India our closest friend: Maldives president Solih

NEW DELHI, Dec 17 (AP): The new president of the Maldives has called India the island nation's "closest friend," welcome words for New Delhi after years of growing economic influence by Beijing.President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih spoke on Sunday in New Delhi, on his first overseas trip since his election. In...

Taliban hold talks with US officials again

ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (AP): The Taliban say they are holding "another" meeting on Monday with US officials, this time in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and also involving Saudi, Pakistani and Emirati representatives in the latest attempt to bring a negotiated end to Afghanistan's 17-year war.Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid offered...