The FBI has arrested a suspect in their investigation of who allegedly placed pipe bombs in Washington, D.C. the day before the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. This is the first arrest related to these particular bombs and took place nearly five years after the incident.
Key Facts
The FBI arrested a suspect connected to pipe bombs found in D.C. on January 5, 2021.
This investigation has been ongoing for almost five years.
This is the first time the FBI has identified a suspect in the pipe bomb case.
The arrest was made on a Thursday morning.
The suspect is a man, according to a law enforcement official.
Details about potential charges against the suspect are not yet available.
The official shared this information anonymously, as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
The U.S. "war on drugs" started in 1971 under President Richard Nixon, aiming to reduce drug abuse and trafficking. Over 50 years, the policy has led to high incarceration rates, especially affecting Black communities, and a large amount of money spent with little impact on drug supply or demand. Recently, President Trump has signaled military intentions against Venezuela based on unproven drug trafficking claims.
Key Facts
The "war on drugs" began in 1971 when President Nixon called drug abuse the top public enemy.
Since the policy started, the U.S. has spent over $1 trillion on drug-related efforts.
The approach has significantly increased imprisonment rates, particularly among Black Americans.
Policies in the 1980s, such as the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, led to racial disparities in sentencing.
Overdose deaths have reached high levels, especially due to fentanyl.
Some states have legalized cannabis, showing a shift in drug policy discussions.
The U.S. has been accused of fuelling organized crime in Latin America through drug policies.
President Trump has pointed to possible military action against Venezuela over alleged drug trafficking.
President Trump has spoken critically about Somali Americans as the midterm elections approach. Omar Fateh has commented on this issue, referring to the president's remarks.
Key Facts
President Trump made negative statements about Somali Americans.
These statements were made ahead of the midterm elections.
Omar Fateh has responded to President Trump's remarks.
The situation involves political tensions in the United States.
The topic is relevant to U.S. domestic politics and society.
Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for vetoing the Menopause Care Equity Act, expressing that his actions might make him unsuitable for the presidency. Newsom has not officially announced a presidential run, but he is considered a strong candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. The Menopause Care Equity Act aimed to improve insurance coverage for menopause treatment and had support from both political parties in California.
Key Facts
Halle Berry criticized Gavin Newsom at the New York Times DealBook Summit.
She was upset about Newsom's veto of the Menopause Care Equity Act twice.
The act required insurance coverage for menopause treatment and education.
Newsom justified his vetoes by citing concerns over costs and implementation.
Newsom is considered a top contender for a future presidential run but hasn't officially announced any plans.
Berry expressed her view that Newsom's veto overlooked issues important to women.
Newsom is currently polling ahead of other Democratic rivals for a potential presidential bid.
A new poll suggests that a Republican candidate, Chad Bianco, is leading in the race for California's governor's seat ahead of the 2026 election. The poll shows 31 percent of voters are still undecided about their choice. California uses a system where all candidates appear on a single ballot, and the top two advance to the general election.
Key Facts
Republican Chad Bianco is leading with 13 percent of the vote in the poll.
Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Eric Swalwell are both at 12 percent.
Democrat Katie Porter has 11 percent support according to the survey.
About 31 percent of California voters have not yet decided on whom to support.
The poll involved 1000 registered voters in California.
The poll's margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points.
A new governor will be elected in November 2026, as current Governor Gavin Newsom cannot run again due to term limits.
California's primary system allows all candidates to run on one ballot, regardless of party.
A large number of Republican members of Congress have announced they will not seek reelection in the 2026 midterms. This situation raises concerns about the Republican party's ability to maintain its control of the House. Some members are retiring, while others are aiming for higher political positions.
Key Facts
31 Republicans announced they will not seek reelection ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The departure rate of Republicans is almost double that of Democrats.
Republicans leaving Congress include both members retiring and those pursuing higher offices.
High retirement rates can affect the party's control of the House of Representatives.
