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As of December 2025, the UK government is expanding its Electric Car Grant by £1.3bn and adding £200m for charging infrastructure to support EV adoption. This comes amid stalled EV demand due to high upfront costs and plans for a new pay-per-mile tax on EVs from 2028, sparking industry concerns about potential market slowdown.
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On December 8, 2025, a Boston federal judge ruled that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unlawfully terminated Rümeysa Öztürk's SEVIS record after her visa was revoked amid a crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism. Öztürk, a Tufts University PhD student, was arrested in March and detained for 45 days. The ruling requires ICE to reinstate her student record, enabling her to resume teaching and research.
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Since the ceasefire began on October 10, 2025, violence persists in Gaza, with Israeli violations and Palestinian casualties rising. Efforts by US and Egyptian mediators face obstacles, especially over Hamas disarmament. Humanitarian conditions worsen as aid access remains limited and heavy rains cause flooding and displacement.
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On December 2, 2025, Andre Fox, three-time NBA champion and former esports co-founder, announced his candidacy for the Bahamas House of Assembly in the 2026 election. Fox pledges to prioritize transparency, affordability, and security amid ongoing national challenges including corruption, illegal immigration, and hurricane recovery efforts. His campaign aims to address public demands for a modern economy and improved governance.
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President Trump pardoned turkeys Waddle and Gobble during a Thanksgiving event, but the ceremony was marked by political insults, jokes about crime, and attacks on Illinois Governor Pritzker. Trump claimed Biden's pardons were invalid and criticized Chicago's crime, continuing his combative tone.
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A Georgia court dismissed charges against Donald Trump and 14 co-defendants after a prosecutor declined to pursue the case, citing jurisdictional issues and the impracticality of prosecuting a sitting president. This marks the end of the last major criminal effort related to Trump's 2020 election interference, with the case now effectively over.
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On November 27, 2025, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan who served in CIA-backed paramilitary units, shot two National Guard members near the White House, killing one and critically wounding the other. Lakanwal entered the US in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum in 2025. The attack has sparked scrutiny of refugee vetting and immigration policies.
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Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national linked to US military operations in Afghanistan, shot two National Guard members near the White House, killing one. The attack, investigated as terrorism, has prompted a broader US crackdown on Afghan immigrants, with upgraded charges and increased security measures.
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On December 2, 2025, former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández was released from a US prison after receiving a full pardon from former US President Donald Trump. Hernández was convicted in 2024 of drug trafficking and sentenced to 45 years. Trump justified the pardon citing claims of political bias and support from Hondurans. The move coincides with Honduras's tight presidential election, where Trump backs candidate Nasry Asfura.
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President Trump announced a new travel pause affecting 19 countries, including Afghanistan and Somalia, citing national security concerns after recent attacks. The move expands previous restrictions, halting processing of immigration applications and reviewing existing approvals amid heightened security fears.
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U.S. officials, including Senator Rubio, are exploring options to end the Ukraine war, emphasizing that only Putin can decide to cease hostilities. Meanwhile, Russia continues to demand territorial concessions, and Western support for Ukraine remains limited amid political and economic pressures.
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Following the November 26 shooting of two National Guard members by Afghan asylum recipient Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Trump administration has intensified immigration restrictions. Measures include halting asylum decisions, reviewing green cards from 19 countries, freezing Afghan immigration applications, and proposing deportations of millions. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem advocates expanding travel bans amid concerns over vetting processes.
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President Trump announced an $11 billion aid package for US farmers affected by trade tariffs and global trade shifts. The aid, funded by tariff revenues, aims to support small-scale producers and stabilize agricultural prices amid ongoing trade disputes with China and other countries. The package is part of broader efforts to address rising food costs and economic pressures.
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Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a former Afghan intelligence officer with CIA ties, was arrested near the White House after allegedly shooting two National Guard members. He faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, raising concerns about vetting and security of Afghan migrants in the US. The incident highlights ongoing immigration and security debates.
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Senator Chuck Schumer's offices in Rochester, Binghamton, and Long Island received bomb threats referencing 'MAGA' and the 2020 election. Law enforcement responded swiftly, confirming safety. Schumer condemned political violence amid ongoing tensions over election claims and threats targeting public officials.
