Authorities deployed more than 6,000 police officers, including anti-riot units, around the Senate complex in Manila as supporters and opponents of Duterte prepared to stage demonstrations. Under a pretrial schedule reviewed by The Associated Press, Duterte or her legal team may appear when proceedings formally open, with the trial expected to span 92 days.

The impeachment case stems from charges approved by the House of Representatives last month, where lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to impeach the vice president. The accusations include alleged unexplained wealth, misuse of confidential state funds and a public threat to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the first lady and a former House speaker assassinated if she herself were killed amid escalating political tensions.

Duterte has denied the allegations and has rejected accusations of wrongdoing, although she has largely declined to publicly address the charges in detail before the trial begins.

If found guilty by the Senate, Duterte would face permanent disqualification from holding public office, effectively ending her declared intention to contest the 2028 presidential election, when Marcos is constitutionally due to complete his single six-year term.

A conviction requires the support of two-thirds of the 24-member Senate, or 16 votes.

The impeachment proceedings unfold against the backdrop of a dramatic collapse in the political alliance that propelled Marcos and Duterte to victory in the 2022 national elections. Their partnership united two of the Philippines’ most influential political dynasties but deteriorated into an increasingly bitter public rivalry after they assumed office.

Sara Duterte is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, whose administration was defined by a controversial anti-drug campaign. He was arrested last year under an order issued by the International Criminal Court and transferred to The Hague, where he remains in custody and is scheduled to stand trial on Nov. 30 over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the anti-drug crackdown.

International human rights organizations and several Western governments have criticized the campaign, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of mostly poor drug suspects. Rodrigo Duterte has denied authorizing extrajudicial killings, although he repeatedly issued public threats against suspected drug offenders while serving as president.

The vice president has accused Marcos of being responsible for her father’s arrest and transfer to the ICC, further deepening the political rift between the two camps.

The dispute has also highlighted contrasting foreign policy orientations. Marcos has strengthened defense cooperation with the United States while adopting a firmer stance toward China’s increasingly assertive activities in the disputed South China Sea. By contrast, Rodrigo Duterte cultivated closer ties with China under President Xi Jinping and with Russia under President Vladimir Putin while frequently criticizing Washington. Sara Duterte has also faced criticism from political opponents for not publicly condemning Chinese actions against Philippine vessels and fishermen in contested waters.

The impeachment trial also comes amid legal troubles involving several senators viewed as allies of the Duterte family. Senator Jinggoy Estrada was arrested last month on a non-bailable plunder charge linked to an alleged flood-control bribery scheme, an accusation he denies. Senator Rodante Marcoleta faces a possible arrest over a separate non-bailable plunder case involving alleged undeclared campaign donations, which he has also denied.

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who served as Rodrigo Duterte’s national police chief during the anti-drug campaign, has gone into hiding after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant accusing him of being a co-perpetrator in the killings investigated by the tribunal.

The Senate proceedings are expected to become one of the Philippines’ most consequential political trials in recent years, testing the country’s constitutional accountability mechanisms while carrying significant implications for the balance of power before the next presidential race.

The measures require political candidates to disclose donations exceeding £2,230 received before they officially become candidates and to demonstrate that such funding originated from legitimate sources. The changes were announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as part of a broader effort to reinforce transparency in political financing.

Housing Minister Steve Reed said the new framework would subject overseas-linked donations to stricter scrutiny while requiring candidates to verify the origin of their funding. He said the reforms were intended to protect the integrity of British elections and counter external threats to the country’s democratic system.

The latest reforms follow a government-commissioned review launched last year into foreign financial interference in politics. The review was ordered after a former Reform UK politician was jailed for accepting bribes in exchange for making speeches and public statements supporting Russia.

According to the review, Britain continues to face persistent attempts by foreign governments, including Russia, China and Iran, to influence and undermine its democratic institutions. The findings prompted ministers to introduce additional safeguards governing political donations and campaign finance.

Under the revised rules, individuals who move to Britain from overseas must now reside permanently in the country for at least one year before they are permitted to make political donations of £100,000 or more. Company donations will also face tighter assessment, with eligibility based on post-tax profits rather than company revenue, a change designed to ensure that only businesses with genuine economic ties to the United Kingdom can make substantial political contributions.

The measures build on reforms announced in March that limited annual political donations by British citizens living abroad to £100,000 and imposed a ban on cryptocurrency donations until an effective regulatory framework is established.

