Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh says she supports Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's plan to change immigration rules, after making a joking comment that caused confusion. The government wants to lengthen the time migrants must live in the UK before getting permanent residency from 5 to 10 years, and up to 20 years for refugees.
Key Facts
Miatta Fahnbulleh initially avoided directly stating her support for the migration reform plan during an interview.
She later apologized for a joke and confirmed her full support for the Home Secretary and the government's immigration reforms.
The proposed policy would increase the wait time for migrants to gain permanent residency in the UK from 5 years to 10 years.
For refugees, the waiting period could rise to 20 years before they qualify for permanent residency.
Permanent residency means migrants can live, work, study, and access benefits in the UK indefinitely.
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said the reforms aim to balance fairness to legal migrants and British citizens.
Some Labour MPs and trade unions want the government to weaken the proposed rules.
The government is still consulting on the reforms before final decisions are made.
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The Drop: A Snowfall Saga is a TV series set in Los Angeles in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The show reflects the culture, music, and community of that time and continues the story from the earlier series Snowfall, honoring the late filmmaker John Singleton.
Key Facts
The Drop is set in Los Angeles during the late 1980s and early 1990s, showing changes in culture and music.
It continues the story from Snowfall, a TV series that John Singleton helped create before his death.
Executive music producer Larrance Dopson worked on the show and had collaborated with Singleton before.
The show mixes family life with street urban culture, focusing on survival and reinvention.
Characters have deep backstories from previous seasons, making new characters feel real and connected.
The creators pay close attention to details, like how people spoke and acted during that time.
The series aims to respectfully continue Singleton’s vision of portraying life in Los Angeles’s urban communities.
Jason Martin, a rapper and actor, contributed to the writing and producing of the show.
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Prince Harry gave an interview to GQ Magazine where he talked about grief and his wish to reconcile with his family. His comments led to media reports that he was criticizing his brother Prince William, which Harry’s spokesperson denied. The article highlights the ongoing tension between promoting Harry’s projects and trying to heal family relationships.
Key Facts
Prince Harry spoke about grief and family reconciliation in a GQ Magazine interview.
He promotes a grief discussion on MasterClass, an online education platform for which he was paid.
Harry said reconciliation with his family is very important and expressed hope it could happen.
Some British media said Harry was subtly criticizing Prince William, a claim denied by Harry’s spokesperson.
Experts say Harry’s public comments may harm trust with his family.
Harry and Meghan Markle recently returned to Britain after living in California and working on TV production.
Harry is not currently speaking with Prince William, who is next in line for the throne.
The article discusses the difficulty Harry faces in balancing public projects with family healing.
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Ukraine experienced missile strikes on its capital, Kyiv, shortly after Russia agreed to resume peace talks involving the US and Ukraine. Ukraine's President Zelensky described the missile attacks as coming from Russian forces.
Key Facts
Kyiv was hit by three waves of missile strikes.
The strikes happened hours after Russia agreed to resume peace talks.
Russia said it was "ready in principle" to restart peace talks with the US and Ukraine.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky called the missile strikes actions by "Russian humanitarians," a term used sarcastically.
A US envoy recently described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "humanitarian" after a meeting.
The peace talks are an attempt to find a solution to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The missile strikes targeted locations in Kyiv, including a retail park.
The situation remains tense as diplomatic efforts and military actions continue simultaneously.
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A political ad by Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign for Ohio governor caused controversy by featuring the estranged mother of his opponent, Amy Acton, accusing her of lying about her childhood abuse. Vice President JD Vance defended the ad but faced criticism from other Republicans, including Governor Mike DeWine, who called for the ad's removal.
Key Facts
Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign spent $4 million on a TV ad targeting Amy Acton, his Democratic opponent.
The ad includes Acton's estranged mother accusing Amy of lying about childhood abuse.
Amy Acton said she was sexually abused by her stepfather and that her mother failed to protect her.
Vice President JD Vance supports Ramaswamy and defended the controversial ad.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, asked Ramaswamy to take down the ad.
Several Republicans, including Senator Jon Husted and Nikki Haley, criticized the ad.
JD Vance has campaigned for and endorsed Ramaswamy, showing their close political relationship.
The controversy is seen as a risk to Vance's political future as he considers a 2028 presidential run.
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The European Union gave the International Criminal Court its highest human rights award. This happened just two weeks after President Donald Trump announced new sanctions against the court.
Key Facts
The European Union (EU) honored the International Criminal Court (ICC) with a top human rights prize.