Republican Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, faces internal challenges over his leadership.
Reasons for not seeking reelection include retirement and running for positions like governor or U.S. Senate.
Notable Republicans retiring include Marjorie Taylor Greene and Troy Nehls of Texas.
The current pace of departures is similar to past cycles where shifts in control were observed.
A recent report shows that fewer Americans plan to tip service workers during the holiday season in 2025, with the decrease affecting various professions. Economic challenges, such as rising prices and a slow job market, have contributed to this change. Despite this, the amount of money given as tips has mostly stayed the same or slightly decreased.
Key Facts
A study by Bankrate found that fewer Americans plan to tip service workers this holiday season.
Bankrate surveyed 2,445 U.S. adults, and 78% plan to tip at least one type of service provider.
The percentage of people planning to tip housekeepers has decreased slightly from 57% in 2024 to 56% in 2025.
Tipping for trash collectors dropped from 26% to 21%.
The largest decline was for child care providers, down from 55% to 47%.
Overall tipping amounts have remained about the same or decreased slightly.
Higher earners have helped keep median tipping amounts steady, especially for certain services like landscaping.
Young people, especially Gen Z, feel more pressure to tip compared to older generations.
Photos of President Donald Trump's hand with a bandage have sparked discussions about his health. The White House insists he is healthy, explaining that the bruising is from frequent handshakes and related to a common condition called chronic venous insufficiency. Trump's medical tests have shown normal results, but some people continue to speculate.
Key Facts
Photos of President Trump's bandaged hand have been widely shared on social media.
The White House says the bandage and bruising are caused by frequent handshakes.
Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a non-life-threatening condition affecting blood flow in the legs.
Recent medical tests, including an MRI, showed normal results for Trump.
Trump's age and health have been topics of discussion during his presidency.
Trump recently stated he passed a physical exam and a cognitive test with no issues.
The White House continues to affirm Trump's commitment to his role as President, despite the health speculations.
A winter storm is expected to bring snow and ice to parts of the central and eastern United States this week. The storm, moving quickly, will likely affect areas from the Tennessee Valley to the mid-Atlantic, potentially causing slippery roads and some travel delays.
Key Facts
AccuWeather predicts a winter storm with snow from the Tennessee Valley to the mid-Atlantic.
The storm could cause slippery roads on Friday, particularly in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and possibly Washington, D.C.
New York City might see brief snow Friday evening, but the main snowfall will be south of the city.
The storm will have enough moisture to produce ice and snow from Oklahoma to southern New England.
Travel delays may happen at airports in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York due to de-icing operations.
Snow amounts are expected to be around one to two inches, mainly along the Appalachians to the mid-Atlantic coast.
President Donald Trump has announced plans to lower fuel-economy standards set by the previous administration. The new target for vehicle efficiency in 2031 would change from about 50 miles per gallon to roughly 34 miles per gallon. This decision follows a survey indicating that most American drivers value fuel economy and support stricter standards.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to lower the 2031 fuel-economy target for new cars and trucks from about 50 miles per gallon to 34-34.5 miles per gallon.
The change aims to reduce vehicle costs by an average of $930 by 2031.
However, this could lead to around 100 billion more gallons of gasoline used by 2050.
The new standards may result in $185 billion more in fuel spending and increase U.S. transport CO₂ emissions by about 5%.
A Consumer Reports survey from January 2025 showed 96% of American drivers believe fuel economy is important when buying a vehicle.
66% of respondents in the survey think the federal government should continue increasing fuel-economy standards.
President Trump’s government has canceled fines for automakers not meeting current standards and ended federal tax credits for buying electric vehicles.
About 75% of new vehicle sales in America are SUVs and pickups, with the Ford F-series being one of the top sellers for years.
