EU agrees Brexit transition, UK renews Irish border vow
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Britain agreed to a potentially unpalatable deal to avoid a “hard border” for Northern Ireland on Monday to win agreement from the European Union that it would retain most EU benefits for nearly two years after Brexit.
Syrian minister says some Ghouta rebels may accept deals soon
DAMASCUS (Reuters) – Some rebels in eastern Ghouta may soon agree to withdraw from the opposition enclave or accept rule by the Syrian state after big advances by the army into the area, a Syrian government minister said on Monday.
Sisi’s only challenger lays low ahead of Egyptian election
CAIRO (Reuters) – Days ahead of Egypt’s presidential election, Moussa Mostafa Moussa, the only candidate standing against incumbent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, is avoiding the limelight.
Turkey says its forces won’t stay in Syria’s Afrin region
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish forces will withdraw from the Syrian border region of Afrin, leaving it to its “real owners”, once it has been cleared of “terrorists”, Turkey said on Monday.
Inspectors analyze toxin used on Russian spy, EU backs Britain
SALISBURY, England (Reuters) – Inspectors from the world’s chemical weapons watchdog on Monday began examining the poison used to strike down a former Russian double agent in England, in an attack that London blames on Moscow.
EU readies Brexit transition deal, Ireland seeks border assurance
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union is close to offering Britain a deal on a post-Brexit status quo transition this week, EU diplomats said on Monday, as Ireland sought assurances any agreement would not let London water down pledges on its Norther…
Saudi women should have choice whether to wear abaya robe: crown prince
RIYADH (Reuters) – Women in Saudi Arabia need not wear headcover or the black abaya – the loose-fitting, full-length robes symbolic of Islamic piety – as long as their attire is “decent and respectful”, the kingdom’s reform-minded crown prince said.
Turkish forces will not remain in Syria’s Afrin, Turkey spokesman says
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish forces will not remain in Syria’s Afrin and will leave the region to its “real owners”, Ankara’s main spokesman said on Monday, after Turkey’s military and its Syrian rebel allies stormed the town over the weekend.
Amid Brexit deal talk, EU summons envoys, media
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – EU Brexit negotiators summoned national envoys and journalists at short notice on Monday as speculation mounted among diplomats of an interim deal to grant Britain a transition — though some urged caution.
France urges tough EU approach on Iran to save nuclear accord
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – France urged the European Union on Monday to consider new sanctions on Iran over its involvement in Syria’s civil war and its ballistic missile programme, as Paris tries to persuade Washington to preserve a 2015 nuclear deal with T…
