Police have identified someone who might be linked to a mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The incident led to the deaths of two people and injuries to nine others. Authorities are actively searching for this person and have asked the public for help in finding them.
Key Facts
A shooting occurred at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Two people died, and nine others were injured during the shooting.
Police have identified a person who may be involved in the incident.
Authorities have not publicly shared the person's identity.
The search for the suspect has been ongoing for six days.
Investigators are seeking information from the public, including security videos.
A photo of a person possibly linked to the incident has been released by authorities.
President Trump signed an executive order that allows a new program for Medicare to cover certain cannabis products for seniors. This pilot program reclassifies marijuana to make it easier for Medicare to pay for CBD, a cannabis product, expected to start in April next year.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an executive order for Medicare to cover CBD products for seniors.
Marijuana was reclassified as a Schedule III drug, similar to certain prescription medications.
Use of marijuana among adults aged 65 or older is increasing in the U.S.
Coverage of CBD products will begin as early as April next year for Medicare enrollees.
The Department of Health & Human Services is considering loosening restrictions on cannabis.
CMS might expand coverage if the pilot program shows positive results.
Research indicates CBD helps with anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain but could have side effects.
Some experts believe cannabinoid therapies are cost-effective and less harmful than some existing medications.
Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have released more photos from Jeffrey Epstein's estate. This move comes just before a deadline for the Department of Justice to release more files related to Epstein. The images include pictures of Epstein with well-known figures like Noam Chomsky and Bill Gates.
Key Facts
House Democrats released additional photos from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate.
The release happened one day before a Department of Justice deadline.
Epstein died in 2019 in jail while awaiting sex-trafficking charges.
Photos show Epstein with public figures including Noam Chomsky and Bill Gates.
There is a screenshot of a text discussing recruiting young women.
President Trump had connections with Epstein but has denied involvement in his crimes.
Trump initially opposed but eventually signed a law for the release of Epstein investigation materials.
The Department of Justice has not confirmed if it will meet the deadline for releasing files.
President Donald Trump's administration has proposed new rules to stop U.S. hospitals from providing gender-affirming healthcare to transgender youth under 18. The proposed rules would block hospitals from using Medicare and Medicaid if they continue to offer gender-affirming care, effectively banning this healthcare for minors. The administration also voiced strong opposition to gender-affirming treatments, describing them as harmful.
Key Facts
President Trump's administration plans to stop gender-affirming care for transgender youth under 18.
The new rules aim to prevent hospitals from accessing Medicare and Medicaid if they provide such care.
Medicare and Medicaid are government health insurance programs for vulnerable groups.
A rule would also halt federal Medicaid funds for gender-affirming procedures.
The administration argues that gender-affirming care causes harm to minors.
Notices were issued to manufacturers warning against marketing chest binders to transgender youth.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr criticized medical groups supporting gender-affirming care.
The administration only recognizes biological sex and not gender identity according to a 2024 executive order.
President Trump plans to sign an order to change how the government classifies marijuana. This move will make it easier for cannabis to be used for medical purposes and reduce tax burdens for cannabis businesses. It won't make marijuana legal for recreational use across the country but will change how it's treated under federal law.
Key Facts
President Trump will sign an executive order to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug.
The order directs federal agencies to classify marijuana as a Schedule III substance.
Marijuana is currently classified as Schedule I, which includes drugs like heroin with high abuse potential.
The order would allow more people on Medicare to access CBD products.
The reclassification would not legalize marijuana for recreational use nationwide.
The change could reduce tax burdens for cannabis companies by altering its Schedule I status.
Some states have already relaxed restrictions on marijuana independently of federal law.
Surveys show growing public support for marijuana reclassification and legalization.
A recent appointee of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani resigned after past antisemitic social media posts surfaced. Catherine Almonte Da Costa stepped down after posts from more than a decade ago reappeared online and were criticized by the Anti-Defamation League.
Key Facts
Catherine Almonte Da Costa was appointed to join Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s administration.
She resigned after old social media posts from 2011 and 2012 were criticized for being antisemitic.
The Anti-Defamation League highlighted the posts, saying they contained antisemitic stereotypes.
Da Costa expressed regret over the posts, stating they do not reflect who she is now.
Zohran Mamdani, scheduled to take office next month, accepted Da Costa's resignation.
A CNN poll showed that a majority of New York City Jewish voters supported Andrew Cuomo over Mamdani in the mayoral race.
The Anti-Defamation League plans to monitor Mamdani's policies and personnel choices.
The Kennedy Center will be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center. The decision came after the Kennedy Center board voted to change the name, with support from President Trump's administration. President Trump had earlier replaced all board members with his allies.
