A study found that drug companies are filing many more patents on prescription drugs than before, mostly for small changes not related to the main ingredient. This slows down when cheaper generic versions can enter the market, keeping drug prices high for longer.
Key Facts
The number of patents per small-molecule drug rose from about 2.1 in 1990 to 6.9 in 2019.
Most new patents are "nonprimary," covering minor changes like how the drug is delivered or used, not the active ingredient itself.
These multiple patents create a “patent thicket,” which delays generic drugs becoming available.
Average patent protection time increased from 2 years in 1990 to 6.1 years in 2019.
The study looked at 1,981 drugs approved by the FDA from 1990 to 2019, with a total of 10,940 patents.
Nonprimary patents made up 84% of all patents on these drugs.
Spending on prescription drugs per person in the U.S. increased from $291 in 1990 to $1,084 in 2019 (adjusted for inflation).
Researchers suggest reforms, such as closer patent reviews and new laws, to reduce patent thickets and help lower drug prices.
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Camp Mystic, a private Christian girls' camp in Texas where 27 people died in a 2025 flood, has filed for bankruptcy and proposes to sell its land and assets. The camp's owners hope a buyer will keep the camp's original purpose, but lawsuits and investigations are ongoing.
Key Facts
Camp Mystic is a 100-year-old girls' camp in Texas along the Guadalupe River.
In July 2025, a flood killed 25 campers and 2 counselors, plus the camp owner.
The camp filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 25, planning to sell its 749 acres and other property.
The sale hopes to attract a buyer who will keep the camp's mission, but this is not required.
Families of victims oppose reopening or repairing damaged buildings and are involved in lawsuits.
State police are investigating whether crimes like manslaughter or negligence occurred.
A state inquiry found many counselors were not trained for floods and earlier evacuation could have saved lives.
The bankruptcy plan needs court approval, and families affected will be able to respond to it.
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American farmers are facing high costs and financial pressure due to rising prices for fuel, fertilizers, and seeds, as well as trade problems and climate change. Government laws meant to help farmers have not yet solved these problems, and new proposals aim to address issues like market control and farm consolidation.
Key Facts
Diesel fuel costs for farmers increased by 63% in spring 2025, raising expenses by about $1.4 billion.
Prices for fertilizers like phosphate have risen 20% due to competition among major global suppliers.
U.S. farmers pay more for seeds and crop protection than Brazilian farmers.
China’s tariffs lowered U.S. agricultural exports by $14.9 billion last year, hitting states like Iowa and California hard.
U.S. farm debt is rising and expected to go up further in 2026.
Four companies control 85% of the beef market in the U.S., reducing prices paid to farmers.
Climate change caused the worst spring drought in U.S. history, affecting 60% of the land used for farming.
New bills in Congress propose breaking up big meatpacking companies, supporting small farmers, and limiting corporate farmland ownership.
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The NFL has asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to remove a video that features a retired NFL player, Brian Dawkins, after the agency used it to promote its border security efforts. The video showed Dawkins’ highlights and included the phrase “Our time has come,” which the NFL did not approve.
Key Facts
The NFL requested the Department of Homeland Security to take down a video posted on social media.
The video featured Brian Dawkins, a retired NFL player known for playing with the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos.
The video showed Dawkins walking out before a game and highlights of his tackles, set to heavy metal music.
DHS used the video to signal its readiness to protect the U.S. border from a migrant caravan.
Brian Dawkins retired in 2011 after a 16-season NFL career.
President Donald Trump has focused on immigration enforcement during his second term.
The video’s use ties into broader efforts and controversies around border security and migration.
Critics have previously called border troop deployments by Trump political moves rather than necessary security measures.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has instructed the Defense Department to use advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, to stop foreign countries from interfering in the upcoming U.S. elections. This effort focuses on cyber and intelligence operations but does not involve military personnel at voting sites.