The announcement comes as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage faces scrutiny over political funding. Farage is being investigated by Parliament’s standards watchdog over whether he should have declared a £5 million donation from Thailand-based cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne, which was made before Farage announced his candidacy for Parliament.

Reform UK has maintained that no rules were broken in connection with the donation, noting that Harborne provided roughly two-thirds of the party’s funding last year, according to Electoral Commission data.

On Sunday, Farage was also referred to Parliament’s standards watchdog following a report alleging that he failed to declare additional benefits. The investigation adds to growing political attention on campaign finance and disclosure requirements as Britain prepares for future electoral contests.

The government said the strengthened regulations are intended to enhance confidence in the political system by increasing transparency and making it more difficult for foreign-linked money to influence British elections through candidates, individuals or corporate donors.

The 36-year-old rapper-turned-politician, widely known as “Balen,” came to power after his Rastriya Swatantra Party secured a sweeping victory in the March 5 general election, the first national vote since youth-led anti-corruption protests in 2025 toppled the government of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Shah moved swiftly after assuming office on March 27. One day after his swearing-in, police arrested Oli and his former interior minister following recommendations by an inquiry commission investigating the deadly September 2025 uprising. Both men were later released without charge while investigations continued.

Political observers say the government’s early actions established a pattern of rapid, high-profile decisions that have often been challenged on legal grounds and criticized for bypassing established institutional procedures.

Unlike many of his predecessors, Shah has maintained a low public profile. He has largely communicated through social media, including delivering his election victory message in the form of a rap song, while avoiding meetings with foreign ambassadors. Visits to Nepal’s two largest neighbors, India and China—traditionally the first overseas destinations for a newly elected Nepali prime minister—have instead been delegated to the foreign minister.

Journalist Pranaya Rana said the public still knows relatively little about Shah despite his electoral mandate, arguing that the prime minister should engage more openly with citizens.

The administration has introduced a 100-point reform programme covering governance, anti-corruption initiatives, public service delivery and digital transformation. Government officials say roughly 70 measures have already been implemented, with the remaining initiatives in progress.

In a rare public address to members of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party in June, Shah described his administration as being “on an expressway” toward reform, saying the government would not slow its pace until its objectives had been achieved.

The government has also unveiled a 2.1 trillion Nepalese rupee ($13.8 billion) national budget focused on infrastructure, technology, healthcare and education while seeking to strengthen the country’s economy. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle described the plan as part of a broad programme of economic reform.

Supporters argue that Shah has brought a sense of urgency to government after years of political instability. Journalist Sudheer Sharma said the administration had distinguished itself by beginning work immediately after taking office and maintaining a results-oriented approach.

Opposition parties, however, have accused the government of acting hastily. The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), led by Oli, said on Friday that the administration’s performance had been weak, immature and controversial.

Criticism has also focused on the government’s use of executive ordinances despite holding a parliamentary majority capable of passing legislation through the normal legislative process. Analysts warn that relying on emergency powers risks weakening institutional checks and balances.

Political researcher Anusha Khanal said reforms had been implemented but questioned whether the government had consistently followed appropriate constitutional procedures, urging continued public vigilance.

Among the most contentious measures is an ordinance allowing the Constitutional Council, chaired by Shah, to make decisions, including judicial appointments, by a simple majority. Proposals to amend the constitution and restructure Nepal’s federal system have also generated political opposition.

Some supporters of the 2025 protest movement have urged the government to preserve the democratic principles that fueled its rise. Yujan Rajbhandari, who participated in the demonstrations, said the administration remained a source of hope but warned that reforms not grounded in due process could prove difficult to sustain.

The government’s efforts to remove informal settlements have also attracted criticism, adding to growing debate over whether Shah’s rapid approach to reform can maintain public support as his administration moves beyond its first 100 days.

China’s Ministry of National Defense said the exercises will take place in waters and airspace near Qingdao. After the drills conclude, participating forces from both navies will carry out joint maritime patrols in designated areas of the Pacific Ocean.

The ministry described the exercises as part of the two countries’ annual program of military cooperation and said they are intended to jointly address security challenges while contributing to regional peace and stability.

Russia’s state-run RIA news agency reported that vessels from the Russian Pacific Fleet had already arrived in Qingdao ahead of the exercise, which is scheduled to run from July 6 to July 13.

According to RIA, Russia’s contingent includes a guided-missile cruiser, a corvette, a diesel-electric submarine and a rescue vessel. No details were released regarding the number or types of Chinese warships and aircraft expected to participate.

