Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered military academies like West Point and the Naval Academy to stop giving tenure to civilian professors. He said this change aims to keep military education focused on training soldiers and prevent academic ideas that do not fit this mission.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo to end tenure for civilian faculty at military academies.
Tenure is a permanent job status that protects professors from being fired easily.
Hegseth believes tenure leads to laziness and less focus on military training.
About 25% of West Point’s teachers are civilians; the Naval Academy has about half civilians.
Civilian professors have had tenure for many years at these academies.
The academies try to balance being military schools and accredited universities.
Hegseth has also cut some programs and banned instruction on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the military.
He favors having more uniformed military officers teach at the academies instead of civilian professors.
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US forces have left their last bases in Iraq, completing a withdrawal agreed in 2024. Iraqi officials worry this could create a security gap that Iran-backed militias and Islamic State fighters might exploit.
Key Facts
The US withdrew from all remaining bases in Iraq on Wednesday, following an agreement made in 2024.
The pullout was completed under President Donald Trump’s administration, despite ongoing tensions with Iran.
Iran and its allies view the US departure as a victory and a boost for their influence in the region.
Iraqi officials fear the withdrawal could empower Iran-backed militia groups and strengthen Islamic State sleeper cells.
Since the 2003 US invasion, over 4,500 American troops have died in Iraq.
US forces originally invaded Iraq in 2003 and withdrew in 2011, but returned in 2014 to fight Islamic State.
US troops provided important intelligence support to Iraqi forces fighting Islamic State before leaving.
Experts warn that gaps in security after the US pullout might lead to increased violence and instability.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham gave a speech at the Labour Party conference outlining plans to end the state pension "triple lock" by 2030 and replace it with a "double lock," which changes how pensions increase each year. He also promised a new national care service, hinted at reopening the Brexit deal with Europe, and suggested reforming the voting system. Meanwhile, Manchester City football club faces potential expulsion from the Premier League due to financial rule breaches.
Key Facts
Burnham plans to stop the triple lock on pensions by 2030 and replace it with a double lock, removing the connection to wage growth.
The double lock means pensions will go up by inflation or a minimum of 2.5%, whichever is higher.
Burnham wants to create a new national care service funded partly by changes to pensions.
The prime minister admitted his plan may come with political difficulties but said action is necessary.
Burnham suggested reopening the Brexit deal with the European Union and considering changes to the voting system.
Manchester City football club has been found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules and may be expelled.
The speech was emotional, with Burnham referencing his late father and expressing a hopeful vision for Britain.
Media reports vary in tone, with some supporting the plans and others criticizing cuts to pensions and closer EU ties.
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Kristi Noem, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, has filed for divorce from her husband Bryon Noem after more than 34 years of marriage. She was removed from her DHS position by President Donald Trump in March and is now serving as a special envoy for a U.S.-Latin America coalition.
Key Facts
Kristi Noem was fired from her role as DHS Secretary by President Donald Trump in March.
She has filed for divorce from her husband Bryon Noem, citing irreconcilable differences.
The divorce filing was signed in April and submitted to a South Dakota court in late September 2026.
The couple has been married for over 34 years, have three children, and multiple grandchildren.
South Dakota law has placed a temporary restraining order during the divorce process.
Bryon Noem was often seen with Kristi Noem at public events and congressional hearings.
Kristi Noem was previously governor of South Dakota before serving as DHS secretary.
Since leaving DHS, she was appointed special envoy for the "Shield of Americas" by President Trump.
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Indonesia has suspended five prison officials after a surprise inspection found luxury apartment-style residences used by inmates at a prison near Jakarta. Investigators discovered air conditioning, big TVs, gyms, and luxury vehicles in these special units, which were meant for prison staff but may have been turned into unauthorized housing for certain prisoners.
Key Facts
Five prison officials, including the head of Cibinong prison, were suspended for their role in the incident.
The luxury units were found during a surprise inspection by Indonesia’s Ombudsman on September 23.
These facilities included air conditioners, large TVs, refrigerators, sofas, dining areas, and a gym.
