Thursday, March 23, 2017

World News Briefs -- March 23, 2017



Reuters: UK parliament attacker British-born, had been investigated over extremism concerns

The attacker who killed three people near parliament before being shot dead was British-born and was once investigated by MI5 intelligence officers over concerns about violent extremism, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement issued by its Amaq news agency, but it gave no name or details and it was not clear whether the attacker was directly connected to the jihadist group.

Police arrested eight people at six locations in London and Birmingham in the investigation into Wednesday's lone-wolf attack that May said was inspired by a warped Islamist ideology.

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MIDDLE EAST

US tells allies to do more amid new offensive against IS.

US combat airlift marks deepening involvement in Syria.

Syrian troops besiege Islamic State stronghold.

UN's troubled Syria peace talks restart in Geneva.

UN: 400,000 Iraqis 'trapped in Mosul's Old City'. 400,000 'trapped' in west Mosul's Old City: UN.

Two years on, Yemen stuck in 'quagmire'.

Turkey urging U.S., Britain to lift flight electronics ban: foreign ministry.

ASIA

Taliban overtakes Sangin district in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Afghan Taliban capture crucial city of Sangin.

Afghanistan wants more US help in fight against Taliban, ISIS.

Pakistan hosts Afghan Taliban leaders to talk peace talks.

North Korea accuses Japan of espionage.

FBI prepares charges against North Korea over Bangladesh heist.

Report: Kim Jong Nam assassination cripples North Korea businesses.

North Korea hunger: Two in five undernourished, says UN.

South Korea raises sunken Sewol disaster ferry.

Shinzo Abe and wife accused of giving cash to ultra-nationalist school.

UN condemns Sri Lanka over war probe.

AFRICA

Egyptian soldiers killed by roadside bombs in central Sinai: military. Roadside bombings kill 10 Egypt soldiers during Sinai raid. Ten Egyptian soldiers killed in Sinai fighting: army.

Uganda at 'breaking point' as South Sudan refugees pour in.

French national kidnapped in Chad, say military and security sources.

Protesters call for Zimbabwe Election Commission to be disbanded.

South Africa police warn of taxi rape gang in Johannesburg.

At 93 years old, Zimbabwe's Mugabe remains a jet-setter.

Anglophone versus Francophone tension continues in Cameroon.

EUROPE

Belgian police intercept car and thwart 'attempted terrorist attack'. Man held for 'driving at crowd' in Antwerp, Belgium. Belgian police stop attempted car-ramming attack in Antwerp.

Russia's foreign minister says ready to discuss reducing nuclear arms.

Ukraine calls depot explosion an act of sabotage.

Former Russian lawmaker Denis Voronenkov shot dead in Ukrainian capital.

Ukraine bars Russia entry from Eurovision Song Contest 2017.

Soros-funded charities targeted by Trump-inspired crackdown in East Europe.

Poland's World War II museum opens amid controversy.

AMERICAS

Vote looming, Trump struggles to win Obamacare repeal. Republican Rep. Brooks: 30-40 Republican 'no' votes on health bill.

Lawmaker says U.S. foreign surveillance 'unmasked' Trump associates.

Exclusive: U.S. embassies ordered to identify population groups for tougher visa screening.

Venezuelans protest about medicine shortages.

Motorists line up for scarce petrol in oil-rich Venezuela.

Venezuela shocked as children arrested for soldiers' killings.


Chile sentences 33 over Pinochet-era disappearances.

US immigrants make sub-zero trek for slim chance at asylum in Canada.

Imam calling for Jews to be killed in sermon at Montreal mosque draws police complaint.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Trump steadily ramps up military action against ISIS and Al Qaeda.

Saudi officials say Yemen's Qaeda arm losing ability to carry out attacks abroad.

London terrorist attack: Vehicle, knife incident shows threat of low-tech terror.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Laptop ban creates turbulence for airline profits.

Americans are dying with an average of $62K of debt.

Google advertising row spreads to US brands.

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