China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
Afghanistan continues to suffer an economic and humanitarian crisis for over a year since the West withdrew its military presence and the Taliban retook control of the country. The United States has pledged to engage in talks to release Afghan assets despite concerns and frustrations with the insurgent group.
Reuters reports the administration of President Joe Biden will be committing to discussions to release billions in foreign-held Afghan assets, according to three sources knowledgeable about the matter.
The pledge comes despite concerns over the Taliban and the Afghan Central Bank’s slow-walking as well as the presence of the late al Qaeda leader in Kabul.
The decision by the administration comes as the need to stabilize Afghanistan’s economy and its growing humanitarian crisis was met with increased concern from Washington.
The United Nations also previously warned that nearly half of the 40 million people that make up Afghanistan’s population are at risk of “acute hunger” especially as the winter season approaches.
The US-led effort involves the transferring of billions of foreign-held Afghan central bank assets into a proposed Swiss-based trust fund. Disbursements would be done through an international board and bypass the Taliban, as many of the group’s leaders and officials are sanctioned by both the US and the United Nations.
Back in June, the Taliban presented a counterproposal in Doha, Qatar.
Two sources familiar with the matter said the State Department and Treasury officials told independent analysts during a briefing between August 11, 12 days after the US CIA drone strike killed al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri who was in Kabul, that they intend to pursue discussions despite frustration with the pace.
One source said a US official was frustrated that the Taliban and the Afghan central bank are not acting quickly.
The United Nations Security Council has also failed to reach an agreement on whether to extend the travel waiver for several members of the insurgent group who have been granted travel.
The United States and other Western countries have proposed reducing the list of Taliban officials who are allowed to travel in protest of the group’s policies toward women and girls.
