A group of unions has sued the Trump administration, claiming its hiring plan includes a question that forces job candidates to show political loyalty. The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts, argues this goes against rules for hiring federal workers based on ability, not politics. The government says the question is not required and fits within legal guidelines.
Key Facts
Three unions representing federal workers have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's hiring policy.
The lawsuit targets the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) merit-based hiring plan.
The contentious issue is a part of a White House plan to change civil service job hiring rules.
The disputed question asks job candidates how they would support the President’s policies if hired.
The unions argue this question acts as a political loyalty test and is illegal.
The question appeared in over 5,800 federal job listings, including non-political roles.
The White House and OPM state the question is optional and aligns with legal requirements for federal jobs.
The lawsuit is filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
Brazilian Taste has recalled over 4,000 pounds of frozen chicken and beef croquettes because they have sesame, which was not listed on the label. This recall was announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. These products were sold in several states and online across the United States.
Key Facts
Brazilian Taste is recalling over 4,000 pounds of chicken and beef croquettes.
The recall is due to undeclared sesame, which can be an allergen.
The recall covers products like “SAINT COXINHA XL CHICKEN CROQUETTES” and "SAINT COXINHA GROUND BEEF CROQUETTE RISOLE DE CARNE."
The products have best-by dates ranging from November 2025 to April 2026.
The croquettes were shipped to retailers in seven states and sold online nationwide.
There have been no reports of anyone getting sick from these products.
People who bought the products are advised to discard them or return them to where they bought them.
The issue was found through a notification by the Food and Drug Administration to the USDA.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune plans to have a vote on Friday to end the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, but Democrats are not expected to support it. Democrats want to extend the battle into next week and seek guarantees on health care subsidies. Senate Republicans have offered a new proposal, but disagreements continue.
Key Facts
The Senate will vote on a deal to end the government shutdown this Friday.
Democrats feel encouraged after recent election successes and want to continue negotiations.
President Trump said the public blames Republicans more than Democrats for the shutdown.
Senate Republicans proposed a temporary funding measure until December 19th.
The proposal includes full funding for certain government areas like military and agriculture.
Republicans also offered a future vote on health care subsidies; the details are unclear.
Democrats want clear commitments on health subsidies and assurance from President Trump.
Missed paychecks and reduced services like SNAP benefits are pushing lawmakers to find a solution.
A U.S. judge has ordered President Trump's administration to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, despite the ongoing government shutdown. The judge accused the administration of delaying aid for political reasons, which affected millions of low-income Americans. The administration is required to pay full benefits immediately.
Key Facts
A U.S. judge ordered full funding of SNAP benefits despite the government shutdown.
The judge criticized President Trump for planning to delay benefits until the shutdown ends.
SNAP, known as food stamps, helps 42 million low-income Americans buy groceries.
The government shutdown is the longest in U.S. history, halting many federal services.
The administration initially planned only partial payments of 65% this month.
Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled for emergency funds to be used.
On average, a family of four receives about $715 monthly in SNAP benefits, to buy food.
Local governments and charities are stepped in to help with food assistance during the funding delay.
A judge ordered the Trump administration to pay full SNAP food benefits by Friday to about 42 million Americans who depend on them. The order was made after the administration stated it couldn't pay because of a government shutdown.
Key Facts
A federal judge gave the Trump administration a deadline to pay full SNAP benefits by Friday.
SNAP helps about 42 million Americans buy groceries each month.
The administration said it couldn't pay full benefits due to a government shutdown.
President Trump's social media post indicated payments would resume after the shutdown.
Judge McConnell criticized this stance as unacceptable.
The USDA, which runs SNAP, was ordered to make the full payment immediately.
The administration had earlier sent states guidance for reduced payments due to errors.
Under the revised guidance, many SNAP recipients would have received less than usual, with some getting nothing for November.
The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed President Trump's administration to enforce a rule requiring passports to display the gender assigned at birth. This decision pauses a previous court order that had stopped this policy change.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court decision lets the Trump administration require birth gender on new passports.
A lower court in Massachusetts had temporarily blocked this change.
The Supreme Court said showing the gender at birth is like showing a person's birth country.
President Trump signed an order recognizing only male or female designations on his first day in office.
The Biden administration had allowed people to self-select their gender and use a third option, X.
The conservative-majority court believes the policy will likely be upheld in a final decision.
The three liberal justices on the court disagreed with the decision.
