US News

• Six people received over three million in fraudulent Covid relief payments claiming to run churches. [Link]
• Secretary of State Antony Blinken warns Western countries about allowing Chinese investment. [Link]
• Ukraine says it met with State Department officials and was told the US supports Ukraine joining NATO. [Link]

Afghanistan

• Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says the US is planning to withdraw all contractors from Afghanistan. [Link]
• Gen. Mark Milley says the US could train Afghan soldiers outside the country. [Link]
• The US deploys more B-52 to Qatar to attack the Taliban as the US withdraws troops. [Link]

Middle East

• Israel carried out attacks against Syria for the second straight day. [Link]
• Palestinians who are being evicted from their homes so Israelis can have the land attacked an Israeli base. Two men were killed and a third was injured. [Link]
• Iran says there is a wide gap between the US and Iran as indirect talks resume in Vienna. [Link]
• The State Department says Iran is making unrealistic demands. [Link]
• The Iraqi Shia militias are moving away from Iran, fearing they will lose support from the Islamic Republic. [Link]

Somalia

• Qatar mediated an agreement between Kenya and Somalia for the countries to resume diplomatic relations. [Link]