Global
South Korea's economy grows at fastest pace in 3 quarters
Exports account for about half of Korea's economy, Asia's fourth largest, and global demand is picking up, improving exports throughout the region. According to the Bank of Korea, the nation's gross domestic product expanded 0.9 percent in the first quarter from the previous quarter, beating market expectations of 0.7-0.8 percent.
Global
US may need stronger defense against North Korea missiles: admiral
South Korea's trumpeting of progress in setting up the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence system, or THAAD, comes as high-powered US military vessels converge on the Korean Peninsula and as a combative North Korea signals possible nuclear and missile testing.
Global
Venezuela to quit OAS regional bloc
Venezuela is experiencing civil unrest that stems from dissatisfaction with the government, which has been accused of economic mismanagement, resulting in huge shortages of daily essentials like food and medicine. The demonstrators vowed to keep up their protests demanding early elections to replace President Nicolas Maduro . As the BBC notes, Maduro and his allies assert that opposition leaders have been resorting to looting and violence in order to seize power themselves.
Global
What will change under Turkey's new constitution plan
The president will be able to be the head of state while simultaneously being the leader of a party, and the cabinet will no longer be answerable to parliament with the president being empowered to hire and fire ministers as he sees fit. Another key target for Turkey is Kurdish militia groups which Ankara considers allies of PKK separatists. By framing the referendum as a vote of confidence on him, instead of the proposed changes, the "Yes" camp may have gained the upper hand with the ...
Global
Easter 2017: Significance, Importance, Story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Good Friday is the part of the so-called Easter triduum or the final 3 days, including Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday , climaxing to Easter on Sunday. Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition dating allegedly back to at least the 13th century. But Easter and Christmas also became reshaped as domestic holidays because understandings of children were changing.
Global
Trump plans to slash corporate tax rates sharply
Statewide, the loss of the deduction could worsen an imbalance in which NY already sends more money to the federal government than it gets back, experts said. Many firms that park money offshore end up paying a much lower tax rate than the USA 35 percent corporate rate. House Speaker Paul Ryan accepted the proposal.
Global
Saving national monuments has been a 'massive federal land grab'
So while Trump can order reviews of borders and management, he said only Congress has authority to erase a monument. Others have been fiercely contested in Congress and the courts, including designations by Franklin D. "I commend the Trump administration for stopping this cycle of executive abuse and beginning a review of past designations", he said. Bears Ears is not the only site that has experienced a push to give up federal protection.
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PKK extremists killed in Iraq, southeast Turkey
But on Tuesday, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner claimed that Turkey had bombed Syria and Iraq "without proper co-ordination either with the United States or the broader global coalition to defeat Isis". which was a very large ops box", he said, referring to the area in which US forces are operating. "We let the Turks know that the amount of time that was being provided for the strikes was inadequate for us to ensure the safety of our forces on the ground", he said.
Global
While Republicans slow-walk investigations here, Russian hackers now targeting French election
The group, dubbed "Fancy Bear" by security researchers, is the same government-sponsored hacking group that broke into Democratic National Committee servers, afterward leaking the information to WikiLeaks in an attempt to damage the Democratic presidential candidate in favor of the inept racist manchild opposing her.
Global
Ivanka Trump 'Deeply Moved' by Visit to Berlin Holocaust Memorial
Advisers grappled with a political problem unique to Donald Trump's family-business White House: how to manage an officially empowered daughter who is prone to challenging elements of the president's conservative agenda. The pair co-authored an op-ed for the Financial Times this week about the need for both the public and private sectors "to move decisively to invest in women worldwide".
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Bomb attack hits US base in eastern Afghanistan
Gunmen wearing army uniforms stormed a military compound in the Balkh. Mattis' visit followed a Taliban raid on an Afghan base last week that killed over 100 soldiers and military personnel. No group immediately claimed responsibility but both Taliban and Haqqani insurgents are known to be active in the area. The US led an invasion of the country in 2001 in which the Taliban were ousted from power.
Global
Phase-in on N Carolina class-size mandate approved by Senate
If the House grants it final approval, the measure still must pass the Senate. Currently, districts can have a maximum of 24 students in a K-3 classroom and an average of 21 students. "I think it's a good sign for the bill". Andy Bryan, the superintendent of Lee County Schools, said in a written statement that the school system supported the solution.
