Politics

Lord Berkeley claims HS2 project costs could exceed £108bn, far beyond the official £88bn budget. Government rejects these allegations, backed by support from northern business and political leaders who see the project as crucial infrastructure development.

Massive protests against India's Citizenship Amendment Act have led to widespread violence in Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. At least 25 people have been killed, and over 260 police personnel injured as demonstrators challenge the law that offers fast-tracked citizenship to non-Muslim immigrants.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador condemned previous governments for allowing drug lord Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzman to wield significant power and influence. He claimed El Chapo's arrest was delayed due to widespread bribery and conspiracy among high-ranking officials, undermining the country's leadership.

Taiwan's top military official Shen Yi-ming went missing after a Black Hawk helicopter made an emergency landing in northern Taipei. The Air Force lost communication with the aircraft shortly after takeoff, prompting immediate search efforts to locate the crew.

Benjamin Netanyahu clinched a decisive victory in the Likud party primary, winning 72% of votes despite ongoing corruption allegations. With 41,792 votes compared to Gideon Saar's 15,885, Netanyahu maintained his leadership position, demonstrating continued political resilience.

Iraq's President Barham Saleh rejected the Iran-backed candidate for prime minister, citing a desire to avoid bloodshed and maintain civil peace. He expressed willingness to resign, leaving the PM selection process in limbo and potentially escalating the political crisis.

Hundreds of black-clad protesters marched through shopping centers on Christmas Day, shouting pro-democracy slogans and confronting riot police in Hong Kong.

Croatia will hold a presidential runoff election on January 5 after the first round failed to produce a winner. From 11 candidates, no single contender secured a majority vote. The election comes just before Croatia assumes the European Union presidency, with critics questioning the timing so close to the holiday season.

In a contentious congressional vote, Democrats impeached President Trump, accusing him of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The vote reflected deep political tensions and partisan divisions, with Republicans defending the president against what they viewed as a politically motivated process.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee expressed deep concern over increasing bank scandals in India, citing recent cases like PNB and IL&FS as evidence of systemic failures. He criticized the lack of corrective measures and accountability, drawing parallels with the controversial Satyam scandal and emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in the financial sector.