U.S

MIAMI — Ukrainian negotiators arrived in the U.S. for Miami talks with President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner and U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, an effort Kyiv says will focus on security guarantees and post-war recovery as the war with Russia nears its fourth year. The mission underscores a dual-track push: Kyiv is seeking concrete assurances to deter a future Russian attack while confronting a punishing winter campaign that has battered Ukraine’s energy grid and left tens of thousands…

Ukrainian negotiators arrived in the United States for talks in Miami with President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, seeking a pathway to end nearly four years of war with Russia as strikes batter Ukraine’s energy grid in a brutal cold snap. Kyrylo Budanov, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s new chief of staff and head of the Ukrainian delegation, said on social media the team had landed and would “have an important conversation with our American…

U.S. pulls some personnel from Middle East bases as Iran warns of strikes if attacked The United States is withdrawing some personnel from key military bases in the Middle East amid heightened tensions with Iran, a U.S. official said Wednesday, as Tehran warned regional neighbors it would target American facilities if Washington launches strikes. The U.N. Security Council is due to meet on Iran on Thursday at the request of the United States. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the drawdowns are…

U.S. names Justin Davis chargé d’affaires in Somalia amid regional tensions Friday January 16, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — The United States has appointed veteran diplomat Justin Davis as chargé d’affaires ad interim at its embassy in Somalia, putting him in charge of one of Washington’s most complex and high-risk diplomatic missions at a politically sensitive moment for the Horn of Africa. The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu said Davis formally assumed the role this week, taking over day-to-day leadership following the departure of…

WASHINGTON — The United States will indefinitely suspend immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Somalia, the State Department said, in one of the broadest recent restrictions on legal immigration. The policy, effective Jan. 21, halts approvals of immigrant visas while the department reviews screening and vetting procedures. Applicants from the affected countries may continue to file paperwork, but no visas will be issued until the review is complete. No end date was announced. Officials said the…

President Donald Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to end protests over federal immigration raids in Minnesota, escalating a standoff over immigration enforcement and the limits of presidential power. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would use the law if Minnesota officials did not halt what he called attacks on federal immigration agents, and he suggested the move could extend to other Democratic-led states including California, Illinois and Oregon. “If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don't obey…

US Immigrant Visa Suspension Sparks Outrage and Relief Across Africa The processing of U.S. immigrant visas for nationals from dozens of African countries has been indefinitely suspended, a sweeping decision announced by the U.S. Department of State on Wednesday. This move affects a total of 75 countries, including several longtime allies in the African region. In Liberia, one of the nations caught in this new policy, reactions have varied. Some citizens voiced anger and frustration as the announcement reverberated…

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration will end Temporary Protected Status for Somali nationals and begin deportations in March, the Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday, saying thousands will be required to leave the United States once their protections lapse. In a statement posted to its X account, DHS said, “Our message is clear. Go back to your own country, or we’ll send you back ourselves.” “Temporary means temporary. Country conditions in Somalia have improved to the point that it no longer meets the law’s…

White House pauses immigrant visas for dozens of countries as it revives “public charge” scrutiny WASHINGTON — The White House on Wednesday ordered an immediate pause on immigrant visas for nationals of dozens of countries, including Somalia and Haiti, as the Trump administration moves to tighten long-standing “public charge” rules and restrict permanent entry for applicants deemed likely to rely on government benefits. The suspension targets those seeking to immigrate permanently and does not appear to apply to temporary…

U.S. Embassy denies issuing security warning over Somali president’s Las Anod visit MOGADISHU, Somalia — The U.S. Embassy in Somalia on Wednesday denied online reports claiming it issued a security warning ahead of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s planned visit to the northern city of Las Anod, calling the claims false and urging the public to rely on its official channels. “The U.S. Embassy has not released any security warning concerning travel to Las Anod,” the embassy said in a statement, adding that people should…