President Donald Trump explained that the bruises and makeup on his hands are due to minor cuts and his use of aspirin, not a health crisis. He mentioned that aspirin makes him bruise easily, but he continues to take it for heart health. Trump also uses makeup to cover small cuts for appearances at public events.
Key Facts
President Trump has bruises on his hands, which he says are from minor cuts and aspirin use.
Trump takes a large dose of aspirin daily, which can cause bruising.
He’s taken aspirin for 25 years to maintain heart health.
Trump dismissed rumors of a health crisis related to his hand appearance.
At 79, Trump is the oldest person to start a U.S. presidency.
He maintains a busy schedule, though aides recommend he rest more.
Some photos have appeared to show him sleeping at events, which he claims are misleading.
The White House reported that Trump is in "exceptional health," based on a Mayo Clinic review.
Many Americans will face higher health insurance costs because extra financial help from the government ended. This change happened after Democrats shut down the government for 43 days over the issue, and despite moderate Republicans wanting a solution, President Trump backed down from his proposal after facing opposition.
Key Facts
Extra government help to make health insurance cheaper has ended.
This change affects people who enroll in the Affordable Care Act.
The end of these subsidies means higher insurance costs for many.
The issue caused a 43-day government shutdown led by Democrats.
Moderate Republicans wanted to find a solution to the problem.
President Trump suggested a plan but withdrew it after criticism.
Zohran Mamdani has started his term as the mayor of New York City and now manages the official NYC Mayor's account, @NYCMayor. Confusion arose because past social media posts from former Mayor Eric Adams are still visible on the account. This has caused misunderstandings due to the different political views of Mamdani and Adams.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is the new mayor of New York City and runs the @NYCMayor account.
Previous posts from former mayor Eric Adams are still on the account, creating confusion.
Mamdani is the first Muslim, first of South Asian descent, first to be born in Africa, and the youngest mayor in generations at 34.
Mamdani had a strong victory in the mayoral election against Curtis Sliwa and Andrew Cuomo.
He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
President Donald Trump has called Mamdani a "communist lunatic."
The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, and Mamdani said he would enforce them if needed.
A community note clarifies previous tweets were posted by Adams and not Mamdani.
Former special counsel Jack Smith told Congress that the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot would not have happened without President Donald Trump. Smith labeled Trump as the primary person responsible for the conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results, defending the decision to indict Trump against claims of political motivation.
Key Facts
Jack Smith is a former special counsel who investigated President Trump.
Smith testified to Congress, saying the Capitol riot wouldn't have occurred without Trump.
He described Trump as the main person responsible for the conspiracy to overturn the election.
The House Judiciary Committee, led by Republicans, released Smith's interview transcript and video.
Smith argued the evidence showed Trump was primarily responsible for the events.
He denied that the investigations were intended to stop Trump from running in 2024.
Smith affirmed the charges were based on evidence, not political bias.
A day care center in Minneapolis reported a break-in and theft amid ongoing fraud investigations in Minnesota. A viral video alleged that several day care centers in the state are not providing services, though Nokomis Day Care Center was not named. The incident is under scrutiny due to the day care fraud allegations and rising tensions within the Somali American community.
Key Facts
Nokomis Day Care Center in Minneapolis reported a break-in, vandalism, and stolen documents.
Fraud investigations in Minnesota have been ongoing, with significant funds reportedly stolen.
A viral video accused several day care centers of fraud; Nokomis was not named in it.
Somali Americans form a major part of those charged in these fraud cases.
Social media reactions varied, with some skepticism shown about the break-in.
Additional FBI resources are investigating fraud schemes in the state.
Community leaders expressed concerns about hate speech affecting the Somali community.
The White House has set a nine-week schedule to get approval for President Donald Trump's planned East Wing ballroom. The timeline starts with presentations to two federal commissions, despite some issues with receiving required paperwork. The $400 million project has faced criticism over concerns about legal and preservation procedures.
Key Facts
The project involves building a $400 million East Wing ballroom at the White House.
A nine-week timeline has been set to get approvals from two federal review commissions.
The White House submitted applications to these commissions by December 22, following a court order.
One commission confirmed getting the application, while the other claimed they hadn't received it yet.
Below-ground construction is already being done, but above-ground work won't start before April.
U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon is overseeing legal and preservation compliance.
Preservation advocates are worried about ignoring legal processes for historic sites.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the project is lawful and criticism is politically motivated.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped among middle-class Americans, according to recent surveys. This decline in support is linked to economic concerns, which may impact future elections and the president's political standing. The data shows a growing dissatisfaction with Trump's handling of the economy.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating with middle-class Americans fell from -10 to -17 from October to December 2025.
Middle-class is defined as individuals with yearly incomes between $50,000 and $100,000.