A golf simulator and luxury vehicles were also found on the prison property.
The buildings were supposed to house prison staff but appear to have been converted for inmate use.
The prison holds various inmates, including those convicted of corruption and high-profile crimes.
Authorities are investigating if prison staff took bribes to allow certain prisoners these privileges.
Indonesia’s prison system has a history of corruption and allowing wealthy inmates special treatment.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul has called for an outside and open investigation into how Cornell University handled a 2024 case where a female student alleged she was gang raped by fraternity members. The local district attorney has reopened the criminal investigation, and city officials want the university to improve its safety and reporting measures.
Key Facts
A female former Cornell student alleges she was drugged and gang raped in 2024 by members of the Chi Phi fraternity.
Governor Hochul wants an independent review to see if Cornell met its obligations to protect students and respond properly.
The district attorney in Tompkins County has reopened the criminal investigation into the case.
The district attorney’s current criminal inquiry is based largely on Cornell Police’s original investigation.
Cornell University says it shares the governor’s goal to improve campus safety and will work with state officials.
Ithaca city’s mayor has proposed stopping permits for student events until the university updates its safety policies.
Officials say Cornell's police and administrators did not coordinate well with city police or hold suspects accountable before.
The allegations have led to public concern about the culture and systems for preventing and addressing sexual violence at Cornell.
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Researchers in the UK are using artificial intelligence (AI) and robots to create a huge digital museum with about 70 million plants, animals, fossils, and rocks. This digital collection will help scientists study changes in nature and the environment over time and will be open for the public to explore online.
Key Facts
The project uses AI and robots to scan and analyze millions of natural specimens from UK collections.
Digitizing these specimens will reduce the time needed from hundreds of years to around ten years.
The digital museum will include items collected over centuries, some from famous naturalists like Charles Darwin.
Public access will allow anyone to view and learn about the natural world from a phone or computer.
The project is funded by the UK Research and Innovation Agency’s Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Early digitized specimens come from institutions like the Natural History Museum and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
The system is called the Distributed System of Scientific Collections (DiSSCo UK).
Digitizing helps scientists track issues like insect decline and understand environmental changes.
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Social anxiety affects many people, especially students at university, making it hard for them to make friends or join groups. Experts say therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help, along with understanding the symptoms and taking small steps to face fears.
Key Facts
Social anxiety disorder affects about 12% of people at some point in their lives.
Over 20% of university students experience some form of social anxiety during their studies.
Social anxiety can cause physical symptoms like blushing, tingling hands, and feeling detached from the body.
It commonly leads to avoiding social groups and talking very little when around others.
Many people with social anxiety believe they have a personal flaw instead of recognizing it as a condition to be treated.
Increased smartphone use and remote work may reduce in-person interactions, potentially increasing social anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the main recommended treatment and helps people change their thoughts and behaviors.
People can also improve social anxiety by gradually facing social situations instead of avoiding them.
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Eric Cantor has been appointed as the new president of PhRMA, the main trade group representing U.S. pharmaceutical companies. PhRMA is a key organization that works on lobbying and industry issues for the pharmaceutical sector.
Key Facts
Eric Cantor is the new president of PhRMA.
PhRMA is the leading trade group for the U.S. pharmaceutical industry.
PhRMA focuses on lobbying, which means trying to influence laws and policies.
Eric Cantor was previously the Republican House Majority Leader.
The announcement was made on a Tuesday.
PhRMA represents pharmaceutical companies across the United States.
The organization plays a role in shaping healthcare and drug-related policies.
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Republican senators stopped a Democratic resolution that would have required the Trump administration to provide a report on violence and human rights issues in the West Bank. The resolution aimed to address violence against US citizens by Israel in that region.
Key Facts
Democrats proposed a resolution to force a report on violence and human rights violations in the West Bank.
The report would focus on violence against US citizens by Israel in the West Bank.
The resolution suggested cutting US aid if the reporting did not happen or if problems continued.
