Today a million protestors flooded the streets of Algiers. Tear gas and rubber bullets were fired in at least one location after protestors hurled stones at police. This protest is the largest outpouring since unrest started six weeks ago. The protestors are demanding the immediate removal of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika [AB-della-zeez BOO-ta-FLEEK-ka]. The 82-year-old has held the position for two decades. The protestors want him and the entire regime gone claiming the elite military rulers are corrupt.
This afternoon British lawmakers rejected Prime Minister Teresa May’s third withdrawal agreement. This comes three years after the Brexit vote. May addressed parliament earlier today.
Once again we’ve been unable to support leaving the European Union in an orderly fashion. The implications of the House’s decision are grave. [10.1 seconds]
The European Union Commission says, given the recent defeat, a no-deal Brexit on April 12th is now likely.
The US and China concluded trade talks in Beijing today. The world’s two largest economies are trying to resolve a nine-month trade war. The talks marked the first face-to-face meeting between the countries since President Trump delayed a hike in tariffs early this month.
Chicago police want Jussie Smollett [SMALL-ett] to reimburse them $130,000 for its investigation. Charges against Smollett were dropped earlier this week after police claimed he filed a false report.
Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported 15 new cases of Ebola today. That marks the biggest rise since the current outbreak was declared last August – the second largest in history.
Slovakia is on course to electing its first female president. According to opinion polling, Zuzana Caputova [ZOO-Zanna CHA-poo-To-va] is winning by a wide margin. She has voiced support of the LGBTQ+ community which marks a turning point for one of Europe’s most socially conservative countries.
French film director Agnes Varda died today in Paris. The 90-year-old filmmaker broke new ground in the 1960s with films like “Cleo from 5 to 7”. She was most recently nominated for an Academy Award in 2017 for “Faces Places”.
For Columbia Radio News, I’m Stephanie Horton