Is the US government going to shut down? What happens if it does

In November, prices remained stable but still exceeded the Federal Reserve's target compared to a year ago, with the personal consumption expenditures price index showing a 0.1% increase from October and a 2.4% inflation rate annually. Core PCE also rose 0.1% monthly and 2.8% from a year ago, below expectations. Fed officials view core inflation as a better indicator, with goods prices falling 0.4% and services rising 3.8% over 12 months, while housing inflation increased...

Guatemalan authorities conducted a raid on the compound of the extremist ultra-orthodox Jewish sect, Lev Tahor, resulting in the protective custody of 160 minors and 40 women due to reports of abuse. Suspected bones of a child were found, following a complaint of forced pregnancies, mistreatment of minors, and rape. The sect, with members in multiple countries, has faced legal issues including arrests for kidnapping and child sexual exploitation crimes. Full Article

Mauricio Serna is working to turn his family's former cattle ranch in Colombia back into a cloud forest to restore habitat for endangered species. He is exploring the use of biodiversity credits as a financial tool to support conservation efforts. The podcast delves into how biodiversity credits work and their potential impact on saving endangered species. Full Article

Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney, former Manchester United teammates, will face off on the touchline as Boro takes on struggling Plymouth this weekend. Despite their friendship, Carrick is focused on getting a win over Rooney's team, with both managers not communicating until after the match. Carrick acknowledges Plymouth's strong home form but believes Rooney is capable of turning things around despite recent criticism. Full Article

In the Daily Mail, the Christmas market 'carnage' in Magdeburg is highlighted, with a suspect arrested after a car drove through a crowd, while the Mirror reports on Health Secretary Wes Streeting's pledge to increase GP budgets by £889m to bring back family doctors. The Times reveals that half a million people in the UK are resorting to weight-loss injections due to NHS delays, and the Financial Times discusses Donald Trump's push for Nato members...

The Red Sox are looking to add a right-handed hitter like Randal Grichuk to balance their lefty-heavy lineup in 2025, along with considering Alex Bregman and Teoscar Hernandez. Grichuk, a veteran outfielder who batted .291 in 2024, excelled against left-handed pitchers with a .319 average and .913 OPS. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow emphasized the team's aggressive pursuit of improvements through signings or trades for players like Grichuk to enhance the roster. Full Article