The annual drills form part of an expanding pattern of defense cooperation between China and Russia, whose militaries have regularly conducted joint exercises, maritime patrols and strategic air operations in recent years.

The planned Pacific patrol following the exercises reflects continued coordination between the two countries’ naval forces beyond training activities, as both governments seek to strengthen operational interoperability and maintain a visible military presence in regional waters.

Neither Beijing nor Moscow indicated that the exercises were directed at any specific country, with Chinese authorities emphasizing that the drills are designed to enhance cooperation in responding to shared security challenges and preserving regional stability.

The announcement comes as China and Russia continue to maintain close strategic ties across diplomatic, economic and defense sectors, with joint military exercises remaining a central feature of their expanding security partnership.

The promotions, announced at a ceremony in Beijing on Friday, come as Xi continues efforts to modernize China’s armed forces while reinforcing their loyalty to the ruling Communist Party. The military overhaul coincides with Beijing’s push to strengthen its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific, including its claims over Taiwan and other disputed territories.

Xi, who also serves as chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), presented promotion orders to Zhang Shuguang and Air Force commander Wang Gang. Zhang was simultaneously appointed to lead the CMC’s anti-corruption investigation body, placing him at the center of the military’s ongoing disciplinary campaign.

The appointments are widely viewed as positioning both officers for greater responsibilities within the military hierarchy. Analysts say they could eventually fill vacancies on the seven-member Central Military Commission, whose membership has been substantially reduced after a series of corruption investigations removed several senior leaders.

Among the two, Zhang appears to be the stronger candidate for elevation to the commission because of his new anti-corruption portfolio, according to analysts. Wang’s prospects are considered less certain, particularly after two other senior Air Force commanders—the leaders of the PLA’s Central and Eastern Theater Commands—were promoted to general in December.

James Char, an assistant professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said Wang belongs to a new generation of People’s Liberation Army Air Force leaders with substantial operational experience who have assumed increasingly important responsibilities following the latest round of military purges.

The Central Military Commission remains the highest decision-making body within China’s armed forces and is chaired by Xi. Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin is currently its only other active member after two former vice chairmen, including the military’s most senior general, were removed or effectively sidelined during the anti-corruption campaign.

According to Char, the sweeping disciplinary investigations have dismantled the two dominant factions that previously existed within the military establishment, giving Xi greater latitude to shape the next generation of senior commanders.

Even so, analysts caution that the pace of promotions suggests Beijing is proceeding carefully rather than rushing to rebuild the military’s leadership. Only four lieutenant generals have been elevated to the rank of general during the latest phase of the restructuring.

K. Tristan Tang, a nonresident fellow at the U.S.-based National Bureau of Asian Research, said the limited number of promotions indicates that Xi continues to assess senior officers before making further appointments.

According to Tang, the Chinese leader remains in the process of observing, testing and evaluating potential candidates before carrying out a broader leadership overhaul.

The next major opportunity for restructuring is expected at the Communist Party Congress scheduled for the autumn of next year, when the current five-year term of the Central Military Commission concludes. The composition of the next commission will be closely watched as an indicator of Xi’s continuing efforts to consolidate authority over the military while advancing long-term defense modernization.

China’s Coast Guard said the patrol would carry out what it described as “law enforcement patrols” in waters it considers under its jurisdiction. In a statement, the agency said it would strengthen such operations to safeguard what it called China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

The move marks the second deployment in roughly a month of Chinese coast guard vessels to waters off Taiwan’s eastern coast. Unlike the near-daily military activities conducted by the People’s Liberation Army around Taiwan, Beijing has increasingly relied on coast guard vessels to reinforce its territorial claims, a strategy Taiwanese officials describe as “lawfare” aimed at creating a legal basis for Chinese actions.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council rejected Beijing’s claims, saying China has neither sovereignty nor jurisdiction over waters east of Taiwan and that its coast guard has no law enforcement authority in the area. The council described the patrol as an illegal expansion of power that violates international law and undermines regional peace and stability.

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration said it was monitoring two Chinese coast guard vessels involved in the operation and had dispatched two Taiwanese ships to shadow them. By mid-morning, the Chinese vessels were about 54 nautical miles east of Hualien, home to one of Taiwan’s major air bases, but remained outside Taiwan’s restricted waters.

