A food bank in Newcastle-under-Lyme, West Midlands, is preparing for increased demand this winter, as more families turn to food banks for help. The Trussell Trust reports that over 61,000 emergency food parcels were delivered in the region last winter, with a significant rise in demand. The food bank urgently needs donations to continue its services.
Key Facts
Food banks in the West Midlands are expecting a difficult winter with more families needing help.
The Trussell Trust delivered over 61,000 emergency food parcels last winter in the region.
Demand for food parcels increased by 27% compared to before the pandemic.
Of the food parcels delivered last winter, 22,000 went to children.
Food banks report that donations are down while operating costs have risen.
The Trussell Trust says they spent about £315,000 on food due to insufficient donations.
The charity emphasizes that many families will rely on food banks for the first time this winter.
A new program called "Trump Accounts" offers tax-advantaged investment accounts for U.S. children, with funding from both the government and private donors like Michael and Susan Dell. The program aims to help children financially as they grow, but challenges with bureaucracy may limit its success. Similar programs have faced problems with low participation due to complicated processes.
Key Facts
Trump Accounts are new investment accounts for U.S. children, created in 2023.
Michael and Susan Dell pledged $6.25 billion to support these accounts, giving $250 each for 25 million children.
The federal government plans to add $1,000 to accounts for babies born between 2025 and 2028.
Accounts open to contributions in 2026, with funds available in adulthood for education, housing, or starting a business.
Criticisms of the program include concerns about bureaucracy, which may prevent eligible families from claiming the benefits.
Similar programs have faced challenges worldwide, with many eligible people not claiming available funds.
The accounts function under Internal Revenue Code §530A, similar to IRAs, with annual contribution limits and low fees.
The special election in Tennessee's 7th District showed a significant shift in voting patterns. The Republican candidate, Matt Van Epps, won by a smaller margin than expected in a district where Republicans usually win by large margins. This narrower win suggests potential challenges for Republicans in the future.
Key Facts
The election took place in Tennessee's 7th District after Republican Mark Green resigned in July 2025.
The election was on December 2, with Matt Van Epps, a Republican, running against Aftyn Behn, a Democrat.
Van Epps won, but with a reduced margin of about nine points compared to the previous 21-point win in 2024.
The district was redrawn in 2022 to favor Republicans by dividing Democratic voters.
President Trump's approval rating fell in the district, with 49% of likely voters disapproving.
Voter concerns included the economy, housing affordability, health care, and "threats to democracy."
Van Epps supported Trump strongly, while Behn focused on economic and social issues.
Both parties invested significant resources in the election, treating it as a measure of broader political trends.
Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter and a children's book publisher objected to the use of their work in content released by President Trump's administration. Carpenter opposed the use of her song in a video about ICE raids, and the publisher of Franklin the Turtle condemned an image showing the character with a weapon. Other artists have similarly objected to the use of their music by Trump's team.
Key Facts
Sabrina Carpenter disagreed with her song being used in an ICE-related video by President Trump's administration.
The White House quoted Carpenter's lyrics in the video, leading to a response from a spokesperson.
Kids Can Press criticized a post showing Franklin the Turtle with a bazooka, calling it against the character's values.
The altered image was shared by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who faces criticism for actions in the Caribbean.
Other musicians, like Kenny Loggins and Celine Dion, have also opposed Trump's use of their music.
Some artists, like Victor Willis from the Village People, support Trump's use of music such as "YMCA".
The Trump administration has stopped all immigration applications from 19 countries considered "high-risk" for security reasons. This decision follows an incident involving an Afghan suspect in a deadly shooting near the White House. The affected countries were already under travel restrictions from a previous order by President Trump.
Key Facts
The Trump administration halted immigration applications from 19 countries deemed "high-risk."
A recent incident involving an Afghan national in a shooting prompted the decision.
Affected countries include Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, Venezuela, and others.
All applicants from these countries must undergo a thorough review process.
The measure is to address national security and public safety concerns.
The decision could delay the processing of existing immigration applications.
