FIFA World Cup 2026 draw: Teams, pots, how to watch and all to know

The Trump administration has paused all asylum decisions and halted visa issuance for Afghan nationals following a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., which critically injured two members of the National Guard. This decision has left many asylum seekers, including those from Afghanistan, in a state of uncertainty regarding their immigration status and future in the U.S.

An industrial boom in Monterrey, Mexico, which has strong ties to the US, is leading to severe air pollution as factories emit toxic heavy metals, posing significant health risks to local residents. Research by The Guardian and Quinto Elemento Lab highlights the alarming situation in this manufacturing hub that primarily exports goods to the US.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is under scrutiny following the authorization of a second military strike on a boat in the Caribbean, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of survivors from an earlier attack linked to alleged drug trafficking. This has raised significant concerns regarding the conduct of military operations in the region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Russian forces have captured the strategic city of Pokrovsk in Ukraine, a statement disputed by Ukrainian officials who assert they still control parts of the city. This announcement coincides with the arrival of U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow for talks aimed at negotiating a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict.

Thousands of Starbucks baristas are currently on strike across the United States, marking what is anticipated to be the longest and largest industrial action in the company's history. This strike follows a significant unionization movement that began four years ago in New York, which saw numerous outlets unionize despite strong opposition from the coffee chain.

Trinidad and Tobago's approval of a US military radar installation has raised concerns about the Caribbean's potential involvement in the escalating US-Venezuela crisis. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has attempted to downplay fears, asserting that a US C-17 aircraft was merely transporting marines for a road project, claiming no marines remain in the country.

The UK has agreed to pay 25% more for new US medicines, a decision that has raised concerns among health policy experts who warn it sets a problematic precedent. This agreement reflects a significant shift in the global pharmaceutical market, as noted by Australia's federal health minister, Mark Butler, who is monitoring the implications for Australia.

US mass killings have dropped to a 20-year low in 2025, according to a recent database report. Experts attribute this decline to a return to more typical levels following an unusual spike in incidents in previous years.