The coast guard said it would continue taking all necessary measures to monitor Chinese vessels and respond to any activities it considers harassment, while safeguarding Taiwan’s maritime security and sovereignty.

The latest operation follows a similar patrol conducted by China in June, which drew concern from the United States and several European partners, including France, Germany and Britain. Beijing said that deployment was a response to Japan and the Philippines announcing formal discussions on maritime boundaries, which China argued involved waters connected to its claims around Taiwan.

Earlier this week, Taiwan instructed commercial and civilian vessels operating off its eastern coast to refuse any boarding or inspection requests by the Chinese Coast Guard. Authorities said Taiwanese coast guard ships would intervene if necessary to prevent such actions.

The dispute reflects broader tensions across the Taiwan Strait, where China continues to increase military and coast guard activities while maintaining that Taiwan is part of its territory. Taiwan, which is democratically governed, rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and insists only its own government has the authority to exercise jurisdiction over the island and its surrounding waters.

On Thursday, China’s Ministry of Natural Resources published an English-language legal opinion criticizing maritime boundary discussions between Japan and the Philippines. The ministry argued that any negotiations involving waters claimed by Beijing should include China rather than Taiwan and called on other countries not to support the bilateral talks.

The latest coast guard deployment is likely to add to regional tensions as China continues to expand the use of civilian maritime agencies alongside military operations to advance its territorial claims in the western Pacific.

The New York City Police Department said officers responded to an emergency call at about 6:30 p.m. local time and found a man with severe burns near the UN complex. He was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities did not publicly identify the victim or disclose a possible motive for the incident.

Voice of Tibet, a media outlet run by exiled Tibetans, identified the deceased as Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen. The outlet said he “self-immolated outside the UN headquarters in New York after a live appeal for Tibetan independence and unity.”

Local news website amNewYork reported that Rangzen worked as an Uber driver and had traveled to the site carrying a Tibetan flag. The publication quoted fellow Uber driver Lobsang Paljor, who said he knew Rangzen through New York’s Tibetan community.

According to amNewYork, Paljor said Rangzen had become increasingly angered by restrictions imposed by the Chinese government on Tibetans.

The incident occurred as international attention has focused on China’s new ethnic unity law, which took effect this week. The legislation provides a legal framework aimed at promoting what Beijing describes as a shared national identity among the country’s 55 officially recognized ethnic minority groups, including Tibetans and Uyghurs.

The United States and the European Union have expressed concern over the new law, while Tibetan organizations abroad have criticized it, arguing that it further restricts the rights and cultural identity of ethnic minorities.

Acts of self-immolation have long been used by some Tibetans as a form of political protest against Chinese policies in Tibet and neighboring regions with significant Tibetan populations.

China assumed control of Tibet in 1950 in what it describes as a peaceful liberation from a feudal system. Human rights organizations and Tibetan exile groups have consistently criticized Beijing’s governance of the region, alleging widespread political and cultural repression. China rejects those allegations and maintains that its policies have improved economic development and living standards in Tibet.

Ethnic minority issues remain among the most politically sensitive subjects in China. Authorities have maintained extensive security and surveillance measures in Tibetan areas, particularly since President Xi Jinping took office in 2012, saying such policies are necessary to combat separatism and safeguard national unity.

Tencho Gyatso, president of the International Campaign for Tibet, described Rangzen as “a tireless advocate for Tibet” and said she was deeply saddened by his death.

According to the International Campaign for Tibet, more than 150 Tibetans self-immolated between 2009 and 2022. The organization said 10 of those incidents occurred among Tibetans living in exile.

State media showed Khamenei’s flag-draped coffin being carried into the Grand Mosalla, a major religious and ceremonial complex in the Iranian capital, where it will lie in state for three days before the funeral and burial ceremonies continue across Iran and neighboring Iraq.

The public funeral, scheduled for Saturday, comes after Khamenei was killed at the age of 86 in U.S.-Israeli strikes on his compound in central Tehran during the conflict that triggered the recent Middle East war. The ceremony had initially been postponed while fighting continued but resumed preparations after Iran and the United States reached a preliminary agreement that established a fragile ceasefire.

Images released from the venue showed mourners dressed in black accompanying the coffin as it was placed beneath decorations featuring red flowers and suspended white butterflies. Workers spent the previous day preparing the complex with flowers and landscaping while security personnel tightened access around the site.

“We are planting flowers and watering the shrubs for the farewell ceremony of our martyred guide,” worker Hossein Moghadassi told AFP. “People will come from all over Iran. There will be huge crowds.”

