U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shared progress in U.S.-Taliban peace talks (TOLO) with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, according to their offices. U.S. and Taliban negotiators are set to meet in Doha (WaPo) today.
 
U.S. President Donald J. Trump has reportedly given conditional approval (NYT) to sign a deal with the Taliban if the militant group can demonstrate its commitment to reducing violence, Afghan and U.S. officials said. An agreement to reduce violence during a specific time period is expected to be a precursor to a broader peace deal. The Taliban presented a violence reduction proposal in January, and negotiations since have focused on its details.

At least fifteen Rohingya refugees died on the way to Malaysia when their boat capsized (Dhaka Tribune) off the Bangladeshi coast.

Forces loyal to former General Khalifa Haftar, who is leading a civil war against Libya’s internationally recognized government, blocked flights (Reuters) carrying UN staff. The United Nations is overseeing relief and mediation efforts in Libya’s conflict.
 
CFR examines what’s at stake in Libya’s war.
 
Lebanon: The country’s new cabinet won a confidence vote with support from 75 percent of parliament after presenting a new budget (France 24) that proposes austerity measures to revive the economy.

Sudan is considering handing over (NYT) those wanted for trial by the International Criminal Court (ICC), including former President Omar al-Bashir who is accused of war crimes and genocide.
 
In Foreign Affairs, Zachariah Mampilly discusses the ICC charges against Bashir.
 
Kenya: Around thirty thousand people attended a state funeral (BBC) for former President Daniel arap Moi, the country’s longest-serving president who is known for bringing stability to Kenya and presiding over a crackdown on dissent.

The Switzerland-based company Crypto AG sold encryption equipment to 120 countries for decades while secretly allowing West German and U.S. intelligence services to surveil the countries’ communications, according to a Washington Post and ZDF report. The equipment was sold to clients including India, Iran, and Pakistan.
 
Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky replaced his chief of staff (NYT), a former lawyer for an oligarch who is increasingly at odds with Zelensky’s government.
 
This CFR Timeline looks at Ukraine’s post-independence struggles.

While most of the Amazon rainforest absorbs carbon dioxide, up to one-fifth emits more carbon dioxide (BBC) than it absorbs, according to Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research. Researchers pointed to high deforestation in net carbon emitting areas. 
 
In Foreign Affairs, Thomas Lovejoy discusses why the Amazon is nearing the point of no return.
 
Chile: Consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks fell nearly 25 percent (NYT) in the eighteen months after strict regulations on advertising were implemented in 2016, according to a new study. Israel, Peru, and Uruguay have since implemented similar rules.

The second contest (NYT) of this year’s presidential primary season occurred without delays or disputes over vote counting. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders won the Democratic contest, narrowly defeating former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg. U.S. President Donald J. Trump won the Republican contest.
 
Four prosecutors withdrew (NYT) from the case of Roger Stone, who was convicted of obstructing investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election, after senior Justice Department officials reportedly intervened to shorten Stone’s recommended sentence. President Trump criticized the sentence’s length earlier in the day.