USCIS director ordered a review of all green card holders from these nations.
Homeland Security Secretary proposed expanding travel restrictions to more countries.
In a Tennessee special election, Republican Matt Van Epps won against Democrat Aftyn Behn but by a smaller margin than expected. The election showed a shift toward Democrats compared to past results in the district, with Democrats gaining votes in several areas.
Key Facts
Republican Matt Van Epps won the Tennessee 7th Congressional District special election.
Van Epps' victory margin was about 9 percentage points.
This election showed a shift of 13 percentage points toward Democrats since last year.
President Trump had previously won the district by 22 percentage points.
Aftyn Behn, the Democratic candidate, made significant gains in urban and suburban areas.
VoteHub data indicated a Democrat shift of 7 to 22 percentage points across the district's counties.
Behn notably won Davidson County by 56.6 percentage points, a 22.6 point shift from 2024.
Some rural counties also saw shifts toward Democrats, such as Perry County by nearly 15 percentage points.
U.S. Representative Jimmy Gomez introduced a bill aiming to move $175 billion from President Trump's immigration funds to help make housing more affordable. This bill focuses on assisting first-time homebuyers and converting unused spaces into housing to address the housing affordability crisis in the U.S.
Key Facts
Representative Jimmy Gomez is from California and is a Democrat.
The bill proposes using $175 billion from President Trump's immigration funds to support housing.
The plan aims to help first-time homebuyers and convert commercial spaces into homes.
Rising housing costs and high mortgage rates have made buying homes difficult for many Americans.
The share of first-time homebuyers in the U.S. is at a low of 21%.
The age of first-time buyers has increased to 40 years.
Gomez's bill criticizes spending on immigration strategies and calls for reallocating funds to housing.
A new bill called the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act aims to change current immigration detention practices in the U.S. The bill proposes stopping automatic detention of low-risk immigrants, raising care standards, and gradually eliminating private prison use. This comes after an increase in ICE detention numbers following new policies under President Trump.
Key Facts
The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act seeks to change how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detains immigrants.
The bill would stop automatic detention for low-risk immigrant groups.
It suggests higher care standards and phasing out private prisons for immigrant detention over three years.
ICE detention rates increased from 47,000 to around 65,000 since January.
These changes follow President Trump's new immigration policies, which prioritize detaining immigrants.
The bill introduces a higher burden of proof for detaining vulnerable groups, like pregnant women and those with serious health conditions.
At least 23 people have died in ICE custody since President Trump took office.
President Donald Trump announced that he revoked all pardons and commutations that former President Joe Biden signed using an automated signature machine called an autopen. Legal experts state that President Trump does not have the authority to nullify these pardons, as they remain legally valid. Biden's use of the autopen was controversial, but there is no confirmation of which pardons were signed this way.
Key Facts
President Trump claimed he voided pardons and commutations signed with an autopen by Biden.
An autopen is a device that allows for automated signatures without hand use.
Biden granted a record number of 4,245 acts of clemency, mostly commutations.
He also issued 80 individual pardons, which is relatively low.
Experts state Trump cannot legally overturn pardons or commutations.
A judicial ruling in 1869 stated that once a pardon is delivered, it is final.
Trump's action may only affect executive orders, not pardons.
Mary Robichaux, a former Democratic state representative, won the mayoral race in Roswell, Georgia. She defeated the incumbent Kurt Wilson, who had the support of Republican Governor Brian Kemp. Robichaux secured 53% of the votes in a runoff election.
Key Facts
Mary Robichaux won the Roswell mayoral election with 53% of the votes.
Robichaux is a former Democratic state representative who served from 2019 to 2023.
Kurt Wilson, the incumbent, received 47% of the vote.
The election required a runoff because neither candidate got a majority on November 4.
Although the election was non-partisan, Republican Governor Brian Kemp supported Wilson.
Kemp described Wilson as a "Republican" mayor who maintained a safe and thriving city.
The United States has stopped citizenship ceremonies and other immigration processes for migrants from 19 countries affected by a travel ban. This decision follows a recent incident in Washington, D.C., involving an Afghan national suspected of a shooting. The U.S. is considering expanding the travel restrictions to more countries.