Plaintiffs argue that the rule could lead to harassment and violence against transgender people.
Many major U.S. airports will cut flights by 10% due to a government shutdown that has led to a shortage of air traffic controllers. The decision is intended to maintain safety, and it will affect travel, especially with Thanksgiving approaching.
Key Facts
The U.S. government shutdown has caused a shortage of air traffic controllers, affecting flight operations.
Major airports are expected to reduce flights by 10% to manage safety and staffing challenges.
Airports like Boston Logan and San Diego International have confirmed they will cut flights.
The cuts may start at 4% on Friday and increase to 10% if the shutdown continues.
Air traffic controllers have been working without pay since October 1, leading to resignations.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working with airlines to plan these reductions carefully.
Airlines such as United, American, and Delta are attempting to minimize disruptions by targeting non-essential routes.
Additional cuts may be introduced if needed, potentially impacting Thanksgiving travel.
A man collapsed during an Oval Office event attended by President Trump and pharmacy executives. The White House medical team quickly helped him, and he was reported to be okay. The meeting, focused on discussing weight-loss drug prices, continued afterwards.
Key Facts
A man collapsed in the Oval Office during an event.
The event was about lowering prices of weight-loss drugs.
The man worked for a health care company.
White House medical staff quickly attended to him.
The Press Secretary said the man was fine.
The meeting resumed after the incident.
President Trump and pharmacy executives were present.
A protester named Sean Dunn was found not guilty of misdemeanor assault for throwing a sandwich at a US border patrol agent in Washington DC. The jury decided it was not a criminal act despite the incident becoming highly publicized. The event was part of broader opposition to President Donald Trump's use of federal agents in the city.
Key Facts
Sean Dunn threw a sandwich at a US border patrol agent on August 10.
A video of the sandwich incident went viral on the internet.
Sean Dunn lost his job at the Department of Justice after the incident.
Government prosecutors initially tried to charge him with felony, but it was reduced to a misdemeanor.
The jury found Dunn not guilty, concluding it was not a criminal act.
President Trump's deployment of federal agents to Washington DC faced opposition from some local residents.
The border patrol agent testified that the sandwich impacted him and stained his clothing.
Dunn expressed relief after being acquitted and looked forward to moving on with his life.
On Election Day, President Trump said that California's new voting maps and process were unfair, without providing proof. He has often criticized mail-in voting, connecting it to voter fraud, despite no substantial evidence to support these claims.
Key Facts
President Trump claimed California's voting maps and process were unfair on Election Day.
He did not provide evidence to support his claims.
Trump has criticized mail-in voting for a long time.
He blames mail-in voting for his 2020 election loss.
The Constitution allows states to decide their own election rules.
SOAS University of London expressed concern over the detention of British journalist Sami Hamdi in the United States. Hamdi was detained by U.S. immigration officials at San Francisco airport, and his visa was revoked without given reasons. His detention led to legal actions and calls for transparency and rights protection.
Key Facts
Sami Hamdi is a British journalist detained in the United States.
SOAS University, where he studied, is calling for transparency in his detention case.
Hamdi was detained at San Francisco airport by U.S. immigration authorities.
He was unaware that his visa had been revoked before his detention.
The detention has sparked legal action and demands for U.K. government involvement.
His wife and civil groups claim he was targeted due to his views on Palestinian rights.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the detention as an attack on free speech.
The Democrats experienced significant wins in recent elections, leading to new optimism within the party. These victories took place in states like New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. President Trump attributes the Republican losses to a government shutdown and his absence on the ballot.
Key Facts
Democrats celebrated major wins in the latest election night.
Elections occurred in New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.
Democrats are feeling optimistic for future midterm elections.
Republicans are analyzing their losses and what it means for their congressional majority.
President Trump blames the poor election results on the government shutdown and because his name was not on the ballot.
Jim Messina, a Democrat strategist, discussed the recent wins and redistricting measures in California.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to reduce flights by up to 10% at 40 major airports due to the government shutdown. This is because many air traffic controllers are not working without pay, causing airlines to cancel flights.
Key Facts
The FAA announced plans to cut up to 10% of flights at 40 major airports.
Airlines have already cancelled hundreds of flights in anticipation.
The reduction in flights is linked to the government shutdown.
Air traffic controllers are working without pay during the shutdown.
Many air traffic controllers are calling in sick, affecting operations.
President Trump’s administration cited the shutdown as the reason for these disruptions.
