Trump Administration Reviews Nvidia H200 Chip Sales to China, Marking Major Shift in U.S. AI Export Policy 
Venezuela Seeks UN Security Council Meeting Over U.S. Oil Tanker Blockade 
Republicans Raise National Security Concerns Over Intel’s Testing of China-Linked Chipmaking Tools 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Dan Bongino to Step Down as FBI Deputy Director After Brief, Controversial Tenure 
Argentina Unions Rally Against Milei’s Labor Reform as Congress Debates Key Bill 
U.S. Senators Move Toward Deal to Strengthen Military Helicopter Safety Rules 
U.S. House Advances GOP Healthcare Bill as ACA Subsidies Near Expiration 
Trump Signs Order to Ease Federal Marijuana Rules, Signaling Major Policy Shift 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Union-Aligned Investors Question Amazon, Walmart and Alphabet on Trump Immigration Policies 
Trump Expands U.S. Travel Ban to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Sparking Economic Fears in the Caribbean 
UN Warns Gaza Humanitarian Aid at Risk as Israel Registration Rules Threaten NGO Operations 
NSW to Recall Parliament for Urgent Gun and Protest Law Reforms After Bondi Beach Shooting 
U.S. Initiates $11.1 Billion Arms Sale to Taiwan Amid Rising China Tensions 
Federal Appeals Court Allows Trump’s National Guard Deployment in Washington, D.C. to Continue 
Pakistan’s Army Chief Faces Gaza Troop Dilemma Amid US Pressure 
President Donald Trump’s foreign aid suspension has halted flights for over 40,000 Afghans approved for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), many at risk of Taliban retaliation. Most stranded individuals remain in Afghanistan, while others are in Pakistan, Qatar, and Albania, according to Shawn VanDiver, head of #AfghanEvac, a coalition aiding Afghan evacuations.
The stoppage follows Trump’s 90-day pause on foreign development aid as part of his "America First" policy review. Advocacy groups report widespread disruption to U.S. and global aid operations, affecting critical programs like nutrition, health, and vaccinations. The State Department also suspended funding for organizations assisting Afghan SIV holders with resettlement, including housing, education, and employment support.
VanDiver believes the suspension was unintentional and urges exemptions for SIV-approved Afghans, emphasizing their sacrifices alongside U.S. forces during the 20-year conflict. Tens of thousands of Afghans are still awaiting visa approvals.
Reports from the U.N. suggest the Taliban have detained, tortured, and killed former U.S.-aligned soldiers and officials, despite the Taliban’s general amnesty claims. The flight suspension leaves many Afghans stranded at visa processing centers in Qatar and Albania or waiting in Afghanistan and Pakistan to travel for visa approvals.
Since the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, nearly 200,000 Afghans have resettled in the U.S. on SIVs or as refugees. However, Trump’s recent executive order halting all U.S. refugee resettlement programs has further disrupted evacuations, stranding family members of Afghan American military personnel, former soldiers, and unaccompanied children.
The White House and State Department have not commented on the matter. Advocacy groups continue to call for action, stressing the urgency of protecting U.S.-affiliated Afghans facing Taliban threats.
