US News

• A South Carolina police officer was fired, arrested, and charged with first-degree assault for stomping a man’s head into the ground. [Link]
• According to a Texas affidavit, FBI agent David Harris – who was assigned to investigate crimes against children – has been accused by several young girls of sexual crimes against children. [Link]
• The Senate introduced a bill that would sanction Cambodians the US accuses of abusing human rights. The bill also requires the US to submit a report of Chinese activities in Cambodia. [Link]
• Uganda, Serbia, Nigeria, India, and Tanzania passed laws at the behest of the G7 and the laws were abused by the country’s leaders to oppress the people. [Link]

Venezuela

• Mexico will host talks between the Venezuelan government and the opposition. [Link]

Korea

• US and South Korean diplomats met for talks on how to engage North Korea. Both sides were receptive to providing some humanitarian aid. North Korea is seeking sanctions relief. [Link]

Afghanistan

• The Taliban say they have begun to attack cities over rural areas because of increased US airstrikes. [Link]
• The Afghan government’s top media spokesperson was assassinated by the Taliban. [Link] 

Middle East

• Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel responding to Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. Hezbollah reported firing in an empty area to avoid further escalation. [Link]
• Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz says his country is prepared to attack Iran. [Link]
• The Saudi coalition carried out heavy bombing of Yemen, killing at least 18 Houthi fighters. [Link]

Africa

• USAID head Sam Power warns about dehumanizing rhetoric in Ethiopia. [Link]
• Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with the Sudanese leader about the situation in Ethiopia. [Link]
• At least 40 people were killed when unidentified assailants attacked a town in Burkina Faso. Elevenen civilians were killed along with 15 soldiers, four militia fighters, and 15 of the attackers. [Link]
• South Africa, Rwanda, Botswana, Angola, and Zimbabwe have sent nearly 3,000 troops to Mozambique to fight an insurgency. Sources claim the insurgents have killed 2,800 people. The EU has approved plans for training the coalition forces. [Link] [Link]