The article discusses efforts to end the federal government shutdown, which has impacted travel and other sectors. Talks are ongoing as airports prepare for possible travel issues due to the shutdown.
Key Facts
The U.S. federal government is currently in a shutdown, affecting many sectors.
This shutdown is notable for being the longest one on record.
Airports are preparing for possible disruptions in travel as a result.
Negotiations are underway to resolve the shutdown.
Lisa Desjardins reports on the situation and the ongoing talks.
Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House, announced she will not seek re-election next year. The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to prevent transgender and non-binary people from using their chosen gender identity on passports. A Virginia jury awarded $10 million to a former teacher injured by a student in 2023.
Key Facts
Nancy Pelosi, the former leader in the House of Representatives, plans to retire and not run again next year.
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a rule from the Trump administration about passport gender identity.
This rule stops transgender and non-binary people from using their chosen gender on passports.
A former teacher in Virginia won a $10 million award from a lawsuit after being shot by a six-year-old student in 2023.
The shooting of the teacher happened in the state of Virginia.
Millions of Americans will soon have access to cheaper weight-loss drugs. This change comes from a new agreement made by President Trump with drug companies Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.
Key Facts
The cost of popular weight-loss drugs will go down.
President Trump made an agreement with two big drug companies.
The companies involved are Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.
Millions of Americans are expected to benefit from this deal.
Stacie Dusetzina from Vanderbilt University discussed the deal's impact.
The aim is to make these drugs more affordable for many people.
A federal judge in Chicago criticized how President Trump's administration handled immigration enforcement in the city. The judge said federal officers used force against protesters and media members in ways that were alarming.
Key Facts
A federal judge in Chicago spoke out against immigration enforcement tactics used by federal officers.
The judge described the treatment of protesters and media as shocking.
The criticism is directed at the methods employed during President Trump's administration.
Federal officers have been involved in actions against immigration protests.
The discussion took place between Amna Nawaz and Heather Cherone from WTTW, a PBS station in Chicago.
Vice President JD Vance discussed the ongoing federal government shutdown, emphasizing potential major effects if the budget issue isn't resolved soon. The shutdown is affecting essential services and could disrupt travel industries, among other areas. Key services, like air traffic control, face cuts, and government workers are being furloughed or working without pay.
Key Facts
The U.S. federal government is experiencing a shutdown due to budget disagreements.
Vice President JD Vance warned of possible severe consequences, like major travel delays.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to cut air traffic by 10% at 40 major airports due to staffing shortages.
The shutdown has led to furloughs and layoffs in several federal agencies.
Essential workers, such as air traffic controllers, are working without pay, though the military will receive pay after an emergency action.
Assistance programs, like food stamps, may be affected, potentially impacting needy Americans.
The shutdown has become a point of contention between political parties, with debate over who is responsible for the situation.
Federal prosecutors are investigating Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser over a trip to Qatar that was paid for by the Qatari government. The investigation is looking into whether this trip broke any bribery or campaign finance laws. Mayor Bowser's office says the trip was to promote Washington and that all paperwork is complete.
Key Facts
The U.S. attorney’s office in Washington is leading the investigation into Mayor Muriel Bowser.
The investigation began months ago and looks at a trip to Qatar paid for by the Qatari government.
Prosecutors want to know if the trip broke bribery or campaign finance laws.
Internal changes at the Justice Department have affected the investigation, including the firing of the FBI agent in charge.
Bowser's office claims the trip was for business purposes to attract investment to Washington, D.C.
Bowser’s office states that all necessary paperwork for the donation is properly filed.
News outlets have requested comments from Mayor Bowser and the Department of Justice.
A jury awarded a former Virginia teacher named Abigail Zwerner $10 million in damages after she was shot by a six-year-old student in 2023. The lawsuit claimed that the former assistant principal, Ebony Parker, was negligent because she did not act on warnings that the child might have brought a gun to school.
Key Facts
Abigail Zwerner was a first-grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia.
In January 2023, a six-year-old student shot her during class.
Zwerner was seriously injured, requiring multiple surgeries.
Zwerner sued Ebony Parker, the former assistant principal, for $40 million, claiming negligence.
A jury awarded Zwerner $10 million, finding Parker's inaction to be gross negligence.
Parker was warned about the child having a gun 45 minutes before the incident.
A criminal case against Parker will follow; she faces eight counts of felony child neglect.
The student's mother received a nearly four-year prison sentence for child neglect and weapons charges.
