Luxembourg loses trust in US, ex-Philippine president Duterte arrested, and one presumed dead after North Sea collision

Here are five things you should know at the end of this week:

• Survey reveals deepening distrust in US, stronger defence priorities in Luxembourg
• Luxembourg explores defence expansion amid financing concerns
• CJEU overturns bullying sanctions against former Luxembourg MEP Monica Semedo
• Former Philippine president Duterte arrested in ICC crimes against humanity case
• One arrested after North Sea collision between cargo ship and anchored tanker

1. Survey reveals deepening distrust in US, stronger defence priorities in Luxembourg

© AFP

• A new Ilres-RTL survey shows that 80% of Luxembourg residents distrust the US as a reliable defence partner, a sharp decline since Donald Trump's re-election.

• The poll reveals that 73% of respondents support increasing Luxembourg's defence spending, aligning with similar sentiments in Germany.

• Distrust in the US is especially high among those aged 55 and older, while opinions on defence spending remain divided, with 19% opposed and 8% undecided.

Tanking trust – The Ilres-RTL survey highlights a sharp drop in Luxembourg residents' confidence in the United States as a reliable partner, with 80% expressing distrust. This marks a significant shift from an October 2024 Eurobarometer poll, where a third of respondents still viewed the US positively.

The change is largely attributed to geopolitical moves under Donald Trump's new administration, including efforts to rebuild ties with Russia, conditional support for Ukraine in exchange for mineral resources, and a more detached stance toward the European Union.

Defence favoured – The survey also found strong backing for increased defence spending, with 73% of respondents in favour of Luxembourg boosting its military budget. This level of support is nearly identical to recent polling in Germany, suggesting a broader regional shift in attitudes towards security.

With NATO pressuring member states to allocate at least 2% of their Gross National Income (GNI) to defence, Luxembourg's government is debating whether to raise its spending from the current 1.32%, with discussions underway about potentially increasing it to 3%.

Demographic divide – The survey results also reveal demographic variations in attitudes toward both the US and defence spending. Distrust in the US is particularly pronounced among those aged 55 and older, reflecting a generational shift in perceptions of transatlantic relations.

Meanwhile, while the majority support increased defence spending, 19% of respondents remain opposed, and 8% are undecided, indicating that debates over military funding are far from settled.

Read also: Trump threatens huge tariffs on European wine, spirits

2. Luxembourg explores defence expansion amid financing concerns

Illustration picture shows the arrival of an A400M transport airplane of the Belgian Defence, at the military airport in Melsbroek on Tuesday, 22 December 2020. In total, Belgium has ordered eight A400M aircraft, one of which is on behalf of Luxembourg, to replace the current C-130s. / © AFP

• Luxembourg continues debating increased defence spending as the government considers raising military investment to 2% of GNI by 2030, with concerns over debt, resource allocation, and the potential for domestic drone production.

• Policy divisions emerge over funding and priorities, with parties debating whether defence costs should be covered by reallocated funds, higher taxes on wealth, or European debt, while balancing economic and social investments.

• European defence cooperation gains momentum, with Luxembourg exploring joint investments in military technology and cybersecurity to strengthen its role within NATO and the EU's broader security strategy.

New commitments ahead – Luxembourg debates increased defence spending as the government considers raising military investment to 2% of GNI by 2030, sparking discussions on whether this increase will be sufficient. While the country has already committed to significant defence purchases, such as an A400M transport aircraft and 80 Dingo CLRVs, policymakers are now considering further investments, including the potential acquisition of tanks and drones.

Luxembourg is also assessing its role in European defence initiatives, particularly in light of growing concerns over security and geopolitical stability. The government is expected to clarify its stance ahead of the NATO summit in June, as pressure mounts to meet alliance commitments while ensuring financial sustainability.

A balancing act – Political divisions emerge over funding and priorities, with parties debating whether defence costs should be covered by reallocated funds, higher taxes on wealth, or European debt. Finance Minister Gilles Roth has opposed taking on new debt for defence, preferring to reallocate investments, while others argue that borrowing is necessary for such large-scale projects.

