What You Need To Know:
- In Syria, at least 230 civilians were killed by Syrian Government and Russian airstrikes in past week.
- Turkish offensive in Syria stalls as dozens of Turkish soldiers are killed by Kurdish fighters.
- Russian plane crashes near Moscow shortly after takeoff killing all 71 passengers.
- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un invites South Korean President Moon to Pyongyang in signs of de-escalation.
- State of Emergency declared in the Maldives as President Yameen calls Supreme Court actions a ‘coup attempt.’ Authorities detain Chief Justice and Supreme Court Judge in retaliation.
- Israel shot down an Iranian drone encroaching on its territory. The Israeli military responded by striking Iranian facilities in Syria but lost an F-16 jet in the process.
- Pressure mounts on South African President Zuma to resign. The Deputy President is set to replace him.
- In Yemen, Government forces retook the southwestern province of Hodeidah killing at least 85 people.
- Egyptian forces launched a massive attack on the Sinai region. At least 16 militants were killed in the process.
- Germany center-left Social Democrats agree to a coalition with Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union. Martin Schulz, the leader of the Social Democrats, abandoned plans to become foreign minister.
Syria
- 230 civilians killed in Syrian and Russian airstrikes in past week
- Syrian Government calls U.S. strike an effort to “support terrorism”
- Kurds capture two British ISIS militants
Turkey
- Authorities detain nearly 600 people for opposing Syrian offensive
- Turkey sets up military post southwest of Syria’s Aleppo
- 31 soldiers killed since start of operation in Afrin
- Police detains 48 suspected ISIS members preparing to launch attack
- Turkey orders arrest of pro-Kurdish party leader
Russia
- Passenger plane crashes near Moscow after takeoff, 71 presumed dead
- Investigators summon opposition leader Navalny for questioning
- Russian nuclear scientists arrested for “bitcoin mining plot”
Iraq
- U.S. troops start Iraq drawdown after declaration of victory over ISIS
- U.S. not planning to contribute money at Iraq reconstruction conference
Uganda
Italy
- Kurds protest in Rome as Turkey’s Erdogan meets Pope Francis
- Thousands protest against racism in Macerta
South Korea
- Samsung heir freed after appeal wins suspended jail term
- Korean spy agency tells lawmakers North Korean hackers possibly behind coincheck heist
- Norovirus at Olympics has officials scrambling
- U.S. VP Pence avoids encounter with North Korean officials as Korean athletes march together
- North Korean President and sister of Supreme leader attend Olympics, shake hands with South Korean President
Indonesia
Kenya
- Two TV stations resume broadcasting after days shut by government
- Top ivory investigator murdered in Nairobi
- Opposition lawyer charged with treason over Odinga’s swearing in
Guinea
Maldives
- Government defies court order to free opposition leaders
- State of Emergency declared
- Police arrest chief justice and another Supreme Court judge
- Police arrest former President Gayoom
- Opposition calls for Indian intervention
Japan
Pakistan
- Chinese shipping employee shot dead in Karachi
- Suspected U.S. drone strikes kill Pakistani Taliban commander
Israel
- Israeli man killed in Palestinian stabbing attack in the occupied West Bank
- Thousands of African migrants protest Israel deportations
- Israel strikes Syrian military complex near Damascus
- Trump questions Israel’s interest in making peace
- Israel strikes Syria, downs Iranian drone
- Israeli jet shot down after bombing site in Syria
Ethiopia
- Authorities sentences opposition leader to 6 months in jail for contempt of court
- Ethiopia pardons 746 prisoners, including journalists
- 25 Ethiopian migrants missing off Yemen, forced into sea
Iran
- Man shot and arrested in Iran after trying to break into presidential office
- Iranian-Canadian professor dies in custody in Tehran
Venezuela
- Maduro says U.S. sanctions will not stymie Venezuela’s oil industry
- Power outage hits part of Caracas
- Authorities set presidential vote for April 22 after talks crumble
- Colombia and Brazil tighten borders as Venezuelan crisis deepens
- Army clashes with illegal miners, 18 reported dead
Colombia
Nigeria
- President signs order to boost local production, employment
- Boko Haram releases 13 hostages after talks with government
Lebanon
South Africa
- ANC calls top-level meeting on Zuma’s future
- President Zuma will not give state of the nation address in parliament
- Deputy President poised to replace Zuma as President
India
- Pirates free oil tanker with 22 India crew in Gulf of Guinea
- 9 killed in militant attack on Indian army base in Kashmir
Yemen
The United Kingdom
Poland
Palestine
- President Abbas’ government sued over alleged CIA-backed wiretapping
- Gaza health facilities face closure due to fuel shortage
- Israeli forces kill Palestinian in West Bank raid
- Thousands of Palestinians gather at Gaza border with Egypt in hope’s of leaving
- Leader of Hamas leaves Gaza for talks in Egypt
- India’s PM heads to Palestine to balance warming ties with Israel
- UAE and Qatar donate millions to stave off Gaza health crisis
Egypt
The United States of America
- U.S. soldier found dead in Germany near train station
- Space X successfully launches largest rocket into space
- Russian hacker attacks U.S. defense contractors
- White House senior aide resigns following domestic abuse charges
- U.S. led coalition strikes kills over 100 pro-regime Syrian forces
- VP Pence skips dinner with North Koreans at Olympics
- Trump taps U.S. Pacific commander Harris as ambassador to Australia
- Erdogan aide meets U.S. National security advisor in Turkey amid tension
- U.S. lays off local staff 3 years after closing Yemen embassy
- Helicopter crash at the Grand Canyon kills 3
Bermuda
France
- President Macron visits Corsica amid growing influence of nationalists
- Macron backs Corsica mention in constitution, rejects language demand
- French Minister Hulot denies sexual harassment claims
Mali
Somalia
South Sudan
Congo
The Philippines
- International Criminal Court initiates inquiry into extra-judicial killings
- Duterte cancels $233 million helicopter deal with Canada
- Soldiers kill 3 suspected militants near city once held by rebels
Taiwan
Vietnam
Macedonia
Afghanistan
- Former Afghan leader urges sanctions on Pakistan officials
- 2 Afghan generals fired, to stand trial over academy assault
- U.S. forces attack anti-China militants in northern Afghanistan
Germany
- German parties reach coalition government deal after long talks
- Germany’s Schulz abandons plan to become foreign minister
North Korea
Latvia
Australia
- Government amends proposed foreign interference law to offer protections for journalists
- Great Barrier Reef swimming deaths cause new safety rule
Saudi Arabia
Myanmar
- Rohingya Muslims claim military cut off food supplies
- U.K. foreign minister presses Aung San Suu Kyi on Rohingya refugee crisis
China
- 8 killed in cave-in at subway construction site in southern China
- Woman killed, 12 injured in knife attack at Beijing mall
- At least 18 dead in Hong Kong bus accident
Bangladesh
Libya
Brazil
Sudan
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