Key Facts
The Kennedy Center board voted to rename the venue as the Trump-Kennedy Center.
The decision followed "unbelievable work" attributed to President Trump in supporting the center.
President Trump replaced the original board members with his own allies shortly after assuming office.
The renamed center acknowledges both President Trump and President John F. Kennedy.
The Kennedy Center is an iconic landmark in Washington, D.C.
The decision to rename the center is described as controversial.
President Trump secured $257 million from Congress for renovations at the center.
The Kennedy Center was originally named in honor of President John F. Kennedy after his assassination in 1963.
The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. will be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center. This change was decided by a unanimous vote from the Kennedy Center board.
Key Facts
The Kennedy Center board voted to change the name to the Trump-Kennedy Center.
The announcement was made by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The decision was unanimous, meaning everyone on the board agreed.
President Trump is involved in changes in Washington, D.C., including putting his name on buildings.
Karoline Leavitt congratulated both President Trump and President Kennedy for this new partnership.
Frank Athen Walls was executed in Florida for the 1987 murders of Edward Alger and Ann Peterson during a home invasion. This marked the 19th execution in Florida this year, setting a state record. Walls was initially convicted in 1988, and after a retrial, he was sentenced to death again in 1992.
Key Facts
Frank Athen Walls was executed at Florida State Prison on Thursday.
Walls had been convicted of killing a man and his girlfriend during a 1987 home invasion.
He was initially sentenced to death in 1988, and after retrial, again in 1992.
During his execution, Walls apologized to the victims' families.
Florida has conducted 19 executions this year, more than any other U.S. state.
The Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court denied Walls' last-minute appeals.
Walls admitted responsibility for additional killings and a rape related to other cases.
Governor Ron DeSantis has overseen the signing of more execution orders this year than any Florida governor since 1976, aiming to deliver justice for victims' families.
President Trump gave a speech at the White House, criticizing Joe Biden and the Democratic Party for economic problems and inflation. The speech was delivered in a prime-time slot with Christmas trees as the backdrop.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke to the nation in a prime-time speech.
The speech took place at the White House.
Christmas trees were part of the backdrop during the speech.
Trump criticized Joe Biden and Democrats for economic issues.
President Trump is considering making Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas new federal holidays through an executive order. This change would mean extra days off for federal workers if approved.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to issue an executive order for two new federal holidays: Christmas Eve and December 26.
Federal holidays are usually set by Congress and signed by the President.
An order has been drafted, but it is not official until President Trump signs it.
There is uncertainty if the President can create multiple holidays with an executive order.
Federal holidays influence days off expectations in the private sector.
Recently, Juneteenth was made a federal holiday by former President Biden.
President Trump mentioned in the past that the U.S. has too many non-working holidays.
President Trump has signed an executive order to change how the federal government classifies marijuana. This new policy says that marijuana is now seen as less harmful and addictive than before. This could change how people use and study marijuana.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an executive order about marijuana.
The order changes marijuana's federal classification.
Marijuana is now seen as less harmful and addictive.
This decision could affect how people use marijuana.
The decision could impact future research on marijuana.
William Brangham talked to Beau Kilmer about this change.
Beau Kilmer is with the RAND Drug Policy Research Center.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has stated that Attorney General Pam Bondi could face consequences, such as contempt of Congress or impeachment, if the Epstein files are not released by the specified deadline. The Epstein Files Transparency Act, supported by Congress and signed by President Trump, requires the disclosure of Epstein's files, with exceptions to protect certain sensitive information. As the deadline approaches, there is heightened attention on the release of these documents.
Key Facts
Congressman Ro Khanna mentioned that Pam Bondi could face contempt of Congress or impeachment regarding the Epstein files release.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act mandates the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein by December 19, 2025.
The law allows certain information to be redacted to protect victims and ongoing investigations.
House Democrats have already released some images related to Epstein's case.
Three federal judges have ordered the release of files related to Epstein and Maxwell’s grand jury.
President Trump signed the bill into law, supporting the release and transparency of these files.
The Department of Justice has already provided approximately 50,000 pages of documents to Congress.
Democratic and Republican representatives have spoken about the importance of complying with the law and potential consequences of non-compliance.
The Department of Health and Human Services announced new steps to restrict medical treatments related to gender transition for people under 18 across the United States. These actions aim to ban transition-related care for minors nationwide.
Key Facts
The Department of Health and Human Services is leading the initiative.
The focus is on medical treatments linked to gender transition.
The restrictions target individuals under the age of 18.
The actions are intended to apply nationwide across the United States.
The discussion was between Stephanie Sy and Selena Simmons-Duffin of NPR.