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Michael and Susan Dell announced a $6.25 billion donation to seed 'Trump Accounts,' investment accounts for 25 million children born between 2016 and 2028. The accounts aim to promote wealth-building and financial security for future generations, leveraging a federal program created in the recent tax law. The initiative is expected to launch in July 2026.
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President Trump announced plans to significantly weaken fuel economy standards for new vehicles, reversing Biden-era policies aimed at promoting electric cars and reducing emissions. The move aims to lower costs for consumers but faces criticism from environmentalists and some automakers. The policy is set for finalization next year.
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President Trump unveiled a new national security strategy endorsing a quick peace in Ukraine, favoring non-intervention in European security, and adopting a conciliatory stance toward Russia. Meanwhile, Congress reaffirmed support for Ukraine and NATO, restricting troop reductions in Europe. The strategy signals a shift in US foreign policy priorities.
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The US has endorsed the AUKUS security pact after a Pentagon review, confirming its long-term viability. Australia will acquire US nuclear submarines in the early 2030s, with efforts to improve supply chains and build submarine capacity. Meanwhile, Australia’s domestic violence response receives a $674 million boost.
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On December 4, 2025, Brian Cole Jr., 30, was arrested in Woodbridge, Virginia, for planting pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters on January 5, 2021. The arrest concludes a nearly five-year investigation involving surveillance footage, cellphone data, and purchase records. The bombs were found on the eve of the Capitol riot, but neither exploded. Cole faces federal explosives charges.
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Kevin Smith, 61, sent about 300 texts and three voicemails to Labour MP Alex Sobel, causing fear for his safety. Smith pleaded guilty and received a five-year restraining order. The case highlights rising antisemitic acts in Britain, with increased security concerns following recent attacks on Jewish sites.
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On December 5, 2025, the US released a 33-page National Security Strategy (NSS) outlining a major shift in foreign policy. It prioritizes American dominance in the Western Hemisphere, military strength in the Indo-Pacific, and adopts a critical stance on Europe’s future, warning of "civilizational erasure" due to migration and political trends. The strategy downplays ideological promotion abroad, focusing on pragmatic trade and alliances, and signals a distancing from traditional European partnerships.
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As coal mines close in Colorado and Appalachia, communities are transitioning to renewable energy. Protests at coal ports highlight ongoing resistance to fossil fuel phase-out, amid political debates over energy policies and climate action. This story covers recent protests, economic shifts, and policy impacts as regions move away from coal.
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The US Department of Transportation issued new guidance clarifying that aircraft recalls caused by safety issues are not considered within airline control, affecting passenger compensation policies. This follows recent widespread disruptions, including a software glitch impacting thousands of flights and a major Southwest meltdown in 2022.
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On December 11, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to preempt state-level AI regulations by establishing a unified federal framework. The order directs the Attorney General to challenge state laws deemed burdensome and threatens to withhold federal funding from states enforcing conflicting AI rules. The move has sparked bipartisan opposition, legal challenges, and fierce pushback from states like California, which have enacted their own AI safety laws.
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The US Department of Education announced a court-approved settlement to end the SAVE student loan repayment plan, which was challenged legally by Missouri and other states. Borrowers will need to select new repayment plans, with a limited window once the settlement is approved, affecting 7.6 million borrowers today, Thu, 11 Dec 2025.
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On December 10, 2025, US Customs and Border Protection proposed mandatory collection of five years of social media data, phone numbers, emails, and biometric information from travelers under the Visa Waiver Program. This expands existing social media screening to visa-exempt visitors from 42 countries, including the UK, France, Australia, Japan, and Israel, aiming to enhance national security ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Public comments are open for 60 days.
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The Biden-era fuel economy standards are being significantly reduced under the Trump administration, aiming to lower vehicle costs and boost sales of larger, more profitable vehicles. Critics warn this will increase pollution and fuel costs, reversing progress on climate goals.
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Ukrainian President Zelensky rejects US proposals for territorial concessions, emphasizing the need for a referendum. Recent military gains by Russia and ongoing negotiations highlight the complex and uncertain path toward ending the conflict, with Kyiv insisting on maintaining its territorial integrity.
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In late 2024, the US temporarily cut off a live drone feed and restricted intelligence sharing with Israel over Gaza. The move followed concerns about civilian casualties, treatment of prisoners, and adherence to the law of war. Sharing resumed after Israel assured US compliance with rules.