Politics

Border detentions for unauthorized crossings from Mexico into the United States in December showed little change from the previous month, maintaining the lowest levels since July 2020. A senior U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed Monday that December detentions are expected to finish near November's total of 46,612. The official added that preliminary data suggests around 44,000 arrests earlier this month. December marks the sixth consecutive month that detentions at the southern border were lower than the monthly averages seen in 2019, signaling a continued decline in unauthorized crossings. The official also noted…

This year marks a significant milestone for Panama as the nation celebrates 25 years since it assumed full control of the Panama Canal. On December 31, 1999, the canal was officially transferred to Panama by the United States under the terms of the Torrijos-Carter treaties signed in 1977. The historic transfer symbolized a triumph of sovereignty and national pride for the Panamanian people, who see the canal as vital part of their identity and economic backbone. President José Raúl Mulino presided over the anniversary celebrations, underlining the importance of the canal to Panama's sovereignty and development. In a message shared…

The US Congress narrowly avoided a partial government shutdown on Friday, after weeks of partisan wrangling over federal spending limits and debt ceiling extensions. The crisis came as Republicans, responding to pressure from former President Donald Trump, debated proposals to raise the debt limit while addressing broader fiscal concerns. President of the Chamber Mike Johnsona Republican, he managed to push a plan through his chamber, which is narrowly controlled by his party, while also securing enough bipartisan support to pass it in the Democratic-majority Senate. Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Johnson expressed cautious optimism: “We have a plan.…

The Republican-led US House of Representatives passed legislation on Friday to prevent a government shutdown, rejecting President-elect Donald Trump's calls to include billions of dollars in new funding. The bill, which now moves to the Democratic-controlled Senate, must be approved and signed into law by President Joe Biden before current funding expires at midnight Saturday. The bill passed the House with broad bipartisan support in a 366-34 vote, extending federal funding through March 14. The bill allocates $100 billion for disaster relief and $10 billion for farmers, but excludes controversial provisions, including raising the debt ceiling, a controversial Trump issue.…

The UK economy unexpectedly contracted in October, exacerbating fears of a prolonged economic slowdown as businesses and households grapple with uncertainty. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 0.1% month-on-month, defying economists' expectations of a modest 0.1% increase. This contraction follows a similar 0.1% decline in September, marking the second consecutive month of negative growth and raising concerns about the country's economic trajectory. The ONS attributed October's decline to reduced output across all key sectors. However, on a three-month rolling basis, GDP showed a slight increase of 0.1% for the period ending in…

Vice President Kamala Harris appealed to Democrats still reeling from last month's election defeat, urging them to remain steadfast in their commitment to progress. Speaking days before Donald Trump returned to the White House, with Republicans retaining full control of Congress, Harris encouraged supporters to remain engaged in the political fight despite their disappointment. In a motivational speech, Harris acknowledged the frustration and disillusionment felt by many Democrats since the election, but stressed the importance of resilience. “Many people have told me they feel angry, even defeated,” Harris said. “They said they don't have the strength or desire to stay…

President-elect Donald Trump prepares to ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), marking the ceremonial start of the trading day. This symbolic event comes at a crucial time as markets weigh the implications of his 2024 election victory, according to people familiar with the matter. The event is expected to be a significant moment for Trump, a native New Yorker who spent much of his life in Manhattan before moving to Florida. His return to the city for this occasion underlines his connection to the financial world and his enduring association with Wall Street. Historically, the…

Just a week after Donald Trump secured victory in the US presidential election, Elon Musk hinted at his increasingly important role in shaping the political landscape. The billionaire businessman made headlines by suggesting that his political involvement would serve as “a significant obstacle in the primaries,” signaling his willingness to challenge Republican lawmakers who deviate from Trump's agenda. Musk's intentions became clearer shortly thereafter, when he took to X (formerly known as Twitter), the social media platform he owns, to respond to a suggestion that he might financially support challengers to Republican members of the Congress who opposed Trump's policies.…

During an event honoring veterans and their families at the White House, President Joe Biden reflected on the lasting impact of the Pearl Harbor attack, calling it a moment that "changed the future of the world." Speaking just before the 83rd anniversary of the attack, Biden highlighted the historic significance of that day and drew parallels to decisions facing the United States today. Recalling his childhood, Biden said he grew up hearing stories about Pearl Harbor and the aftermath of the attack, which prompted many to join the military during World War II. “During World War II, we met at…

President Joe Biden expressed optimism and caution as Syria enters a new chapter following the departure of its longtime leader, Bashar al-Assad. Speaking from the White House on Sunday, Biden underscored the United States' commitment to working with international partners and stakeholders to support Syria's democratic transition after more than 13 years of devastating conflict. Assad's departure marks the end of a brutal era for Syria. The embattled leader, along with his family, has reportedly requested asylum in Russia, which granted him refuge “on humanitarian grounds,” according to Russian officials quoted by local media. Syrian rebels took full control of…