As Duterte takes over in Philippines, police killings stir fear
MANILA (Reuters) – Two things catch the eye in the office of Joselito Esquivel, a police colonel enforcing a national crackdown on drugs in the Philippines’ most crime-ridden district: a pair of boxing gloves in a display cabinet and an M4 assault rifl…
Exclusive: U.S. to upgrade Thailand in annual human trafficking report – sources
WASHINGTON/BANGKOK (Reuters) – The United States has decided to remove Thailand from its list of worst human trafficking offenders, officials said, a move that could help smooth relations with Bangkok’s military-run government.
Brazil Congress investigates lawmaker’s alleged support of torture
SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazil’s Congress on Tuesday opened an ethics investigation into Jair Bolsonaro, an outspoken lawmaker whose views on torture, rape and homosexuality are sparking concern that the country’s political crisis may foster an authorita…
One dead, several injured in Toronto suburb home explosion
(Reuters) – An explosion leveled a house in a Toronto suburb on Tuesday, killing one person and injuring up to nine people, local police and Canadian media said.
Italy, Netherlands propose split U.N. Security Council seat for 2017-18
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Italy and The Netherlands proposed on Tuesday splitting a two-year term on the United Nations Security Council after the U.N. General Assembly was deadlocked on which to choose following five rounds of voting for the final 20…
Women subjected to torture by Mexican police, armed forces: report
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican police and armed forces often use torture and sexual violence against women to obtain confessions during interrogations and arrests, according to a report by Amnesty International released on Tuesday.
Dutch PM Rutte wants ‘legally binding’ assurances over Ukraine deal: sources
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte asked European Union leaders on Tuesday for “legally binding” assurances to address his country’s concerns over a trade and association deal with Ukraine, but did not say he would block it, diplomats…
U.S. backed Syrian rebels launch attack on IS-held town near Iraqi border
BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) – Syrian rebels launched an attack on a town held by Islamic State near the Iraqi border on Tuesday, senior commanders said, opening a new front against militants also facing an offensive from U.S.-backed forces in the north.
Cracks show inside Islamic State’s shrinking caliphate
ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – It was barely more than a squiggle, but the mark of a single letter sprayed overnight on a wall in the heart of Islamic State’s self-proclaimed caliphate was a daring act of dissent.
Russia, United States blame each other for maritime incident
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia and the United States gave contradictory accounts on Tuesday of an incident involving the two countries’ navies in the Mediterranean Sea on June 17, each blaming the other for what they said were unsafe maneuvers.
