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.
In his first year as Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made significant changes in U.S. health policy under President Donald Trump's administration. These changes include cutting jobs, reducing research funding, and changing the government's stance on certain health topics like vaccines, seed oils, and fluoride.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the U.S. Health Secretary.
He is part of President Donald Trump's administration.
Kennedy has reduced the number of jobs and research funding in health agencies.
He leads a campaign named "Make America Healthy Again".
U.S. health policies on seed oils, fluoride, and Tylenol have been changed.
He has promoted ideas about vaccines that many consider to be discredited.
A judge decided not to release Brian J. Cole Jr., who is accused of placing pipe bombs near political party offices in Washington, D.C., just before the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The judge believes Cole is a danger to the public. Cole confessed to the act and said he did it to support the idea that the 2020 election was stolen.
Key Facts
Brian J. Cole Jr. is accused of planting pipe bombs outside Democratic and Republican party offices.
The incident took place on January 5, 2021, the day before the Capitol riot.
Cole confessed to placing the bombs and said he hoped they would explode.
A judge ruled that Cole should stay in jail before his trial because he might be a public threat.
Cole expressed the act was a way to speak up for those who believed the 2020 election was stolen.
If found guilty, Cole could face up to 30 years in prison across two charges.
Cole's lawyers requested home detention, citing his mental health conditions and stable home life.
Prosecution noted Cole continued buying bomb materials after the riot.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries supports an investigation into President Donald Trump's health, citing concerns about transparency. President Trump, who is 79 years old, claims he is in good health despite some reports highlighting signs of aging. The White House maintains that President Trump remains active and healthy.
Key Facts
Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, wants Congress to investigate President Trump's health.
President Trump is currently 79 years old.
Some reports, like one from The Wall Street Journal, mention signs of aging, such as delicate skin and difficulty hearing.
Jeffries criticized the White House for not being transparent about Trump's health.
The White House and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt state that President Trump is in perfect health and very hard-working.
President Trump mentioned on social media that doctors confirmed his perfect health and that he passed a cognitive test.
Republicans have not announced plans to investigate Trump's health.
Steve Bannon criticized President Donald Trump for planning to support protesters in Iran, saying Trump was following the strategies of his 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton. Bannon expressed concern that the U.S. should focus more on domestic issues rather than getting involved in foreign conflicts. Trump has shown interest in foreign affairs, which has caused some debate among his supporters.
Key Facts
Steve Bannon criticized President Trump for planning to support Iranian protesters, likening it to tactics used by Hillary Clinton in the past.
Bannon, a supporter of the "America First" policy, believes the U.S. should focus on domestic issues.
President Trump has shown an interest in foreign conflicts, including expressing support for Iranian protesters.
Bannon has cautioned Trump before about involvement in Iran, advising to let Israel handle its regional issues.
Bannon's comments highlight divisions among Trump's supporters over foreign policy.
Tensions exist between the U.S. and Iran, but Iran has not attacked the U.S.
Iran is facing economic problems, causing unrest and protests within the country.
President Donald Trump takes a daily aspirin dose higher than doctors typically recommend. He uses 325mg of aspirin per day for heart health, which is at the upper limit of the recommended range for this purpose. Trump has been taking this higher aspirin dose for 25 years and acknowledges that it causes bruising.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump disclosed that he takes 325mg of aspirin daily.
Doctors usually recommend a lower aspirin dose for heart health.
Trump has been on this aspirin regimen for 25 years.
He experiences bruising as a side effect of the aspirin.
Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a common vein condition.
Health concerns arose after bruises were seen on his hands.
Trump underwent a CT scan in October, which the White House described as preventative.
Aspirin is a medication used to reduce pain and prevent blood clots.
The FBI stopped a planned attack on a North Carolina grocery store set for New Year's Eve. They arrested an 18-year-old man, Christian Sturdivant, who was accused of supporting the Islamic State group.
Key Facts
The FBI disrupted a plot targeting a grocery store in North Carolina on New Year's Eve.
Christian Sturdivant, 18, was arrested and charged with trying to support a foreign terrorist organization.
Sturdivant was inspired by the Islamic State group, according to officials.
FBI agents arrested Sturdivant on Wednesday.
He appeared before U.S. District Judge Susan Rodriguez and is held until his hearing on January 7.
The FBI began investigating him after linking social media posts to him that supported the Islamic State.
Sturdivant was previously on the FBI's radar in January 2022 for communications with an IS member in Europe.
President Donald Trump told The Wall Street Journal that he takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily, which was more than his doctors recommended. This statement surprised a medical expert, Dr. Jeremy Faust, who noted this dosage is typically for preventing a heart attack. There is ongoing public interest and discussion regarding President Trump's health due to his age and physical condition.
Key Facts
President Trump reported taking 325 milligrams of aspirin each day.
Dr. Jeremy Faust, a medical expert, found this dosage surprising.
Aspirin at this dose is typically for those preventing or having a heart attack.
President Trump is 79, the oldest person to assume the U.S. presidency.
His age and health have been topics of public debate.
Trump's physical appearance has included visible bruises and blemishes.
Trump’s health became a significant topic after the age-related scrutiny in the past election.
On social media, people have varying opinions about Trump's health.
Recent polls suggest that Democrats are leading Republicans in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. This could impact President Donald Trump's plans since changes in voter preferences might affect the GOP's slim majority in Congress. Multiple polls show Democrats ahead, with varying margins.
