Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
Tensions between Iran and the United States can potentially set off what may be a world war 3 if conflicts escalate further. Tensions remain at a high especially as Iran has recently warned the US that its troops are on standby.
Following the sighting of US warplanes over the Middle East, the Islamic nation’s foreign ministry warned Washington that their military is on standby and prepared to retaliate to any attack the US may have planned. This also comes as it marks a year since the killing of Iran’s top commander Qassem Soleimani, for whom the Iranian government including a Lebanese militia group Hezbollah, has pledged to take revenge against Washington. US B-52 warplanes were seen close to Iranian airspace last week.
The US has since confirmed that the warplanes have left the region. It is believed that officials in Washington are already wary of a possible attack by Iran at this time. Along with the warning of Iran’s foreign ministry, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s military adviser Hossein Dehghan warned that Tehran can launch an attack on any US base in the region. Dehghan also warned outgoing US president Donald Trump not to turn 2021 into a period of “mourning” for the US. Dehghan also referred to Trump as a “White House evictee” after his election defeat to Joe Biden.
“I saw on the news that the Americans are on alert for fear of revenge and have flown two B-52 bombers over the Persian Gulf. All their military bases in the region are covered by our missiles. I advise the White House evictee not to turn the New Year into mourning for Americans,” tweeted Dehghan.
Aside from tensions between Iran and the United States, the ongoing conflict between China and Taiwan can also potentially set off world war 3 should further aggression be shown. Beijing has insisted on claiming sovereignty over the island nation and refused to acknowledge its autonomy. In her New Year’s address on new year’s day, Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-Wen addressed the conflict with China, especially what is occurring at the Taiwan Strait. Tsai said that she is open to settling the conflict diplomatically with China, assuming that Beijing is looking to improve relations with the island nation.
However, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office blasted the remarks, criticizing Taiwan’s dominant political party for “seeking independence.”
