British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans to end the current state pension triple lock in 2030 to help pay for a new national social care service. The triple lock ensures pension rises each year by the highest of inflation, wage growth, or 2.5%, but Burnham wants to keep pension increases tied only to inflation or 2.5% after 2030.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham, UK Prime Minister, plans to change pension rules starting in 2030.
The pension triple lock currently raises pensions annually by inflation, earnings growth, or 2.5%, whichever is highest.
After 2030, pensions will rise yearly by inflation or 2.5%, removing the automatic link to average wages.
The change aims to save money to fund a new national social care service in England.
Burnham says the care service will be free at the point of use and fully funded without borrowing.
The triple lock started in 2010 to protect pensioners from inflation and wage changes.
Experts predict savings will be small at first but increase over time, possibly reaching £15 billion a year by 2040.
Burnham acknowledges this change may be politically unpopular but necessary for care reform funding.
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Two Democratic candidates, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Council member Nithya Raman, are competing to lead Los Angeles as the city faces homelessness and job losses in Hollywood. A forum is scheduled days before mail ballots go out, and voters are considering whether to keep Bass or choose Raman, who is supported by the Democratic Socialists of America.
Key Facts
Karen Bass is the current mayor and the first Black woman to hold the position in Los Angeles.
Nithya Raman is a City Council member running for mayor, backed by the Democratic Socialists of America.
The city faces ongoing problems with homelessness, damaged streets, and rising rent and home prices.
Los Angeles suffered the worst fire in its history, the Palisades Fire, during Bass’s term.
A Republican candidate, Spencer Pratt, who is a former reality TV star, ran but did not qualify for the November election.
The mayoral race has little visible campaign activity despite the approaching mail-in ballots.
Bass blames federal policies under President Trump for worsening homelessness.
The election occurs amid other local challenges, including job losses in Hollywood and preparation for the 2028 Olympics.
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Prince William and Princess Catherine made a surprise visit to meet rugby player Sir Kevin Sinfield during his week-long running challenge to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) charities. Sir Kevin is running seven ultra marathons in seven days inspired by his late teammate Rob Burrow, who died from MND in 2024.
Key Facts
Sir Kevin Sinfield is running an ultra marathon each day for seven days between Hull and Manchester to raise funds for MND charities.
The challenge is inspired by Rob Burrow, a former rugby player and teammate of Sir Kevin, who died from MND in 2024.
Prince William and Catherine visited Sir Kevin in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and made a private donation to the charity.
The total funds raised by Sir Kevin for MND causes exceed £11 million since 2020.
The final run will end at Old Trafford in Manchester before the Super League Grand Final.
Prince William and Catherine also met young players at Leeds Rhinos, Rob Burrow's former rugby club.
Sir Kevin received a knighthood this year, one of the first honors awarded to a rugby league player.
Princess Anne also showed support for Sir Kevin’s charity run earlier in the week.
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Special counsel Jack Smith said Senator Lindsey Graham, who died in July, probably would have been a witness if a 2020 election case went to trial. Smith also described Graham as a patriotic public servant and said Graham was not a target of the investigation.
Key Facts
Jack Smith is a special counsel investigating matters related to the 2020 election.
Senator Lindsey Graham died in July.
Smith told Senator Darlene Graham that her late brother likely would have been a witness in the 2020 election case.
Graham was not considered a target of Smith’s investigation.
Smith spoke about this during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
The 2020 election case mentioned has not gone to trial yet.
Smith referred to Lindsey Graham as a patriotic public servant.
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Former special counsel Jack Smith testified before the Senate about his federal investigations into President Donald Trump. His testimony focused on the legal actions taken in those cases.
Key Facts
Jack Smith is a former special counsel who led federal investigations related to President Trump.
He testified before the Senate on Tuesday.
The testimony covered federal probes involving President Trump.
These investigations are part of ongoing legal inquiries.
CBS News reported on this event through their correspondent Taurean Small.
The article highlights the conclusion of Smith’s Senate testimony.
