Iran frees 440 people arrested during protests
LONDON (Reuters) – Iran has freed 440 people arrested in Tehran during anti-government protests, a judiciary official said, amid continuing uncertainty over how many were detained around the country.
Madrid to keep ruling Catalonia if exiled ex-leader reelected: PM
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain will continue to rule the regional administration of Catalonia directly from Madrid in the event that its self-exiled former leader Carles Puigdemont is chosen as president by the Catalan parliament, Prime Minister Mariano Rajo…
Suicide attack in Baghdad kills at least 27, wounds 64
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – At least 27 people were killed and 64 wounded in a twin suicide bombing in central Baghdad on Monday, the deadliest attack so far this year in the Iraqi capital, an interior ministry official said.
New U.S.-backed ‘border force’ in Syria infuriates Ankara, Damascus
BEIRUT/MOSCOW (Reuters) – Syria, Turkey and Russia responded vehemently on Monday to new U.S.-backed plans to set up a 30,000-strong “border force” inside Syria to protect territory held by Washington’s mainly Kurdish allies.
Austria arrests 45 for drug deals involving migrant minors: police
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austrian police said on Monday they had arrested 45 people for drug dealing that used underage asylum seekers to transport marijuana across the country to buyers.
Saudi hotel to reopen after being used as prison in corruption purge
RIYADH (Reuters) – The luxury Riyadh hotel used as a prison during Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on corruption will reopen for business next month, according to a company employee and its website, suggesting authorities are close to settling the cases of ma…
North Korean orchestra to perform in South during Olympics amid easing tensions
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea agreed during rare talks on Monday to send a 140-strong orchestra to perform during the Winter Olympics in South Korea next month, Seoul said, amid easing tensions after a months-long standoff over the North’s weapons prog…
Pope warns world is one step away from nuclear war
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (Reuters) – Pope Francis said on Monday he was really afraid about the danger of nuclear war and that the world now stood at “the very limit”.
Britain scrambles two Typhoon jets to intercept Russian planes
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain scrambled two Royal Air Force Typhoon jets on Monday from Scotland to intercept Russian planes near the United Kingdom’s airspace, a defense ministry spokesman said.
Tunisia arrests 41 more after fresh anti-austerity protests
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisian police arrested 41 more protesters after fresh violent protests against austerity measures in the North African country, the interior ministry said on Monday, bringing the number of arrested to around 850.
