A new bill called the Clergy Act aims to allow some clergy members to choose to participate in Social Security and Medicare after previously opting out. The bill proposes a two-year window for these individuals to revoke their exemptions. If passed, this law would let clergy meet the program's contribution requirements to receive benefits.
Key Facts
The proposed law is called the Clergy Act.
It allows clergy and Christian Science practitioners to opt back into Social Security and Medicare within a two-year window.
Currently, clergy members can choose to exempt themselves from these programs on religious grounds and cannot change this decision.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must help inform eligible clergy about the new option.
President Trump is the current President of the United States.
More than 70 million Americans receive Social Security benefits.
The bill has bipartisan support, sponsored by Republican Vince Fong and Democrat Mike Thompson.
Clergy members would need to meet standard contribution requirements to benefit from Social Security.
The Supreme Court did not allow President Trump's administration to send National Guard troops to Chicago for immigration enforcement. The court's decision followed a lower court block on the deployment, and comes after several months of deliberation. This ruling is a rare setback for President Trump's administration in front of the Supreme Court.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court prevented the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago for immigration purposes.
President Trump's administration wanted to use the military in response to immigration issues.
A lower court initially blocked the deployment.
A federal appeals court also chose not to change the lower court's decision.
The Supreme Court took more than two months to make this decision.
This marks a notable defeat for President Trump in the Supreme Court.
The decision may affect other cases about using military forces in Democratic-led cities.
President Trump and Zohran Mamdani are popular figures in the US for Christmas-themed political gifts. Their merchandise is selling well, while other political figures have less demand.
Key Facts
President Trump and Zohran Mamdani are top choices for US shoppers looking for politically themed Christmas gifts.
Their merchandise is selling better compared to other political figures.
The article highlights a sales competition between these figures in the US.
Al Jazeera journalist Kristen Saloomey reported on this trend.
Some political figures' merchandise is not selling and remains on store shelves.
Mary Trump, the niece of President Donald Trump, predicts that he will continue to decline in political influence and effectiveness. She shared her views in a post, suggesting that he has lost control over his public image as his approval ratings have decreased. Her comments come amid concerns about the economy and other issues affecting Trump’s presidency.
Key Facts
Mary Trump is President Donald Trump's niece and often criticizes him.
She writes on a platform called Substack, sharing views on Trump and U.S. politics.
Mary Trump believes President Trump is losing his ability to influence public opinion.
Recent polls show President Trump’s approval rating is around 39%.
Economic concerns and the release of the Epstein files are affecting his ratings.
Critics say Trump’s usual strategies to manage his image are not working.
President Trump has dismissed negative polls as fake and biased.
Mary Trump suggests that admitting mistakes and changing approaches could help, but she doubts Trump will do so.
A federal judge in California has blocked a state policy that stopped teachers from telling parents if a student at school identified as a different gender. The judge said the policy violated parental rights and teachers' rights to communicate with parents. This decision affects how schools handle gender identity in California.
Key Facts
A federal judge in California ruled against a policy that kept student gender identity changes secret from parents.
The judge argued that the policy breached constitutional rights, including parents' rights to care for their children and teachers' rights to communicate.
The decision resulted from a lawsuit by two teachers in the Escondido Unified School District.
California's Safety Act, signed in 2024, initially banned disclosure of students' gender identity to parents without consent.
The ruling blocks schools from implementing similar policies and promotes parental involvement in student matters.
LGBTQ groups defended the policy, citing potential harm and rejection of students by families if disclosed without consent.
Conservative groups and tech leader Elon Musk opposed the policy, attributing it as a reason for relocating business operations out of California.
Delaware State Police arrested a suspect after an active shooter incident at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Wilmington, Delaware. The area around the DMV remains closed as police continue their investigation.
Key Facts
An active shooter incident took place at the Wilmington DMV in Delaware.
Delaware State Police have taken a suspect into custody.
No immediate information is available about any injuries or deaths.
The incident happened near Hessler Boulevard, close to stores like Lowe’s and Dollar Tree.
People have been advised to avoid the area as police continue their response.
The U.S. Justice Department released a large batch of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, which included several mentions of President Donald Trump. The documents contain information about Trump's past flights on Epstein's private jet in the 1990s but add little new information to existing public records. The Justice Department notes that some of the documents include unfounded claims about Trump.
Key Facts
The U.S. Justice Department released tens of thousands of documents about Jeffrey Epstein.
President Donald Trump is mentioned multiple times in these documents.
Many mentions come from news clippings, but some include emails detailing Trump's flights on Epstein's private jet in the 1990s.
A prosecutor noted that Trump's travels on Epstein's jet were more frequent than previously known.
Trump was listed on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996, with Ghislaine Maxwell present on four of those flights.
No accusations of wrongdoing have been made against Trump in connection with Epstein.
The Justice Department stated some documents contain "untrue and sensationalist claims" about Trump.
One questionable document was allegedly written by Epstein to Larry Nassar and processed after Epstein's death.
