More arms being traded around globe

HELSINKI — A Swedish think tank says that the global arms trade has steadily increased in volume during the past five years, propelled by an almost doubling of arms imports in the Middle East and strong growth in demand in Asia.

Five countries — United States, Russia, China, France and Germany — accounted for 74 percent of the total arms exports.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said Monday that Asia and Oceania accounted for 43 percent of global arms imports from 2012-16, with India being the largest importer, accounting for 43 percent of all imports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia with an increase of 212 percent compared to the previous five years.

The largest exporter, the U.S., increased arms exports by 21 percent, with nearly half going to the Mideast.

Ex-officer accuses Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — A retired police officer wracked with guilt over the murders of two of his brothers has confessed to leading the Philippine death squad that killed them, saying that he was acting on the direct orders of Rodrigo Duterte before he became president.

The former officer, Arthur Lascañas, said Monday that Mr. Duterte had sponsored the killings of drug and crime suspects while he was mayor of the city of Davao. The retired officer is the second professed hit man to level such accusations against Mr. Duterte.

At least 3,600 people, and possibly thousands more, have been killed by police or vigilantes since Mr. Duterte became president in June.

Turkey tries soldiers

ZMIR, Turkey — Prosecutors in Mugla are seeking life sentences for 47 former Turkish soldiers who were brought to trial Monday on charges of trying to murder President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a coup attempt in July, the latest in a series of trials in the plot.

Hundreds of rebel soldiers accused of involvement in the coup attempt have been tried in several cases across Turkey in recent months, but this is the first trial to focus on the attempted assassination of Mr. Erdogan.

Airstrikes kill seven

BEIRUT — Airstrikes in the Syrian capital, Damascus, left at least seven peopl e dead Monday as activists reported a third straight day of escalations by pro-government forces against opposition-held areas in and near the capital.

Jets believed to belong to Russia or Syria pounded the Barzeh and Qaboun neighborhoods in the capital, leveling several buildings, activists reported.

The side-by-side Barzeh, Qaboun and Tishreen neighborhoods form one of the last two footholds of the Syrian opposition inside Damascus.

Also on Monday, the Russian military reported the deaths of four of its servicemen when their vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb in the center of the country last Thursday.

Too close to call

QUITO, Ecuador — This Andean nation could face days of uncertainty and tension as election authorities said Sunday’s contentious presidential vote remains too close to call — casting doubt on whether there will be a runoff.

The warning came as ruling party candidate Lenin Moreno assured his followers he was on the cusp of winning outright, and the opposition raised the specter of fraud.

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Turkish officials say 26 people have been detained following a car bomb attack which killed two people in the southeast of the country.