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 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…

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…

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…

The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point this week, a move some analysts are calling a “hard reversal” in monetary policy. This decision comes alongside updated economic forecasts and interest rate projections as the central bank attempts to balance its goals against a backdrop of changing economic conditions and the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. The expected rate drop would lower the Fed's key interest rate to a range of 4.25% to 4.50%, marking a full one percentage point reduction from September, when the central bank began…

President Joe Biden announced a bold plan to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% by 2035, reaffirming his administration's commitment to fighting global warming. This move comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office next month, vowing to dismantle much of Biden's climate agenda in favor of policies that promote fossil fuel production. Biden's updated goal, which exceeds his previous commitments, aims to keep the United States on track to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in all sectors of the economy by 2050. The formal commitment, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), it will be submitted…

US President Joe Biden will visit the Vatican next month, marking what is likely to be his last international trip as president before his term ends. The White House announced that Biden will travel to Rome from January 9 to 12, where he will meet with Pope Francis, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “President Biden will have an audience with the Pope on January 10 to discuss global efforts to promote peace,” the White House said in a statement. Biden will also meet with Italian leaders to highlight the strong relationship between the United States…

Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States, has announced two major diplomatic appointments ahead of his inauguration. In a statement shared on his Truth Social account, Trump revealed that Lou Rinaldi has been named the next US ambassador to Uruguay, while Leah Francis Campos has been selected to serve as chief of mission in the Dominican Republic. “I am thrilled to announce Lou Rinaldi as the next United States Ambassador to Uruguay,” Trump wrote. “Lou, a successful entrepreneur and lifelong friend, brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to this important role.” Trump highlighted Rinaldi's connection to…

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed optimism about the growing collaboration between the United States, Japan and Australia as the three nations continue to strengthen their military capabilities. Speaking during a joint observation of the military exercises on Wednesday, Austin highlighted the importance of this enhanced cooperation in addressing growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. Austin's visit to Japan underlined Washington's commitment to its alliances in the region and its dedication to maintaining stability. Observing the Yama Sakura 87 exercises at Japan's Asaka camp, just outside Tokyo, Austin stressed the critical importance of readiness. “Having the right equipment, ammunition and…

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.…

A wave of optimism about personal finances has spread among Americans following Donald Trump's victory in November's presidential election, according to a survey released Monday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The data reveals a significant increase in confidence, with families feeling more positive about their financial future than in recent years. The survey, which involved around 1,300 heads of families, revealed that 37.6% of those interviewed expect their financial situation to improve within the next year. This represents an increase of nearly 8 percentage points compared to October and marks the highest level of financial optimism recorded…