The focus is on the federal legal process concerning the President.
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A man in Austin, Texas, named Wilber Rafael Garces Perez was shot by an immigration agent after trying to drive away from a traffic stop. Garces Perez is now charged with assaulting and resisting a federal officer for allegedly hitting the agent with his car's side mirror during the event.
Key Facts
The incident happened on September 20 in Austin, Texas.
Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a DoorDash driver, was stopped by immigration agents.
Agents identified Garces Perez as a Venezuelan man with a final order of removal from the U.S.
After a short conversation, Garces Perez rolled up his car window and began to drive away.
An agent named L.G. was standing very close to the car and was hit in the torso by the side mirror.
Agents chased Garces Perez with emergency lights and sirens on through neighborhoods and commercial areas.
Agent L.G. fired his weapon after Garces Perez allegedly tried to strike him with the car.
There is no body camera footage of the actual shooting, though still photos from the stop were released.
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Lindsay Clancy appeared in court after her murder trial for killing her three children ended in a mistrial. Her lawyer asked the judge to dismiss the case, while prosecutors said they have enough evidence to prove she is guilty. A decision about a possible retrial will be discussed at a hearing in November.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is accused of killing her three children in 2023 in Massachusetts.
She does not deny the killings but says she was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis, a serious mental illness after childbirth.
The previous trial ended with no verdict because the jury could not agree, leading to a mistrial in early September.
Clancy’s lawyer asked the judge to dismiss the case, saying there was not enough evidence to prove she committed the murders.
Prosecutors argued Clancy was mentally healthy at the time and knew what she was doing.
The judge wants both sides to be ready to discuss new trial dates at the November 2 hearing.
Prosecutors have not yet decided whether to retry Clancy on murder charges.
Clancy has been in a psychiatric facility since the killings.
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Rep. Sam Liccardo asked Congress to take action on AI safety by passing laws like the bipartisan Frontier Act. He also encouraged starting expert talks with China about AI risks, even though there are political disagreements between the U.S. and China.
Key Facts
Rep. Sam Liccardo spoke about the need for AI safety in Congress.
He proposed passing the bipartisan Frontier Act to address AI safety.
The Frontier Act is a law supported by members from both political parties.
Liccardo wants experts from the U.S. and China to talk about AI safety.
These discussions are suggested despite political tensions between the two countries.
The focus is on managing risks from artificial intelligence technologies.
AI safety is seen as a priority that requires government action.
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The Republican Party is shifting its focus away from trying to win Senate seats in Georgia and North Carolina, where their chances have weakened. Instead, Republicans are concentrating on defending seats in states like Texas and Ohio, which Donald Trump won comfortably in 2024.
Key Facts
Republicans once counted on Georgia and North Carolina as key states to keep control of the Senate.
GOP hopes of winning those states are fading five weeks before the midterm elections.
The Republican Party is now spending more on defending seats in Texas and supporting the incumbent in Ohio.
President Donald Trump carried Georgia and North Carolina narrowly in the 2024 presidential race.
GOP Senate campaign leaders are focusing on states they consider more competitive rather than on Georgia’s race.
Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in Georgia has far outspent his Republican challenger Mike Collins in advertising.
Retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis suggested shifting resources away from North Carolina’s GOP candidate, Michael Whatley, due to weak chances.
Some Republicans criticize President Trump for not addressing economic concerns and taking late action in midterm campaigns.
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Apple removed apps from its App Store that tracked ICE agents' locations after claims from the Trump administration about safety risks. A lawmaker, Rep. Jamie Raskin, says Apple has no proof the apps caused any danger and is asking for transparency about the app removals.
Key Facts
Apple removed apps like ICEBlock that tracked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The removal followed claims from the Trump administration that the apps endangered ICE officers.
Rep. Jamie Raskin says there is no evidence linking the apps to any threats or violence.
The apps were removed after a shooting at an ICE office in Dallas, where two detainees died.
