The Democratic National Committee and the group Common Cause have sued President Donald Trump over television ads funded by taxpayer money. They say the ads promote Trump’s political agenda, which is against laws that stop public money from being used for political campaigns.
Key Facts
The Democrats and Common Cause filed separate lawsuits about Trump’s ads on TV.
The ads cost more than $12 million and were funded by $20 million taken from a government border security fund.
The lawsuits claim using this money for political ads breaks the US Constitution’s rules on how money is spent.
Laws say taxpayer money cannot be used for “publicity or propaganda purposes.”
The ads have political messages, such as promoting Trump’s policies and re-election themes.
A poll found 86% of Americans think it is wrong to use public money for these ads.
President Trump said the ads promote the country and are like previous government campaigns.
After criticism, Trump said he would stop using public money for future ads but did not say if he would repay the money already spent.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Hundreds of people protested outside Spain’s Parliament because rents are very high and affordable homes are hard to find. The death of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who was evicted from her home, increased public anger just before Spain’s early elections.
Key Facts
Hundreds of protesters gathered at Spain’s Parliament.
They want the government to do something about high rent prices.
There is a big shortage of affordable housing in Spain.
Maricarmen Abascal was 87 years old and was evicted from her home.
Her eviction led to several days of protests.
Her death has made people even more upset.
The protests are happening just before early elections in Spain.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A medical company called Nolla Health received approval in Utah to start a pilot program where artificial intelligence (AI) can issue initial acne treatment prescriptions. The program will gradually reduce physician involvement as AI proves safe, aiming to offer faster and cheaper access to care without office visits.
Key Facts
Nolla Health is based in New York City and received authorization from Utah regulators for this AI prescription pilot.
The program applies to Utah residents 18 and older using the Nolla Derm app.
Patients verify their identity, consent, fill out a questionnaire, and take a five-angle face scan.
AI creates a personalized acne treatment plan and, if suitable, issues an initial prescription within 10-15 minutes.
The pilot has three stages, starting with two physicians reviewing every AI prescription before it goes to patients.
Later stages reduce physician pre-approval, with doctors reviewing cases afterward or a sample monthly.
Patient safety must meet targets, such as 95% agreement with physicians and no serious side effects, to progress through stages.
Patients can message a licensed physician anytime at no extra cost through the app.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch made a speech at her party’s conference promising no taxes on family homes, including no stamp duty, no mansion tax, and no inheritance tax. This pledge aims to attract voters who want to pass on their homes without paying high taxes.
Key Facts
Kemi Badenoch is the leader of the Conservative Party.
She promised no stamp duty (a tax on buying property).
She plans to remove the mansion tax (a tax on expensive homes).
She pledged no inheritance tax on family homes, letting couples leave up to £1 million tax-free.
The speech was given at the Conservative Party’s autumn conference.
Newspapers described the speech as energizing and focused on traditional Conservative values.
The pledge is designed to appeal to middle-class voters concerned about property taxes.
Other topics mentioned in different papers include UK-Israel relations, Reform UK’s electoral investigation, and plans for ADHD support.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Yemeni government forces reported they have stopped 1,860 Houthi fighters during a major counterattack to reclaim land held by the rebel group. The Saudi-led coalition also destroyed many Houthi military targets following recent missile attacks on airports in Saudi Arabia.
Key Facts
Yemeni government forces launched a large operation called “Dawn of Yemen” to take back territory controlled by Houthis.
Since the operation began, government forces claim to have "neutralised" 1,860 Houthi fighters.
They carried out over 2,100 precise attacks on Houthi military positions.
The operation aims to recapture key areas including the capital city, Sanaa, under Houthi control since 2014.
Fighting is focused near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, an important route for shipping and energy exports.
The Saudi-led coalition destroyed 82 Houthi military targets such as missile sites and command centers.
Houthis launched missile attacks on two Saudi airports, killing three people and injuring 36.
The attacks targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
National Democrats are increasing their financial support for Texas Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa in her race against Republican Governor Greg Abbott. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) are each contributing over $1 million to Hinojosa's campaign as recent polls show a close race.
Key Facts
Gina Hinojosa is running as a Democrat for Texas governor against three-term Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker donated $1.2 million to Hinojosa’s campaign.
The Democratic Governors Association is also contributing at least $1 million to her campaign.
Hinojosa had about $4 million in cash for her campaign at the end of last month.
Abbott has significantly outraised Hinojosa, with $20 million raised from July to September compared to her $13 million.
Abbott still holds about $17 million in cash to spend on the campaign.
Texas has not elected a Democratic governor since Ann Richards in 1990.
Recent polls show the Texas governor race tightening, leading to increased national support for Hinojosa.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Firmus Technologies, an AI datacentre company, is facing a major drop in its valuation just before its planned listing on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). The company is considering lowering its value or even canceling the public offering due to weak investor interest and operational challenges.
