Pope Francis remained in critical but stable condition while undergoing therapy for a lung infection. Despite his illness, he continued his duties and made significant administrative decisions. A vigil was held in St. Peter's Square, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, to pray for his recovery.
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Canada imposed a 25% tariff on non-CUSMA-compliant US vehicles in response to US auto tariffs. Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that this move aims to protect the Canadian auto industry and will not affect auto parts. The government is also pursuing legal action through the World Trade Organization to challenge the US tariffs.
US President Donald Trump issued an executive order to ban the establishment of a central bank digital currency in the US. Trump's decision aims to protect Americans from risks associated with CBDCs, including potential threats to financial stability, individual privacy, and national sovereignty. Former President Joe Biden had previously encouraged the Fed to explore the creation of a CBDC.
The FCC released a transcript of a contentious "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris, amid Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against CBS. The interview excerpt was edited for brevity, sparking allegations of news distortion. The FCC plans to seek public comment on the complaint.
​Former FBI profiler McCrary pointed to one sentence of the alleged manifesto that said Natalie 'Samantha' Rupnow "would rather be dead than sit in a roll all day". "She has planned to kill herself all along and then is going to get this posthumous notoriety," McCrary said. ​School shooters, the former FBI profiler said, often seek infamy as they view it as a form of fame -- fame without work. "That's what they're getting here, fame without work," McCrary said.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred weakened to a tropical low as it approached Brisbane, bringing flooding rains. Significant damage resulted in over 330,000 power outages and major beach erosion at Gold Coast. A man is missing after being swept away in New South Wales, while many were rescued from floodwaters. Officials are relieved the cyclone didn't worsen at high tide.
A New York judge has rejected President-elect Donald Trump's bid to delay his sentencing in a hush-money case, scheduled just days before his inauguration. Judge Juan Merchan upheld his earlier decision despite Trump's legal team's appeals. Trump, convicted of falsifying business records in 2023, faces sentencing on January 10, 2025, though jail time is unlikely.
Xi Jinping is advocating for free trade in Southeast Asia, portraying China as a source of stability. Welcomed in Vietnam and later in Malaysia, Xi emphasized opposing unilateral actions and maintaining global supply chains. Agreements were signed with Vietnam, including railway projects and increased agricultural exports. He will end his tour with a stop in Cambodia.
Fourteen Democratic state attorneys general sued Elon Musk and Donald Trump, claiming the unlawful delegation of executive power to Musk. They argue that Musk's cost-cutting actions could harm residents by disrupting federal funding for critical services such as law enforcement, education, and healthcare.
Bill Gates has voiced his concerns about Elon Musk's decision to potentially shut down USAID, stating it could lead to millions of deaths due to its crucial role in global health initiatives. While Gates acknowledges Musk's innovations in the private sector and called him super-smart, he criticized Musk's support of far-right party in Germany.
​"I thought I was done voting in the senate," JD Vance wrote as he had to do a senator's job for Hegseth again. Elon Musk reacted to JD Vance's statement with a 'tears of joy' smiley. JD Vance is no longer a senator as he resigned from the Ohio senator post after becoming the vice president but had to cast the vote to break the tie.