Afternoon Headlines for Wednesday, March 25, 2015
New York Times
“Report credits FBI with progress since 9/11, says more is needed”
“The FBI has made great strides since the Sept. 11 attacks and has prevented other catastrophic acts of terrorism, but it urgently needs to improve its intelligence capabilities and hire more linguists to counter the rapidly evolving threats to the United States, according to a report released on Wednesday.”
Washington Post
“Supreme Court rules against Alabama redistricting plan”
“The Supreme Court sided with black challengers Wednesday and told a lower court to reconsider whether a redistricting plan drawn by Alabama’s Republican legislature packed minority voters into districts to dilute their influence.”
Associated Press
“Official: Boko Haram abducts hundreds of Nigerian civilians”
“Hundreds of civilians, including many children, have been abducted and are being used as human shields by Boko Haram extremists, a top Nigerian official confirmed Wednesday.”
Associated Press
“Afghan president says his nation won’t be ‘lazy Uncle Joe’”
“Afghan President Ashraf Ghani thanked Congress on Wednesday for billions of American tax dollars and vowed his war-wracked country will be self-reliant within this decade.”
Reuters
“Exclusive: U.S. bets on Brazil, extends new invitation to Rousseff”
“The Obama administration has again invited Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff for a state visit to Washington, a diplomatic breakthrough that both sides hope will lead over time to greater trade between the two biggest economies in the Americas.”
Reuters
“Weak U.S. business spending data points to tepid first quarter growth”
“U.S. business investment spending plans fell for a sixth straight month in February, likely weighed down by a strong dollar and weak global demand, leading economists to further lower their first-quarter growth estimates.”
AFP
“‘Usable data’ extracted from Germanwings black box: investigators”
“French investigators said Wednesday they had succeeded in extracting ‘usable data’ from the first black box recovered from the Germanwings Airbus A320 that crashed in the French Alps.”
Reuters
“Facing resistance, U.S. pushes to meet deadline for Iran deal”
“The United States will struggle to secure a framework nuclear deal between Iran and major powers by a March 31 deadline due to resistance from Tehran and skepticism among other countries, officials said.”
Reuters
“U.S. House Republicans face test of unity in budget votes”
“In a test of party unity, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday are set to vote on the federal budget, using an unusual format meant to overcome lingering internal disagreements over defense spending.”
Washington Post
“U.S. providing surveillance to Iraqi forces fighting Islamic State in Tikrit”
“Drones from the U.S.-led coalition are providing surveillance and intelligence to Iraqi troops as they struggle to recapture the city of Tikrit from Islamic State militants, U.S. officials said Wednesday, marking America’s first involvement in an operation that has so far relied on Iranian support.”
AFP
“Pro-rebel forces seize Yemen’s Aden airport: witnesses”
“A Yemeni army brigade linked to Shiite rebels seized Aden’s airport Wednesday as anti-government fighters advanced on the southern city where President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi has taken refuge, witnesses said.”
Associated Press
“Military: Bergdahl may face life in prison if convicted”
“Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was charged with misbehavior before the enemy, which carries a maximum sentence of up to life in prison. He was also charged with desertion, which carries a maximum of five years. Bergdahl could also face a dishonorable discharge, reduction in rank and forfeiture of all his pay if convicted of both the charges announced Wednesday.”