Global
White House: Trump will not immediately bolt NAFTA
Some of Trump's advisers wanted a dramatic move before Trump's 100th day in office on Saturday to fulfill a key campaign promise, while others said he could let the milestone pass and revisit the issue later through more formal procedures, according to two White House officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
Global
UK leader meeting top EU officials for Brexit working dinner
Among its other key recommendations, the report calls for overseas students to be removed from the net migration target. European Parliament chief Antonio Tajani said that he believed the elections are not only good for the United Kingdom, but also the EU since it would mean negotiations would be conducted with the same government through the span of the divorce process.
Global
Government Shutdown 2017: What's the likelihood Congress passes a budget plan?
It was the latest concession by the White House , which had earlier dropped a demand for money for President Donald Trump's border wall. The Trump administration likely will seek money for the wall in legislation funding the government for the fiscal year starting October 1, but lawmakers are likely to balk again.And some Democrats, who had insisted the legislation contain guarantees that the Trump administration continue healthcare subsidies for millions of low-income people enrolled in ...
Global
China Celebrates Launch Of 'Homemade' Aircraft Carrier
The Type 001A is China's second carrier. China confirmed its existence in late 2015. The defence ministry also said that the new carrier will have to undergo equipment debugging, outfitting and comprehensive mooring trials. Considered a training ship - i.e. a vessel meant to facilitate China's expertise in carrier construction and operation - the Liaoning was nonetheless declared combat-ready last November.
Global
Audio of Trump travel ban hearing to be broadcast live
The Supreme Court typically only hears 100 to 150 of the estimated 7,000 cases it's asked to review per year. This San Francisco judge's erroneous ruling is a gift to the criminal gang and cartel element in our country. Other religious organizations impacted by the circuit court's decision include the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont, Texas, the University of Dallas and Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas.
Global
United CEO: Dragging Incident May Sway Flyers' Airline Pick
She said Simon had been purchased by a celebrity whom she did not identify. He had driven from the Des Moines area to Kansas City and was nearing the airport last Thursday when United called with the bad news . United Airlines has announced "substantial" policy changes following the recent incident aboard a recent flight when a passenger was dragged off the plane.
Global
Trump team draws up draft executive order to quit NAFTA
Even threatening to withdraw from NAFTA could heighten tensions with Mexico and Canada, close allies and trading partners. The announcement followed U.S. The sources said Trump had not made a final decision on the notification, but it could come within days. Late Wednesday night, the White House released a statement backing off of the notion after the president spoke with the leaders of Canada and Mexico.
Global
Mortar fire from Syrian govt area hits Turkish military outpost
The Iraqi government condemned the strikes as a "violation of global law and of Iraqi sovereignty". Erdogan said local governments, the U.S. and Russian Federation, had been notified before the strikes. The YPG is spearheading the US-led coalition's campaign against IS in Syria . An officer wearing a patch bearing a USA flag was seen at the site with YPG fighters.
Global
Divisions, protests erupt at German nationalist convention
Germany's far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has chosen Deputy Chair Alexander Gauland and AfD politician from the Baden-Wuertemberg federal state Alice Weidel as lead candidates in the party list for the parliamentary elections, local media reported Sunday.
Global
Donald Trump administration to brief full US Congress on North Korea policy
Press reports on Tuesday said a usa guided-missile submarine has arrived in South Korea, as diplomats from the United States, Japan and South Korea met in Tokyo Tuesday to discuss the growing threat from the north. North Korea denounced the USA actions. His spokesman, Mark Toner, said Wednesday that another tactic is getting nations around the world to close down North Korean embassies and consulates, or suspending them from global organizations.
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Arkansas carries out first double execution in US since 2000
The state shouldn't risk giving them drugs to stop their lungs and hearts if they aren't unconscious, they have told courts. The attorneys argued that Williams, 46, who was also obese, could face a "torturous death". The condemned inmate is allowed an attorney and a spiritual advisor, according to Department of Correction spokesman Solomon Graves. Jones had three pieces of fried chicken, potato logs with tartar sauce, three Butterfingers, a chocolate milkshake, and fruit punch.
