The United States will provide $45 million in aid to Thailand and Cambodia to support regional stability and the peace process at their border, including $15 million for border stabilization, $10 million for demining and unexploded ordnance clearance, and $20 million for anti-scam and drug-trafficking initiatives, tied to the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord and ongoing discussions with Bangkok and Phnom Penh.
Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned on state TV that Tehran could launch preemptive strikes against Israel and U.S. military targets if it detects signs of an impending threat, signaling a sharp escalation as Washington weighs options and regional tensions mount amid domestic protests.
The U.S. has expanded its travel bans to include 20 additional nations, bringing the total to 39, due to concerns over security screening deficiencies and potential threats, with some exceptions for diplomats and athletes.
In the first year of President Trump's return to the White House, over 500,000 people were deported as part of a broad anti-immigration crackdown, according to New York Times coverage.
In 2025, the U.S. experienced over 2,000 measles cases for the first time in over 30 years, mainly among unvaccinated individuals, with Texas, Arizona, and South Carolina being the most affected states, amid concerns about declining vaccination rates and misinformation.
A powerful winter storm is impacting over 125 million Americans with strong winds, heavy snow, and ice, causing blizzard warnings in the Midwest and ice storms in the Northeast, while the weather eases in the West for New Year's celebrations.
Most of the U.S. experiences its snowiest months in January or February, especially in central and eastern regions with over three inches of annual snowfall, affecting about 190 million people including major cities like New York, Chicago, and Seattle.
The likelihood of a white Christmas in 2025 is decreasing due to warmer weather patterns, especially in the eastern US and Canada, with snow more probable in northern regions and mountain areas. Long-term climate data show a decline in snow probability, making a traditional white Christmas less common.
The US is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in over three decades, with nearly 2,000 cases this year, mainly in communities with low vaccination rates, risking the country's measles elimination status. Public health officials emphasize vaccination as the key to controlling the spread, which is fueled by unvaccinated populations and ongoing outbreaks in several states, including South Carolina.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order effective January 1, 2026, adjusting various federal pay scales including the General Schedule, Senior Executive Service, judicial salaries, military pay, and locality-based payments, superseding the previous order from December 2024.
Measles outbreaks are worsening in South Carolina, Arizona, and Utah, with hundreds in quarantine and cases nearing 2,000 nationwide, driven largely by unvaccinated individuals. Experts warn that declining vaccination rates are reversing progress made since measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, and recent changes to vaccine recommendations may impact public trust.
The COP30 climate summit in Brazil sees nearly 200 nations discussing global efforts to combat climate change, but the absence of the US, China, and India’s top leaders casts a shadow. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticizes the US administration's lack of high-level participation, highlighting the ongoing challenges in meeting the Paris Agreement goals, with current commitments falling short of the necessary reductions to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Despite some progress, the summit underscores the need for stronger action and increased climate finance, especially for developing countries.
At COP30, countries are struggling to meet climate goals, with global efforts to cut emissions falling short and the planet on track to warm by about 5°F by century's end. The US, having withdrawn from the Paris Agreement under Trump, is rolling back renewable energy initiatives, which could slow progress. Despite rapid growth in renewable energy worldwide, stronger government action is needed to prevent catastrophic climate impacts.
Canada has lost its measles elimination status due to ongoing transmission of the virus for over a year, with a significant outbreak in 2024. The U.S. is also nearing loss of its status, with a recent surge in cases across several states. The WHO's PAHO reviews countries' control efforts annually, and ongoing transmission and vaccination rates are key factors in determining elimination status. Both countries will need to improve vaccination and surveillance to regain status.
The lapse in SNAP benefits has caused a surge in demand at food banks across the US, leading to shortages, long waits, and increased strain on charitable organizations, highlighting the critical need for government support in addressing food insecurity.
