Afghan Taliban say kidnapped U.S. professor is seriously ill
KABUL (Reuters) – The Afghan Taliban said on Monday that Kevin King, one of two professors from the American University of Afghanistan who were kidnapped in Kabul last year, is seriously ill and needs urgent medical attention.
Spain’s control over Catalonia to be tested on Monday as work resumes
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s control over Catalonia will be tested on Monday when politicians and civil servants return to work amid uncertainty over whether they will accept direct rule imposed by the central government to stop the region’s independence…
Rheinmetall CEO says Turkey row holding up defense projects: DPA
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Tensions between Germany and Turkey are holding up planned defense projects at Rheinmetall, the German company’s chief executive told news agency DPA in an interview.
Saudi Arabia to let women enter sports stadiums in 2018
DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia will for the first time allow women to attend sports events, preparing special sections in three selected stadiums from early next year in another step toward opening public spaces to women.
Russia hopes Turkey can stabilize situation in Syria’s Idlib: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia hopes that Turkey can stabilize the situation in Syria’s Idlib Province where Moscow believes there is a high threat of attacks by militants, a senior Russian diplomat said on Monday, the RIA news agency reported.
Taiwan to boost defense spending, U.S. concerned over possible military imbalance: official media
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan will increase future defense spending by two percent each year, President Tsai Ing-wen said during a visit to Hawaii where the United States expressed concern over a possible military imbalance in the Taiwan Straits, Taiwan me…
Kurdish parties opposed to Barzani report attacks on offices overnight
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi Kurdish political parties opposed to regional leader Masoud Barzani reported attacks on their offices in several cities overnight, hours after Barzani announced his resignation, brought low by a failed push for independence.
Saudi Arabian Airlines resumes flying to Iraq after 27 years
DUBAI (Reuters) – State-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines said it will start flying regularly to Iraq on Monday after a 27-year halt, state news agency SPA said.
U.S., South Korea, Japan urge North Korea to cease ‘irresponsible’ provocations
SEOUL (Reuters) – Senior defense officials from the United States, South Korea and Japan held trilateral talks and urged North Korea to walk away from its “destructive and reckless path” of weapons development, the U.S. military said in a statement.
Technicolor Thailand is back after a black-clad mourning year for late king
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand officially ended a year of mourning for its late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Monday, marking a return to colors for some after a monotone year during which many wore black from head-to-toe out of respect for their revered mo…