Global
Trump calls French presidential elections 'very interesting'
The gunman was shot dead by police in the van while he was trying to flee the scene on foot. Investigation is underway to determine whether the shooter had accomplices, said Molins. As well as the assault rifle used in the attack, a pump action shotgun and knives were in his vehicle, Molins said. The president said at the time that it "looks like another terrorist attack".
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Trump administration softens war talk, vows other pressure on North Korea
Moreover, if Kim were to die suddenly, North Korea's elites would probably not choose a successor from Kim's family, ending their dominance since the state's founding more than half a century ago, Bennett said , based on his interviews with defectors.
Global
US sets up missile defence in South Korea as North shows power
The port call by the USS Michigan, which is created to carry ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, came as a USA aircraft carrier strike group steamed towards Korean waters in an effort to deter North Korea from a sixth nuclear test or more missile launches in defiance of United Nations sanctions.
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NBA fines Rockets owner $100000 for confronting referee
There was, however, one additional participant in the confrontations, as Rockets owner Leslie Alexander made his way onto the floor during play to complain to a referee. Kennedy turned his head as Alexander left. Alexander wouldn't talk about it, saying at halftime only that he was " upset, really upset ". The NBA immediately launched an investigation into what happened between Alexander and official Bill Kennedy.
Global
THAAD all set for 'field operation': S. Korean military
South Korean presidential front-runner Moon Jae-in has vowed to reconsider the deployment if he wins the May 9 election, saying that the country should consider relations with China. A police official in Seongju, a town where THAAD is located, said police had pulled out from the location, and was unaware of the report on the injuries.
Global
France's Le Pen says the people revolting against the elite
Workers whistled and jostled with Macron's security guards while a burning tire threw a cloud of black smoke across the site when the former economy minister visited the tumble-drier factory in his hometown of Amiens . Kantor pointed out that Le Pen, who has temporarily stepped down as National Front leader, recently "made comments against the historic record of the Holocaust, which makes her no less risky than her Holocaust-denying father who she has tried to hide".
Global
Race tight in Georgia vote seen as test for Trump
On Tuesday, Ossoff came up just short of the 50 percent of the vote needed to win the traditionally red seat outright. Republicans had a large slate of candidates in the "jungle primary", including a few who unapologetically supported Trump.
Global
China Launches First Domestically-Built Aircraft Carrier
A ship is launched when it is first put into the water - but the carrier still requires considerable work to complete it. The yet-to-be-named 315-metre-long vessel joins the Liaoning , the country's first carrier, which was launched in 2011 after being bought from Ukraine as a hulk and refitted.
Global
USA Moves THAAD Anti-Missile System to South Korea
He said any North Korean missile fired at U.S. forces would be destroyed. The same team was also meeting with House members in the Capitol to outline the North's escalating nuclear capabilities and USA response options to what they called an "urgent national security threat".
Global
U.S. blacklists 271 Syrian scientists over Sarin attack
A suspected chemical attack left 87 dead, including many children, in rebel-held territory in Idlib province on April 4, with the West accusing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of being responsible. "These 271 SSRC employees have expertise in chemistry and related disciplines and/or have worked in support of SSRC's chemical weapons program since at least 2012", it added.
Global
Israeli leader cancels meeting with visiting German diplomat
Senior sources within Netanyahu's office told Israel's Channel 2 news that an ultimatum to cancel the engagements was issued to Gabriel, however German diplomats have said the politician meant to go to all meetings as planned. The Israeli Defense Ministry has suspended the issuing of single-day permits for Palestinians to enter Israel, following a stabbing. Germany's foreign minister met with representatives of left-wing Israeli organizations, despite being asked by Israel's prime ...
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Supreme Court, with Gorsuch, set to hear church-state case
On April 6, 2017 the infamous " nuclear option " was invoked in the Senate, thus allowing for the confirmation of President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, now Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. "Wouldn't it be a lot easier if we just followed the plain text of the statute?" asked Gorsuch, who has been described by supporters and opponents as a " textualist " who believes courts should carefully follow the wordings of the laws under review.