Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to visit the five Central Asian nations—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—next year, underscoring Washington’s renewed focus on the resource-rich region. Speaking at a State Department reception, Rubio emphasized that the United States and Central Asian states share common interests in developing natural resources responsibly to boost economic diversification.
“You are looking to take the resources that God has blessed your nations with and turn them into responsible development,” Rubio said, adding that he intends to visit all five countries during a week-long trip.
The announcement came ahead of a high-profile meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and the presidents of the five Central Asian countries in Washington. The talks are expected to focus on strengthening economic ties, particularly in the areas of rare earth minerals and energy development—key sectors in which these nations have significant untapped potential.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau highlighted that the Trump administration’s initiative reflects a strategic push to engage more actively with Central Asia, a region traditionally influenced by Russia and China. Landau, along with Sergio Gor, the U.S. ambassador to India and Trump’s special envoy to Central Asia, recently visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to finalize agreements to be announced during the leaders’ visit.
“The opportunities are amazing—business opportunities, many ways to partner there,” Landau noted.
In addition, Senator James Risch announced plans to introduce a bill aimed at repealing the Cold War-era Jackson–Vanik amendment, which restricts U.S. trade with non-market economies. The proposed repeal is seen as part of Washington’s broader effort to deepen trade and investment ties with Central Asia while countering regional dependence on Moscow and Beijing.
