The United States and Guatemala and Honduras have reportedly signed agreements to potentially offer refuge to individuals seeking asylum, potentially expanding the U.S.’s ability to return migrants to third countries. According to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, these agreements aim to provide asylum-seekers with options beyond the United States, but both Guatemala and Honduras later denied signing safe third-country agreements. This move builds upon previous agreements and efforts by the U.S. to limit access to its asylum system. These agreements reflect broader efforts to manage migration, including the use of third-country agreements with other nations like El Salvador, Panama, and Costa Rica.
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Following the US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the United States is the primary force behind Israel’s military actions against Iran, asserting that Washington intervened after observing Israel’s perceived “impotence.” The attacks, which targeted the Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear facilities, were declared a “spectacular military success” by US President Donald Trump. These strikes followed a week of intense conflict initiated by Israeli attacks on Iranian infrastructure, escalating tensions in the region. While Iran claims its nuclear program is peaceful, Israel views it as an existential threat, leading to continued conflict and significant casualties.
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This list encompasses a comprehensive collection of countries and territories worldwide. The entries range from sovereign nations like the United States and China to dependent territories and special administrative regions. The geographical scope is global, including countries from all continents. The list provides a complete and detailed overview of various political entities across the planet. This information is useful for a variety of purposes, including geographical research and international relations.
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The Civicus Monitor has added the United States to its 2025 watchlist due to a perceived rapid decline in civic freedoms. This follows the Trump administration’s actions, which Civicus describes as an “unparalleled attack on the rule of law,” citing mass employee terminations, withdrawal from international organizations, and crackdowns on protests. The US currently holds a “narrowed” rating, indicating occasional violations of civic freedoms, but Civicus warns of a potential shift to “obstructed” status. This designation reflects concerns about the erosion of checks and balances and the potential for emboldening authoritarian regimes globally.
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The WHO has reported that a US government freeze on tens of billions of dollars in USAID funding has severely impacted global health initiatives in 50 countries. This funding freeze, impacting programs combating HIV, polio, mpox, and avian flu, has resulted in disrupted HIV treatment and clinic closures. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged the Trump administration to reinstate aid, citing the critical need for continued health services. The decision follows President Trump’s assertion that USAID is inefficient and corrupt, despite a lack of supporting evidence.
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Archivist of the United States Colleen Shogan was dismissed Friday night by President Trump, as announced by Presidential Personnel Office Director Sergio Gor. Shogan’s dismissal, while seemingly sudden, followed Trump’s earlier indication of a planned replacement. The move comes amidst Trump’s past clashes with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) over his handling of classified documents. This appointment is significant given the typically apolitical nature of the archivist’s role.
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John Q. Hosedrinker