PARIS (Reuters) - Europe's Airbus is ready to pay a special bonus to its lowest-paid workers after French President Emmanuel Macron called on French companies to help tackle weeks of protests about the cost of living, according to a staff memo.

PARIS, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Europe's Airbus is ready to pay a special bonus to its lowest-paid workers after French President Emmanuel Macron called on French companies to help tackle weeks of protests about the cost of living, according to a staff memo.

NEW YORK, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Broad stock declines in Europe and the United States dragged world equity markets lower on Monday, adding to a sell-off that has sent global stocks near 17-month lows.

Dec 17 (Reuters) - Burger chain Jack in the Box Inc said on Monday it is exploring options, including a sale, and has held talks with potential buyers, sending its shares up nearly 7 percent.

(Reuters) - Shares of Evofem Biosciences Inc jumped as much as 38 percent on Monday after its birth control gel showed effectiveness in a late-stage study, bringing the first hormone-free contraceptive close to approval.

* Euro recovers from last week's weakness, up 0.4 pct

MOSCOW, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Russia said on Monday it had built new barracks for troops on a disputed chain of islands near Japan and would build more facilities for armored vehicles, a move likely to anger Tokyo after it urged Moscow to reduce its military activity there.

KABUL, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Afghan Taliban representatives and U.S. officials met in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, amid diplomatic moves towards establishing the basis for talks to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan.

ANKARA, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Turkey may start a new military operation in Syria at any moment, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, adding that the White House has responded positively to Ankara's plans to push into territory where its forces have not previously operated.