Frozen Afghan Funds in the US Released & A State of Emergency in Ontario
Frozen Afghan Funds, Endangered Koalas, and French Fry Perfume 1440 Weekend Edition
Happy Saturday!It's Feb. 12, and in this weekend edition, we're covering an executive order over frozen Afghan funds in the US, a state of emergency in Ontario, and much more. Have feedback? We'd love to hear it. Let us know at [email protected].
President Joe Biden signed an executive order yesterday to release $7B in frozen assets that belong to Afghanistan’s central bank. Half of the funds would be set aside for the families of 9/11 victims who have sued the Taliban. The other half would go toward humanitarian relief for Afghanistan as it faces widespread famine and a collapsing economy.
The Afghan government left behind billions of dollars in reserves across several countries when the Taliban took over its capital of Kabul last year after US troops withdrew. The final transfer of the funds could take months, requiring action from the courts as well as the Treasury Department, Federal Reserve, and financial institutions.
Separately, the Taliban had detained two journalists working for the United Nations and Afghan nationals working alongside them, according to reports yesterday. They were later released. Several other foreigners, including an American, have been held in Kabul since December. Their status is unclear.
The emergency status comes as Canadian trucker protests against COVID-19-related mandates shut down parts of Ottawa, Ontario and the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario. A judge ordered protestors to clear the bridge.
The proposal from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would roll back some suggested limits on the painkillers that were issued in guidance from 2016.
Scientists built a biohybrid fish from paper, plastic, gelatin, and two strips of living heart muscle cells. They say the findings could pave the way for producing human heart tissue.
The fast-food chain filed trademarks this week that include operating a virtual restaurant with in-person home delivery.
In partnership with Alts
EXPAND YOUR ASSET HORIZONS
Has your portfolio been a roller coaster with a lot of drops lately? Yeah, ours too. The S&P is down. Nasdaq is down. Even crypto is down.
But did you know that farmland has been largely unaffected? Or that comic books are up? Or that tickets are rising? That's why we read Alts. Its founders, Stefan and Wyatt, provide original research, analysis, and insights to help you become a better investor. And get this: They don't just track these markets; they actually have skin in the game. While the vast majority of investments were down last month, Alts recommendations were up 1.4%.
Best of the Week: National Park photographer captures a massive moose.
Historybook: Abraham Lincoln born (1809); Charles Darwin born (1809); NAACP founded (1909); HBD American basketball player Bill Russell (1934); HBD American author Judy Blume (1938); RIP Peanuts cartoonist Charles M. Schulz (2000).
"How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it."
- Judy Blume, "Tiger Eyes"
Why 1440? The printing press was invented in the year 1440, spreading knowledge to the masses and changing the course of history. Guess what else? There are 1,440 minutes in a day and every one is precious. That’s why we scour hundreds of sources every day to provide a concise, comprehensive, and objective view of what's happening in the world. Reader feedback is a gift—shoot us a note at [email protected].
Interested in advertising to smart readers like you? Apply here!