Key Facts
Hegseth issued a memo on September 22 ordering the use of cyber and intelligence tools to protect U.S. elections from foreign interference.
The Defense Department will work with U.S. Cyber Command and the Department of Homeland Security to detect and block foreign cyber threats targeting elections.
This directive is based on President Trump’s 2025 executive order to protect election integrity.
Hegseth’s memo does not authorize military personnel to be sent to polling places.
Similar efforts were made under President Biden before the 2022 midterm elections.
The federal government has increased its role in election security since 2017 when elections were classified as critical infrastructure.
Despite this program, President Trump has previously cut budgets and delayed staffing for election security agencies.
There have been past actions involving federal officials investigating voter fraud and seizing voting machines, but the new memo does not include such steps.
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An Italian court found three Egyptian security agents guilty of kidnapping Giulio Regeni, an Italian student who later died in Egypt. The men were sentenced to 10 years in prison in a trial held without their presence, and a fourth man was acquitted.
Key Facts
Giulio Regeni was a student from the University of Cambridge who disappeared in Cairo in January 2016.
His body was found with signs of torture, including broken bones, broken teeth, and cigarette burns.
Three Egyptian security officials were convicted of aggravated kidnapping and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
A fourth defendant, Major General Tarek Sabir, was acquitted and charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated murder were dropped.
The trial was held in absentia because Egyptian authorities did not cooperate and extradition is unlikely.
Italian prosecutors say Regeni was kidnapped and tortured due to his research on trade unions in Egypt.
Egyptian officials deny involvement and claim the killers remain unknown.
Italy’s top court ruled that the trial should continue despite Egypt’s lack of cooperation.
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Tropical Storm Hanna formed in the Atlantic Ocean and is not currently a threat to land. It is located about 870 miles east-northeast of Bermuda and moving east with winds near 45 mph.
Key Facts
Tropical Storm Hanna started on Monday in the Atlantic Ocean.
It is about 870 miles (1,400 kilometers) east-northeast of Bermuda.
The storm is moving toward the east.
Maximum winds are around 45 mph (72 kph).
Forecasters say the storm does not threaten any land areas right now.
The information comes from the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
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The United Arab Emirates confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi and met with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. They talked about improving relations between the two countries during the meeting.
Key Facts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
He met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The meeting focused on bilateral ties and ways to strengthen them.
The UAE official news agency, WAM, reported the meeting on Monday.
Israeli media reported the visit before the official confirmation.
The visit happened one month before Israel’s national elections.
There is controversy in Israel about whether MBZ warned Netanyahu about a Hamas attack before October 7, 2023.
Netanyahu’s office denies receiving any warning about the Hamas operation.
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President Donald Trump announced a $15 billion steel plant to be built in eastern Iowa by Mesabi Metallics, a foreign-owned company. The plant is expected to start production in 2030 and create thousands of jobs, while receiving federal financial support.
Key Facts
The steel plant will be located in eastern Iowa and cost about $15 billion.
Mesabi Metallics, owned by India’s Essar Group, is building the plant.
The plant aims to begin production in 2030.
The project is expected to create up to 6,000 construction jobs and nearly 2,000 manufacturing and mining jobs.
The U.S. Export-Import Bank will provide up to $10 billion in financing.
The plant will use iron ore from a Minnesota mine owned by the company.
President Trump said his tariffs on imported steel encouraged the investment.
The announcement included support for Iowa Republican Senator candidate Ashley Hinson.
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British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is leading the Labour Party during a challenging time. The party is hoping he can find ways to regain voter trust as many people have shifted their support to other parties.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and leader of the Labour Party.
The Labour Party is facing challenges in rebuilding support among voters.
Numerous voters are moving their support to right-leaning parties like Reform UK.
Burnham is the seventh UK prime minister since the country left the European Union about ten years ago.
The Labour Party held its annual conference with discussions on how to improve voter trust.
Protests related to Palestine took place during the Labour Party conference.
Experts from universities and think-tanks discussed the political situation in the UK during the conference.
