Daily News

The Philippines is the only country in the world, apart from the Vatican, where divorce is illegal. In this predominantly Catholic nation, there is intense pressure to uphold the sanctity of marriage. This leaves many women trapped in violent and abusive relationships. But a growing number of Filipinas are fighting to change the law.

International lawyer Ralph Wilde joins Centre Stage to talk about the 2024 landmark ruling by the International Court of Justice that deems Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories illegal — and why it must cease immediately. Wilde provides detailed analysis, which he presented to the court, and tells Al Jazeera principal presenter Cyril Vanier what Israel and the international community must do to comply with the ICJ ruling and the UN resolution that endorsed the court’s decision.

European defence ministers from the so-called 'coalition of the willing' have been meeting in Brussels to discuss boosting military support for Ukraine. It includes the possible deployment of peacekeepers if a ceasefire is agreed. The talks are part of a renewed push by Europe to arm Ukraine against Russia's invasion after the US made military support a condition of Kyiv's participation in peace talks. Meanwhile, the EU's latest effort to rally funding for Ukraine has only exposed disunity in the bloc. So, does Europe have the means and the will to keep Ukraine in the fight as Washington looks for a way out?

In a dramatic change of policy, Donald Trump has paused his so-called "reciprocal" levies on most nations for 90 days. This, after his tariff policy sent markets globally into a freefall and left business leaders and even pro-Trump Republicans warning of a recession. While the White House will be looking to cut deals with other nations on the levies, Trump has ramped up his trade dispute with China. His decision to reverse course may have brought relief to markets. But, with Trump's series of reversals since taking office in January, critics say uncertainty remains hanging over the United States economy.

Ecuador heads to the polls gripped by spiraling violence and political uncertainty. Once one of South America’s safest nations, it now has the highest homicide rate in the region. The presidential run-off pits Daniel Noboa, the incumbent who’s militarised the streets, against Luisa Gonzalez, a left-winger promising social reform. Both offer starkly different futures. Which will voters choose?

Members of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been subjecting women and girls to “horrific” sexual violence and gang rape, as part of their strategy in the country’s civil war, according to Amnesty International, a global rights group. In a 30-page report published on Thursday, Amnesty accused the RSF of inflicting “widespread sexual violence … to humiliate, assert control and displace communities across the country”. Freddie Carver of ODI Global says such violence reflects deep-rooted power dynamics in Sudan’s civil conflict. He notes sexual violence is used to dominate communities, with women often targeted due to their central social role. Both RSF and Sudanese armed forces are implicated in these atrocities. Carver stresses a victim-led response and addressing the root causes of the conflict. He urges international efforts to prioritise civilian protection and peacebuilding. An upcoming UK conference marks two years since the war began. Empowering women and communities is key to Sudan’s long-term recovery.

Globalisation has become the driver of international trade, giving both rich and poorer countries a stake in world business. Then came US President Donald Trump's tariffs. Could they torpedo globalisation? And what would that mean?

Yemen's Houthis have released footage they say shows the wreckage of a downed US drone. The armed group says it was intercepted using a domestically manufactured surface-to-air missile. Media are reporting the drone was shot down over Al Jawf province in the northeast. The US has been carrying out air strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen in response to the Houthis targeting Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea. The group says the attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

US President Donald Trump has backed down on his so-called reciprocal tariffs, announcing a 90-day pause on the increased taxes worldwide. Trump says his government will still impose a universal 10 percent levy, but China is the only exception. Tariffs on Chinese goods have been increased to 125 percent, after Beijing retaliated with its own taxes on US products. Stock markets across Asia have roared back to life after Trump's pause on tariffs. Japan's Nikkei jumped more than eight percent shortly after opening in Tokyo on Thursday. South Korea's market was also sharply up, along with Hong Kong.

United States President Donald Trump has announced he will raise tariffs against China to 125 percent, in a rapidly escalating trade war that has seen China already retaliate with 84 percent tariffs, effective April 10. Trump has also sought to reward countries that negotiated in the wake of his latest round of tariffs, which took effect at 12:01am EST on Wednesday (04:01 GMT). He offered a 90-day pause and a lowered reciprocal tariffs of 10 percent to other countries outside of China, which sent markets surging after days of slumping numbers. China’s Finance Ministry says the US’s escalation of tariffs is a “mistake on top of a mistake”, and the European Union says it approved “trade countermeasures” that will go into effect on April 15.