UNITED STATES: The White House has ordered the military to draw up plans for an increase in troops in Panama, it was reported on Thursday.

President Donald Trump has claimed that there is a need for a greater US presence around the Panama Canal after accusing China of exerting too much influence in the area.

Beijing has accused the US of using “coercion” to get Panama to block Chinese aid projects.

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT: Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was due to make his first appearance before judges of the court today, days after his arrest in Manila on murder charges linked to the deadly “war on drugs” he oversaw while in office.

Mr Duterte, the first Asian former leader arrested on a warrant from the court, will be read his rights and formally informed of the charges of crimes against humanity.

SERBIA: The capital Belgrade was on edge today ahead of a major anti-government rally this weekend, with authorities stepping up efforts to dissuade people from attending.

Tomorrrow’s protest is seen as a culmination of months of anti-corruption demonstrations in the Balkan country.

President Aleksandar Vucic has repeatedly warned that violence is planned at the rally, while also threatening arrests over any incidents. 

CHINA: Representatives of China, Russia and Iran meeting in Beijing called today for an end to US sanctions against Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear programme and a restart to multinational talks on the issue.

The Beijing talks are the latest attempt to broach the matter and come after US President Donald Trump wrote to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a bid to jump-start talks.