US halts military

training for Saudis

Afp, Washington

The Pentagon announced Tuesday it was temporarily suspending operational training for Saudi military students in the United States following a shooting rampage last week by a Saudi air force officer. Saudi Arabian military students in the United States will continue classroom instruction but operational training is halted pending a security review.

Lawmakers okay

US space force

Afp, Washington

The United States is getting a new space force along with $738 billion in military spending under an agreement backed by lawmakers on Tuesday that fulfils a priority of President Donald Trump. The 2020 spending in the National Defense Authorization Act is a jump from the $716 billion authorized last year. The bill has won the approval of Democratic and Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate armed services committees.

Blast damages Afghan

hospital near US base

Afp, Kabul

At least one person was killed and dozens wounded when a bomb exploded close to the largest US military base in Afghanistan yesterday, damaging homes and a hospital under construction near Bagram Airfield. The attack -- which has not yet been claimed -- comes as Washington resumed talks with the Taliban on Saturday, three months after President Trump abruptly halted diplomatic efforts that could end America’s longest war.