US News

• In Baltimore, police are viewed as the bad guys with guns. [Link]
• The Pentagon released a report on the corruption of its contractors. [Link]

US Trade with China

• In response to US tariffs, China increased tariffs from 5%-25% on $60 billion in US goods. Trump says he will meet with the Chinese President Xi next month. [Link]

Sri Lanka

• Violence against Muslims in Sri Lanka is increasing. The government has imposed curfews in response. [Link]

Pakistan

• The Pakistani Taliban claim responsibility for the killing of four Pakistani police. [Link]

Middle East

• The New York Times reported an anonymous Administration official says the US is planning to deploy 120,000 troops to the Middle East to counter Iran. Moon of Alabama breaks down the report and other recent events in the Middle East. [Link] Trump says the NYT story is fake news. [Link]
• A UK general says there has been no increase in threat from Iranian-backed forces. [Link]
• Saudi claims two armed drones attacked their oil fields. Houthi media is claiming responsibility for the attack. The US is suggesting Iran is responsible. [Link]
• Yemeni warring parties start new talks in Jordan. [Link]

Africa

• The US says an airstrike killed 13 IS fighters in Somalia. [Link]
• At least 65 people drowned when their boat sank, attempting to cross from Libya to Europe. [Link]
• Protests continue Sudan became violent with one police officer being killed and 30 protesters wounded. The ruling military government reached an early deal with protest leadership on the transition plan for the country’s government. [Link]
• In Burkina Faso, terrorists killed six Christians during an attack on a church. [Link]