US News
- The Baltimore police are planning to deploy an aerial surveillance system capable of tracking people’s outdoor movements in 90% of the city. The program is expected to cost $3.7 million in 2020. [Link]
- Kentucky frees 1,000 nonviolent prisoners. [Link]
- The FED announces it will provide up to $2.3 trillion in additional financial support. [Link]
- The Air Force wants to deploy hypersonic cruise missiles on the B1-B and B-52 bombers. If the plan goes into effect, it will extend the life of the B1-B program. [Link]
- A new Senate bill would require US troops to leave Saudi Arabia in 30 days. The bill has been proposed because of Saudi’s refusal to cut oil production. [Link]
Afghanistan
- The Afghan government released the second group of 100 Taliban prisoners. [Link]
Middle East
- OPEC and Russia agree to a 10 million barrel per day cut in oil production. [Link]
- A senior US diplomat says US forces continue to face a significant threat from Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. [Link]
- Saudi Arabia reports starting a two-week ceasefire in Yemen. The Houthi say the ceasefire is not in place as Saudi is still using its military to enforce a blockade of Yemen. [Link]
Chad
- Chad reports completing a ten-day operation against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region. Chad claims 52 of its soldiers and 1,000 militants were killed during the operation. The operation followed a massive assault on a military base by Boko Haram that killed nearly 100 soldiers. [Link]