US News
- The primaries in Ohio, Georgia, and Louisiana have been postponed due to coronavirus. The primaries in Florida, Illinois, and Arizona will be held today. [Link]
- The Senate passes a bill that will extend the life of three mass surveillance programs – including the section 215 program – by 77 days. The programs expired on March 15th. Senators Paul and Lee are pushing an extension that includes reforms to the FISA court. The House already passed a bill that has minimal reforms to prevent government abuses of the program. [Link]
- The US Peace Corps suspends all operations because of Coronavirus. [Link]
- The US will further scale back the Defender 2020 war games that are held in Europe because of the Coronavirus. [Link]
Russia
- A member of the Russian parliament proposed a rule that would allow Putin to serve two more terms as president. Putin said he would default to the Russian high court to decide on the issue. The court ruled that Putin can move forward with the measure. [Link]
Brazil
- Up to 1,000 prisoners escaped from Brazilian jails in a Coronavirus motivated breakout. [Link]
Middle East
- Iran has temporarily freed 85,000 prisoners in its fight with the coronavirus. [Link]
- Secretary of State Pompeo tells the Iraqi Prime Minister that the US will defend itself if it is attacked in Iraq. The Iraqi government has asked the US to leave. [Link]
- The US is repositioning US forces from three bases in Iraq. The forces will be moved to bases in Iraq, Syria, and Kuwait. [Link]
- Iraq names Adnan al-Zurfi as prime minister-designate. He will now have 30 days to form a government that can get the parliament’s approval. The previous prime minister-designate was unable to get the needed votes. [Link]
Mali
- Sweden will deploy 150 special forces soldiers to Mali to aid the French fight against jihadist groups in the region. [Link]
