UK - The Independent

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1. Trump gives federal workers two new days off around Christmas after using Juneteenth to denounce ‘nonworking holidays’

   Trump signed an executive order that will see federal agencies close and employees excused from work on Christmas Eve and December 26

2. Emotional Rory McIlroy ends ‘dream year’ with BBC Sports Personality – the award he wanted all along

   Golfer said BBC Sports Personality of the Year was a ‘popularity contest’ not long ago but was visibly moved as he added the honour to memorable triumphs at the Masters and Ryder Cup

3. Ashes 2025 live score: Australia lead by 102 at lunch as England all out for 286

   The tourists finished the first innings on 286 and trail by 85 runs as the hosts return for their second innings

4. Newsom trolls Trump after president’s eyes seen drooping during afternoon event: ‘NAP TIME FOR THE BIG GUY’

   Trump also recently appeared to fall asleep at a Cabinet meeting open to the press

5. Kennedy Center board member claims she was forcibly muted during call on name change: ‘This was not unanimous’

   Kennedy Center leadership insists it followed the law and attacked the late president’s family members who criticized the change

6. Trump judicial nominee admits he delivered sermon saying disabled people shouldn’t get married

   The toughest line of questioning during the Senate hearing for nominee Justin R. Olson came from Trump’s own party

7. AI data centers may have created as much pollution as New York City and used a world’s supply of bottled water in just one year

   Over the past few years, Silicon Valley's AI blitz has created skyrocketing demand for high-end computation in vast dedicated data centers

8. Who are the Palestine Action supporters on hunger strike?

   Those on hunger strikes have been denied bail and are due to go on trial next year at the earliest

9. Coast Guard drops references to swastikas and nooses being 'potentially divisive'

   References in U.S. Coast Guard policy calling hate symbols “potentially divisive” have been removed

10. Majority say they plan to spend less on holiday gifts this year because of economic concerns

    Americans plan to spend less on gifts this festive season as they continue to feel the pinch