The United States has begun withdrawing some military personnel from bases in Qatar. This is due to Iran's threats to strike American bases in the region.
The US State Department is suspending visa processing for 75 countries, including Russia and Iran, starting January 21. This is due to a review of applicant screening procedures that could lead to a public charge.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson criticized US threats against Denmark regarding Greenland. He stated that Trump should thank Copenhagen for its loyalty, not threaten to seize territories.
Political scientist Stanislav Zhelikhovsky explained what peacekeeping forces would mean for Ukraine and how effective they would be. He emphasized that it is fundamentally important for Kyiv not to be left alone with Russia in the post-war period.
Rain and snowfall caused widespread flooding in several regions of Afghanistan, killing 17 people and injuring 11. The disaster affected 1,800 families, damaging homes and infrastructure.
A federal judge in California has invalidated the Trump administration's decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 60,000 immigrants from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua. This ruling will allow TPS holders from these countries to legally work in the US and avoid deportation.
New Year on the planet lasts almost a day, starting from the Line Islands in the Pacific Ocean and ending in Samoa. Find out the exact time of the 2026 New Year celebration in different countries of the world according to Kyiv time.
Since December 26, the US Department of Homeland Security has introduced new immigration control protocols. Now, mandatory photography of all non-US citizens, including Green Card holders, at every point of entry and exit.
Russia has almost doubled its exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Central Asia and Afghanistan, reaching 1. 016 million metric tons from January to November 2025. This happened after the EU imposed restrictions on the import of Russian propane and butane in December 2024.
An armed clash occurred on the border between the two countries on December 24, resulting in the deaths of two Tajik officers and several armed men from Afghanistan.
Syrian authorities announced the arrest of Taha al-Zubi, known as Abu Omar Tibiya, ISIS's "wali" of Damascus, during a "carefully planned" operation. A suicide belt and weapons were seized from him; the US Army Central Command did not confirm the operation.
Turkish intelligence detained Mehmet Goren, an ISIS member, on the Afghan-Pakistani border. He was planning terrorist attacks in Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and European countries.
US President Donald Trump has signed an order to tighten restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals into the United States. The restrictions apply to 5 new countries and individuals with Palestinian Authority travel documents, and are extended for 12 high-risk countries.
Polish border guards discovered a tunnel under the border with Belarus, through which 180 illegal migrants entered Poland. Over 130 people, mostly from Afghanistan and Pakistan, have been detained.
The US proposes to introduce mandatory checks of social media history for the past five years for visa-free travelers. This concerns citizens of 40 countries who use the ESTA electronic system and raises concerns due to the predicted drop in the number of foreign tourists.
The Russian Embassy in Iran stated that letters offering to recruit Iranians for the war in Ukraine are being sent by malicious actors. The advertisement promises $20,000 for signing a contract and a monthly salary of $2,000.
US President's Special Representative Kellogg stated that Russia and Ukraine together have lost over two million soldiers in the war. He emphasized the need to end the conflict.
The administration of US President Trump plans to expand the US travel ban to 30 countries after a shooting in Washington where a servicewoman was killed. The suspect is an Afghan citizen who arrived in the US in 2021.
Rahmanullah Lakhanwal, an Afghan national accused of assaulting and killing National Guard servicemen near the White House, pleaded not guilty. He participated in the first court hearing via video link from his hospital bed.
Tajikistan and Russia are negotiating joint patrolling of the border with Afghanistan after attacks that killed five Chinese citizens. Russia may use helicopters to patrol the 1,344-kilometer border.
US President Donald Trump is in excellent health, as evidenced by "absolutely normal" MRI results of his heart and abdomen. The 79-year-old president's examination was conducted in October and confirmed the absence of problems.
Donald Trump asked a journalist, "Are you clueless?" during a press conference. This happened after he announced the death of Sarah Backstrom, one of two National Guard service members wounded in the attack.
The Donald Trump administration is initiating a review of green cards for immigrants from 19 high-risk countries following a shooting in Washington, which injured two National Guardsmen. This decision was made after the shooting suspect was identified as an Afghan citizen.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has suspended processing all entry requests from Afghanistan pending a review of security protocols. This decision was made after two National Guardsmen were wounded in Washington by Afghan Rahmanullah Lakhanwal, who fled the Taliban in 2021.
Germany is developing and implementing a secret 1,200-page "Operational Plan Germany" (OPLAN DEU) in case of war with Russia, which provides for the transfer of up to 800,000 NATO troops to the front line. The plan details logistics and defense, and also brings back a Cold War mentality, taking into account modern threats and infrastructure problems.
Donald Trump stated that the suspect in the shooting, which resulted in two National Guardsmen being wounded, is a citizen of Afghanistan. The Trump administration has pledged to review the status of all Afghan immigrants admitted during the Biden era.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey retracted his own words about the death of two US National Guard soldiers wounded the day before. The suspect in the shooting is believed to be 29-year-old Afghan citizen Rahmanullah Lakhanwal, who immigrated to the US in 2021.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called on the people of the United States to cooperate for peace, speaking at a rally in Caracas. He emphasized the unacceptability of endless and unjust wars.
In Pakistan, 27 people were injured in a suicide bombing near a police vehicle. The group "Jamaat-ul-Ahrar" claimed responsibility for the attack, although the Pakistani "Taliban" denied its involvement.
Peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Turkey ended inconclusively due to disagreements over control of Pakistan's internal security. Both sides confirmed their intention to adhere to the current ceasefire.