Opposition parties have also raised concerns about the trade-offs involved, with The Greens and The Left warning that increased military spending should not come at the cost of social programmes, infrastructure, or climate policy. Some lawmakers stress the need to keep defence investments within the EU rather than relying on external suppliers, further complicating budget decisions.

Local investments – European defence cooperation gains momentum, with Luxembourg exploring joint investments in military technology, drone production, and cybersecurity to strengthen its role within NATO and the EU's broader security strategy. The country recently joined the UK and Latvia-led drone coalition, contributing €3.4 million to Ukraine's defence, and is now assessing the feasibility of developing a domestic drone production industry.

With Luxembourg's expertise in satellite technology and cybersecurity, officials see potential in positioning the country as a key player in defence-related innovation. Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel has been tasked with engaging arms manufacturers to gauge interest in investing locally, reflecting a shift toward more strategic, high-tech defence contributions rather than traditional military hardware.

3. CJEU overturns bullying sanctions against former Luxembourg MEP Monica Semedo

MEP Monica Semedo ahead of a tax fraud debate in the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg on 15 September 2021. / © AFP

• The CJEU annulled sanctions against former Luxembourg MEP Monica Semedo, ruling that her right to defence was not upheld during a bullying enquiry.

• The court found procedural irregularities in the European Parliament's handling of the case, including denying Semedo access to key evidence.

• While the ruling overturns her ten-day allowance suspension, the European Parliament may appeal within two months.

Sanctions annulled – The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled in favour of former Luxembourg MEP Monica Semedo, annulling the sanctions imposed on her following a bullying investigation. The court determined that her right to a proper defence was not sufficiently respected during the proceedings, leading to the invalidation of the European Parliament's decision.

This ruling, made public on Wednesday, reverses the penalties that had been enforced, including the loss of her parliamentary allowances for ten days.

Lack of transparency – The CJEU identified key procedural irregularities in the European Parliament's handling of the case, particularly regarding Semedo's ability to access the evidence used against her. While the advisory committee's investigation concluded in 2022 that she had engaged in bullying, Semedo was only provided with a summary of witness statements, which the court found did not fully reflect the substance of the testimony.

Additionally, she was not given the opportunity to review the exact documents that formed the basis of the charges against her, raising concerns about fairness and due process.

Repeat allegations – The European Parliament still has the right to appeal the decision within two months. This ruling marks another chapter in Semedo's disciplinary history, as she had previously been suspended from the European Parliament in 2021 for similar allegations, leading to her departure from the Democratic Party. She unsuccessfully ran for re-election in 2024 under the FOKUS party.

4. Former Philippine president Duterte arrested in ICC crimes against humanity case

Former philippine president Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a gathering with the Philippine community in Hong Kong at the city's Southorn Stadium on 9 March, two days ahead of his arrest in Manila. / © AFP

• Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila on an Interpol warrant and transferred to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity over his deadly war on drugs, which allegedly killed tens of thousands.

• His arrest, following a political fallout with President Ferdinand Marcos, has left the Duterte family's political future uncertain, especially with his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, facing impeachment.

• The case comes at a crucial moment for the ICC, which faces global scrutiny and sanctions, but Duterte's arrest is seen as a rare victory for international justice and accountability.

Swift extradition – Duterte, 79, was detained at Manila's international airport after returning from a brief trip to Hong Kong, with authorities acting swiftly to enforce an ICC arrest warrant. The charges stem from his controversial anti-drug campaign, which human rights groups say disproportionately targeted the poor and led to extrajudicial killings by police and vigilantes.

Despite the Philippines withdrawing from the ICC in 2019 under Duterte's directive, the court maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed before the withdrawal, including killings linked to the infamous 'Davao Death Squad' when Duterte was mayor. His swift extradition to The Hague surprised many, as he previously expressed confidence that the Philippine Supreme Court would block his transfer.

Nevertheless, Duterte has vowed to take full responsibility for leading the war on drugs and any actions taken by law enforcement and the military.