The shooter’s connection to the apps is unproven and he reportedly found the building using a standard Apple app.
The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI said the shooting showed ICE agents were targeted.
Apple said removing the apps was necessary to protect officers and detainees from potential violence.
Raskin requested Apple to provide a full list of removed apps to review if the removals violated free speech rights.
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The artist JMSN has asked President Donald Trump’s administration to stop using his song "Love Me" in a government ad. JMSN’s lawyers say the government broke copyright law and falsely made it seem he supports the administration’s message, which critics say is an illegal use of taxpayer money.
Key Facts
JMSN demands the Trump administration stop using his song "Love Me" in a government ad.
His lawyers claim the use violates federal copyright law and falsely links JMSN to the administration.
The ad reportedly breaks a law banning taxpayer money for political publicity or propaganda.
JMSN said publicly he never authorized his music for any political campaign or agenda.
The lawyers want the government to stop airing the ad, remove it from posts, and disclose where it has appeared.
The White House has not responded yet to requests for comment.
The ad includes images of President Trump and the phrase "AMERICA WILL NEVER BE A COMMUNIST COUNTRY."
The White House argues the ads are not campaign ads but are meant to encourage patriotism.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham presented clear social and economic goals at the Labour conference, emphasizing a move away from past privatisation and promoting collective prosperity. During his first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Burnham managed delicate issues and was seen by Trump as understanding the responsibilities of leadership.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham addressed the Labour conference with a focus on social democracy and reversing privatisation policies from the 1980s.
Burnham highlighted social care as a key priority for his government.
He stressed the importance of collective contribution and solidarity for economic progress.
Burnham appeared confident and connected with his home audience during the conference.
In a recent U.S. visit, Burnham met President Donald Trump for their first bilateral meeting.
Trump criticized UK plans about the Chagos Islands but said relations with the UK had improved under Burnham compared to the previous government.
Trump described Burnham as someone who “gets it” and understands his role as prime minister.
Handling relations with the U.S. involves complex national security and intelligence issues that Burnham is learning about as a new leader.
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The Ethiopian government has accused Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of supporting armed groups in northern Ethiopia, raising concerns about the conflict spreading regionally. The accused countries deny the claims, while tensions between these neighbors are already high due to ongoing disputes and previous conflicts.
Key Facts
Ethiopia blames Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt for backing opposition groups in its northern region.
Ethiopian army leader Birhanu Jula called these countries Ethiopia’s "historical and contemporary adversaries."
Eritrea is accused of acting as a link between these countries and the armed groups.
Egypt rejects the accusations and says it respects other countries’ sovereignty and international law.
Sudan denies supporting Ethiopian rebels and accuses Ethiopia of backing Sudanese paramilitary forces fighting inside Sudan.
Relations among Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea are strained due to disputes like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and recent regional conflicts.
Some analysts say Ethiopia’s accusations aim to shift focus from internal problems and unify support for its military.
The conflict involves multiple ethnic groups and opposition alliances inside Ethiopia, complicating the situation.
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During a Senate hearing, Senator Eric Schmitt said special counsel Jack Smith went to an Atlanta basketball game between the Hawks and the Warriors in February 2024. Jack Smith corrected him, saying he attended a University of Iowa basketball game in Maryland instead, and Senator Amy Klobuchar pointed out that Schmitt was mixing up the teams.
Key Facts
Senator Eric Schmitt claimed Jack Smith attended an NBA game in Atlanta between the Hawks and Warriors in early February 2024.
Jack Smith clarified he actually went to a University of Iowa Hawkeyes game.
The game Smith attended was in Maryland, not Atlanta.
Senator Amy Klobuchar said Schmitt was confusing two different sports teams.
The exchange happened during a Senate hearing involving special counsel Jack Smith.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis revealed she had an affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade (mentioned in the hearing).
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Kurt Olsen, a supporter of President Donald Trump, resigned from the Justice Department. He was involved in a controversial investigation into people who looked into Trump’s political opponents, joining others who recently left the probe.