Key Facts
The U.S. stopped citizenship ceremonies for migrants from 19 travel ban countries.
The travel ban mostly affects countries in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
The decision follows a shooting in Washington, D.C., involving an Afghan national.
The U.S. may increase the number of countries under travel restrictions from 19 to 30.
USCIS has paused all immigration case decisions and naturalization ceremonies.
Recent changes are part of President Trump's stricter immigration policies.
Citizenship ceremonies usually mark the end of a lengthy application process.
A federal judge stopped part of a law that would remove Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood in 22 states. This decision affects a key part of President Trump's tax and domestic policy bill related to funding for reproductive services. The ruling temporarily halts the law, impacting millions who rely on Medicaid for health care.
Key Facts
A federal judge blocked a law that would cut Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood and similar organizations.
The blocked provision was part of President Trump's tax and domestic policy bill.
The rule affected organizations that perform abortions and received significant Medicaid reimbursements.
The injunction covers the District of Columbia and 22 states led by Democratic attorneys general.
The judge called the law too unclear and said it would likely raise health care costs.
Since July, at least 20 Planned Parenthood clinics have closed due to financial issues.
Nearly half of Planned Parenthood's patients use Medicaid for essential health services, but federal law bans using Medicaid for abortions.
The Trump administration has seven days to appeal the ruling.
President Donald Trump claims that documents and actions signed by former President Biden using an autopen are invalid. Trump made these claims on social media but has not taken any official legal steps. Experts point out that a president cannot undo a predecessor's actions simply because of the type of signature used.
Key Facts
President Trump claims Biden's autopen usage makes his documents invalid.
Trump shared his views on social media but hasn't pursued legal action.
The White House has not commented on Trump's statements.
Trump alleges that 92% of Biden's documents were signed with an autopen.
Other U.S. presidents have used the autopen for signing documents.
Ed Wheelan from the Ethics & Public Policy Center states a president cannot overturn a predecessor's pardons.
Biden confirmed using the autopen for pardons at the end of his presidency.
President Donald Trump expressed that he does not want Somali immigrants in the United States during a cabinet meeting. This statement coincided with a planned enforcement operation by immigration authorities targeting undocumented Somali immigrants in Minnesota's large Somali community. Local officials have criticized the plan, concerned it could unjustly target American citizens.
Key Facts
President Trump stated he does not want Somali immigrants in the U.S. and suggested they should return to Somalia.
An operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planned in Minnesota to target undocumented Somali immigrants.
Minnesota has a significant Somali community, including in Minneapolis and St. Paul (the Twin Cities), with around 80,000 people originally from Somalia.
Local Minnesota officials oppose the operation, citing concerns it may wrongly affect American citizens.
Trump has also criticized Representative Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American Congress member from Minnesota.
ICE states that their operations target individuals based on their legal status, not race or ethnicity.
The Trump administration has intensified immigration actions following a recent violent incident involving foreign nationals.
President Trump plans to end the Temporary Protected Status program for Somali immigrants in Minnesota.
A police officer in Pennsylvania, Officer Joseph Detwiler, initially doubted a tip that led to the arrest of Luigi Mangione for allegedly shooting healthcare CEO Brian Wilson in New York. The tip from a McDonald's manager in Altoona resulted in Mangione's apprehension and sparked legal debates over evidence admissibility in his trial. Mangione's defense argues that his arrest involved issues with informing him of his rights.
Key Facts
Police Officer Joseph Detwiler arrested Luigi Mangione at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Mangione was arrested for allegedly shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Wilson in December 2024 in New York.
The arrest stemmed from a tip given to a 911 dispatcher by the restaurant manager, which police initially doubted.
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges.
Mangione's defense team argues that he was not immediately informed of his legal rights upon arrest.
Police body camera footage and audio from the arrest were played in court.
Mangione's legal team is challenging the admissibility of certain evidence, including a gun and a notebook.