Key Facts
Firmus planned to list on the ASX on October 23 with a valuation close to $44 billion.
This valuation jumped from about $1.85 billion a little over a year ago to $44 billion recently.
Firmus builds and runs AI datacentres that use Nvidia GPUs, aiming to serve big AI companies like Meta, OpenAI, and Nvidia.
Only two of Firmus’s datacentres are currently operational; most planned sites are not yet built.
Around 97% of projected revenue comes from sites under construction or planned, not yet generating income.
Investors include Nvidia and Wall Street firms like Blackstone and Coatue.
Local community opposition and construction challenges could slow Firmus’s growth.
The offering price was expected to be $11 per share, but investor enthusiasm has cooled, putting the IPO at risk.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump repeated his earlier statement that Iran might attack Los Angeles and San Diego. He spoke about this during a rally in Texas and said the U.S. would not allow such attacks to happen.
Key Facts
President Trump made the comments at a rally in Texas.
He suggested Iran could target Los Angeles and San Diego.
Trump said the U.S. would prevent any such attacks.
The remarks come amid ongoing tensions with Iran.
This is a follow-up to similar statements he made previously.
The rally focused on national security concerns.
No new policy details were announced regarding Iran or homeland defense.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump announced that 70 million American children are now enrolled in Trump Accounts, automatic investment accounts designed to help children save money for their future. The government and several companies have put money into the accounts, which children can access when they turn 18.
Key Facts
70 million children under 18 are enrolled in Trump Accounts.
Enrollment began July 4, 2026, and became automatic for most children starting October 1, 2026.
The Treasury Department has put $2.2 billion into these accounts so far.
A one-time $1,000 seed money is given for children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028.
Family and friends can add money to any child's account, even if they don’t qualify for the seed money.
Companies like Uber and Nvidia, plus philanthropists like Michael Dell and his wife, have donated money to support the program.
When children turn 18, they can use the money for specific things approved by the Treasury, such as education.
Parents no longer have to sign up their children; accounts are created automatically, but they can manage the account through an app.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump will present the National Medal of Science to Elon Musk and other leading technology executives on Thursday. The awards will take place during a White House event called “Science: A New Golden Age” summit.
Key Facts
Elon Musk, who leads SpaceX and Tesla, will receive the National Medal of Science.
President Donald Trump will give out the awards at the White House.
The ceremony is part of a science-focused summit hosted by the White House.
Three other top technology leaders will also be honored at the event.
The summit and awards highlight important achievements in science and technology.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
In Nigeria’s Borno State, many families face kidnappings by armed groups who demand ransom payments. These kidnappings cause emotional trauma, financial hardship, and disrupt children’s education as schools close or become unsafe due to attacks.
Key Facts
Families in Borno sell property or borrow money to pay ransom for kidnapped relatives.
Many kidnapped people remain missing, with families unsure of their safety or location.
Attacks have forced some primary schools to close, reducing operational schools from 76 to 56.
Armed groups abducted dozens of children during attacks on schools in May and June 2026.
Some kidnapped students and a teacher from a recent attack remain in captivity.
Local authorities use community vigilantes and soldiers to protect schools and communities.
The kidnapping crisis in Borno is part of a larger problem seen across Nigeria.
Amnesty International reported at least 1,100 kidnappings in Nigeria related to this issue.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The lawyer for a woman who says she was raped at a Cornell University fraternity house said both he and his client have received death threats. The case, which did not have criminal charges at first, has been reopened after the woman filed a civil lawsuit.
Key Facts
The woman, called Jane Doe in court papers, alleges she was raped at a Cornell fraternity in 2024.
No criminal charges were made at the start of the case.
Jane Doe has since filed a civil lawsuit, leading to the case being reopened.
Thomas Giuffra is the lawyer representing Jane Doe.
Both the lawyer and Jane Doe have received death threats.
The case has gained public attention and involved comments by President Donald Trump.
The lawyer discussed the situation in an interview with BBC Newsnight.
The case relates to issues of sexual violence on university campuses.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Apple is working on a new home security device that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect movement without recording video. This device aims to provide security while protecting user privacy.
Key Facts
Apple is developing a home security system with AI technology.
The system can track movement around the home.
It will not record any video footage to protect privacy.
This device is different from typical security cameras that record video.
The news comes from a report covered by CBS News and CNET.
The product is still in development and not yet available for sale.
Apple is focusing on privacy as a main feature of this device.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Margaret Hamilton, a software pioneer who helped create the computer programs that guided the Apollo 11 moon landing, has died at age 90. Her work on the mission's flight software was crucial, especially when the onboard computer faced problems just before the lunar landing but successfully handled the issues.
Key Facts
Margaret Hamilton helped write the software for NASA’s Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969.
She was the first programmer and first woman hired for the Apollo flight software team at MIT.
