Taiwan’s relations with the United States are at their strongest point in a long time despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties. Officials in Washington value the Asian government’s role in international causes, Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said Friday.

ON THIS DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY On August 30, 1963, a hotline is established allowing the U.S. president and Soviet premier to communicate directly in the case of a crisis. The action was a direct result of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, which saw the U.S. and Soviet Union come close to war. During the dispute, communication between the two countries was often slow and cumbersome. Both sides agreed to only use the hotline in case of emergency and not for routine communication. Contrary to popular belief, the first hotline was not a red telephone but rather a system of teleprinters. The first time the hotline was used was during the 1967 Six Day War in the Middle East when President Lyndon B. Johnson informed the Soviet leader to say he was considering moving U.S. warplanes into the Mediterranean Sea.

The United States is offering rewards of up to $5 million for information about three Islamic State leaders, a move analysts say could place more pressure on the terror group.

Former Venezuelan Vice President Tarek El Aissami last week struck out at Washington after the Trump administration named him, along with Venezuelan businessman Samark Jose Lopez Bello, to its Most Wanted List for international narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

VIDEO: An unusual regatta took place in Northern Virginia, as thousands gathered in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Reston to watch a cardboard boat race. More than 150 participants used duct tape, cardboard, their imagination and engineering skills to stay afloat as long as possible.

In India’s northeastern Assam state, anxiety is mounting among nearly four million people who fear they may no longer count as Indian citizens although many have lived in the country for decades .