Iranian officials have projected attendance of between 15 million and 20 million people, a figure that, if realized, would make it the country’s largest state funeral. Authorities have declared public holidays in Tehran and the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad during the ceremonies, while public and private offices in the capital will remain closed from Saturday through Monday.

Traffic restrictions have been imposed across central Tehran, and Iranian authorities said the capital’s airspace would be partially closed from Friday before a full closure on Monday to facilitate the funeral events and associated security measures.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker, called on Iranians to participate in large numbers, describing the funeral as a defining national moment.

“All the Iranian people… write a glorious page in the history of Islamic Iran through your presence,” Ghalibaf said in a statement. He added that “the nation’s call for vengeance must ring in the ears of the whole world.”

The bodies of Khamenei’s slain relatives will also be displayed during the period of public mourning at the Grand Mosalla.

After the Tehran ceremonies conclude, Khamenei’s coffin will be transported to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before returning to Iran for burial on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, his birthplace in northeastern Iran.

Representatives from around 30 countries are expected to attend the funeral. Pakistan said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would participate in the ceremony, while China, Afghanistan and several neighboring countries in the Caucasus region also announced plans to send official delegations.

Large numbers of pilgrims and mourners have already begun arriving from neighboring Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan ahead of the official funeral.

It remains unclear whether Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since succeeding his father, will attend the main ceremony in Tehran.

A statement issued by the Chaoyang district government said the investigation concluded the June 26 crash was caused by “personal reasons.” The pilot, identified only by his surname, Liu, was killed, while 13 other people were injured.

Authorities said none of the injuries were life-threatening and that one injured person had already been discharged from hospital.

The incident occurred at about 6 p.m. in Beijing’s central business district, when the aircraft struck the 108-story CITIC Tower, commonly known as the “Zun” building because of its resemblance to an ancient Chinese ceremonial wine vessel. The impact damaged part of the skyscraper’s glass facade.

According to the official statement, Liu, 66, initially flew with another person in the two-seat training aircraft before departing alone from a general aviation airport on the outskirts of Beijing. Investigators said he later deviated from the approved flight route, after which communication with the aircraft was lost.

The government said Liu was divorced, lived alone and did not have permanent employment. Investigators also said he had experienced insomnia and anxiety, and that diary entries reflected severe emotional distress. Authorities cited those findings as part of their assessment that the crash was linked to personal circumstances.

The crash prompted questions about aviation security in the Chinese capital because it occurred in one of Beijing’s busiest commercial districts during the evening rush hour.

Officials did not indicate that any mechanical failure or external interference contributed to the crash, and the investigation remains subject to the authorities’ findings.

The CITIC Tower, one of Beijing’s most recognizable landmarks, is the tallest building in the Chinese capital and serves as office space for financial institutions and major corporations. Emergency responders secured the area following the incident while investigators examined the crash site and gathered evidence.

Ali Abdollahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said any attack on Iran during the mourning period would trigger a strong military response. His statement, carried by Iranian state media, cautioned Washington and Israel against what he described as any strategic miscalculation.

“We warn the enemies of Iran, especially the United States and the Zionist regime, to avoid any miscalculation and to consider the severe retaliation our armed forces would carry out against any threat or aggression against our country,” Abdollahi said.

Iran is preparing for a series of official funeral ceremonies beginning on July 4 in Tehran. The commemorations are scheduled to conclude with Khamenei’s burial in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9, with additional memorial events planned in the holy city of Qom and in Iraq during the intervening days.

Pakistan confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the state funeral, according to the country’s Foreign Ministry.

China also announced it would send a senior delegation to the ceremonies. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said He Wei, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, would represent Beijing at the funeral.

The warning from Iran’s military followed similar remarks made on Wednesday by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said Tehran would respond immediately and forcefully to any threat directed at the country or its leadership.

Araghchi’s comments came after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Iran’s current Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was “marked for death,” further escalating tensions between the two countries.

Iranian media reported that authorities have introduced heightened security measures ahead of the funeral processions. The head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization also announced on Wednesday that temporary airspace restrictions would be imposed over several cities, including Tehran and Mashhad, during the ceremonies to support security operations.

The funeral preparations come amid continued diplomatic and military tensions following the conflict that began in late February. Although indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States have resumed in recent weeks, officials from both sides have continued to exchange warnings as efforts to implement a broader ceasefire and negotiate a permanent settlement remain ongoing.