Russian-backed Syria talks derailed as rebels boycott
MOSCOW/ASTANA (Reuters) – Russian-led peace talks on Syria were derailed on Tuesday as rebels backed by Turkey boycotted a third round of meetings in Kazakhstan and the Kremlin indicated there were international divisions over the process.
IS Mosul commander killed, government forces battle for bridge
MOSUL, Iraq, (Reuters) – Iraqi government forces killed the Islamic State commander of Mosul’s Old City on Tuesday as the battle for the militants’ last stronghold in Iraq focused on a bridge crossing the Tigris river.
China waits to hear why Japanese warship going to South China Sea
BEIJING (Reuters) – China said on Tuesday it was waiting for an official word on why Japan plans to send its largest warship on a three-month tour through the South China Sea, but that it hopes Japan can be responsible.
Syria a ‘torture-chamber’, U.N. says in call to free detainees
GENEVA (Reuters) – The top U.N. human rights official called on Tuesday for tens of thousands of detainees to be released from Syria’s prisons and for torturers to be brought to court as part of a lasting peace.
Philippines ‘hit man’ to file ICC case vs. Duterte for crimes against humanity
MANILA (Reuters) – A self-confessed assassin who testified to being in a “death squad” under Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte will soon file a case at the International Criminal Court accusing the president of crimes against humanity, his lawyer said …
Turkey says EU exercising democracy selectively, wrong to stand by Netherlands
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s foreign ministry on Tuesday said the European Union was exercising democratic values selectively and that it should not be standing by the Netherlands, which it accused of violating human rights and European values.
Top South Korean presidential candidate demands China stop retaliation over THAAD
SEOUL (Reuters) – The South Korean politician expected to become its next president, Moon Jae-in, called on China on Tuesday to stop economic retaliation against South Korean firms over the deployment of a U.S. missile-defense system.
Sufi Muslim leader killed in Bangladesh amid surge in attacks
DHAKA (Reuters) – Unknown gunmen killed a Sufi minority spiritual leader and his house help in northern Bangladesh on Monday, police said, amid a surge in attacks on liberal activists, minority sects and other religious groups in the Sunni Muslim-major…
Philippine lawmakers postpone vote on embattled resources minister
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine lawmakers on Tuesday deferred a decision to confirm or reject an ardent environmentalist as the country’s resources minister, stoking uncertainty over the outlook for mining in the world’s top nickel ore supplier.
One month on, Malaysia embalms Kim Jong Nam’s body, awaiting next of kin
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – The body of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was embalmed this week in Kuala Lumpur, with no family member coming forward to claim the remains and as a diplomatic spat with Pyongyang drags on.
