Traffic returned to a major highway in northeastern Syria for the first time in seven months Monday, following Russian mediation to reopen parts of the road captured last year by Turkey-backed opposition fighters. Syrian Kurdish media and a Syrian Kurdish official said several vehicles...

A power struggle between Chancellor Angela Merkel and two German states over coronavirus rules erupted Monday as Berlin sought to extend social distancing restrictions by another month against a regional revolt. A draft policy document from Merkel's office seen by AFP showed that the German...

Syria reported 20 new cases of the novel coronavirus Monday, the largest single-day increase to date, the health ministry said. The war-torn country has recorded 106 infections and four deaths so far, and new cases have increased in recent days. It brings the total recorded...

A surprise Taliban ceasefire appeared Monday to be holding for a second day, as authorities planned to release up to 2,000 insurgents held by security forces. The Taliban made the three-day truce offer that started Sunday to mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday -- a move swiftly welcomed by the...