people while he was president and earlier a southern mayor, the International Criminal Court has revealed.
The redacted charges were made public Monday after prosecutors submitted a 15-page charge sheet to the court on July 4. Among other things, they allege Duterte instructed and authorized “violent acts including murder to be committed against alleged criminals, including alleged drug dealers and users.”
The first charge cites 19 victims killed while Duterte was mayor of Davao City between 2013 and around 2016. The second involves 14 who died in targeted killings between 2016 and 2017 when Duterte was president. The third cited the killings of 43 people during so-called “clearance operations” between 2016 and 2018.
Duterte, his lawyer and family did not immediately react to the detailed charges. Even when he was president, he denied authorizing extrajudicial killings although he openly threatened drug suspects with death and encouraged police to open fire if suspects violently resisted arrest and threaten law enforcers.
Duterte was arrested in March by Philippine authorities on a warrant issued by the ICC. He is now being held at an ICC facility in the Netherlands.
Supporters of Duterte criticized the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Duterte’s political rival, for arresting and surrendering the former leader to a court whose jurisdiction his supporters dispute.
A court hearing had been scheduled to begin Tuesday but was postponed to give judges time to evaluate arguments from Duterte’s attorneys that he is not fit to stand trial.
Samin Nosrat once shunned recipes. Now she’s sharing them
The Salt Fat Acid Heat cookbook author once worried that recipes were too constraining. But she now sees them as a tool for creating community and sharing food. Nosrat's new book is Good Things.
Trump cancels meeting with Democrats as prospects for shutdown increase
President Trump called off a planned Thursday meeting with top Hill Democrats to discuss a possible deal to avoid a shutdown. He called Democrats' demands "unserious." Democrats say he chickened out.
After fireworks caused her dog to panic, a stranger offered them a ride home
Lara Friedman was walking her large rottweiler on July 4 when fireworks went off. Her dog went into panic mode. Then a stranger offered to help, ensuring both got home safely.
New books this week: Tales from Ian McEwan and Patricia Lockwood, and new translations
The truth doesn't come easy in the latest works of these two household names. Meanwhile, anglophiles now have access to newly translated works by France's Annie Ernaux and Japanese ex-pat Yoko Tawada.
Devices seized near U.N. meeting could have shut down cellphone networks
The Secret Service said it found over 300 SIM servers, 100,000 SIM cards and other illicit materials in multiple sites surrounding New York City ahead of the U.N. General Assembly.
Americans are crazy for shrimp. Much of it came from India — until now
India's shrimp exports to the U.S. were once a success story. Now the industry faces ruin amid President Trump's 50% tariff on imports from the country.