The Department of Justice released almost 30,000 files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which include references to President Donald Trump. Some documents make claims against Trump, but he has not been accused of any wrongdoing. The release is part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which requires these documents to be made public.
Key Facts
The Justice Department released nearly 30,000 pages of files linked to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Many files mention President Trump, but he has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
A 2020 email claimed Trump traveled on Epstein's private jet at least eight times from 1993 to 1996.
Mar-a-Lago, President Trump's club, was subpoenaed to produce documents related to Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell in 2021.
Some documents released include claims deemed "untrue and sensationalist" against Trump.
Epstein survivors criticized the Department of Justice for excessive redactions in previous document releases.
The document release was required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Congress passed almost unanimously.
The White House had yet to comment on the document release when the article was written.
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has chosen Lillian Bonsignore as the next leader of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). Bonsignore, a retired FDNY member, has over 30 years of service and will be the first openly gay commissioner of the department.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani, the incoming Mayor of New York City, appointed Lillian Bonsignore as the FDNY commissioner.
Bonsignore has a 31-year career with the FDNY, starting as an emergency medical technician in 1991.
She was the first woman to lead the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) division and the first uniformed woman to become a four-star chief.
Bonsignore managed the department through the COVID-19 pandemic.
She is originally from the Bronx and responded to the 9/11 attacks.
Bonsignore will be the FDNY's first openly gay commissioner.
Until Mamdani takes office, Mark Guerra will be the acting fire commissioner.
Her appointment, along with Jessica Tisch at the NYPD, means two women will simultaneously lead the city's Fire and Police Departments.
Camp Mystic in Texas plans to reopen and enroll new campers after a flood killed 25 girls and two counselors. The decision has divided families, with some viewing it as a step toward healing, while others think it is insensitive. Texas lawmakers are planning to investigate the disaster, and the camp promises improved safety measures.
Key Facts
A flood at Camp Mystic in Texas killed 25 campers and two counselors in July.
The camp will begin signing up new campers in January, intending for arrivals in May.
Some families support reopening as a healing step, while others criticize it as insensitive.
Lawmakers in Texas will hold investigative hearings regarding the flood.
Kerr County leaders remain in their positions, defending their actions during the flood.
The camp plans to implement new safety measures, like two-way radios and river monitors.
The area, called "Flash Flood Alley," is prone to flooding due to its geographical features.
Legal action is underway, with some families alleging failures in protecting children.
A graduate teaching assistant at the University of Oklahoma was removed from teaching after a student received a zero on an essay that cited the Bible. The student claimed the grade was due to religious discrimination, resulting in a social media debate. The university reviewed the situation, supported the student's claim, and removed the assignment from her grade total.
Key Facts
A student at the University of Oklahoma received a zero on an essay citing the Bible.
The essay was for a psychology class assignment on gender stereotypes.
The student claimed the grade was due to religious discrimination.
The university investigated and found the grading to be arbitrary.
The graduate teaching assistant will no longer teach at the university.
The student's grade appeal was successful, and the university removed the assignment from her total grade.
The incident sparked debate on social media about religious freedom and academic standards.
George Conway, a known critic of President Donald Trump, has filed paperwork to run for Congress as a Democrat in New York's 12th Congressional District. This district, a part of Manhattan, is currently seeking a new representative as Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler retires.
Key Facts
George Conway is preparing to run for Congress as a Democrat in New York City.
He filed paperwork on Monday to run in the 12th Congressional District seat.
The current representative, Jerry Nadler, is retiring.
Conway was previously a supporter of President Trump but later became a vocal critic.
Conway co-founded the anti-Trump Lincoln Project.
John F. Kennedy's grandson, Jack Schlossberg, and State Lawmaker Micah Lasher are also running for the same seat.
The district covers parts of Manhattan including the Upper East Side and Upper West Side.
The body of Melodee Buzzard, a 9-year-old girl, was found in Utah. Her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, was taken into custody. Authorities planned to hold a press conference to provide updates on the case.
Key Facts
Melodee Buzzard's body was found in Utah.
Her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, is in police custody.
Melodee was last seen with her mother on October 7.
The pair were seen at a car rental business wearing wigs.
Ashlee returned home without Melodee three days after they were last seen together.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office planned a press conference for updates.
News outlets contacted the Sheriff's office for more information.
Newly released files include a letter from Jeffrey Epstein mentioning a U.S. president's alleged interest in young girls. The Department of Justice released many documents related to Epstein, but the authenticity and claims in the letter remain unverified. President Trump, who signed an act to release Epstein's files, denies any wrongdoing.
Key Facts
A letter signed by Jeffrey Epstein mentions a president's alleged attraction to young girls but does not name President Trump.
The letter was postmarked three days after Epstein's death in 2019.
Newsweek has not confirmed the letter’s authenticity, and the DOJ describes some claims in the documents as untrue and sensational.
The White House and DOJ say the claims against President Trump are unfounded.
President Trump had initially called for the release of Epstein files but hesitated once in office.