Republican senators blocked this effort from coming to a vote.
The issue centers on violence and human rights concerns in a contested region.
The Trump administration was responsible for carrying out this reporting if the resolution passed.
The West Bank is an area with ongoing conflicts involving Israel and Palestinians.
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Cases of antisemitism at UK universities have increased in the 2025-26 academic year, according to the Community Security Trust (CST). The rise follows a spike after the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, with universities being urged to protect Jewish students and staff and act quickly against antisemitic incidents.
Key Facts
The CST recorded 95 antisemitic incidents related to universities in 2025-26, up from 83 the previous year.
There was a large increase in incidents after the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, reaching 272 in 2023-24.
Most incidents involved abusive behavior like verbal abuse, online comments, and graffiti.
There were six assaults, eight cases of property damage, and ten threats reported over the last two years.
About two-thirds of incidents involved language linking antisemitism to references to Israel, Gaza, Hamas, and the conflict.
The CST states that criticizing Israel is not antisemitic on its own but is often mixed with hostility toward Jews.
Universities UK and the English education secretary stress the need for a zero-tolerance approach and better training on handling antisemitism.
The CST emphasizes the need for universities to ensure Jewish students and staff can participate safely on campus.
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President Donald Trump said communities with data centers could receive a payment called a "dividend" to benefit local residents. He also promoted the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and introduced America.gov, a new AI-based website to help people access federal services.
Key Facts
President Trump called data centers beneficial and suggested people living nearby should get a "dividend" payment.
He described artificial intelligence as "super intelligence" and criticized the phrase "AI" as a "fake word."
The administration supports building more data centers in the U.S. to boost jobs and lower taxes.
Some lawmakers, including Bernie Sanders and Angie Nixon, have proposed payments to communities affected by data centers.
Trump hosted top tech leaders like Jeff Bezos, Jensen Huang, Greg Brockman, Dario Amodei, Satya Nadella, and Elon Musk at the White House.
America.gov, an AI-powered federal services portal, was launched to make it easier for people to interact with the government.
Experts say the "dividend" idea could help gain local support for data center projects by sharing tax benefits with communities.
The topic of AI and data centers is becoming important in U.S. politics ahead of the midterm elections.
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The United States plans to finish withdrawing all its troops from Iraq by Wednesday, ending a 12-year military presence related to the fight against ISIS. This marks the second full U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq, with the first occurring in 2011.
Key Facts
The U.S. first withdrew troops from Iraq in 2011 after eight years of military presence following the 2003 invasion.
U.S. forces returned in 2014 to fight ISIS, which had taken control of parts of Iraq and Syria.
ISIS was defeated militarily by 2019, but some U.S. troops stayed to prevent the group’s return.
The 2024 withdrawal deal was negotiated by the Biden administration and continued by President Trump’s administration.
About 2,500 U.S. troops were in Iraq in recent years, mostly consolidated in northern Iraq.
The war with Iran has changed the security situation in the region, with Iran increasing influence in Iraq through support for Shiite militias.
The U.S. recently withdrew all forces from eastern Syria, partly due to conflicts involving Syrian Kurdish partners.
Over 4,500 U.S. military personnel died in Iraq, mostly between 2003 and 2011.
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Yalda Moaiery, an Iranian photojournalist, was sentenced to 15 years in prison related to her professional work. She has spent her career capturing life in Iran and is now speaking out about her situation.
Key Facts
Yalda Moaiery is a photojournalist from Iran.
She has focused on documenting everyday life in Iran through her photography.
Moaiery was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The prison sentence is connected to her professional work as a photojournalist.
She has publicly spoken about her situation following the sentence.
The news about her sentence was reported by CBS News.
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A woman who said she was gang-raped at Cornell University told campus police that she was 100% sure she was raped. The interview transcript was reviewed by CBS News New York and shows her clear statement just days after the event.
Key Facts
The woman is referred to as “Jane Doe” in reports.
She told Cornell campus police she was certain she was raped.
The incident involved an alleged gang rape.
The transcript includes her exact words of confidence about the assault.