Dynasty at an end? – Once a powerful political dynasty, the Duterte family's influence has been significantly weakened by recent events, particularly their deteriorating relationship with President Marcos. Duterte's arrest came shortly after his daughter, Sara Duterte, was impeached by the Philippine Congress on charges of corruption and an alleged assassination plot against Marcos.

This marks a dramatic shift from their alliance during the 2022 election, where Marcos and Sara Duterte ran on a joint ticket. With Marcos's party dominating the upcoming midterm elections and the Duterte clan losing ground, analysts speculate that this could signal the end of their political stronghold.

While supporters have rallied behind Duterte, claiming his arrest is politically motivated, the speed of his extradition suggests that the Marcos administration had no interest in shielding him from ICC prosecution.

Wider implications – The ICC has recently come under intense pressure, particularly from the United States, which imposed sanctions after the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Russia has also sanctioned ICC officials following an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin.

Duterte's case, therefore, represents a rare success for the court, demonstrating its ability to hold high-ranking figures accountable. Experts see his extradition as a major boost to the ICC's credibility, which has long struggled with enforcing arrest warrants, particularly against sitting and former heads of state.

The proceedings, starting on Friday, will test the strength of international law and could set a precedent for future prosecutions of world leaders accused of grave human rights violations.

5. One arrested after North Sea collision between cargo ship, anchored tanker

Smoke rises from the deck of the MV Solong cargo ship as tugs stand off in the North Sea, off the coast of Withernsea on 11 March after it collided with the MV Stena Immaculate tanker the previous day. / © AFP

• A Portuguese-flagged cargo ship collided with a US-military-chartered tanker off the UK coast, causing a massive fire, the release of jet fuel into the North Sea, and one crew member missing, presumed dead.

• UK authorities arrested the cargo ship's Russian captain on suspicion of gross negligence and manslaughter, as investigations revealed the vessel altered course before striking the anchored tanker, raising concerns about navigation errors.

• Salvage operations confirmed both ships remained stable with no major pollution detected, though small fires persisted on the tanker while environmental and maritime safety assessments continued.

Major rescue operation – The collision between the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship Solong and the US-military-chartered tanker Stena Immaculate occurred in the North Sea, approximately 13 miles off the UK's northeast coast near Hull. The Stena Immaculate was carrying around 220,000 barrels of jet fuel when it was struck while at anchor, leading to multiple explosions and a large fire engulfing both vessels.

The incident triggered a significant rescue operation, with 36 crew members evacuated, but one crew member from the Solong was reported missing and later presumed dead. The collision also raised environmental concerns as jet fuel leaked into the sea, prompting authorities to monitor the potential impact on marine life, particularly in the Humber estuary, a critical habitat for porpoises and seabirds.

Solong captain arrested – UK authorities arrested the Solong's captain, a 59-year-old Russian national, on suspicion of gross negligence and manslaughter as investigations focused on the cause of the crash. Maritime tracking data indicated that the Solong altered course hours before the collision, raising questions about navigation errors or possible equipment failures.

Further scrutiny revealed that the vessel had been cited for a deficient emergency steering compass during a routine safety inspection in Ireland the previous year. Authorities, including the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch, sought to recover voyage data recorders from both ships to reconstruct events leading up to the impact.

Despite speculation, government officials stated there was no evidence of foul play, though the captain's extended detention suggested serious concerns about his role in the disaster.

Financial and environmental impact – Salvage teams boarded both vessels to assess the damage, confirming that the ships remained stable and that the fire aboard Stena Immaculate had been fully extinguished. However, small fires persisted on the Solong, which was towed to a secure location for further inspection.

Surveillance flights and environmental monitoring efforts found no significant ongoing pollution, with initial assessments indicating that much of the leaked jet fuel had either burned off or evaporated. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the need for a thorough investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, financial analysts estimated potential insurance losses between $100 million and $300 million, underscoring the economic impact of the crash on the shipping and insurance industries.

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