The Bulletin

• Tributes pour in for Carter: President Joe Biden and the surviving former presidents have issued statements commemorating former President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100 in his home surrounded by his family while in hospice care. Tributes have also poured in from Donald Trump. Georgia's political leaders and community figures have also expressed their condolences.
• South Korean plane crash: The South Korean government has said it will conduct a safety inspection of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft used by domestic airlines after the Jeju Air crash on Sunday, and another plane fault on Monday morning, according to a local news source.

• Linda Levin dead at 87: Actress Linda Lavin, best known for her role in the classic sitcom "Alice," passed away on Sunday at the age of 87. Here's more about her life.

• Netanyahu undergoes prostate surgery: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 75, had his prostate removed on Sunday and is currently recovering, the Associated Press reported. Get more details.

• North Korea gets tough on US: North Korea has said it has adopted the "toughest" policy toward the United States for its national interests and security, state media reported on Sunday, less than a month before Trump officially becomes president. More details on its stance.

• Taliban bans windows overlooking women's areas: The Taliban has banned windows that look onto areas where Afghan women could be seen inside their homes. Here's more about this latest measure.

• In the ongoing war in Ukraine, NATO countries should look at Russian "hybrid threats on their borders," a key adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday, as concerns deepen over Russia's suspected hand in attacks on critical alliance infrastructure.

The rundown: President-elect Donald Trump will enter the White House for his second, nonconsecutive term in January, promising sweeping changes to reshape America from day one. Here's what experts are saying about his plans for 2025.

Why it matters: Among Trump's plans are mass deportations, resuming border wall construction, ending birthright citizenship, boosting energy production, and imposing new tariffs. He also aims to end the Ukraine war, pardon January 6 rioters, and stop trans athletes competing in women's sports, among other issues that will face fierce political and legal resistance from his opponents. Experts predict three possible outcomes: successful implementation, a shift in direction due to failure or persistent resistance leading to a divided presidency. Trump's actions may continue to normalize extremist ideas and break established political norms.

Read more in-depth coverage:
What Trump's First 100 Days Will Look Like

TL/DR: As we look ahead to the new year, Newsweek put this question to a range of experts: How will Trump change America in 2025?

What happens now? The second tenure of Trump is set to begin on January 20, 2025, when he is to be inaugurated as the 47th president.

Deeper reading How Will Donald Trump Change America in 2025?

The rundown: Marianne Williamson isn't giving up on Democrats, throwing her hat in the ring to be the new chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). In an exclusive Newsweek interview, she shares her vision for the party's future and what it takes to win.

Why it matters: Williamson, along with a slate of other Democratic leaders running to be the DNC's new chair, believe significant reforms are needed in order for the party to win back Congress and the White House in the coming years. She believes the party has failed to connect with working-class Americans, leaving a void that Trump exploited. Williamson stresses the need for broader vision and more genuine care for the American people, especially the disadvantaged. She also criticizes the growing influence of figures like Elon Musk, warning against running the country purely for efficiency. Williamson calls for a Democratic Party that listens to everyday Americans, while still caring for marginalized groups.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Who's Running for DNC Chair? Marianne Williamson Throws Hat in Ring

TL/DR: As some progressives advocate for abandoning Democrats altogether, believing the party is irredeemable and too beholding to wealthy donors over voters, Williamson has consistently tried to work within the party.

What happens now? Williamson has joined a long list of candidates running to be DNC chair. Forums featuring qualifying candidates will be held in January. In order to qualify, a candidate must submit a nominating statement signed by at least 40 committee members by January 25. The 448 voting members will elect the party's newest chair, as well as other officers, on February 1. The party's winter meeting will be in National Harbor, Maryland.

Deeper reading Exclusive: Marianne Williamson on DNC Run and Why Elon Musk Is 'Terrifying'

The rundown: Republican New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu told CNN's Dana Bash on Sunday morning that Social Security cuts should be "on the table." Here are his full remarks.

Why it matters: Social Security is a dicey issue on Capitol Hill as lawmakers want to solve the federal program's insolvency crisis but don't want to upset their constituents who benefit from it. Appearing on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, Sununu, who did not seek reelection this year, talked about what he hopes the government will do to rein in spending with the incoming Trump administration and a Republican-controlled House and Senate. Social Security officials project that program recipients could lose 17 percent of their benefits in 2035 if no legislative action is taken.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Social Security: What To Expect in 2025

TL/DR: There are nearly 56 million Americans aged 65 or older who receive Social Security.

What happens now? It's unlikely that Republicans will touch Social Security anytime soon. Last week, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill called the Social Security Fairness Act that removed limits on benefits for people who receive pensions from government and public service jobs.

Deeper reading Social Security Update: Republican Says Cuts Should Be 'On the Table'

The rundown: China hopes a series of recently introduced measures will start to affect the country's declining birth rate, which policymakers fear will be a long-term drag on the world's second-largest economy. Here's how the country plans to tackle the issue.

Why it matters: China's fertility rate, which last year reached 1.0 births expected per woman's lifetime, is far below the 2.1 rate considered necessary to replace a population. This, coupled with a graying workforce, will burden social safety nets, increase the dependency ratio and overwhelm the country's minimal social protections. In late October, China's Cabinet-like State Council revealed a suite of new measures, including childcare support services, housing, employment and initiatives to support a "birth-friendly social atmosphere," state media reported. The State Council also announced a new subsidy system specifically for childbirth and called on local governments to implement maternity and childcare leave policies, as well as providing subsidies for births.

Read more in-depth coverage:
China Pressures Women To Help Avert Population Crisis

TL/DR: The news of those policies follows the northeastern city of Qingdao's move toward launching over 1,000 "mommy positions" in fields such as catering, social media and e-commerce.

What happens now? In October, the National Health Commission's China Population and Development Research Center announced a survey of 30,000 women across 150 counties in China to better understand prevailing attitudes toward parenthood. These findings may serve as the basis for future pro-natal policies.

Deeper reading China's Plans To Tackle Population Crisis in 2025

The rundown: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter died on Sunday. The nation's 39th president was 100 years old. Here's a look at his remarkable journey to the White House and the lasting impact of his presidency.

Why it matters: In the 1976 U.S. presidential election, Carter narrowly defeated incumbent Gerald Ford, securing a 51-48 percent popular vote and a 297-240 electoral college lead. Despite a late surge from Ford, Carter's victory was seen as a triumph, especially for the Democratic South, which had been solidified since the New Deal. Carter's win came with challenges, including political unease and skepticism about his leadership. Ford's late-stage recovery strategy, including his Rose Garden campaign, proved insufficient to overcome the Democratic base's turnout. Carter's presidency began with a narrow mandate, and while his campaign was bolstered by Democratic figures, he faced difficult relationships with both Congress and the party. His journey from Plains, Georgia, to the White House marked a historic shift for the South and the country.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Former US President Jimmy Carter Dead at 100

TL/DR: For Jimmy Carter, the long-distance run was over—an astonishing two-year, half-million-mile journey from a Georgia boondock named Plains to the most powerful job in the world.

What happens now? The public observances will be held in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., followed by a private interment in Plains, Georgia. The Carter Center announced that final arrangements for President Carter's state funeral, including public events and motorcade routes, are pending and will be released by the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region.

Deeper reading How Jimmy Carter Became President: Newsweek Archive