NEWS OF THE DAY
1_ Nicaragua unrest: Three people were shot dead in the city of Masaya, Nicaragua, while security forces and allied groups tried to regain control of the area, a human rights group reported Tuesday, the two-month anniversary of political unrest that has shaken Nicaragua. Alvaro Leiva, director of the Nicaraguan Pro-Human Rights Association, said 40 people were also wounded in the clashes in Masaya that came a day after talks on finding a solution to the country’s crisis again were suspended. Beginning early in the morning, forces allied with President Daniel Ortega’s government moved to dismantle roadblocks maintained by protesters for over three weeks between Managua and Masaya, which is about 15 miles southeast of the capital. They accused the demonstrators of having “kidnapped” the city. More than 170 people have died since April 19 amid a heavy-handed crackdown on protests that have broadened to demand Ortega’s exit. 2_ Mali violence: Malian soldiers killed at least 25 civilians in the central Mopti region last week, a civic association and residents said Tuesday, as concerns rose over alleged abuses during counterterror operations in an area where extremists linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have carried out attacks. Mali’s government confirmed the existence of three graves discovered by residents about 4 miles from the village of Nantaka and said it would investigate. The soldiers who came to Nantaka buried the 25 men after killing them, said Ibrahim Thiokari of the Fulani association Tabital Pulaku. Human rights groups have expressed concern about increasing allegations against Mali’s armed forces as they carry out counterterrorism operations in the Mopti region, where the Fulani are the majority and some have been recruited by extremist groups. The vast majority of civilians reported killed in the operations have been Fulani. 3_ Gay activists killed: Mexican officials say three LGBTQ activists have been shot dead and left along a highway in the troubled southern state of Guerrero. Guerrero security spokesman Roberto Alvarez says the bodies were found Sunday on a road between Taxco and Cuernavaca with bullet wounds to the head. Alvarez said Tuesday that evidence and witness testimony suggest the killings may have been linked to extortion. Four people were arrested in possession of weapons and drugs, and one is suspected in the killings. The victims were identified as Ruben Estrada, a gay community leader in the town of Taxco, and activists Carlos Uriel Lopez and Roberto Vega.
4_ Russia arrest: A top manager of a state-controlled Russian energy company has been arrested on spying charges, a Moscow court said Tuesday. The Lefortovo District Court announced that Karina Tsurcan has been placed in custody on charges of espionage, but wouldn’t give further details. The Tass news agency said that Tsurcan is accused of spying for Romania. She may face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. 5_ Kushner in Mideast: President Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, kicked off a swing through the Middle East on Tuesday, meeting with Jordan’s king as part of a broader effort to lay the groundwork for an expected Israeli-Palestinian peace plan. Kushner and White House envoy Jason Greenblatt held talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, a key U.S. ally. A White House statement said the talks focused on U.S.-Jordan cooperation, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the U.S. efforts “to “facilitate peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.”