A new poll shows that Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, leads Republican Congressman Andy Biggs by a significant margin in the race for governor. The poll results suggest potential shifts in voter priorities and could influence future election strategies for both political parties in Arizona. The poll also highlights the importance of engaging independent voters as both parties prepare for upcoming elections.
Key Facts
The poll was conducted by NextGen Polling between December 15 and December 17.
Katie Hobbs received 51% of the potential vote, while Andy Biggs received 32%.
7% of respondents favored other candidates, and 9% were undecided.
Hobbs has 90% support from Democrats and 62% support from independents.
Biggs has 64% support from Republicans.
The poll has a margin of error of 1.9%.
Arizona is considered a key battleground state, influencing national political strategies.
Both parties are expected to increase their efforts as the 2026 midterm elections approach.
President Donald Trump announced the "Patriot Games," a new athletic competition featuring high school athletes, as part of celebrations for the United States' 250th birthday. Some Democrats compared the event to "The Hunger Games," a fictional story where participants fight to the death. The White House and others emphasized that the event is purely athletic and about patriotism.
Key Facts
President Trump announced the "Patriot Games" for the U.S. 250th birthday celebration.
The event involves high school athletes from every U.S. state and territory.
Critics compared the event to "The Hunger Games," a book about a dystopian competition.
The White House dismissed these comparisons, stating the event focuses on athletic competition.
"The Hunger Games" involves a deadly battle, while the "Patriot Games" are non-violent athletic contests.
The games will happen next year, and more information will come later.
The White House commented that Democrats dislike the games because they promote recognition through talent and hard work.
Comments about the event continue to appear on social media platforms.
New plaques with claims about past U.S. presidents, including Joe Biden and Barack Obama, have been set up at the White House. The plaques, linked to President Donald Trump, make various claims about Biden's election and immigration policies, but some of these claims lack supporting evidence according to fact-checking. BBC Verify has reviewed these claims and found inconsistencies.
Key Facts
The White House has put up plaques outside the West Wing about past U.S. presidents.
The plaque about Joe Biden claims he became president after "the most corrupt election ever seen," but no evidence supports this claim of widespread voter fraud.
Another claim on the plaque says Biden allowed 21 million people to enter the U.S., but this number is higher than official records show.
President Trump made similar claims about immigration without providing a source for the 21 million figure.
During Biden's presidency, there were approximately 10 million migrant encounters at the U.S. border.
The plaque also claims that Biden's policies led to the "highest inflation ever recorded," but the peak inflation rate was 9.1% in June 2022.
All U.S. presidents except Biden have a portrait or photo displayed at the site.
BBC Verify has not found evidence supporting some of the claims on these plaques.
President Donald Trump issued an order to close federal executive departments and agencies on December 24 and December 26, 2025. This means that most federal employees will have these days off as if they are federal holidays. Some offices might stay open if needed for reasons like national security.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump ordered federal closures on December 24 and December 26, 2025.
These closures apply to all federal executive departments and agencies.
The days are treated like federal holidays for employee pay and leave.
Some employees may still need to work for national security or other essential reasons.
The Office of Personnel Management is responsible for carrying out this order.
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett described her relationships with other justices on the U.S. Supreme Court as similar to an "arranged marriage." She mentioned that although justices do not choose their colleagues, they work together for a long time and maintain a sense of collegiality despite differences.
Key Facts
Amy Coney Barrett is a Supreme Court Justice.
Barrett likened her relationships with other justices to an "arranged marriage."
The U.S. Supreme Court has nine justices, with a current 6-3 conservative majority.
Justices are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Supreme Court justices serve for life unless they retire, resign, or are impeached.
Over 40% of Americans believe the Court is "too conservative," according to a recent poll.
The justices ruled unanimously in 44% of cases in 2023.
Proposals for Supreme Court term limits exist but none have been implemented.
President Donald Trump is expected to sign an order to change the classification of cannabis in the United States. This change would move cannabis from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug, making it similar to Tylenol with codeine. The reclassification could allow more research into cannabis and have tax implications for dispensaries.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to sign an order to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug.
Schedule I drugs are considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
As a Schedule III drug, cannabis would be on the same level as some medications that are less strictly controlled.
This change would allow more research into cannabis and might affect taxes for cannabis businesses.
Some Republican lawmakers are worried the change might increase cannabis use and impact public health.
Currently, 24 US states allow cannabis for recreational use, and a majority permit it for medical reasons.
The Drug Enforcement Agency says Schedule III drugs have a moderate to low chance of dependence.
Polls show most Americans support legalizing marijuana.
