US pauses visas for all Afghan passport holders, halts asylum requests

A recent report by SIPRI highlights a significant surge in revenues for top global arms producers, including major companies from the US and Europe, as conflicts continue to escalate worldwide. Notable entities such as SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, are among those benefiting from this trend in 2024.

Armed men kidnapped 13 women, including a bride and her bridesmaids, during a night raid in Sokoto State, Nigeria. This incident is part of a troubling trend of abductions that have plagued the region, raising concerns about security and safety for residents.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described recent talks with Ukrainian officials in Florida as 'productive' but acknowledged that significant work remains to be done in establishing a peace framework to end the ongoing conflict with Russia. The discussions aimed to create a pathway for a sovereign Ukraine ahead of U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's upcoming trip to Moscow.

A winter storm impacted the Midwest over the Thanksgiving weekend, bringing over a foot of snow and strong winds, leading to significant travel disruptions. Notably, a 45-car pile-up occurred on Interstate 78 in Indiana, and a Delta Air Lines plane skidded off the runway in Des Moines, Iowa, as 53 million people were under winter weather alerts from South Dakota to New York.

Pope Leo XIV visited Beirut, where he called for an end to violence and emphasized the need for a two-state solution to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict. His presence drew large crowds, reflecting a desire for peace and interfaith understanding in a region marked by longstanding tensions.

President Donald Trump announced that the airspace above and around Venezuela is now considered closed entirely, a declaration that has drawn strong condemnation from the Venezuelan government, which labeled it a 'colonialist threat' to their sovereignty. This escalation in rhetoric signals heightened tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, particularly under the leadership of President Nicolás Maduro.

Polls have opened in Honduras for a presidential election characterized by accusations of fraud and manipulation, with the right-wing candidate Nasry Asfura receiving backing from the United States. The election occurs in a highly polarized environment, raising concerns about the integrity of the voting process.

The Trump administration has halted all visa processing and asylum decisions for Afghan passport holders, a move that could affect tens of thousands, including those evacuated during U.S. operations. This decision follows a shooting incident involving an Afghan national, raising concerns about security and immigration policies.