8am: The United Nations has recently reported that relations between al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders have recently become closer. According to the report, al-Qaeda has gained more freedom with the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has renewed his allegiance to Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, according to a 25-page report recently released by the United Nations. Click here to read more (external link).