News With References

European leaders rebuff Trump’s call to open the Strait of Hormuz “You have to remember we have 45,000 troops in Japan. We have 45,000 troops in South Korea. We have 45,000, 50,000 troops in Germany,” Trump said. We defend all these countries and then: ‘Do you have any minesweepers?’ And they say, ‘Well, would it be possible for us not to get involved?’” Ref: www.washingtonpost.com

Airline CEOs urge Congress to end shutdown and pay airport TSA officers The CEOs of major US airlines urged Congress on Sunday to move quickly to end a 29-day partial government shutdown that has forced 50,000 airport security officers to work without pay, warning it could further disrupt US air travel. Absences by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers had already disrupted travel at some major airports over the previous week, raising alarm as the busy spring break travel season continues. ...The homeland security department’s funding lapsed on 13 February after Congress failed to reach a deal on immigration enforcement reforms demanded by Democrats. ... Ref: www.theguardian.com

6 US soldiers killed in war to be honored with dignified transfer The dignified transfer of the six U.S. soldiers killed during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East will be held Saturday at Dover Air Force Base... The six soldiers who died have been identified as: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska Ref: www.fox10tv.com