President Donald Trump announced plans to allow the production of smaller cars in the U.S. by loosening regulations that had favored larger vehicles. He directed the Transportation Secretary to remove obstacles preventing these cars' manufacturing and marketing. The plan includes rolling back fuel-efficiency standards set during the Biden administration.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to permit the production of smaller cars in the U.S.
He directed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to remove production and marketing barriers.
The administration is rolling back Biden-era fuel-efficiency standards.
Trump believes smaller cars will be more affordable and efficient.
The Department of Transportation claims the change will save Americans $109 billion over five years.
Environmental groups have criticized the move as harmful to the climate.
Trump was inspired by the small cars he saw during visits to East Asia.
CEOs from Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis supported the initiative.
Virginia Democrats are planning to redraw congressional maps in 2026 to gain more seats. This effort follows moves by other states to redraw maps, often influenced by political parties. The redistricting could shift the current balance from six Democratic seats and five Republican seats to ten Democrats and one Republican seat.
Key Facts
Virginia Democrats want to change congressional maps in 2026.
The new map could give Democrats four more seats than they have now.
The current balance in Virginia is six Democrats and five Republicans.
President Donald Trump is influencing states to change their maps.
The House of Delegates Speaker said the change is needed due to pressure from President Trump on other states.
Such redistricting efforts are happening in various states and could affect future elections.
Virginia's plan depends on developments in other states and potential court actions.
If maps are redrawn, Virginia's state legislature needs an amendment to bypass a bipartisan commission.
More Americans report feeling tired rather than angry about politics, according to recent surveys. The term "rage bait," chosen as Word of the Year, highlights how online content often aims to provoke outrage. Political figures, like President Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom, use these tactics to draw attention.
Key Facts
"Rage bait" was named Word of the Year by Oxford University Press due to its increased use.
65% of Americans feel exhausted by politics, according to a 2023 Pew survey.
An AP-NORC poll found that nearly two-thirds of Americans reduced their political news consumption due to fatigue.
The concept of an "Exhausted Majority" describes about two-thirds of Americans as being tired of political polarization.
President Trump's communication style is described as provoking others to respond emotionally.
California Governor Gavin Newsom uses similar tactics to counter President Trump, including parody merchandise.
Posts that attack opposing views tend to get more engagement online.
Studies show social media algorithms boost content that provokes emotional reactions, even if it leaves users feeling worse.
Republican Representative Matt Van Epps won a special election in Tennessee with a smaller margin than President Trump did in 2024. Many Republican members of Congress are not running again, leading to talk of potential Democratic gains in upcoming elections. The article also discusses various political figures and their current standings within their parties.
Key Facts
Matt Van Epps won a Tennessee special election by 9 points, less than President Trump's 22-point win in 2024.
Nearly 60 special elections this year have shown similar results, suggesting possible Democratic gains.
23 Republican members of Congress have announced they will not run for re-election.
Mike Johnson is the current Speaker of the House, facing challenges as Democrats might regain control.
Hakeem Jeffries is a leading Democrat, close to becoming Speaker since Nancy Pelosi lost the majority in 2022.
Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned and has been critical of President Trump's stance on certain issues.
Mark Green resigned from Congress to work on business opportunities in Guyana.
Conventional Wisdom is a feature that uses arrows to indicate political figures’ standings, aiming to provide balanced insights.
A new bill proposed by Senator Bernie Moreno aims to end dual citizenship for U.S. citizens. The proposal has raised concerns from Jewish advocacy groups who fear it could lead to accusations of "dual loyalty," a historically harmful stereotype. Critics also question the bill's constitutionality and its potential to strain U.S.-Israel relations.
Key Facts
The "Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025" is proposed by Senator Bernie Moreno from Ohio.
The bill would prohibit U.S. citizenship for anyone holding citizenship in another country.
Jewish groups worry that this could revive harmful stereotypes about "dual loyalty."
Moreno, who renounced his own Colombian citizenship, says U.S. citizenship should be exclusive.
Critics, including legal experts, question if the bill is constitutional.
