Monday, March 6, 2017

World News Briefs -- March 6, 2017 (Evening Edition)

President Trump greets Director of the FBI James Comey as Director of the Secret Service Joseph Clancy (L) watches during the Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception in the Blue Room of the White House. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

Reuters: Trump maintains confidence in FBI head amid wiretap friction

U.S. President Donald Trump still has confidence in FBI Director James Comey, the White House said on Monday, despite his assertiveness in challenging Trump's claim that the Obama administration wiretapped him during the 2016 election campaign.

Federal Bureau of Investigation head Comey has asked the Justice Department to reject Trump's accusation that former President Barack Obama ordered a wiretap at Trump Tower in New York because the claim was false and must be corrected, a federal law enforcement official said.

Asked whether Trump still had confidence in Comey, White House Spokesman Sean Spicer said, "There’s nothing that I have been told by him that would lead me to believe that anything is different than what it was prior."

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

U.S.-backed Iraqi forces capture Mosul bridge, close in on state buildings.

EU to host Syria conference April 5 with UN: Mogherini.

Turkey steps back from striking Syria's Manbij.

U.S.-backed Syrian militia captures key road out of Raqqa. SDF forces 'cut key road' out of ISIL-held Raqqa.

US sends extra troops into Syrian city of Manbij.

US troops spotted in armored convoy near Manbij, Syria (VIDEO).

UN says 66,000 displaced in northern Syria.

Turkish President Erdogan compares German rally ban to 'Nazi practices'. Merkel calls for calm over 'Nazi' accusations amid strained German-Turkish relations.

22 Yemeni rebels killed in strikes, clashes: officials.

Bahrain moves to ban opposition party and let army courts try civilians.

Jordan executes 15 prisoners, 10 convicted of terror charges.

Netanyahu to meet Putin, says Iran seeks permanent foothold in Syria.

Israeli Cabinet approves decriminalization of marijuana.

U.S. Navy ship changes course after Iran vessels come close: U.S. official.

ASIA

North Korea leader Kim supervised missile tests: KCNA.

NKorea: US-SKorea exercises leading to 'nuclear disaster'.

U.S. deploying THAAD to South Korea to boost defense versus North Korea missiles: White House.

Security, rebels clash near Mynamar-China border; 30 dead. Myanmar rebel clashes in Kokang leave 30 dead.

Clashes on Pakistan-Afghanistan border kill 15. Five Pakistani soldiers killed in Taliban attack at Afghanistan border.

Future of South China Sea disputes depends on Washington, says China’s legislature spokeswoman.

Premier Li Keqiang stresses party unity at National People's Congress gathering in Beijing.

China's Communist billionaires accused of getting richer, faster, while GDP slows.

China cuts growth target to 6.5% this year - Premier Li Keqiang.

UN report shows North Korea using Africa to slip sanctions.

Kim Jong-nam killing: N Korea expels Malaysian ambassador.

Philippines police officer admits to 200 killings while Duterte was mayor.

AFRICA

Suspected extremists kill at least 5 gendarmes in Niger.

East Libya forces prepare to retake key oil ports.

EU warns DR Congo of more sanctions.

Soldiers killed in Mali attack as violence surges. Suspected jihadists attack Mali military position; 12 dead.

Factions fight for two Libyan oil terminals.

Kenyan forces battle al Shabaab militants in Somalia.

110 die of hunger in two days in one region of Somalia.

UN team urges probe of South Sudan abuses.

Zimbabwe state doctors end crippling strike.

UK urges Kenya to 'restore law and order' after shooting of British rancher.

EUROPE

France's Fillon wins party backing after Juppe rules out election bid.

Juppé says he will not replace Fillon in French presidential race. Ex-French PM Alain Juppe says he won't run for presidency amid Fillon controversy.

Kremlin stresses Moscow not involved in Washington's internal affairs. Kremlin: Trump's wiretap claim purely a "domestic issue".

Ukraine conflict: Russia accused of terrorism and discrimination at ICJ. Ukraine-Russia conflict comes before International Court of Justice. Ukraine v. Russia: A potential game-changing lawsuit comes before the ICJ.

Despite Brexit, France wants to include UK in European defense efforts.

Poland aims to thwart Tusk bid for new term as EU leader.

Greek economy suffers setback ending 2016 worse than expected.

AMERICAS

Trump wants Congress to probe leaks of classified information: White House.

Trump signs new travel ban aimed at withstanding challenges. Trump to lift travel ban for Iraq in new executive order, White House official says.

FBI director challenges Trump claims over Obama wiretapping – reports.

U.S. Republicans expected to unveil healthcare bill this week.

White House's Navarro: trade deficit threat to national security.

Venezuela calls Peruvian leader 'coward' and 'dog'.

Canada should prepare for Russia destabilization efforts: minister.

Canada: No plans to clamp down at border to deter migrants. 'Swiss cheese border': Canadian border patrol union calls for hundreds more workers as it struggles to cope with wave of immigrants fleeing to the country on foot from Trump's America.

Mexico opens migrant defense centers at U.S. consulates.

Castro slams Trump's policies as 'egotistical' and 'irrational'.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Former Guantanamo inmate killed in US strike in Yemen.

Accused Qaeda operative faces U.S. trial, despite refusal to appear.

FBI probes involve 300 people admitted to U.S. as refugees -congressional sources.

Trump adopts new strategy to counter terrorism in Yemen. Trump orders counterterrorism expansion in Yemen.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Snap slumps 12 percent, closes at lowest since IPO.

Trump tweets hurt global stocks, dollar gains.

Wall Street slips on wiretap accusation, geopolitical worries.

China unseats eurozone as world’s largest banking system.

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