Russian mercenaries return to bases after challenge to Putin’s authority

ROSTOV-ON-DON/VORONEZH, Russia (Reuters) -Heavily armed Russian mercenaries withdrew from the southern Russian city of Rostov under a deal that halted their rapid advance on Moscow but raised questions on Sunday about President Vladimir Putin’s grip on power. Ending their short-lived mutiny, fighters of the Wagner group began heading back to their bases late on Saturday…

Read More

Cocaine market is booming as meth trafficking spreads, U.N. report says

VIENNA (Reuters) – Cocaine demand and supply are booming worldwide and methamphetamine trafficking is expanding beyond established markets, including in Afghanistan where the drug is now being produced, a United Nations report said on Sunday. Coca bush cultivation and total cocaine production were at record highs in 2021, the most recent year for which data…

Read More

Israel reboots fiercely opposed judicial campaign

By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli lawmakers on Sunday began debating a bill that would limit the Supreme Court’s powers, rebooting a fiercely opposed judicial overhaul instigated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist coalition. Anti-government demonstrations had prompted Netanyahu to suspend his judicial drive in March to allow compromise talks with opposition parties. He…

Read More

Fear among Turkey’s LGBT community after hostile election campaign

By Burcu Karakas ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Campaign speeches targeting Turkey’s LGBT community during last month’s election have left some living in constant fear of police raids and even planning to leave the country. Ahead of the first vote and runoff, which President Tayyip Erdogan won, he repeatedly attacked “perverse” LGBT groups and vowed to strengthen…

Read More