The rapid rise in consumer prices is slowing in the US, as the costs of energy, used cars, medical care and airfare fall. US inflation rose 7.1% over the 12 months to the end of November, dropping from 7.7% in October, figures from the US Labour department show. That was the slowest pace in nearly a year and better than analysts expected. But though the overall picture is improving, the cost of some items such as housing continues to climb. The US central bank has raised interest rates at the fastest pace in decades this year, in an effort to get the inflation problem under control. Earlier this month, Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell said that the bank would start to move less aggressively to see how the moves are playing out in the economy. By boosting borrowing costs, the Federal Reserve is expecting to dampen demand for expensive items such as homes and cars, helping to slow the economy and ease the pressures pushing up prices.(BBC)…[+]

Six people, including two police officers, have been fatally shot after a suspected ambush at a remote Australian property. Police said they had been searching for a missing person in Wieambilla – 270km (168 miles) west of Brisbane, Queensland – when they were fired upon. After a lengthy siege, three suspects were fatally shot by police. A motive remains unclear, authorities said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it a “heartbreaking day” for Australia. Four police officers – who are armed in Australia – initially went to the property on Monday afternoon local time, after a request from New South Wales police. Constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, were shot dead as they approached the property. Another officer suffered a “bullet graze” and the fourth escaped without physical injury, police said. A neighbour, 58-year-old Alan Dare, was killed by the suspects after going to the property to investigate. The siege involved “many weapons” and continued for hours, before the suspects – two men and a woman – were shot by specially trained officers, authorities said.(BBC)…[+]

Supporters of Brazil’s outgoing far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, tried to attack the headquarters of the federal police in Brasilia on Monday. Tension escalated after police arrested a pro-Bolsonaro indigenous leader. Mr Bolsonaro was defeated in last month’s election by his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, but some of his supporters refuse to recognise the president’s defeat. They set alight several vehicles and blocked a number of roads, police said. Police said the protesters “attempted to invade” the federal police building, where José Acácio Serere Xavante was being held. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes had ordered that the indigenous leader be detained for 10 days for “alleged anti-democratic acts”. According to prosecutors, José Acácio Serere Xavante had “attempted to incite people to try to abolish the rule of law and to impede the swearing-in of the president and vice-president elect”. Prosecutors did not provide details as to how the indigenous leader had tried to impede the handover of power, which is scheduled for 1 January. Mr Serere Xavante released a video from detention calling on people who had gathered outside the police HQ to “refrain from engaging in conflict, fights or confrontations” with the police force.(BBC)…[+]