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…

John Thune's political career has been defined by resilience, strategic thinking, and the ability to tackle complex challenges. After ousting Sen. Tom Daschle, the influential Democratic majority leader, in 2004, Thune quickly faced one of his toughest battles: preventing the closure of Ellsworth Air Force Base, a key economic pillar in his home state of South Dakota . Successfully fending off that threat not only ensured his political future, but also taught him lessons that would shape his rise to the Senate. Now, as Thune takes over as Senate majority leader, he faces another formidable test. Leading a chamber of…

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.…

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 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…

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.…

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…

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.…