The article discusses strategies for easing back into work after the Christmas break. Experts suggest ways to reduce stress and anxiety about returning to work, such as planning ahead, reducing mental clutter, and setting up routines. It emphasizes that feeling overwhelmed returning to work is common, and suggests steps to transition smoothly.
Key Facts
The return to work after holidays can cause reluctance, anxiety, and low energy.
"Sunday blues" is common, often due to anticipatory stress about Monday.
Planning Monday's tasks on Friday can help create a smoother transition.
Keeping Sunday evenings calm helps lower stress.
Packing work items and laying out clothes the night before can reduce mental clutter.
Writing down worries or tasks can help clear the mind and improve sleep.
January is suggested as a good time for a work reset and to notice what tasks drain energy.
Structuring time more intentionally can help manage feelings of being overwhelmed.
President Trump's administration has increased political pressure on the U.S. Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Roberts recently released a report highlighting the importance of judicial independence but did not address current political conflicts directly. Legal analysts have expressed concern about the Court's role amid heightened scrutiny and public skepticism.
Key Facts
Chief Justice John Roberts released a year-end report on the Supreme Court.
The report emphasizes the history and principles of judicial independence.
President Trump's administration has raised political pressure on the judiciary.
The report did not specifically discuss recent political conflicts.
Roberts mentioned historical events, like Justice Samuel Chase's impeachment attempt, to highlight judicial independence.
Critics noted the absence of direct comments on President Trump’s criticism of the judiciary.
The report has sparked debate on the role and response of the Court in political matters.
Millions of people in the United States are dealing with much higher health insurance costs. Disagreements over government healthcare funding were a key reason for a long government shutdown last year, but there is still no solution. As of January 1, 24 million people's healthcare costs went up a lot.
Key Facts
Millions of Americans face higher health insurance costs.
Government funding disagreements led to a 43-day US government shutdown last year.
The shutdown was the longest in US history.
Republicans and Democrats did not agree on continuing healthcare funding.
On January 1, healthcare costs increased for 24 million people.
Experts involved in the discussion include a health economist, a physician, and a political strategist.
A U.S. judge has ordered Brian Cole to stay in jail before his trial for allegedly planting pipe bombs near the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican national parties in January 2021. The judge believes releasing Cole could pose a danger to the public. Cole is accused of trying to cause fear on the day supporters of President Trump stormed the Capitol.
Key Facts
Brian Cole is charged with planting pipe bombs near Democratic and Republican party headquarters on January 5, 2021.
A federal judge ruled that he should stay in jail before his trial because he might be a danger to the public.
Cole reportedly admitted to placing the bombs and hoped they would explode and make news.
Prosecutors say the bombs could have caused serious harm if they had gone off.
Cole's lawyers argued he should be released on home detention, citing his mental health conditions.
Cole continued to buy bomb-making materials even months after the incident, according to prosecutors.
If found guilty, Cole could face up to 30 years in prison for the charges against him.
Palestinian rights groups are applauding New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for canceling pro-Israel orders put in place by the previous mayor, Eric Adams. Mayor Mamdani removed these orders on his first day in office, which has been criticized by the Israeli government. One of the revoked orders restricted criticism and boycotts of Israel, which advocates argued limited free speech.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is the new mayor of New York City.
On his first day, he canceled several pro-Israel executive orders from the previous mayor, Eric Adams.
One canceled order had limited the ability of city officials to engage in actions deemed critical of Israel.
The canceled orders were seen by advocates as restricting free speech and were called "unconstitutional."
The Israeli government criticized Mamdani's actions, calling them antisemitic.
Palestinian rights groups support Mamdani's decision, saying it protects free speech and Palestinian dignity.
The previous orders included a definition of antisemitism that some argued could suppress criticism of Israel.
Israeli officials used derogatory language against Mamdani's decision, suggesting ties to Islamist groups, which he does not have.
The measles outbreak in South Carolina has increased to 185 cases, mainly affecting individuals who are not fully vaccinated. Health officials emphasize the importance of the MMR vaccine, as measles was considered eliminated in the U.S. due to vaccination but is resurging now.
Key Facts
The outbreak in South Carolina reached 185 cases.
Most of those infected had not received the MMR vaccine.
Only one fully vaccinated person was infected.
Measles was considered eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 due to the MMR vaccine.
U.S. MMR vaccination rates have decreased in recent years.
Measles is highly contagious; one infected person can infect nine out of ten unvaccinated people.
The MMR vaccine is recommended for children early in life.
Vaccine hesitancy is linked to policies during President Trump's administration.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is focusing on worksite enforcement in response to fraud allegations at child care centers in Minnesota. ICE, part of DHS, is actively investigating these claims and sharing updates on social media. President Trump and DHS officials emphasize the importance of addressing fraud and ensuring taxpayer funds are not misused.