Hamilton’s software detected and handled errors during the Apollo 11 landing, preventing mission abortion.
The software’s error detection and recovery systems allowed the spacecraft to continue despite computer alarms.
President Obama awarded Hamilton the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, praising her key role.
She began programming before software engineering was a common job title, learning from an MIT meteorologist.
Hamilton also worked on developing software for detecting enemy aircraft before joining the Apollo project.
She passed away on September 30 and is survived by her family, including children and grandchildren.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump visited Texas for the third time in less than a month to support Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton ahead of the midterm elections. Trump is actively campaigning to help Paxton win a Senate seat.
Key Facts
President Trump is campaigning in Texas before the midterm elections.
This visit is his third trip to Texas in under a month.
He is supporting Ken Paxton, a Republican running for the U.S. Senate.
The midterm elections will determine control of Congress.
Campaign events like these are common for presidents seeking to boost their party’s candidates.
Ken Paxton is the current Attorney General of Texas running for Senate.
The midterm elections are scheduled for November 2024.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
US stock markets fell on Wednesday after reaching record highs the day before. This drop came as oil prices first rose and then fell due to worries about attacks on ships near Iran and possible disruptions in oil supply.
Key Facts
US Treasury bond yields reached their highest levels in over 20 years, indicating investor concerns.
Oil prices rose initially after reports of increased attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) and G7 countries agreed to release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil to ease supply worries.
Attacks on tankers in the region have increased, with nine attacks reported in the Strait of Hormuz this month.
Despite attacks, Gulf oil exports have recovered to over 81% of levels before the US-Iran conflict.
These developments affected stock markets due to fears of higher inflation and interest rates caused by rising oil prices.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz remains near normal.
An attack injured 12 crew members on a Panama-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz recently.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a statement marking three years since Hamas' attack on Israel, condemning both the attack and Israel’s military actions in Gaza. His criticism of Israel’s policies and U.S. aid to Israel has drawn strong reactions from Democrats, Jewish groups, and Israeli officials.
Key Facts
Mamdani’s statement called the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas "horrific war crimes" that killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took over 250 hostages.
He also criticized Israel for what he called an ongoing genocide in Gaza, citing over 74,000 deaths reported by the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
Mamdani said U.S. tax dollars fund these actions, and criticized the federal government for supporting arms shipments to Israel.
Several Democratic officials said Mamdani’s message focused too much on criticizing Israel rather than condemning Hamas.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and others accused Mamdani of disrespecting the memory of victims of Hamas attacks.
The Anti-Defamation League criticized Mamdani for using the mourning day to promote anti-Israel views and not mentioning Jewish victims explicitly.
The U.S. Ambassador to Israel and the Israeli consul general in New York also condemned Mamdani’s statement.
Mamdani has continually opposed U.S. aid to Israel and differentiates criticism of Israeli policies from antisemitism.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Natalie Sanandaj, who survived the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, shared her experience and spoke about the importance of stopping antisemitism and extremism. She is a public affairs officer at the Combat Antisemitism Movement.
Key Facts
The attacks by Hamas occurred on October 7, 2023.
Natalie Sanandaj survived the attack and now works to fight antisemitism.
She shared her story on CBS News three years after the attack.
The Combat Antisemitism Movement is an organization focused on combating hatred against Jewish people.
The interview aims to raise awareness about the dangers of extremism and antisemitism.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A sexual assault investigation at Cornell University has brought attention back to how colleges can prevent such crimes. Experts and people involved in the case are discussing what steps schools should take to stop sexual assault.
Key Facts
Cornell University is under investigation for a sexual assault case involving multiple men.
The case has reawakened conversations about preventing sexual assault on college campuses.
Hanna Stotland, an admissions consultant, previously advised one of the men accused in the case.
Jane Doe, the victim, has filed a lawsuit and reportedly faces threats.
The discussion includes legal and safety aspects related to college environments.
Experts and attorneys are speaking publicly about the case to raise awareness.
The issue ties into broader concerns about student safety and handling of assault reports in universities.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Mia Goth has filed for divorce from actor Shia LaBeouf nearly 10 years after they married. They have been separated since July 2025 and have a 4-year-old daughter together.
Key Facts
Mia Goth and Shia LaBeouf got married in 2016 after meeting while filming in 2012.
They separated in July 2025 and Goth filed for divorce in October 2026.
They had previously separated and announced a divorce in 2018 but later reunited in 2020.
The couple has a daughter who is 4 years old.
Goth wants primary custody of their daughter, with visitation for LaBeouf.
Neither Goth nor LaBeouf is asking for spousal support.
LaBeouf has had legal issues, including a recent settlement with FKA Twigs over abuse allegations.
Both actors have had notable careers in film, with Goth known for horror movies and LaBeouf for roles in major Hollywood films.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
