Assange Arrested

• London police have arrested Julian Assange. Ecuador withdrew his asylum. [Link]

US News

• The Department of Defense has awarded $1 billion in contracts to two companies to build portions of the southern border wall. [Link]
• Attorney General Barr says he believes the Trump admin was spied on. [Link]
• Danny Sjursen explains why Russia does not pose an aggressive military threat. [Link]
• 16 Saudis have been barred from the US over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. [Link]

Venezuela

• Venezuela withdraws eight tonnes of gold from its central bank to pay for imports. The central bank is believed to hold 100 tonnes of gold. [Link]
• Raul Castro reaffirms Cuba’s relationship with Venezuela. [Link]

Ukraine

• Ukrainian prosecutors claim to have evidence of crimes committed by Democrats in Ukraine. The prosecutors allege they have made efforts but have been unable to present the evidence to Justice Department officials. [Link]  
• Gregory Craig – a former lawyer for Obama and Clinton – will likely be indicted on charges related to the Mueller investigation. The alleged crimes were committed with Paul Manafort in Ukraine. [Link]

Japan

• A Japanese F-35 crashed shortly after takeoff. The Japanese fleet of F-35s became operational within the past two weeks. [Link]    
• A poll finds 54% of Japanese oppose proposed changes to the constitution. The changes allow for Japan to have a more aggressive foreign policy and a larger military. [Link]

Iran

• Senator Rand Paul says Trump does not have the authority to start a war with Iran. [Link]
• In response to the US naming the IRGC a terror group, Iran’s president says the US is a state sponsor of terror and Iran named CENTCOM a terror group. [Link]

Africa

• The UN/US-backed government of Libya claims to recapture the Tripoli airport from Haftar’s forces. An airstrike is reported to have hit the Libyan government’s only functioning airport. [Link]
• Daniel Larison explains how the recent developments in Libya may only add to the instability created by the NATO war in 2011. [Link]
• The Sudanese government continues brutal oppression of people demanding the president step down. CNN documents protesters being kidnapped, tortured, and murdered. The Trump administration calls for talks. However, Trump administration talks with Sudan are focusing on the Sudanese government making payments to victims of terror attacks. [Link]