US News
- Chris Matthews will retire from his show because he made inappropriate comments to a woman. [Link]
- Senator Bernie Sanders refused to attend the AIPAC conference this year. Michael Bloomberg was the only Democratic presidential candidate to attend the conference. Joe Biden submitted a video message to the conference. [Link]
- The FED announces it will cut interest rates by a half percent in response to the coronavirus. [Link]
- The US is looking to reduce the number of employees Chinese media outlets in the US have working for them. [Link]
- The State Department approves a $2.4 billion sale of eight KC-46 refueling tankers to Israel. [Link]
France
- The French government is planning to enforce a new pension reform by decree, rather than allowing the legislature to pass it. The reform will raise the age needed to collect a pension and make other changes. The proposed reforms started weeks of general strikes and protests. [Link]
Afghanistan
- The Taliban have resumed attacks against the Afghan government forces. At least five Afghan police were killed in a Taliban attack. [Link]
- Three people were killed by an explosion in Afghanistan. Secretary of Defense Esper said the US will soon begin the withdrawal laid out in the peace deal. [Link]
- Trump held a phone call with the top Taliban negotiator. [Link]
- Republican hawks are pushing Trump to keep forces in Afghanistan. [Link]
Syria
- Turkey says it shot down a Syrian plane over Syria. [Link]
- A Turkish soldier was killed in Idlib. [Link]
- A US official says the US will provide ammunition and humanitarian assistance to Turkey for Idlib. [Link]
Africa
- The UN envoy to Libya resigns. He cited his health and stress from the failing process as the main reasons. [Link]
- Somali government forces clashed with a regional militia, killing 11 people. Witnesses say the Somali government forces attacked the home of leaders of the militia. The militia fights against the extremist al-Shabaab group. [Link]
- At least 50 people were killed by an armed gang in Nigeria. [Link]
- The US will give $389 million to Zambia in an AIDS grant. [Link]
