Defense chief to decide soon on troop levels in Afghanistan NEWS BRIEFING Tribune Newspapers and news services Car bomb explosion in Somalia kills 34 at Mogadishu market Voters in Ecuador choosing between change, continuity Blast near bullring in Colombia injures 24 police and 2 civilians Scientists hold rally to protest threats to science Flood fears renewed as another storm aims for Calif.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said he plans to make some decisions soon on whether to recommend an increase in the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and whether the totals should be based on military requirements rather than pre-set limits.

Mattis told reporters traveling with him that he spoke for several hours by video conference on Sunday with Gen. John Nicholson, the top American commander there. Mattis said he will collect his thoughts and then send recommendations to the White House where, he said, President Donald Trump is open to his advice.

Earlier this month, Nicholson told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he needs a few thousand more troops to train and advise Afghan forces.

At the time, Nicholson didn't provide an exact number, but argued for greater flexibility in setting U.S. troop commitments in Afghanistan, where the war is entering its 16th year. Defense and military leaders would prefer a troop level based on military requirements, rather than on a specific, predetermined number.

"The president has been rightfully reticent on it because he's waiting for my assessment and the assessment from the intelligence community," Mattis said during a press conference. "I've got to integrate a fair number of issues to give a good recommendation."

The Pentagon chief had been scheduled to fly into Afghanistan to meet with commanders and leaders on Sunday, but he said bad weather prevented the trip.

During the hearing, Nicholson told senators that the additional troops could come from the United States or other nations in the U.S.-led coalition.

Car bomb explosion in Somalia kills 34 at Mogadishu market

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's new president visited victims wounded by a Mogadishu car bomb that on Sunday killed 34. President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those who planned the attack.

The blast from a car parked near a restaurant hit a marketplace crowded with shoppers and traders in the western part of the capital, police said.

People sobbed outside the market as rescue workers moved bloodied bodies and wounded victims into ambulances.

"It's a painful carnage." said Ali Mire, a government soldier.

The powerful explosion was the first major attack since Somalia's new president was elected on Feb. 8.

Although no group has yet claimed responsibility, it bears the hallmarks of Somalia's Islamic extremists rebels, al-Shabab.

Voters in Ecuador choosing between change, continuity

QUITO, Ecuador - Ecuadoreans went to the polls Sunday to choose between a candidate who vows to continue President Rafael Correa's populist platform or one of several more conservative contenders who pledge to attack corruption and cut taxes to stimulate the nation's flagging economy.

Polling suggests it will be a tight election, with no candidate likely to win the first round.

Outside the region, much of the interest in the election focuses on what the outcome will mean for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and his ability to remain at the Ecuadorean Embassy in London.

Ruling party candidate Lenin Moreno has indicated he would back Assange's continued stay. But his main challenger, Guillermo Lasso, has indicated he would evict the Australian activist.

Blast near bullring in Colombia injures 24 police and 2 civilians

BOGOTA, Colombia - A homemade bomb exploded near Bogota's bullring on Sunday, injuring two dozen police officers and two civilians, Colombian authorities said.

The explosive device appeared to have been left in a sewer outside a new youth hostel. It was detonated just a few hours before a scheduled bullfight as police in riot gear were gathering ahead of a demonstration by animal rights activists.

Authorities did not give a motive for the blast and said they had no evidence it had anything to do with the resumption of bullfighting at the ring. Local media speculated the bomb might have been placed by members of the National Liberation Army, the country's second-largest rebel movement, which in recent weeks has carried out small attacks on police targets.

Scientists hold rally to protest threats to science

BOSTON - Hundreds of scientists, environmental advocates and their supporters held a rally in Boston on Sunday to protest what they see as increasing threats to science and research in the U.S.

The scientists, some dressed in white lab coats, called on President Donald Trump's administration to recognize evidence of climate change and take action on various environmental issues.

The "Rally to Stand Up for Science" in Boston's Copley Square was held outside of the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting, one of the first major gatherings of scientists since Trump was elected in November.

Some of those who turned out criticized Trump's appointment of Scott Pruitt as head of the Environmental Protection Agency over the objections of environmental groups.

Flood fears renewed as another storm aims for Calif.

SAN FRANCISCO - Residents returning to homes damaged by flooding should be prepared to evacuate again as yet another powerful Pacific storm takes aim at Northern California, officials warned Sunday.

The San Joaquin River was reaching flood stage, and residents of Manteca were told to be ready to evacuate in case it hit dangerous levels.

Meanwhile, the water level was decreasing at Lake Oroville Dam, where a damaged spillway had raised major flood concerns.

Another round of heavy rain was expected to move in late Sunday, and forecasters said several inches were expected.

During recent storms, authorities have dealt with overflowing creeks, road collapses and hundreds of toppled trees. At least three deaths have occurred.

Manhunt: Investigators are looking for four North Korean men who flew out of Malaysia the same day Kim Jong Nam, the North Korean ruler's outcast half brother, apparently was poisoned, Malaysian police said Sunday.

Since Kim's death last week, Malaysian police have so far arrested four people.

U.S., Russia: The United States says it is disturbed by Russia's decision to recognize passports and other documents issued by rebel authorities in eastern Ukraine. The recognition announced Saturday, "contradicts the agreed-upon goals" of the 2-year-old cease-fire pact, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine said Sunday.

Caption: Plane crashes on street: Emergency responders examine a small plane that crashed in Bayonne, N.J., on Sunday. Authorities said the pilot, who was the only person on board, was alert after rescuers pulled him from the wreckage. No one else was injured.; Michael Dempsey/The Jersey Journal