Key Facts
The GOP currently has a narrow majority in both the House and Senate.
Recent polls indicate that Democrats are leading Republicans in voter preference for the 2026 midterm elections.
An Economist/YouGov poll shows Democrats ahead by 4 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac poll also shows a 4-point lead for Democrats.
Morning Consult's data indicates a 3-point Democratic lead.
AtlasIntel reports a larger Democratic lead of 16 points, but this is considered an outlier.
Big Data Poll records a 3.5-point lead for Democrats.
These results could influence President Trump's legislative efforts due to shifting voter sentiment.
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to bring back a man deported in violation of a court order. The man, Federico Reyes Vasquez, was deported even though the court had instructed not to remove him while his case was still being reviewed. Immigration authorities acknowledged they did not follow the court's original order and are now working to ensure Reyes Vasquez's return to the United States.
Key Facts
A federal judge ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) not to deport Federico Reyes Vasquez while his case was under review.
Despite the order, Reyes Vasquez was deported the next day.
ICE admitted in court that they had not seen the judge’s order before deporting Reyes Vasquez.
ICE has committed to working with Reyes Vasquez’s attorneys to arrange his return to the U.S.
The court ordered Reyes Vasquez to be returned to the United States within 21 days.
Mistaken deportations have occurred multiple times, leading to court interventions.
Reyes Vasquez's lawyer highlighted the importance of due process and compliance with court orders.
A woman in ICE custody said officers told her she was being transferred and then asked to access her cell phone and social media. This procedure is part of a broader social media review policy introduced for immigration purposes. The woman had been detained following a traffic stop in Texas, where she was initially booked for driving-related charges.
Key Facts
A woman, using the name Adriana, said ICE staff told her to pack for transfer but instead checked her phone.
She was asked to log into her social media accounts, which were reviewed by ICE agents.
The Trump administration expanded social media review in immigration checks, framing it as a national security measure.
Civil liberties groups have raised concerns about privacy issues related to the social media review policy.
Adriana's detention complicated her plans to marry her boyfriend, Bailey Myers, this year.
She was arrested in Texas for driving offenses after a traffic stop for rolling through a stop sign.
During sobriety tests, communication issues arose, and she was using a different language (Spanish) due to language barriers.
Judicial Watch, a conservative nonprofit group, has sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The lawsuit claims the agency did not respond to a request for records about a research program at the University of Pittsburgh.
Key Facts
Judicial Watch is a conservative nonprofit group.
They filed a lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services.
The lawsuit is about a lack of response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
The FOIA request was submitted on May 30.
Judicial Watch asked for records related to the GUDMAP program at the University of Pittsburgh.
The group alleges they only received a confirmation of their request, with no further communication.
The lawsuit seeks a court order for the administration to release the requested records.
President Donald Trump is the current President of the United States.
Chicago has recorded the lowest number of homicides in 60 years, with a significant drop in overall crime rates. The reduction in crime comes amid actions by President Donald Trump and recent legal challenges against his administration's policies to deploy federal troops in the city. Meanwhile, local leaders have expressed differing views on the effectiveness and necessity of federal intervention.
Key Facts
Chicago recorded 416 homicides in 2025, the lowest since 1965.
The number of murders decreased by nearly 30% over the past year.
Overall violent crime in Chicago dropped by 21.3%.
Robberies decreased by 36.1%, and vehicle hijackings fell by 50%.
President Trump had planned to deploy federal troops to Chicago, but legal challenges blocked these efforts.
The Supreme Court rejected President Trump's request to keep troops in Illinois for immigration enforcement.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson credited city workers and departments for the progress in reducing crime.
Governor JB Pritzker supported the Supreme Court ruling as a victory for Illinois.
New Social Security rules in the United States are being implemented, affecting benefit amounts and retirement ages. Changes include a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that increases benefits by 2.8% and new income limits impacting benefit eligibility. These updates are intended to address inflation and benefit planning for over 70 million Americans.
Key Facts
Social Security benefits increase by 2.8% due to a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
The average monthly benefit rises from $2,015 to $2,071.
The maximum monthly benefit for high earners increases to $5,251.
Full retirement age is set at 66 for those born between 1943 and 1954, and 67 for those born in 1960 or later.
An earnings test withholds $1 for every $2 or $3 earned above set limits for workers under or at full retirement age, respectively.
Disability income limits are adjusted to $2,830 for blind beneficiaries and $1,690 for non-blind beneficiaries.
Protections like the "hold harmless" rule exist for certain beneficiaries to ensure benefits do not decrease due to Medicare premiums.
Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated as mayor of New York City on January 1, becoming the first Muslim and Asian American to hold this position. On his first day in office, he signed several executive orders, including changes in city leadership roles and new measures to address housing issues.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani became New York City’s mayor on January 1, 2023.
He is the first Muslim and Asian American to serve as mayor of New York City.
Mamdani is the youngest person to hold this office since 1892.
On his first day, he revoked all executive orders issued after September 26, 2024, by the previous mayor, Eric Adams.
He established five deputy mayor positions with clearly defined roles.
Mamdani introduced an Office to Protect Tenants and appointed Cea Weaver as its director.
He created the LIFT task force to speed up the development of city-owned land.
A SPEED task force was also created to streamline development procedures.