Key Facts
ICE is increasing worksite enforcement due to fraud claims at child care centers in Minnesota.
A video by YouTuber Nick Shirley raised awareness about these fraud allegations.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel are involved in the investigation.
The local U.S. Attorney's Office charged six individuals related to the fraud.
DHS is sharing videos of investigations as part of their effort to be transparent.
Employee verification through E-Verify is part of DHS investigations.
The operation in Minnesota, called Operation Twin Shield, began in September.
President Trump highlighted this issue at a Cabinet meeting in December.
Federal authorities in the U.S. arrested Christian Sturdivant, an 18-year-old from Mint Hill, North Carolina, on charges of planning a terrorist attack inspired by ISIL. His targets were a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant, and he was arrested on New Year’s Eve. Sturdivant faces charges for trying to support a foreign terrorist group and could face up to 20 years in prison.
Key Facts
Christian Sturdivant, aged 18, was arrested by federal authorities in North Carolina.
He allegedly planned a terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve targeting a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant.
He is charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIL, a foreign terrorist organization.
Sturdivant made his first court appearance and could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Authorities described Sturdivant as a "prolific social media user" who previously tried to contact ISIL online.
Initial FBI interest arose in 2022 when Sturdivant was about 14 and attempted to contact ISIL.
Before his arrest, Sturdivant allegedly contacted undercover officers and posted threatening messages online.
The Trump administration has stopped federal child care payments to Minnesota following accusations by YouTuber Nick Shirley. Shirley claimed that some centers, mainly run by Somali immigrants, misused public money. However, major media outlets have not confirmed this fraud.
Key Facts
President Trump’s administration halted child care payments to Minnesota.
A YouTuber named Nick Shirley made accusations of fraud in child care centers.
Shirley claimed centers run by Somali immigrants took money without providing care.
The Department of Health and Human Services plans to investigate these claims of fraud.
Influential figures like JD Vance and Elon Musk have supported the accusations.
Mainstream media outlets have not found evidence of fraud in these centers.
Some conservatives think the story needs more media coverage.
Minnesota faces a deadline to comply with a federal requirement by January 9 or risk losing child care funding. The Trump administration halted payments due to a fraud investigation involving day care centers and demanded states provide detailed verification.
Key Facts
Minnesota must meet a federal deadline by January 9.
The requirement is to avoid losing millions in child care funding.
The Trump administration stopped payments because of a fraud investigation.
The investigation targets day care centers.
The federal government demands detailed verification from states.
The funding helps thousands of low-income families.
State leaders say they first heard about the freeze on social media.
The Trump-Kennedy Center, a major arts venue, is experiencing issues such as canceled shows and lower ticket sales. These challenges began after leadership changes and renaming of the center.
Key Facts
The venue is now called the Trump-Kennedy Center.
The center has faced a number of canceled performances.
There is a noticeable drop in overall ticket sales.
The problems began after a change in leadership.
The situation is part of a series exploring how art and democracy interact.
The report is part of an arts-focused coverage known as CANVAS.
The Trump-Kennedy Center, a major cultural institution, is experiencing financial difficulties, with canceled shows and decreasing ticket sales. Richard Grenell, appointed by President Trump to manage the center, addressed these issues in an interview.
Key Facts
The Trump-Kennedy Center is currently facing financial problems.
Ticket sales have dropped, and some performances have been canceled.
President Trump chose Richard Grenell to take over leadership of the center.
Grenell has previously worked with President Trump, including roles as ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence.
Amna Nawaz interviewed Grenell to discuss the current situation at the center.
A new flu variant called subclade k is spreading rapidly in the U.S., causing more illnesses and hospital stays. Health experts warn that this flu wave could continue for several weeks.
Key Facts
The flu season has reached its peak period.
A new variant named subclade k is spreading quickly across the U.S.
This variant is causing a rise in illnesses and hospitalizations.
Health officials expect this flu wave to last for several more weeks.
Dr. Andrew Pekosz from Johns Hopkins discussed the situation with public health officials.
Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev made remarks about New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's inaugural speech, in which Mamdani said he would replace "rugged individualism" with "collectivism." Mamdani, identifying as a democratic socialist, promised to implement policies like freezing rents and expanding public child care. Dmitriev's comments referenced Russia's past with communism, which differs from Mamdani's stated democratic socialist ideals.
Key Facts
Mayor Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated on January 1 in New York City.
Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist, which involves supporting democratic institutions and economic reforms.
In his speech, Mamdani promised to focus on policies like freezing rents and increasing public child care.
Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian envoy, mocked Mamdani's speech by calling him “comrade,” connecting it to communism.
Communism in Russia ended with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Dmitriev has been involved in U.S.-Russia talks, including discussions on Ukraine with President Donald Trump’s administration.
Critics and supporters have different views on Mamdani’s approach to governance, with some calling it similar to communism.
