Obama To Detail Size, Speed Of Afghan Troop Withdrawal In Speech Wednesday -- L.A. Times
President Obama has made a decision on the speed and size of the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and will address the nation at 8 p.m. Wednesday on his plans, the White House announced Tuesday.
Speaking at his televised briefing, Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters that the president had made his decision but refused to discuss specifics. Carney said the process of deciding “was all about the mission that was laid out” by Obama in his 2009 speech at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
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MIDDLE EAST
Seven protesters killed in Syria during rallies. Syria's Assad orders new amnesty as five more dead. Pro- and anti-Assad Syrians clash; 3 dead. Assad declares general amnesty; mass support rallies staged. Syrian refugees test ties with Turkey.
Yemen says steps up fight against Islamists.
Twin car bomb attacks on Iraqi governor kill 26.
Fatah-Hamas setback. Abbas says U.S. can stop statehood bid.
Ahmadinejad’s inner circle under pressure.
ASIA
Official: U.S., Japan will delay Futenma relocation plan.
Burma (Myanmar) border conflict threatens to complicate ties with China.
President Obama plans to withdraw 30K troops from Afghanistan by end of 2012: report. Report: Obama to withdraw 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan this year.
Vietnam, China hold joint naval patrol amid spat.
Anger in Somalia after prime minister resigns.
Senior Pakistani army officer detained for suspected links with banned militant group.
India weighs developing ICBM with 6,200-mile reach.
Ash cloud's return causes flight chaos in Australia.
AFRICA
Libya: China welcomes opposition figure Mahmud Jibril. NATO loses contact with drone chopper over Libya. RAF stretched by Libya, says second-in-command.
White South Africans grapple with apartheid's legacy.
Sudan to pull troops from Abyei and allow peacekeepers. North, south Sudan agree to pull troops from Abyei.
Tunisia's Ben Ali sentenced in absentia to 35 years in jail.
West Africa drugs trafficking 'increasingly sophisticated'.
Michelle Obama meets with Nelson Mandela as she begins Africa tour.
EUROPE
Europe’s hard choice: More direct support of weaker nations, or risk default.
'Worst case scenario': How Britain prepared for Fukushima fall-out with iodine pills and radiation tests.
Northern Ireland violence raises questions about paramilitary group. Sectarian rioting hits Belfast. Sectarian violence erupts in Belfast. Belfast riots send two to hospital with gunshot wounds as tension mounts.
Barroso suggests 'emergency' plan to aid Greece. Greek streets 'explosive' as PM faces confidence vote. Greek PM faces crucial confidence vote.
Italy will fight last stand in debt crisis.
Russia plane crash kills 44, pilot error, weather likely to blame.
AMERICAS
Gunmen execute Mexican journalist, his wife and son.
Nick Clegg to face down Brazil over support for Argentina in Falklands row.
Mexico braced for Hurricane Beatriz.
Ex China envoy Huntsman launches White House bid.
France 'preparing' Manuel Noriega extradition to Panama.
Inmates stave off troops at Venezuelan prison.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
US drones attack in new area of Pakistan.
Police: Pakistani girl forced to wear suicide vest.
US predators strike the Haqqani network in Kurram.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Barnes & Noble fourth-quarter loss widens on investments in digital books.
Geithner says government will avoid default crisis.
Boeing announces deals for 43 planes worth $7.2B.
US Supreme Court rejects Wal-Mart gender bias suit.
Trades reveal China shift from dollar.
Risk of U.S. credit rating downgrade increased: S&P.
Ky. distilleries rapidly expand amid bourbon boom.
Fiddle goes through the roof: Stradivarius violin sells for world record £9.8m.