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Senator Susan Collins faces challenges in her 2026 reelection campaign as home heating oil prices in Maine reach new highs. Rising fuel costs, linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Iran war, are hitting Maine residents hard, especially since over half rely on oil for heating.
Key Facts
Home heating oil prices in Maine hit $6.02 per gallon recently, up from $3.33 a year ago.
Maine depends heavily on heating oil, with more than 50% of residents using it as their main heat source.
Price increases are linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route, and the ongoing Iran war.
Rising heating costs add financial pressure for many Mainers, especially in rural conservative areas.
Collins faces a close election against Democrat Troy Jackson, who criticizes her for supporting the war with Iran.
Collins supports federal funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help low-income households pay for energy.
Political experts say rising heating costs may hurt Collins by association with President Donald Trump, who is blamed for the Iran war and inflation.
The heating oil price spike follows a previous high in May 2022 during post-pandemic inflation.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation has lowered the fuel economy standards for vehicles to levels last seen in 2014, aiming for about 34.9 miles per gallon by 2031. This change reverses previous stricter rules that encouraged more electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and removes some credits that helped automakers meet tougher standards.
Key Facts
The new fuel economy goal is 34.9 miles per gallon by the 2031 car model year.
This standard is lower than the rules set in 2020 during President Trump’s previous administration.
The new rule removes emissions credits from 2028, which previously helped car makers avoid investing in cleaner engines.
Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) will no longer count toward automakers' average fuel economy.
The rule tightens regulations on how light trucks are classified, aiming to better reflect their actual use by 2030.
Past standards from 2012 aimed for up to 54 mpg by 2025 but were rolled back under President Trump’s earlier administration.
The Biden administration had tried to strengthen standards and encourage smaller, lighter vehicles before this rollback.
The changes come while fuel prices are rising, which may affect families’ transportation costs.
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Justice Samuel Alito has decided not to take part in a Supreme Court case about a climate change lawsuit against two big energy companies. The case involves Boulder, Colorado, suing Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy for their role in causing climate change through fossil fuel activities.
Key Facts
Justice Alito informed the court he will not participate in the climate change case.
The decision likely relates to Alito’s stock investments in some energy companies.
The lawsuit was filed by Boulder, Colorado, in 2018 against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy.
Boulder claims these companies contributed to climate change by promoting and producing fossil fuels and hiding the dangers.
The city and county seek billions of dollars for damage and costs linked to climate change effects.
Exxon Mobil is the largest U.S. oil company; Suncor Energy runs two refineries in Colorado.
The companies wanted the case moved to federal court and dismissed, but the Colorado Supreme Court allowed it to proceed.
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide if it can review the state court decision and possibly block the lawsuit.
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President Donald Trump said he could pay every American adult $5,000 if Republicans keep control of both the House and Senate after the November elections. He said the money would come from government income generated by tariffs, and he criticized Democratic policies as harmful to the economy.
Key Facts
President Trump repeated his promise to give $5,000 to each American adult.
The payment would only happen if Republicans keep majority control in both chambers of Congress.
The money for the payments would come from revenue collected through tariffs on imports.
Trump spoke about this during a steel plant announcement in the Oval Office.
He said Democratic economic policies would reduce government income and cause a depression.
The $5,000 dividend plan needs approval from Congress to happen.
The proposal is part of Republican campaign efforts for the midterm elections.
Trump claims the tariff revenue is "hundreds of billions of dollars" generated by his policies.
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An air strike by Myanmar’s military killed at least 33 people and injured 36 near a market in Rakhine state, which is controlled by rebel groups. The strike is part of ongoing fighting between Myanmar’s military government and various pro-democracy and ethnic armed groups since a 2021 coup.
Key Facts
The air strike happened near a busy market in Kyauktaw town in northern Rakhine state.
At least 33 people were killed, including market vendors and shoppers, with 36 more injured.
