Sudan Accuses UAE of Violating Genocide Convention; Files Case
Sudan has recently filed a case against the United Arab Emirates in the International Court of Justice, accusing it of violating the Genocide Convention by arming the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group that the Sudanese Armed Forces has been in a civil war with for the past two years. Sudan has asked the ICJ to issue a restraining order against the UAE by demanding any militia group they have control or influence over be prohibited from committing genocidal acts. The UAE has denied the claims and called the complaint a “cynical publicity stunt.”
Former Philippines President on Trial at International Criminal Court
Rodrigo Duterte, who was president of the Philippines from 2016–22, was arrested for crimes against humanity linked to his “war on drugs” on March 11 at Manila’s airport under an International Criminal Court warrant. During his tenure, Duterte launched a campaign that saw thousands of people, including drug dealers, drug users, and others, executed without trial. An initial case was filed at the ICC against him in 2017, prompting a preliminary examination. In 2019, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC, though investigations continued, with a formal probe being authorized in 2021, leading to his arrest this week. The move has been both celebrated and denounced.
Trump Announces Additional Tariffs
In February, President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States, which went into effect March 12, and 25 percent tariffs on Mexican and Canadian exports, which went into effect March 4. An unspecified tax for all foreign cars and agricultural products will be implemented April 2. White House spokesperson Kush Desai said the tariffs would use “the leverage of the American economy, which is the best and biggest in the world, to deliver a win for the American people.” In response, China, Mexico, the E.U., and Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs.
Armenia and Azerbaijan Agree to Draft Peace Treaty
Aiming to end decades of ethnic and territorial conflict and genocide in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Armenia and Azerbaijan have successfully concluded months of negotiations on a draft peace treaty. Armenia gained control of the territory after the fall of the Soviet Union. In 2020, Azerbaijan claimed a significant part of the region, and after a 24-hour offensive in 2023, it claimed the entirety of the enclave, which has historically been majority Armenian. Many now live as refugees. The treaty establishes diplomatic relations and reopens closed borders, though a key condition is Armenia’s commitment to amending its constitution to eliminate territorial claims. While no date has been set, both countries have expressed the intention to sign.
Hiring Freezes in Universities across the US: Department of Education Funding Cuts
The Department of Education has recently announced its plan to cut 1950 people, almost half of its workforce, along with other various budget cuts. Universities nationwide have announced hiring freezes, including the University of Washington, the University of Pittsburgh, and Harvard University. The Chief of Adolescent Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Scott Hadland, expressed dismay in a LinkedIn post: “This means no new researchers to study, for example, cancer cures, or educators to prepare America’s next generation. These constant setbacks will leave America in the dust globally.” This comes nearly a month after the Trump administration began cutting research funding for the National Institute of Health.