President Trump expressed a willingness to support Mamdani in his role as mayor.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) has officially recognized three new dog breeds, making them eligible for U.S. dog shows. The breeds are a terrier with ties to a U.S. president, a Russian toy dog, and a French hunting hound. This brings the total number of recognized breeds by the AKC to 205.
Key Facts
The American Kennel Club recognized three new dog breeds on Tuesday.
The breeds include the Teddy Roosevelt terrier, the Russian tsvetnaya bolonka, and the basset fauve de Bretagne.
The Teddy Roosevelt terrier is named after President Theodore Roosevelt and was considered a distinct breed in 1999.
The Russian tsvetnaya bolonka is a small lapdog that originates from Soviet-era Russia.
The basset fauve de Bretagne is a French hunting hound with a history dating back to 16th-century France.
The AKC now recognizes 205 breeds in total.
Breeds undergo a process involving breeding, documentation, and consensus to gain recognition.
Over 300,000 Californians need to replace their Real IDs due to a software issue at the DMV. This problem affected immigrants with lawful presence, causing IDs to have incorrect expiration dates. The DMV will contact those affected and will offer free replacements.
Key Facts
The problem impacts over 300,000 residents in California.
The issue stems from a DMV software configuration dating back to 2006.
Real IDs were incorrectly given expiration dates, not aligned with legal status.
The affected individuals are immigrants with lawful presence in the U.S.
Federal security checks were still applied when these IDs were issued.
The DMV will notify affected individuals and process replacements without charging fees.
New safeguards are in place to prevent the issue from happening again.
Real ID compliance is required for accessing federal facilities and domestic flights starting May 2025.
A federal appeals court ruled that California's ban on openly carrying firearms in most areas is unconstitutional. The decision affects counties with more than 200,000 residents, covering nearly all urban parts of the state. The ruling follows a 2022 Supreme Court decision that guides how gun laws align with historical practices.
Key Facts
A federal appeals court struck down California's open-carry gun ban, calling it unconstitutional.
The ruling impacts counties with over 200,000 residents, covering about 95% of California's population.
The decision reversed a lower court ruling from 2023 that had upheld the ban.
The appeals court cited the 2022 Supreme Court case, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which influenced this judgment.
Circuit Judge Lawrence VanDyke, appointed by President Trump, wrote the majority opinion.
Judge N. Randy Smith dissented, arguing some restrictions comply with the Supreme Court's standards.
California's open-carry ban had been among the strictest in the U.S.
Gun-rights supporters view the decision as a victory, while supporters of the ban believed it helped law enforcement and public safety.
A woman was found dead on a trail in Colorado, and wildlife officials believe she was attacked by a mountain lion. It is the first suspected fatal mountain lion attack in Colorado since 1999. Authorities have euthanized two lions and are investigating to confirm if they were involved.
Key Facts
The incident happened on a remote trail in Colorado, north of Denver.
A group of hikers found the woman's body and saw a mountain lion nearby.
Wildlife officials euthanized two mountain lions to check for human DNA.
Under state rules, animals that kill people must be euthanized for safety.
The Crosier Mountain Trail is known to be a secluded area with poor cell phone signals.
Mountain lion attacks in Colorado are rare, with only 28 recorded since 1990.
Mountain lions are solitary animals and are mostly found in 15 western U.S. states.
She was believed to be hiking alone at the time of the incident.
President Donald Trump posted a photo on Truth Social claiming a bird was a dead eagle beneath a wind turbine, but it was actually a red kite in Spain. The president has spoken against wind turbines, saying they are dangerous to birds, especially eagles. This is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to shift energy policy away from wind and solar power.
Key Facts
President Trump shared a photo claiming to show a dead eagle under a wind turbine, but it was a red kite in Spain.
Trump has often said wind turbines are harmful to birds, particularly bald eagles.
Fact-checkers have repeatedly disputed Trump's claims about turbines and bird deaths.
The U.S. Department of Energy shared a similar incorrect bird photo previously.
The Trump administration is moving away from wind and solar energy, favoring coal and other sources.
Critics suggest Trump's focus on this issue hints at potential cognitive issues, which he denies.
A federal judge recently blocked attempts by the Trump administration to stop wind farm construction in the U.S.
The FBI stopped a planned terrorist attack in North Carolina on New Year's Eve. Christian Sturdivant, 18, was arrested for allegedly planning attacks and pledging loyalty to the Islamic State group. He was charged with attempting to support a foreign terrorist group and is in custody.
Key Facts
The FBI arrested 18‑year‑old Christian Sturdivant in North Carolina.
Sturdivant allegedly planned to attack a grocery store and fast-food restaurant.
He is accused of pledging loyalty to the Islamic State group.
Authorities arrested Sturdivant after an undercover agent gathered evidence.
Sturdivant is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
Investigators found a manifesto with attack plans involving knives and a hammer.
Sturdivant remains in custody after a court appearance.