Recent polling involved over 1,500 U.S. adults in each survey, with varying margins of error around 3-4%.
Trump's approval rating among working-class Americans earning less than $50,000 is at -34 points.
57% of respondents in a PBS News/NPR/Marist poll disapproved of Trump's economic management.
70% of Americans feel that their local areas are unaffordable for average families, up from 45% in June.
Trump's approval ratings for economic management have declined by about 10 points since March 2025.
President Trump claims polls are inaccurate and insists the real approval rate is higher.
Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected Mayor of New York City, has been in the news for discussing his financial situation. Despite his privileged background and campaign focus on social equity, Mamdani's disclosed net worth is relatively modest. He revealed having $2,000 in his bank account and some assets in Uganda, contrasting with higher value properties owned by his parents.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is taking office as the Mayor of New York City.
His financial disclosure shows $2,000 in his bank account.
Mamdani previously earned $131,000 yearly as a state lawmaker.
He owns land in Uganda worth between $150,000 and $250,000.
His parents are wealthy; his mother is an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, and his father is a Columbia University professor.
Mamdani's net worth is estimated at $200,000.
He will earn a salary of $258,750 as mayor.
Mamdani does not own a car and lives in a rent-stabilized apartment.
Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, recently won the New York City mayoral election. His campaign included promises of free public services like buses and childcare, funded by higher taxes on businesses and wealthy residents. Reality TV star Reza Farahan expressed concerns about Mamdani's promises and the growing political dynamics among young voters.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral election in New York City.
Mamdani describes himself as a democratic socialist.
He proposed free buses, no-cost childcare, and government-run grocery stores.
To fund these services, Mamdani wants to collect $10 billion in taxes from businesses and wealthy residents.
Mamdani needs approval from New York's Governor Kathy Hochul to raise these taxes.
Mamdani's election had strong support from younger voters.
Reality TV star Reza Farahan expressed concerns about Mamdani's policies.
Mamdani initially refused to condemn the slogan “globalize the intifada” but later discouraged its use.
The Trump administration announced changes to how health care quality, particularly immunization, will be assessed in 2026. The changes involve removing certain vaccination measures from the evaluation of health care services under Medicaid and CHIP, thus making immunization a personal choice. These measures were previously required and influenced the assessment of health care quality.
Key Facts
The Trump administration has made changes related to immunization assessments starting in 2026.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will remove four measures about childhood and prenatal immunization from evaluation sets.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr emphasized the importance of informed consent and medical freedom.
The CDC changed its stance in 2025, leaving COVID-19 vaccination decisions to individuals and their doctors.
The assessment changes mean immunization coverage will not influence Medicaid and CHIP service quality evaluations.
Supporters say this change will prevent financial penalties for doctors if patients refuse vaccines.
Childhood immunization status, adolescent immunizations, and prenatal immunization measures will be voluntary rather than mandatory.
Declining vaccination rates in the U.S. are raising concerns about the resurgence of certain preventable diseases.
Zohran Mamdani has been sworn in as the new mayor of New York City. He is the first Muslim to become the city's mayor and the youngest in several generations to lead New York City.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the mayor of New York City.
He is the first Muslim to hold the office of mayor in the city.
Mamdani is the youngest mayor New York City has had in many generations.
New York City is the largest city in the United States.
The swearing-in marks a historic moment for the city due to the diverse representation.
Zohran Mamdani became the first Muslim mayor of New York City. He was sworn in at a historic subway station and highlighted the importance of public transit. A public inauguration ceremony will take place later.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is now the mayor of New York City.
He is the first Muslim and the youngest mayor in recent generations to lead the city.
His oath ceremony was held at an old City Hall subway station.
Mamdani used a Quran for his swearing-in.
New York Attorney General Letitia James conducted the ceremony.
A public ceremony is planned at City Hall, with a celebration on Broadway’s “Canyon of Heroes.”
Mamdani is of South Asian descent and was born in Africa.
He appointed Mike Flynn as the new Department of Transportation commissioner.
President Donald Trump has vowed to investigate alleged fraud in Minnesota. The state's welfare program has been scrutinized, with over 50 people convicted and investigations continuing. There is political and public concern due to the financial impact and community issues.
Key Facts
President Trump promised to look into fraud cases in Minnesota.
The alleged fraud involves welfare funds that could have cost taxpayers millions.
Investigations began with a scam called Feeding Our Future, costing an estimated $250 million.
57 people connected to the fraud case have been convicted.
Over $9 billion from state-run programs since 2018 might have been stolen.
Concerns have risen as most defendants are Somali Americans.
Minnesota's Democratic Governor Tim Walz has taken steps to investigate and prevent fraud.
Ongoing investigations aim to stop large-scale fraud involving federal programs.
