Iraq launches Mosul offensive to drive out Islamic State
EAST OF MOSUL/BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi government forces launched a U.S.-backed offensive on Monday to drive Islamic State from the northern city of Mosul, a high-stakes battle to retake the militants’ last major stronghold in the country.
Six men found alive but with hands severed in western Mexico
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Six men were found alive with their hands cut off on Monday on the outskirts of Guadalajara, Mexico’s second biggest city, while a seventh was pronounced dead at the scene, the state attorney general’s office said.
Japan lawmakers’ group visits Yasukuni shrine for war dead
TOKYO (Reuters) – Dozens of Japanese members of parliament visited Yasukuni Shrine for war dead on Tuesday to mark an autumn festival at the shrine, seen in China and the two Koreas as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism.
China preparing for trade talks during Duterte visit: commerce ministry spokesman
BEIJING (Reuters) – China is preparing for trade talks with the Philippines during President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to China this week, a spokesman for China’s ministry of commerce said on Tuesday.
New Zealand approves first visit by U.S. warship in decades
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. destroyer Sampson has been cleared to dock next month in New Zealand, the first visit by a U.S. warship since the Pacific nation passed anti-nuclear legislation 30 years ago.
Rio police fire tear-gas during Brazil budget plan protest
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Police fired tear gas in downtown Rio de Janeiro on Monday when protesters demonstrating against a proposed government spending cap approached the headquarters of state oil company Petrobras, the GloboNews channel said.
Ecuador cuts Julian Assange’s internet access: WikiLeaks
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks said on Monday that its founder Julian Assange’s internet was shut down by the government of Ecuador, deflecting blame from the U.S. or British governments which have sparred with Assange for releasin…
Yemen ceasefire set to start on Wednesday night: U.N envoy
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – A 72-hour ceasefire in Yemen is due to start on Wednesday night, the U.N. envoy for Yemen said on Monday after he received commitments from all of the country’s warring factions.
British companies told ‘no excuse for inaction’ against slavery
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Some of Britain’s biggest firms are failing to properly check their supply chains for exposure to modern-day slavery despite tougher laws and a government-led crackdown on human trafficking, a monitoring group said…
Australia’s Crown Resorts ‘deeply concerned’ about employees detained in China
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Billionaire James Packer, the majority owner of Australian Crown Resorts Ltd, said on Tuesday he was very concerned for 18 company employees detained in China for suspected “gambling crimes.”