Key Facts
Kurt Olsen resigned from the Justice Department’s "grand conspiracy" probe in Southern Florida.
Olsen is known for denying the results of the 2020 election and had no previous prosecutorial experience.
Joe diGenova, another Trump supporter involved in the probe, resigned weeks earlier, citing pressure to bring unsupported charges.
Several other prosecutors working on this investigation have left the South Florida U.S. attorney’s office recently.
The investigation focuses on intelligence officials and others who looked into President Trump and his associates from 2016 through the investigations after he left office.
The probe is based on a legal theory involving civil rights violations called "deprivation of rights under color of law," which some legal experts question.
People involved, like former CIA Director John Brennan, have been asked to testify before a grand jury.
Additional attorneys were recently added to assist in the investigation.
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Lindsay Clancy’s defense lawyer said in court that there is no proof she admitted to killing her children. The lawyer made this argument during a hearing on Tuesday.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is accused of killing her children.
Her defense lawyer is Kevin Reddington.
Reddington said there is no evidence Clancy admitted to the killings.
This statement happened during a court hearing on Tuesday.
CBS News reporters Shanelle Kaul and Caroline Polisi covered the story.
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Oura, a company that makes smart rings to track health, has delayed its plan to sell shares on the U.S. stock market. The company decided to pause the process due to uncertainty in the market for new public offerings and has not announced when it will try again.
Key Facts
Oura planned a public offering that would value the company at $15 billion.
The company wanted to raise up to $2.2 billion by selling shares.
They postponed the IPO because the market is uncertain and challenging right now.
Rising energy costs, military conflicts, trade issues, and inflation have made investors wary.
The U.S. Federal Reserve has raised interest rates recently, affecting the market.
Oura made a $23.5 million profit on $907.8 million in sales last year, and $70 million profit on $1.2 billion sales in the first nine months of this year.
The company is facing a lawsuit claiming its sleep tracking is inaccurate, but Oura denies this and says their technology is sound.
Oura was not connected the lawsuit reason for delaying the IPO.
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OpenAI introduced "dots," a new AI assistant designed to perform a variety of tasks automatically, responding to user goals and limits. This move aims to compete with Meta’s popular AI assistant, Muse, as both companies focus on helping people use AI to do more than just chat.
Key Facts
OpenAI’s dots are AI agents that users can instruct to complete tasks independently within set boundaries.
Dots can work in the background and ask for help when they need more information.
These assistants run on GPT-6 Astra, OpenAI’s advanced AI model, and can connect to multiple apps to research, analyze, and build software.
Dots are currently available only to OpenAI’s Pro, Business, and Enterprise users, one dot per user at first.
OpenAI also launched GPT-6.1 Sol, a version that offers similar performance but at one-fifth the cost.
Meta’s Muse, launched earlier, is widely available and has been popular with consumers, moving toward business use.
Apple’s Siri is improving but has not yet reached the AI agent level like dots or Muse.
Other startups are entering the AI assistant market, showing growing interest in this technology.
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Hurricane Polo, a Category 2 storm, hit Baja California Sur in Mexico with strong winds and heavy rain, causing flooding and downed trees but no serious damage or loss of life. The hurricane weakened as it moved northeast, and authorities prepared shelters and closed ports. The storm could bring more rain and flooding to parts of the U.S. Southwest later in the week.
Key Facts
Hurricane Polo made landfall in Baja California Sur with winds of 110 mph (175 kph).
The storm caused flooding and fallen trees but no major damage or deaths.
About 700 people stayed in shelters but were expected to return home soon.
Polo weakened to a Category 1 hurricane as it moved northeast.
The Mexican government closed ports and suspended nonessential activities in some areas.
Polo is expected to bring 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) of rain and flood risk to parts of Baja California Sur.
The storm could also cause heavy rain and flash floods in the U.S. Southwest, including Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Rachel and Hurricane Nolo were active in the Pacific, with Nolo moving away from Hawaii.
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