Myanmar’s military has been attacking pro-democracy and ethnic armed groups after seizing power in a 2021 coup.
The Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group seeking autonomy for Rakhine, reported the air strike and fights since November 2023.
The conflict has displaced nearly 500,000 people in Rakhine state.
Previous military air strikes, including one on a hospital in December 2025, have also caused many deaths.
Myanmar’s military claims it only targets military sites and accuses resistance groups of terrorism.
Both sides in the conflict have used drones, and the war has caused more than 100,000 deaths.
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SpaceX successfully launched the Super Heavy-Starship on its first trip into orbit. This event marks an important step for space travel and exploration.
Key Facts
The launch happened on a Monday.
The rocket is called Super Heavy-Starship.
This was the first time the rocket flew to orbit.
The event was covered by CBS News.
Kristin Fisher, a space expert, talked about its importance.
SpaceX aims to improve space exploration with this launch.
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In Alaska politics, calling someone connected to the "Lower 48" means they follow outside influences from the contiguous U.S. rather than defending Alaska residents. This idea is a key part of the current U.S. Senate race in Alaska, which could help decide who controls the Senate after the November elections.
Key Facts
"Lower 48" refers to the 48 contiguous states in the United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
In Alaska, being linked to the "Lower 48" is seen as a negative insult in politics.
The phrase suggests candidates are controlled by outside political forces rather than focused on Alaska needs.
Alaska’s U.S. Senate race is one of several important contests expected to influence who controls the U.S. Senate.
The outcome of this race could affect the balance of power in the Senate after the November elections.
This political issue reflects Alaska’s unique position and strong local identity.
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A very strong El Niño weather pattern, known as a "super El Niño," is developing in the Pacific and is expected to influence U.S. weather this winter. This pattern can bring wetter and cooler weather to the southern U.S. and warmer, drier conditions to the north, potentially affecting major events such as the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.
Key Facts
El Niño is a climate pattern marked by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific.
The current El Niño is the strongest in over 170 years, with ocean temperatures more than 3 degrees Celsius above average.
NOAA expects this El Niño to strengthen through November and December, with impacts lasting into early 2027.
In the U.S., El Niño usually brings more rain and cooler weather to the southern states in fall and winter, and drier, warmer weather to the north.
This weather can cause heavy storms and atmospheric rivers, especially in Southern California and the Southwest.
The Super Bowl in February 2027 at SoFi Stadium in California could face weather complications like travel delays or flooding, despite the covered stadium roof.
Other large events potentially impacted include Mardi Gras and major holiday celebrations like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting.
El Niño affects storm patterns, snowfall, and extreme cold spells across the U.S.
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Five men in their 20s were arrested near RAF Fairford in the UK on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act but have been released on bail. Police are continuing their investigation and are exploring whether foreign agents could be involved.
Key Facts
Five UK men in their 20s were arrested near RAF Fairford.
They were suspected of preparing a terrorist act and arrested under the Explosives Act.
The men have now been released on bail.
UK counter-terrorism police are still investigating the case.
Authorities are considering if foreign state proxies could be part of the plot.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor spoke to the press about ongoing inquiries.
RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force Base in Gloucestershire, England.
The investigation is being watched closely by British security officials.
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Ukrainian arms producers say they are losing their advantage because strict export license rules stop them from selling weapons abroad. Ukraine’s President Zelensky has asked allies for more military help as Russia attacks, but weapon makers believe exporting their arms could also bring in much-needed money.
Key Facts
Russian drones attacked Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences in Kyiv on Monday.
Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine and has faced several recent attacks.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has been requesting more military support from other countries.
Ukrainian arms producers want to export their weapons to raise funds.
Export licenses for Ukrainian weapons are currently very strict.
These strict rules reduce Ukraine’s competitiveness in the arms market.
Ukraine could earn significant revenue if allowed to sell weapons internationally.
The conflict involves Ukraine trying to defend itself from Russian attacks.
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