Philippine senators ask Supreme Court to invalidate Duterte’s ICC withdrawal
MANILA (Reuters) – A minority bloc in the Philippine Senate on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to invalidate President Rodrigo Duterte’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, saying his action without the chamber’s consent was unconstitut…
Syrian rebels pull out of their last besieged area
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The remaining fighters started to withdraw from the last rebel-held enclave in central Syria on Wednesday, state television reported, sealing the government’s control over the area and opening a major stretch of the country’s most im…
Top Novartis lawyer exits over Trump attorney deal error
ZURICH (Reuters) – Novartis’ top lawyer Felix Ehrat is leaving the Swiss drugmaker, saying a $1.2 million contract he co-signed with U.S. President Donald Trump’s personal attorney was a mistake.
Guatemala opens embassy in Jerusalem, two days after U.S. move
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Guatemala opened an embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, two days after the United States inaugurated its new site in the contested city in a move that infuriated Palestinians and drew international condemnation.
Afghan fighting continues as Taliban cleared from western city
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan forces on Wednesday reasserted control over the western city of Farah after a Taliban assault a day earlier but there was heavy fighting elsewhere, including Ghazni, south of the capital, Kabul, officials said.
Chlorine likely used in February attack in Idlib, Syria: chemical weapons agency
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Banned chlorine munitions were likely dropped on a Syrian neighborhood in February, an international body on chemical weapons said on Wednesday, after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the toxic chemical.
Turkish, U.S. foreign ministers to meet on June 4
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish Foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will meet U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington on June 4, a Turkish foreign ministry official said on Tuesday.
Beirut Pride canceled after organizer held overnight by authorities
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The organizer of Beirut Pride said he was detained overnight by Lebanese authorities who released him only when he signed a pledge to cancel the week’s remaining events.
Malaysia’s Anwar walks free, says will not join cabinet any time soon
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Jailed Malaysian reformist Anwar Ibrahim was granted a full pardon and freed on Wednesday, capping dramatic changes in the Southeast Asian country since the government was ousted in an election upset last week.
Chlorine likely used in February attack in Idlib, Syria: OPCW chemical weapons agency
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Chlorine gas was probably used in an attack in February in Saraqib in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, the global chemical weapons agency said on Wednesday.