The bill does not specifically target Israel but could affect U.S.-Israel dual citizens.
The bill requires U.S. citizens with foreign citizenship to choose one nationality.
Analysts doubt the bill will pass but say it could cause divisions within the Republican Party.
The IRS is warning Americans about an increase in scams and identity theft during the Christmas season as people shop online and prepare for tax filing. The IRS has partnered with other agencies to raise awareness and improve security measures. This effort aims to protect taxpayers from various scams and frauds.
Key Facts
The IRS issued a warning about fraud during the Christmas season.
Christmas is a busy time for online shopping and related scams.
Scammers often pretend to be tax officials or delivery companies to steal data.
Seniors are frequently targeted for personal and financial details.
Tax professionals should improve security, such as using multi-factor authentication.
The IRS recommends taxpayers use Identity Protection PINs to secure their information.
December is the National Tax Security Awareness Week to promote safety.
The IRS and partners plan to increase public awareness efforts into the next tax season.
President Donald Trump criticized the Somali community in Minnesota, sparking fear among them. This follows reports of increased immigration enforcement and accusations of fraud involving some Somali immigrants. Community leaders expressed concern about the impact of these statements and actions on their community.
Key Facts
President Trump criticized Minnesota's Somali community, causing concern.
Somali community leaders in Minnesota report increased fear due to Trump's comments.
Trump accused Somali immigrants of being involved in a fraud scheme and criticized their presence in the US.
Immigration enforcement operations are reportedly targeting undocumented immigrants in Minnesota.
The Somali community in Minnesota is referred to as "Little Mogadishu" due to its size.
The community is concerned about the impact on local events, like an annual gathering.
There are allegations involving a charity fraud scheme linked to some Somali immigrants.
The House Oversight Committee is investigating the handling of a state relief scheme.
The United States is expanding its vetting process for H-1B visa applicants, focusing more on their social media and work history. This change aims to ensure applicants do not intend to harm US interests, especially those working in fields related to misinformation, disinformation, and censorship.
Key Facts
The US will now check social media profiles of H-1B visa applicants and their family members.
This rule also applies to those renewing their H-1B visas.
The vetting process focuses on people working in areas like misinformation, content moderation, and social media.
Applicants' LinkedIn and work history will be checked for involvement in suppressing free speech.
The State Department's decision marks a change from previous US projects supporting fact-checking overseas.
President Trump supports reducing restrictions on free speech, often seen as affecting conservative voices.
Trump has signed an executive order against federal censorship of free speech.
The State Department may bar foreign officials who work to suppress free speech from entering the US.
A year after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Shore Acres neighborhood in Florida is still dealing with the aftermath. Many homes remain damaged or for sale, and some residents have moved away due to repeated flooding.
Key Facts
Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit Shore Acres, Florida, causing significant damage.
Many homes in the area remain damaged, with visible signs like porta potties and for-sale signs.
Approximately 40% of homes in the neighborhood are for sale due to the hurricanes.
Residents describe Shore Acres as a close-knit community with a strong sense of neighborhood.
Flooding from Hurricane Helene left 2,200 homes with significant water damage.
Some residents have moved away after repeated flooding and the stress of rebuilding.
The hurricanes have disrupted what residents describe as a long-standing community.
California has created a new online tool for people to report possible unlawful actions by federal immigration agents in the state. This platform allows residents to send photos, videos, and details about incidents directly to the California Department of Justice. The aim is to monitor and address any potential overreach by agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.
Key Facts
California launched an online portal to report suspected misconduct by federal immigration agents.
The portal lets users upload evidence like photos and videos to the California Department of Justice.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced this new tool.
The platform is designed to document allegations like unlawful detentions and excessive force.
State officials say this provides a way to keep federal agents accountable to the law.
Other states, like New York and Illinois, have created similar systems to monitor federal enforcement.
Concerns have risen about federal practices under President Donald Trump's administration, including mass deportations.