Zohran Mamdani has become the first Muslim Mayor of New York City. He was sworn in at midnight on New Year's Day, with his wife holding the Quran during the ceremony.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is the new Mayor of New York City.
He is the first Muslim to hold this position in New York City.
The inauguration took place at midnight, marking the start of the new year.
New York Attorney General Letitia James conducted the swearing-in ceremony.
Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, participated by holding the Quran as he took his oath.
The body of 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos, who went missing in Texas on Christmas Eve, has been found and identified. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office confirmed that she died by suicide from a gunshot wound to the head.
Key Facts
Camila Mendoza Olmos was 19 years old.
She went missing from her home in Texas on Christmas Eve.
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office identified her body.
The medical examiner ruled her death as a suicide.
President Trump’s first year back in office included significant policy changes and political debates. Key achievements were a peace deal in Gaza and judicial backing for immigration policies. However, these events were accompanied by political challenges and decreasing approval ratings.
Key Facts
President Trump brokered a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas as part of a peace plan.
The deal included the release of hostages and Israeli troop withdrawal, with mixed international reactions.
The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to resume rapid deportation of migrants, a legal victory for their immigration policies.
Critics expressed concerns about the safety risks posed by the deportation policy.
President Trump passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, involving significant changes to tax and spending.
Analysts noted Trump's political challenges and declining popularity among voters and party members.
These events influence the coming midterm elections in the U.S.
A strong winter storm is affecting several U.S. states on New Year’s Day, with snowfall expected to reach up to 4 feet in some areas. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings for multiple states, warning that travel will be difficult and power outages may occur due to heavy snow and winds.
Key Facts
A winter storm is impacting six U.S. states, with snowfall up to 4 feet in some regions.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings about dangerous travel conditions and potential power outages.
States affected include New York, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Maine, and parts of Alaska.
Lake-effect snow in New York could lead to travel difficulties due to up to 4 feet of snow.
West Virginia could see 3 to 10 inches of snow, with strong winds worsening conditions.
Maryland is facing near-blizzard conditions with up to 10 inches of snow in some areas.
Pennsylvania's hazardous conditions include 4 to 9 inches of snow and gusty winds.
Maine and Alaska could experience several inches of snow, strong winds, and dangerous travel conditions.
Zohran Mamdani has been sworn in as the first Muslim and South Asian mayor of New York City, using a Quran for the ceremony. He used copies of the Quran from his grandparents and a historic one loaned by the New York Public Library, which was part of a collection by Arturo Schomburg, a noted historian. Mamdani's campaign highlighted the diversity of New York, and he is among a few U.S. politicians who have taken the oath with a Quran.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is the new mayor of New York City and the first Muslim and South Asian to hold this position.
He was sworn in using a Quran, including a 200-year-old copy from the New York Public Library.
The historic Quran was once owned by Arturo Schomburg, a significant figure in Black history.
Schomburg's collection became part of the NYPL's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Mamdani's swearing-in ceremony took place at an unused subway station under Times Square.
New York mayors do not have to use a religious text for their oath, but past mayors have often used a Bible.
Mamdani has shared his thoughts on Islamophobia in the U.S., especially after the September 11 attacks.
Zohran Mamdani has been sworn in as the new mayor of New York City. He is the first Muslim and youngest person in generations to hold this position in the city. Mamdani is also New York's first mayor of South Asian descent and the first born in Africa.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is the new mayor of New York City.
He is the first Muslim mayor of the city.
Mamdani is the youngest mayor in New York City in generations.
He is the first mayor of South Asian descent in the city.
Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda.
He was sworn in at an old subway station in Manhattan.
A public ceremony will be held at City Hall with US Senator Bernie Sanders.
His plans include policies for free child care, free buses, a rent freeze, and city-run grocery stores.
Flags in four U.S. states—Delaware, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Wyoming—are ordered to fly at half-staff to honor recent local tragedies and losses. This gesture is meant to show respect for fallen officers, public servants, and victims of violence.
Key Facts
Flags in Delaware will be at half-staff from December 23, 2025, to January 5, 2026, to honor State Trooper Matthew T. “Ty” Snook, killed on duty.
Louisiana will observe four days of mourning from January 1-4, 2026, for the 14 victims of the 2025 New Orleans terrorist truck attack.
Tennessee will lower flags at the State Capitol and state buildings on January 5, 2026, remembering Deputy Sheriff Justin Bradford Mowery, who died in a car crash.
Wyoming flags will remain at half-staff until dusk on January 5, 2026, in honor of Judy Catchpole, a former state official.
The flag-lowering acts are a mark of respect and reflection on the sacrifices of public servants and the impact of violent events.
Authorities call for community participation, such as ringing bells, to further honor victims.
Future orders for lowering flags will adhere to state and federal guidelines.
