The White House has has sent a peace envoy to Qatar, where Taliban officials hold a diplomatic office, to help formulate an international response to the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. The US state department said that the goal will be “to press the Taliban to stop their military offensive and to negotiate a political settlement, which is the only path to stability and development in Afghanistan.” The envoy will also try to gain a commitment from surrounding countries to not recognize the Taliban if they do come to power through force. 

The Senate passed the $1 trillion infrastructure bill on Tuesday, bringing closure to a bill that had been in discussion since April. The bill is being touted as a win for bipartisanship in a Senate that is otherwise deeply divided. The final bill was drafted by a bipartisan committee and passed the Senate by a vote of 69-30, with 19 Republicans voting alongside Democrats.