by Malik Glaspie “The rapidly changing, complex security environment, will continue to be the main driver for NATO’s adaptation efforts,” said General Denis Mercier in his introduction to NATO ACT’s annual Chiefs of Transformation Conference in Norfolk, Virginia on Dec. 12-14 at the downtown Norfolk Marriott hotel. On December 17, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization … Continue reading
by Keona Frasier The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Allied Command Transformation met in Norfolk, Virginia for the 2017 Chiefs of Transformation Conference on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 13-14. The main agenda during the conference was to prepare for the future of the military alliance’s member nations and partners by discussing pressing matters and viable solutions. … Continue reading
LONDON (AP) — Newly engaged Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Monday lifted the secrecy that had shrouded their 18-month romance, revealing they met on a blind date, bonded during a camping trip under the stars in Botswana and that Harry proposed over a roast chicken dinner at their London home, getting down on one … Continue reading
PARIS (AP) — The Latest on the death of fashion icon Azzedine Alaia (all times local): 5:45 p.m. Fashion and entertainment celebrities from around the world are mourning the death of Tunisian-born designer Azzedine Alaia (AZ’-uh-deen uh-LY’-uh). Fashion designer and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham said on Twitter that it was a sad day and called Alaia … Continue reading
PARIS (AP) — France is in a bind over where seduction ends and sexual harassment begins. Since the allegations of rape and sexual harassment emerged against Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein, the country synonymous with love has been stumbling as it addresses the issue of sexual harassment and violence against women. Some have wondered if … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Russia are nearing an agreement on Syria for how they hope to resolve the Arab country’s civil war once the Islamic State group is defeated, officials said Thursday. If clinched, the deal could be announced by President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin after a meeting in … Continue reading
MADRID (AP) — A Spanish judge jailed Catalonia’s top lawmaker Thursday in a rebellion probe stemming from an independence declaration, but set Carme Forcadell’s bail at 150,000 euros ($175,000) and ordered her passport to be confiscated as the investigation continues. Forcadell is speaker of the regional parliament where separatist lawmakers passed a declaration to proclaim … Continue reading
BEIRUT (AP) — Saudi Arabia on Thursday ordered its citizens out of Lebanon in its first concrete action against the Mediterranean country, while officials in Beirut demanded the immediate return of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who abruptly announced his resignation last week in a television appearance from the kingdom, where he has been holed up … Continue reading
VALLETTA, Malta (AP) — Malta’s Roman Catholic archbishop warned the killers of an investigative reporter killed by a powerful car bomb that they “would never escape the justice of God” and urged her fellow journalists Friday to pursue truth without fear. Archbishop Charles Scicluna celebrated Daphne Caruana Galizia’s funeral Mass in the church nearest … Continue reading
MADRID (AP) — The Latest on the Spain-Catalonia political crisis (all times local): 3 p.m. A Spanish official says that the government respects and obeys decisions taken by judges, after he was asked about the jailing of former Catalan officials in an investigation related to their push for secession. Government spokesman Inigo Mendez de … Continue reading
CHICAGO (AP) — Prince Harry has made a stop in Chicago to talk about youth leadership during a summit planned by the Obama Foundation. He addressed a crowd of hundreds of civic leaders and artists gathered Tuesday for the two-day event. He says his years of military service helped him understand his life of privilege … Continue reading
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain moved Monday to put Catalonia’s secessionist leaders on trial for alleged crimes that carry maximum sentences of decades in prison, and some of the ousted government figures went to the Belgian capital, where an official said they might be able to request asylum. As Catalonia spent its first working day … Continue reading
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — She was a promising young journalist, tested in trouble spots throughout the world, reporting on a Danish inventor famed for building what was thought to be the world’s largest private submarine. The story seemed to present little danger, but it cost Kim Wall her life. The Swedish journalist’s dismembered, naked torso … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the investigation into possible coordination between Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia (all times local): 2:45 p.m. The Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee is praising the Justice Department for enforcing a law that requires agents of foreign governments to register with the United States. Iowa Sen. Chuck … Continue reading
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The Latest on Catalonia’s effort to break away from Spain and the Spanish government’s response (all times local): 2:20 p.m. A small pro-autonomy group based across the border in France is offering shelter to Catalan president Carles Puigdemont. Robert Casanovas, the president of the Committee for the Self-Determination of North Catalonia, … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 