Politics

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), accusing the organization of misleading college sports fans by allowing transgender women to compete in events designated for women. Paxton argues that this practice violates the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by deceiving fans who expect to see competitions involving athletes assigned female at birth.

America First Legal (AFL) has released new photos showing President Joe Biden meeting with Hunter Biden's Chinese business associates, including an introduction to President Xi Jinping, during a 2013 trip to China. The images, obtained through AFL’s lawsuit against the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), shed light on the connections between the Bidens and Chinese officials, despite previous efforts to withhold the photos until after the 2024 election.

Chicago taxpayers could be facing significant costs due to the school board's recent decision to fire Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez, despite his contract extending through June 2026. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s newly appointed school board voted 6-0 to end Martinez’s tenure, a move that has sparked widespread controversy.

Seattle's City Council will begin the new year by seeking a replacement for the District 2 position, following the resignation of Councilmember Tammy Morales. Morales, who represents neighborhoods like Rainier Beach, Beacon Hill, Columbia City, and the Chinatown/International District, announced that she would step down next month, citing mental health concerns. She stated that the pressures of her role had negatively impacted both her mental and physical well-being.

Reports indicate that President Donald Trump is growing increasingly frustrated with House Speaker Mike Johnson following last week’s government funding debacle, leaving the future of their relationship uncertain. According to Politico's Rachael Bade, several of Trump’s insiders expressed anger over Johnson’s failure to deliver the debt ceiling hike Trump sought, making it more difficult for Republicans to pass the President’s agenda next year.

A recent survey by Economist/YouGov shows that a plurality of Americans view President Joe Biden's use of his presidential pardon powers as “inappropriate.” According to the survey, 46 percent of respondents believe Biden's pardons and commutations have been inappropriate, compared to 28 percent who find them appropriate. Around 26 percent of those surveyed remain undecided.

Actor Denzel Washington was baptized and received a minister license at Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in New York City.

As North Carolina continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, families face an ongoing struggle without access to basic necessities like power. This hardship has reignited national debates surrounding energy production, climate change, and the role of government in addressing these challenges. Amid these discussions, President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Chris Wright as Secretary of Energy has become a lightning rod for criticism, largely from those pushing a fear-driven climate agenda.

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides appointed a special representative for religious freedoms and protection of minorities in the Middle East.

In the wake of a deadly Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, pro-Hamas protesters stormed St. Mary’s Church in Dublin, Ireland, disrupting a Catholic Mass.