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Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have ruled that former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is fit to attend pre-trial proceedings for alleged crimes against humanity.

The ICC also will hold a hearing on 23 February to decide whether the prosecution’s case against Duterte is strong enough to proceed to a trial.

Duterte’s lawyers earlier argued that the 80-year-old was unfit to participate in the ICC proceedings citing “cognitive impairment”. He has been detained at the Hague since March 2025.

He is accused of being responsible for dozens of murders under his so-called war on drugs, during which thousands of small-time drug dealers, users and others were killed without trial.

Duterte was president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He justified his war on drugs by saying peace and order would pave the way for economic development.

Citing opinions from a panel of medical experts, ICC judges said they were “satisfied” that Duterte is “able effectively to exercise his procedural rights and is therefore fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings”.

ICC judges also said in their decision on Monday that the mental capacities needed to “meaningfully exercise one’s procedural and fair trial rights” did not have to be “at their notionally highest level”.

“This ruling tells victims that in the reckoning of Duterte at the ICC, their voices will not be sidelined by technical evasions,” said Congresswoman Leila de Lima, one of Duterte’s fiercest critics who was jailed during his presidency on drug charges that were later found to be false.

Duterte was arrested at Manila airport in March 2025 as his family’s alliance with his successor, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr crumbled.

His arrest has divided Filipinos. While his deadly drugs crackdown has drawn sharp criticism from civil society, his populist message resonates with those who feel sidelined by Manila’s political elite.

In May last year, Duterte was elected mayor of Davao city despite being in prison.

His daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte, is also widely expected to run for president in the 2028 elections, where Marcos is ineligible to seek a second term.

Firefighters in the Australian state of Victoria are battling at least six major fires as a record-breaking heatwave hits the country’s south-east.

Two fires are currently burning at “emergency level” according to local broadcaster ABC News. Several communities have been issued emergency warnings to either evacuate, watch and wait, or shelter in place.

Fire officials warn that the situation is changing rapidly and have asked locals to stay up to date with the latest warnings.

The Bureau of Meteorology says that parts of the state have seen all-time temperature highs – with one area hitting a high of 48.9C. Melbourne has recorded a temperature of 41C.

Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria, had told reporters that the state’s heat conditions were making conditions “incredibly difficult” for firefighters.

Two fires – in Camperdown and Otways – are burning at emergency level. A new fire in the Larralea area is also causing “significant concern”.

Country Fire Authority (CFA) chief officer Jason Hefferman told ABC Radio that there was a danger that the Otways fire could produce ember showers “which can create more fires in front of the main fire”.

It is unclear what damage has been caused by the fires, but Australia’s Deputy Incident Controller Alistair Drayton, said he had “anecdotal evidence” that some homes had been lost.

He also praised the “spectacular” work done by firefighters so far.

Apart from Victoria, where there is a total fire ban, South Australia has also been placed under alert for “extreme” fire risk.

Meanhwile health officials have warned that the prolonged heat carries significant health risks.

The elderly, children and people with underlying health conditions are most at risk, Victoria chief health officer Caroline McElnay told reporters.

“It can cause potentially fatal health problems such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke but it can also trigger events like heart attacks or stroke.”