CBS News New York reviewed the interview transcript.
The event took place on or near the Cornell University campus.
CBS News correspondent Lilia Luciano reported on the story.
The case is part of ongoing news coverage related to campus safety and sexual assault.
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The US Senate voted against a Democratic resolution that would have required the State Department to report on violence in the West Bank, including the killing of nine American citizens by Israeli settlers or security forces. The resolution failed mainly along party lines, with some Democratic senators and one Republican supporting it.
Key Facts
The resolution was led by Senator Chris Van Hollen and aimed to force the State Department to report to Congress within 30 days on deaths of Americans and human rights issues in the West Bank.
It was defeated in the Senate by a vote of 47 to 51.
Nine Americans have died in the West Bank since 2022, including children and a journalist, without accountability from Israeli or US authorities.
The resolution used a law that allows Congress to demand human rights reports from countries receiving US military aid.
Some well-known Democrats, including Bernie Sanders and Tim Kaine, supported the resolution.
Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat, voted with Republicans against the resolution, while Republican Rand Paul voted in favor.
Human rights groups report increasing settler violence and displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank.
The vote came after Democrats sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging protection for Americans in the region.
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Cornell University police interviewed Jane Doe about an alleged fraternity gang rape that happened in 2024. The interview transcript shows her describing her experience, and prosecutors have reopened their criminal investigation after previously deciding not to press charges.
Key Facts
The alleged gang rape occurred at Cornell University in 2024.
Cornell conducted an internal investigation leading to expulsions and suspensions.
Jane Doe was interviewed by campus police more than three weeks after the incident.
The interview included a Title IX investigator, a victim advocate, and Jane Doe’s adviser.
Jane Doe said she was very drunk and had memory gaps during the event.
She distinguished the initial sexual contact from later when she says she was raped.
Jane Doe reviewed and signed a six-page written statement of her account.
The Tompkins County District Attorney used this statement when deciding not to bring charges.
Prosecutors have now reopened the criminal investigation into the case.
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New South Wales Senator David Shoebridge has entered the race to become the new leader of the Australian Greens party, running with Victorian Senator Steph Hodgins-May as his deputy. The leadership contest follows Larissa Waters’ sudden resignation due to health issues, and a result is expected soon during the party’s retreat.
Key Facts
David Shoebridge is competing to be Greens leader and wants Steph Hodgins-May as his deputy.
Shoebridge is seen by some as a strong favorite to win.
Larissa Waters resigned as leader to focus on kidney disease treatment.
Other contenders include Deputy Leader Mehreen Faruqi, who wants Nick McKim as her deputy, and Sarah Hanson-Young.
The Greens want to take a stronger stand on climate action, economic fairness, and independence from major powers like the US.
The party faces pressure to be more forceful after losing votes to One Nation and seeing some former leaders lose seats.
Former Greens leaders Bob Brown and Adam Bandt have urged a tougher approach against political rivals.
Some members want the party membership to vote in the leadership election, not just elected officials.
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A former ethics official spoke about the issue of taxpayers funding new White House TV ads for President Donald Trump. The ads have raised questions about the use of government money for political advertising.
Key Facts
The ads are sponsored by the White House and paid for with taxpayer money.
Christopher Swartz, a former ethics chief at the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, commented on the matter.
The ads feature President Donald Trump and aim to promote White House initiatives.
Critics argue that using government funds for these ads may be inappropriate.
The discussion focuses on ethical rules for government spending on advertising.
The debate highlights concerns about separating official government communication from political promotion.
The White House maintains that the spending is legal and part of routine public information efforts.
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Caleb Flynn, who once competed on "American Idol" and worked as a music pastor, was found guilty of killing his wife. The court made the decision after reviewing evidence during the trial.
Key Facts
Caleb Flynn participated in the TV show "American Idol."
He worked as a music pastor before the trial.
Flynn was accused of murdering his wife.
The court found him guilty based on the case details.
The news was reported by CBS News and detailed by reporter Ian Lee.
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