Thursday, March 2, 2017

World News Briefs -- March 2, 2017 (Evening Edition)



New York Times: Touring Warship, Trump Pushes Plan to Expand Military

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — President Trump on Thursday used the country’s most advanced, 100,000-ton aircraft carrier as the action-movie-like backdrop for his push to rebuild America’s armed forces with a $54 billion increase in military spending.

Speaking in the hangar bay of the nuclear-powered Gerald R. Ford, which this year will become the nation’s largest and most powerful warship, Mr. Trump said the Navy — and other military services — must grow and modernize.

“We will make it easier for the Navy to plan for the future and thus to control costs and get the best deals for the taxpayer,” the president said. “The same boat for less money, the same ship for less money, the same airplanes for less money.”

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MIDDLE EAST

Syrian army re-enters town of Palmyra as IS defenses crumble.

Syria accuses main opposition of taking peace talks 'hostage'. Russia and Syria say opposition trying to wreck peace talks.

Turkey sets up military bases in Syrian cities of al-Bab, Azaz.

Iraqi forces in Mosul fight Islamic State counter-attack.

Mosul battle: Civilians feared killed in 'air strike' on mosque.

UN: 4,000 civilians flee Mosul each day amid fighting. Hungry and afraid, Mosul civilians flee.

Iraqi Kurd forces halt pumping through key oil pipeline.

Abu Dhabi hosts military drill amid Yemen war, Iran tensions.

Gaza report: 'Not about justice for Israel's victims'.

ASIA

Human Rights Watch accuses Duterte of instigating killing in 'cold blood'. Rights groups say Philippine police have falsified evidence to justify unlawful killings.

With rocketing population, Pakistan to conduct first census in 19 years.

North Korea says Kim Jong Nam likely died of a heart attack.

Malaysia cancels N.Korea visa-free deal after Kim murder: report.

North Korea ties at worst point in decades, South Korea says.

China may view North Korea as 'feudalistic,' analyst says.

ISIL expands in Afghan-Pakistan areas, widening attacks.

UN envoy calls for highest level Myanmar probe.

Pakistan approves landmark reforms for tribal areas.

Australia goes 25 years without recession.

AFRICA

Kenyan forces battle al Shabaab militants in Somalia.

U.N. says tide of refugees from South Sudan rising fast.

Mali jihadist groups announce they will merge: report. Three jihadist groups in Africa's Sahel announce merger.

Russia interested in restoring full-fledged relations with Libya — Lavrov.

Amid Libya's chaos, human traffickers have free rein.

Hosni Mubarak acquitted over 2011 protester killings. Egypt's Hosni Mubarak acquitted over 2011 protester deaths.

Fighting to survive hunger in Somalia.

Cholera on the rise in famine-hit South Sudan.

Sudan's first PM since 1989 coup sworn in.

EUROPE

Sweden returns draft amid security worries and soldier shortage.

British Ministers will seek to overturn Brexit bill defeat.

More cracks emerge in Fillon campaign as rivals push ahead.


French candidate Fillon's home raided. Investigators search house of French presidential candidate Fillon: newspaper.

Catalans prepare vote for independence from Spain.

EU threatens fines for failing to take in refugees.

European Parliament strips Le Pen of immunity over 'Islamic State' tweets.

Northern Ireland holds snap assembly election.

German socialist party SPD's popularity hits all-time high.

EU threatens to introduce visas for US travellers.

Lviv coal mine blast kills several workers.

AMERICAS

Attorney General Jeff Sessions will recuse himself from any probe related to 2016 presidential campaign. Sessions recuses himself from Russia probe.

In visit to a new aircraft carrier, Trump pushes for military buildup.

Ryan to GOP: Health bill to be drafted by weekend. ‘Secret’ Obamacare plan leads lawmakers on hunt across Capitol.

U.S. drugs czar stresses need to work with Mexico to stem drug flow.

Canada not convinced it will see surge in people crossing border.

FARC rebels begin disarmament in Colombia.

Venezuela is down to its last $10 billion.

How Mexico's president saw his approval rating plummet to 17%.

Carnival party over, Brazil returns to reality of political crisis.

Out West, the snow is so deep that scientists don't have any tools to measure it.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US tries to ID hundreds of al Qaeda contacts thanks to Yemen raid.

Confirmed: US conducts 20 'precision strikes' against al-Qaeda in Yemen. U.S. bombs al-Qaida targets in Yemen.

Germany arrests former Jabhat al-Nusra extremist accused of massacring 36 civilians in Syria.

Qaeda confirms coalition strike killed top leader in Syria.

ISIL expands in Afghan-Pakistan areas, widening attacks.

US drone kills two on motorbike in Pakistan: officials.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street retreats after surge; Caterpillar, financials fall.

Uber's self-inflicted controversies come at a price: public loyalty.

Protectionism would be 'disaster' for autos: Renault-Nissan's Ghosn.

Snapchat firm share price soars on debut.

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