The DOJ released many Epstein-related documents, including heavily edited files to protect victims and investigations.
A DOJ statement mentions restoring an image of Trump in the documents, which concerns transparency.
The letter was sent from a New York correctional center to Larry Nassar, a convicted sex offender.
The Department of Justice released new files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which mention President Donald Trump. These files include details about Epstein's flight logs, a subpoena to Mar-a-Lago related to Ghislaine Maxwell's case, and tips received by the FBI about Trump. Trump denies any wrongdoing, despite his name appearing in the documents.
Key Facts
The Department of Justice released about 11,000 new Epstein-related files.
President Trump is mentioned several times in the new files, mostly from news articles and emails.
Files describe Trump flying on Epstein's private jet more times than previously known, but there is no evidence of wrongdoing.
Trump traveled on Epstein's jet between 1993 and 1996, along with others including his daughter Tiffany and son Eric.
A subpoena related to Ghislaine Maxwell's case requested employment records from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
The DOJ received tips about Trump but stated the claims were unfounded and false.
Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial, and Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in trafficking minors.
Laura Loomer, who supports President Donald Trump, stated that Democrats were correct in identifying some conservatives as Nazis. Loomer's comments highlight growing divisions within the Republican Party over issues like antisemitism and neo-Nazism. She warned that ignoring these issues could lead to election losses for the party in future elections.
Key Facts
Laura Loomer supports President Donald Trump.
Loomer said Democrats were correct about some conservatives being Nazis.
She believes the Republican Party should address racism and antisemitism.
Loomer posted these views on social media, warning of potential election losses.
The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism reported growth in neo-Nazi groups.
Divisions in the Republican Party were visible at the recent Turning Point USA event.
Loomer criticized Tucker Carlson for his views on Israel and the GOP.
Prominent conservative voices like Ben Shapiro have also spoken on these topics.
President Donald Trump shared his views on how the Federal Reserve should operate. He suggested that the new Fed chairman should lower interest rates when the market is doing well. His statement was in response to a report showing the U.S. economy grew more than expected in the third quarter.
Key Facts
President Trump introduced the idea of a "Trump Rule" for the Federal Reserve.
He criticized the practice of raising interest rates due to inflation concerns.
Trump's comments followed a report that the U.S. economy grew faster than expected, with GDP up by 4.2%.
He expressed that strong markets should not lead to interest rate hikes.
Trump believes good market news should lead to market increases, not decreases.
He wants the new Fed chairman to lower rates if the market is performing well.
Trump stated that markets should naturally go up on good news and down on bad news.
He emphasized that the U.S. should not be penalized for economic success.
Gas prices in the U.S. are lower this December, with the national average for unleaded gasoline staying below $3 per gallon. This is the most affordable December for gas prices since 2020, and the drop in prices is partly due to a steady supply of crude oil.
Key Facts
The national average price for unleaded gasoline dropped to about $2.85 per gallon on Monday.
On Tuesday, the price was about $2.86 per gallon, still below $3.
Hawaii had the highest average gas price at around $4.44 per gallon.
Oklahoma had the lowest average gas price at about $2.30 per gallon.
Gas prices are more than 18 cents lower compared to the same time last year.
December 2023 is the cheapest December for gas prices since 2020.
The decrease in gas prices comes as crude oil prices remain low.
Consumer prices rose by 2.7% in November, but inflation is still above the Federal Reserve's target.
A transgender employee at the National Security Agency (NSA) is suing the Trump administration. The lawsuit challenges an executive order from President Trump that mandates the recognition of only two genders, male and female, by the federal government.
Key Facts
The lawsuit is filed by Sarah O'Neill, an NSA data scientist who is transgender.
Sarah O'Neill claims the executive order and related policies break federal civil rights laws.
The executive order was issued by President Trump on Inauguration Day.
The order requires the federal government to recognize only two genders: male and female.
The lawsuit aims to stop the enforcement of this executive order.
An instructor at the University of Oklahoma, Mel Curth, was removed from teaching duties after a student claimed religious discrimination related to a failed essay. The student, Samantha Fulnecky, wrote a Bible-based essay on gender stereotypes that didn't meet the assignment requirements, according to the instructor. This incident relates to larger national discussions about gender identity and religious freedom in light of recent government policies.
Key Facts
Mel Curth, a University of Oklahoma instructor, was relieved of teaching duties due to a religious discrimination complaint.
Samantha Fulnecky, a student, wrote an essay using the Bible to discuss gender stereotypes, which the instructor failed for not meeting the assignment criteria.
The university announced that the student's failed essay wouldn't affect her final grade.
The situation connects to national issues on gender identity and religious freedoms in the U.S.
President Donald Trump has supported policies recognizing only two genders and aligning with Christian views.
The student's essay was shared widely online, garnering over 47 million views.
Faculty members at the university raised concerns about academic freedom and the reasons behind the instructor's removal.
There have been reports of harassment and death threats against the instructor, leading to demands for university action.
