US concerned about extrajudicial killings in Philippines
AP, Philippines
The U.S. government has expressed concern over extrajudicial killings of suspected drug dealers and users in a bloody crackdown overseen by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and urged his government to ensure law enforcement efforts comply with human rights obligations.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau on Monday criticized recent remarks by Duterte and said Philippine officials have been asked to clarify them. The president recently referred to the U.S. ambassador as gay and accused him of meddling in the Philippine elections.
Over 90 protesters killed in Ethiopia
Reuters, Addis Ababa
More than 90 people were shot dead by security forces in protests across Ethiopia’s Oromiya and Amhara regions at the weekend, residents and opposition officials said on Monday.
Unrest flared in Oromiya for several months until early this year over plans to allocate farmland surrounding the regional capital for development. Authorities scrapped the scheme in January, but protests flared again over the continued detention of opposition demonstrators.
At the weekend, protesters chanted anti-government slogans and waved dissident flags. Some demanded the release of jailed opposition politicians.
France sells 30
copters to Kuwait
AP, Paris
France has agreed to sell 30 Caracal military helicopters to Kuwait as part of the countries’ strategic partnership.
France defense ministry said in a statement that Tuesday’s deal is worth more than 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion).
France and Kuwait signed major defense deals in October last year.
US military help for Lebanon army
Reuters, BEIRUT
The United States delivered 50 armored vehicles, 40 artillery pieces and 50 grenade launchers to the Lebanese army on Tuesday, part of its efforts to bolster Lebanon against a threat from militant groups in neighboring, conflict-ridden Syria.
The equipment, worth $50 million, is part of an aid package that has now topped $220 million this year, making Lebanon the fifth-biggest recipient of American military assistance, U.S. ambassador Elizabeth Richard said during the delivery.
US boy dies on world’s tallest water slide
AFP, Chicago
Authorities in the US state of Kansas were investigating the death of a 10-year-old boy on what is billed as the world’s tallest water slide.
Caleb Schwab, the son of a Kansas state legislator, was killed Sunday on the Verruckt, a towering water slide at Kansas City’s Schlitterbahn Water Park.
Schlitterbahn spokeswoman Winter Prosapio told a news conference that it was the first such incident at the park.
