Wary of Trump unpredictability, China ramps up naval abilities
BEIJING (Reuters) – The PLA Navy is likely to secure significant new funding in China’s upcoming defense budget as Beijing seeks to check U.S. dominance of the high seas and step up its own projection of power around the globe.
Egypt annoyed as Britain continues suspension of flights
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt expressed frustration on Saturday at Britain’s refusal to lift a suspension of flights from the United Kingdom to the Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh, imposed after Islamic State brought down a Russian airliner in 2015.
Czech Finance Minister retains party leadership, vows to cut taxes
PRAGUE (Reuters) – Czech Finance Minister Andrej Babis got re-elected on Saturday as chairman of the ANO party which he founded and vowed to cut taxes after the autumn general elections that his party is projected to win.
Merkel’s conservatives and Social Democrats neck-and-neck in poll
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One dead after man drives into crowd in Germany, no sign of terrorism: authorities
HEIDELBERG, Germany (Reuters) – A man died and two other people were injured after a 35-year-old German man drove into a crowd standing near a bakery in the southwestern town of Heidelberg on Saturday, but the authorities said there were no indications…
Malian government, armed groups to return authorities to north
GAO (Reuters) – Armed groups in northern Mali have agreed on the return of interim authorities to towns there next week, a government statement said, overcoming a stumbling block in the implementation of a 2015 peace deal.
Kuwait could pay up to $60,000 for party at Trump Hotel in Washington
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Kuwaiti government could pay up to $60,000 to President Donald Trump’s hotel in Washington for a party on Saturday that will be an early test of Trump’s promise to turn over profits from such events to the U.S. Treasury.
Egypt’s Sisi orders cabinet to help resettle Sinai Christians fleeing Islamic State
CAIRO (Reuters) – President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday ordered the government to take all necessary measures to help resettle Christians who have fled Egypt’s Northern Sinai after Islamic State killed several members of the community.
French candidate Macron to meet Germany’s Merkel on March 16: source
PARIS (Reuters) – French independent candidate and presidential election frontrunner Emmanuel Macron will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on March 16, a source close to the former economy minister said on Saturday.
Syrian opposition impatient for talks, wants Russian pressure
GENEVA (Reuters) – Syria’s opposition is impatient for face-to-face peace talks in Geneva, but things could fall apart if Russia does not pressure President Bashar al-Assad on holding talks and push it to abide by a ceasefire, an opposition member said…