The case has prompted discussions about the for-profit health insurance industry and gun violence in the U.S.
A video of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from 2016 has reappeared, in which he mentions there should be consequences for following illegal military orders. Recently, Hegseth criticized Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Mark Kelly, for advising military personnel not to follow unlawful commands. Kelly responded by pointing out that Hegseth is now challenging statements Hegseth himself made nine years prior.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth is the current U.S. Defense Secretary.
A video from 2016 shows Hegseth discussing consequences for obeying illegal military orders.
Hegseth has criticized Democratic lawmakers for similar statements.
Six lawmakers were accused by Hegseth of spreading false information.
An investigation has been ordered into Senator Mark Kelly by Hegseth.
Kelly noted that Hegseth's past comments align with the current ones under scrutiny.
The situation is developing with more details to follow.
The Trump administration, led by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, is threatening to stop federal food assistance funds for 21 states that refuse to share personal data about recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These states are currently part of a lawsuit against the U.S. government, challenging the legality of the data request. The issue raises concerns about privacy and the politicization of food assistance aid.
Key Facts
The Trump administration wants states to share personal information about SNAP beneficiaries with the federal government.
SNAP, also known as food stamps, aids low-income people in buying groceries.
Secretary Rollins claims the data is needed to tackle alleged fraud in the program.
Critics argue this could violate privacy and is politically motivated.
Of the states asked, 29 have agreed to comply, primarily those with Republican leadership.
21 Democratic-leaning states, including California and New York, are resisting the data request.
A U.S. district court has temporarily blocked the administration's order.
Federal food aid could be withheld from the non-compliant states if they do not comply.
A truck driver was safely rescued after his vehicle partially hung off a bridge in West Virginia due to an icy road caused by early winter storms. Local fire and rescue teams used a crane to pull the driver from the truck cab, and fortunately, he was not injured.
Key Facts
A truck driver was stranded for hours as his truck dangled off a West Virginia bridge.
The incident happened because the truck lost control on an icy bridge road.
Early winter storms had caused the road to become icy with rain and snow.
Local fire and rescue teams used a crane to lift the driver out of the truck.
The driver did not suffer any injuries during the rescue operation.
The United States Justice Department wants to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Maurene Comey, a former federal prosecutor, over her firing. They argue she didn't follow the necessary procedures before filing the lawsuit. Her firing is said to be politically motivated due to her father, James Comey, who is a known critic of President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Maurene Comey filed a lawsuit claiming her dismissal was political because her father is James Comey, a critic of President Trump.
The Justice Department says Comey didn't follow required complaint procedures before suing.
A hearing about the dismissal request is planned in a Manhattan federal court.
Comey's firing took place in July, and she filed the lawsuit in September.
Her lawsuit includes the Justice Department, the Executive Office of the President, the US Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and the Office of Personnel Management.
The Justice Department wants the Merit Systems Protection Board to handle the complaint first.
Maurene Comey previously won convictions in high-profile cases, like the conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell and former Senator Bob Menendez.
Her case saw a change of prosecutors after a New York recusal, now handled by US Attorney John Sarcone in Albany.
President Donald Trump criticized Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Somali immigrants, referring to them as "garbage" during a cabinet meeting. Omar responded to Trump's remarks on social media, and Trump's comments are part of broader anti-immigration policies he has been advocating. Omar represents a district in Minnesota with a large Somali population and has been a frequent target of Trump's criticisms.
Key Facts
President Trump called Somali immigrants and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar "garbage" during a cabinet meeting.
Ilhan Omar, a Somali American Congresswoman, responded to Trump's comments on social media.
Trump has been increasing his anti-immigration statements following a shooting involving an Afghan refugee.
The Somali community in Minnesota has been a focus of Trump's previous immigration policies.
Omar is the first Somali American to serve in the U.S. Congress and represents a district with many Somali residents.
Trump's remarks are part of broader steps to tighten U.S. immigration, including suspending migration from certain countries.
Trump has historically criticized Omar and other immigrant politicians for their views on U.S. governance.
