Britain's economic growth grew by 0.1 percent in November, less than expected. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and finance minister Rachel Reeves face challenges despite a slight drop in UK inflation in December. Reeves aims to drive economic growth amid criticism. Predictions indicate economic slowdown may continue amid higher taxes and potential trade conflicts.
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"I don't want to point fingers at anything. I really don't know. But obviously people can speculate what they want," Jasmine Mooney, the Canadian actress detained by ICE, said on being asked whether she felt that Trump's border policies led to her detention. Vancouver-based Jasmine Mooney went to the US-Mexico border to renew her visa and she was detained by the ICE, she said.
Crystal Aguilar, a 24-year-old activist, was arrested for allegedly replacing an American flag with a Mexican flag at Hart Park in Bakersfield, California. During the confrontation, she threatened park rangers and resisted arrest. Aguilar faces multiple charges, including threatening a peace officer and vandalism, with bail set at $20,689.
Russian prosecutors are seeking nearly six-year prison sentences for three lawyers who represented the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. They are accused of participating in an extremist organization. Navalny's widow and human rights groups condemn the charges as politically motivated, marking a new level of repression against dissent in Russia. The lawyers' trial has been held in secret.
Tulsi Gabbard has been appointed as the Director of National Intelligence in a historic Senate vote, becoming the first Hindu to lead the US intelligence community. ISKCON has praised her for her dedication to Vaishnava values, while her extensive military and political background offers a strong foundation for the role.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warned on Sunday that the Middle East would remain unstable if the Palestinian militant group Hamas remained in power in the Gaza Strip. If the international community wanted a permanent ceasefire, he added, then it must include the dismantling of Hamas as a military power and ruling entity in Gaza.
A federal judge has ruled that President Trump's firing of Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger was unlawful. The Justice Department plans to appeal, but the ruling maintains that the special counsel is protected from being removed without cause to ensure independence in protecting federal employees.
Pope Francis, 88, remains hospitalized with a multi-pronged respiratory infection, leading the Vatican to cancel papal audiences and delegate responsibilities to others. The cancellations affect events for the holy year, which attracts millions of pilgrims. Francis, who has a history of bronchitis, was admitted after his condition worsened. The Vatican has not specified how long he will stay in the hospital, citing the complexity of his treatment.
​The members of the Trump team don't quite buy Zuckerberg's right-wing conversion as entirely genuine and think that it is at least partly motivated by self-interest. They have even spoken to Trump about Zuckerberg's desperate attempts to enter Trump's inner orbit, a Rolling Stone report said. A Trump team member said Zuckerberg needs to do more to be given entry to the inner orbit.
UK Premier Keir Starmer emphasized that Russia must decide to engage in peace talks, with President Vladimir Putin needing to come to the table eventually. Starmer noted Ukraine's commitment to peace, while highlighting Russia's delays. Simultaneously, both nations experienced significant aerial attacks overnight, trading over 100 drones each.
Mass immunization campaigns had almost eradicated wild poliovirus until recent surges in Pakistan due to spillover from Afghanistan. Vaccine hesitancy, poor sanitary conditions, and Taliban restrictions contribute to the setbacks. Strengthening routine immunization programs and cooperation with the Taliban are necessary to eradicate the virus in the region.