Summary:

North Korea and Russia signed a protocol on cooperation in trade, the economy, science, and technology after meetings in Pyongyang, according to North Korean state media KCNA. Russia's TASS news agency reported an agreement to increase charter flights between the countries, with over 5,000 tourists traveling between them from January to September. The Russian delegation, led by natural resources minister Alexander Kozlov, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un before departing from Pyongyang. Full Article

In Allison Hanes' article, the author discusses the challenges faced by the Quebec health care system, particularly in accessing timely care. The writer shares a personal experience of trying to visit a walk-in clinic in the West Island only to be informed that in-person access is no longer available, requiring patients to go online or call instead. This highlights the growing dissatisfaction with the current state of healthcare in Quebec, with limited options for time-sensitive care outside of emergency rooms or private clinics. Full Article

In a viral video, a Pakistani cricket fan at the Sydney Cricket Ground was asked to surrender a photo of former Prime Minister Imran Khan by a stadium steward, sparking online debate. Imran Khan, a legendary cricketer and polarizing political figure, faces numerous legal battles after being ousted from power in 2022. As Pakistan cricket struggles and tensions rise with India over hosting the ICC Champions Trophy, a trophy tour aims to rekindle excitement among fans in cities like Islamabad and Karachi. Full Article

The Macon-Bibb County Commission approved a plan to implode a vacant 16-story hotel on New Year's Eve as a way to welcome 2025. The city purchased the hotel for $4.5 million last year and will spend up to $2.6 million to hire a demolition firm for the implosion. The hotel, which opened in 1970 and had notable guests like Elvis, was never financially successful and was seized in 1991 due to its involvement in a fraud and money-laundering scheme. Full Article

Triple zero dispatchers in Victoria had to resort to using pen and paper during a surprise outage that lasted almost two hours, impacting emergency calls between 5.30pm and 7.15pm. Triple Zero Victoria's Computer Aided Dispatch system went offline unexpectedly, but staff managed to continue taking calls using backup measures. An inquiry is being conducted to determine the cause of the outage and assess any potential impacts on emergency callers during that time. Full Article

The bipartisan House Ethics Committee deadlocked on whether to release a report on its investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by former Rep. Matt Gaetz. The vote, which fell along party lines, means the report will not be released at this time. Gaetz, Trump's pick for U.S. attorney general, denied all wrongdoing and resigned from Congress last week. Full Article

Millions of people are voting in state elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, testing the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party and its regional partners. Modi's BJP is currently ruling Maharashtra, while the opposition alliance, including the Congress party, is in power in Jharkhand. The BJP is using slogans to attract Hindu votes, sparking accusations of voter polarization, with the election results expected to impact Modi's leadership and future elections in Delhi and Bihar. Full Article

In a divided school community at William Howard Taft High School in Chicago, freshman Alexandria Sanchez is concerned about her undocumented father facing deportation under President-elect Donald J. Trump's administration. Sanchez is engaging in political debates in her AP Government class, while the school's 41st Ward's support for Trump adds tension. Meanwhile, the Chicago Teachers Union faces challenges negotiating a new contract amid uncertainty about the new Education Department head's plans to prioritize school choice over community schools. Full Article

The family of Captain Sir Tom Moore faced scrutiny for not donating any of the £1.4m from his book deal to the Captain Tom Foundation, damaging public trust in charities. The Charity Commission found that his daughter and son-in-law benefitted personally from the foundation, leading to accusations of misconduct and mismanagement. The family's private company was paid £1.47m for the books, and Mrs Ingram-Moore received £18,000 from Virgin Media O2 while acting as the charity's interim chief executive, creating a conflict of interest. Full Article

A painting by Emily Carr titled Masset, Q.C.I. from 1912 was bought for $50 at an estate sale in the Hamptons, New York, and recently sold for $290,000 at a Toronto auction by Heffel Fine Art Auction House. The oil on canvas piece depicts a grizzly bear on a totem pole in Masset village on Haida Gwaii, exceeding the presale estimate of $100,000 to $200,000. The sale price does not include auction house fees. Full Article

California Governor Gavin Newsom's decision to raise the minimum wage to $20 per hour for certain businesses has faced opposition, with critics arguing that it will lead to higher inflation. Proposition 32, which aimed to increase the minimum wage to $18 per hour, was narrowly defeated by voters. Business groups and politicians, including Republican State Sen. Brian Jones, expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on businesses and the economy, highlighting the importance of financial stability and affordability for Californians. Full Article

The juvenile justice system in New York is failing due to Raise the Age, a law that sends most teen criminal defendants to Family Court and does not punish 16- and 17-year-olds with loaded firearms. The average age of youth carrying illegal guns has dropped to 12-13, leading to a surge in youth gun violence. Despite reforms, juvenile detention centers remain chaotic, and lawmakers are failing to address the crisis impacting black and Hispanic communities, with ineffective consequences for serious juvenile offenders. Full Article

Former Congressman Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. attorney general, is facing criticism and controversy over allegations of sexual abuse and drug use, with Trump lobbying Republican senators for his confirmation. Gaetz, who resigned from Congress amid the House Ethics Committee investigation, met with GOP senators to discuss his nomination and future plans for the Justice Department, emphasizing reform and fulfilling Trump's promises. While there is uncertainty surrounding his confirmation, Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville indicated that GOP senators are planning to push through Gaetz's confirmation in January. Full Article

Typhoons Kristine and Leon caused extensive damage in the Philippines, impacting 4.2 million individuals, including 1.3 million children, and displacing over 300,000 people. The storms worsened the water and sanitation crisis, leading to concerns about disease outbreaks, with UNICEF providing hygiene and water kits to affected families. Education was disrupted, affecting 20 million children nationwide, prompting UNICEF to provide educational supplies to 14,594 learners and 765 teachers. The Philippines faces ongoing challenges due to climate change, with recovery efforts strained by new weather systems, while the government and UNICEF work together to support communities in need. Full Article

The first trailer for the new reality show "Meet the Rees-Moggs," featuring former Tory minister Jacob Rees-Mogg and his family, has been released by Discovery+. Filmed at their Somerset mansion, the docu-series follows Rees-Mogg, his wife, and six children in the lead-up to the general election, revealing insights such as his preference for ironed underwear and his enjoyment of stirring controversy. Despite facing criticism and potential job loss from constituents, Rees-Mogg remains unfazed, emphasizing that he does not dwell on setbacks. The show, set to stream on Discovery+ in the UK and Ireland, has garnered mixed reactions on social media, with some questioning the glorification of political figures. Full Article