Najib Razak Jailed 15 More Years in Landmark 1MDB Verdict With Major Political Impact 
US Airstrikes Target Islamic State Militants in Northwest Nigeria Amid Rising Security Concerns 
Democratic Governors Urge Trump Administration to Lift Halt on East Coast Offshore Wind Projects 
California Drops Lawsuit Over Federal Funding Cuts to High-Speed Rail Project 
Zelenskiy and Trump Meet in Florida as Ukraine Peace Talks Face Major Hurdles 
Mark Carney Reaffirms Canada’s Support for Ukraine as Peace Talks With Russia Gain Momentum 
White House East Wing Ballroom Plans Face Scrutiny Ahead of January Hearing 
Christmas Eve Jazz Concert Canceled After Kennedy Center Renaming to Include Trump 
Palau Agrees to Accept Up to 75 U.S.-Transferred Migrants in Deal Tied to Increased American Aid 
Argentina Congress Approves 2026 Budget Under Milei, Marking First Legislative Passage Since 2023 
U.S. Judge Blocks Deportation of British Anti-Disinformation Campaigner Imran Ahmed Amid Free Speech Dispute 
Zelenskiy to Meet Trump to Advance Ukraine Peace Talks and Security Guarantees 
U.S. Shifts Strategy Toward Economic Pressure With Venezuelan Oil Quarantine 
Kosovo Heads to Early Parliamentary Election Amid Prolonged Political Deadlock 
Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire Holds After Deadly Border Clashes 
Myanmar Election 2025 Faces Global Scrutiny Amid Civil War and Political Repression 
U.S. Prioritizes Economic Pressure With Venezuelan Oil Quarantine as Sanctions Intensify 
British ministers were given more time to turn in messages from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson as part of the public inquiry into the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The extra time comes amid a stand-off that may result in criminal sanctions.
The public inquiry into the British government’s response to the pandemic, chaired by former Judge Heather Hallett, gave ministers two more days to turn in unredacted messages from Johnson until Thursday as part of its investigation. Johnson’s government ordered an investigation in 2021 into the country’s preparedness and the public health and economic response after the United Kingdom was one of the countries with the highest number of COVID-19 deaths.
The Cabinet Office, which is responsible for overseeing the operation of the government, has refused to turn in messages and diaries from Johnson. The spokesperson for the Cabinet Office said in a statement that the investigation does not have the authority to request such records.
“We are firmly of the view that the inquiry does not have the power to request unambiguously irrelevant information that is beyond the scope of this investigation,” said the spokesperson. “This includes the WhatsApp messages of government employees which are not about work but instead are entirely personal and relate to their private lives.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the government wants to make sure that there are lessons to be learned from the matter.
“The government has cooperated with the inquiry – tens of thousands of documents have been handed over. The government’s carefully considering its position but is confident in the approach it’s taken,” Sunak told reporters.
Sunak is set to travel to the United States next week and meet with President Joe Biden in Washington, with both leaders expected to discuss improving economic ties between the two countries and how to continue supporting Ukraine militarily in the war. Sunak will be in Washington on Wednesday and Thursday next week and will also meet with members of Congress and US business leaders, according to Sunak’s spokesperson on Tuesday.
Sunak’s spokesperson added that there will not be any talks about a formal free trade deal
Photo: Andrew Parsons (No. 10 Downing Street)/Wikimedia Commons(CC by 2.0)
.jpg){kind=link}