US News

• The FBI says that it is unaware of any guns being found at the Capitol during the 6th riot. [Link]
• Three men were freed after being convicted of killing a New York police officer in 1996. The prosecution withheld exculpatory evidence from the defense. [Link]
• The Quad – an anti-China group including the US, Japan, India, and Australia – will hold its first meeting between the heads of state this week. [Link] 

Korea

• South Korea agrees to pay the US more for troops deployed in South Korea. [Link]
• The US/South Korean spring war games will be scaled back due to Covid. [Link]

Afghanistan

• The US Envoy to Afghanistan proposed a ‘shake-up’ to the peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan government. Both sides rejected the suggestion. [Link] 
• The US says all options are on the table for Afghanistan. The US-Taliban agreement calls on the US to withdraw forces by May 1st. [Link]

Middle East

• Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Israel’s leader about the US unwavering support for Israel. [Link]
• Israel’s Supreme Court ruled the state could build a Jewish-only elevator at the site of the Ibrahimi Mosque. [Link]
• The Pope met with Ayatollah Sistani in Iraq. [Link]
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says the US demands the right to bomb the Middle East to defend American troops occupying the Middle East. [Link]

Yemen

• A Houthi drone attack hit a Saudi oil facility. The US said it is committed to defending Saudi Arabia. [Link]
• Nearly 100 fighters died during a 24-hours period in central Yemen. [Link]