The ICC is an international court that deals with serious crimes like war crimes and crimes against humanity.
President Donald Trump promised to take down the ICC by using new sanctions.
The EU’s award was given shortly after President Trump’s announcement.
The ICC’s work often involves investigating actions by countries or leaders across the world.
Sanctions refer to penalties or restrictions used to punish or influence organizations or countries.
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President Donald Trump signed a new law called the Clergy Act, which allows certain religious leaders who previously chose to opt out of Social Security to change their minds and join the program again. This change applies to a specific group of ministers, members of religious orders, and Christian Science practitioners starting in 2029 or 2030.
Key Facts
The new law, called the Clergy Act, was signed by President Trump on a Tuesday.
It gives a temporary chance for some clergy who opted out of Social Security to opt back in.
This change only affects ministers, religious order members without a vow of poverty, and Christian Science practitioners who had an exemption under tax laws.
Roughly 2,000 people are estimated to have taken the Social Security opt-out.
Clergy must revoke their exemption by the tax return deadline for the year starting after December 31, 2028, meaning 2029 or 2030.
Once they opt back in, they cannot opt out again.
The law does not affect people outside this small group who chose not to participate in Social Security.
Although it helps clergy get retirement benefits, they still need enough work credits to qualify for Social Security.
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been allowed to test a nonlethal heat ray weapon called the Active Denial System (ADS) to help manage illegal immigration at the southern border. This weapon uses electromagnetic waves to create a strong burning sensation on the skin, causing people to move away without serious injury.
Key Facts
Secretary Pete Hegseth gave permission in September for DHS to test the ADS weapon.
The ADS emits invisible electromagnetic waves that heat the skin's surface quickly, causing intense but temporary pain.
President Donald Trump has made border security and stopping illegal immigration a key focus of his current term.
The ADS can target people up to about 1,000 meters (0.62 miles) away.
The pain caused by ADS is like "an intensified version of opening an oven," making people move away rapidly.
The weapon is designed not to cause lasting harm, but some users have reported burns or blisters during tests or accidents.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture has said weapons like ADS should not be used in law enforcement because they may violate human rights.
The ADS has not yet been used actively in combat or policing but is being evaluated for border security use.
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A judge has ordered President Donald Trump to give a deposition by December 11 in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC. The BBC’s lawyers said Trump delayed the deposition without a valid reason, and the lawsuit is set to go to trial in 2027.
Key Facts
President Trump is involved in a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC.
A federal judge ordered Trump to attend a deposition by December 11.
The deposition is part of the discovery process in the lawsuit.
The BBC’s lawyers complained that Trump delayed attending the deposition.
Trump canceled a previous agreed-upon deposition date of October 16.
Trump cited a "matter of national importance" for canceling but was campaigning in Georgia on that day.
The trial for the lawsuit is scheduled for 2027.
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Hiba Musbah, a breast cancer patient in Gaza, is facing worsening health due to delays and shortages in medical care caused by the war and blockade. Many women with breast cancer in Gaza struggle to get treatment because hospitals lack medicines, equipment, and permission to travel outside for care.
Key Facts
Hiba Musbah has undergone eight rounds of chemotherapy for breast cancer but her condition is getting worse.
She first found lumps on her breast in January 2024 but delayed treatment due to ongoing war and displacement.
Surgery was delayed by two months because of military attacks near the hospital where she was to be treated.
Chemotherapy treatment was initially delayed for seven months because the hospital did not have the necessary medicines.
Gaza’s health system faces shortages of medicines, broken diagnostic machines, no radiotherapy, and difficulties leaving Gaza for specialized care.
Musbah has been unable to get a needed CT scan for three months due to lack of equipment and cost barriers.
She has been waiting about two years to get permission from Israeli authorities to travel for medical treatment outside Gaza.
The war and blockade are severely affecting cancer patients’ ability to get timely treatment and proper care in Gaza.
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A federal judge in California has ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to stop investigations in nine states looking into whether noncitizens are registered to vote. The judge said the data used was full of errors and the investigations were intimidating voter assistance groups. The pause will last until the November 3 election unless the government appeals.
Key Facts
The investigation targets nine states: California, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The judge, Araceli Martínez-Olguín, ruled the data used was unreliable and caused intimidation toward voter helpers.
The order was issued on Wednesday but delayed until Friday to allow the Trump administration to appeal.
The administration claims the effort seeks to remove illegal votes by noncitizens but previous findings show noncitizen voting is rare.
Investigators were asked to review flagged voters quickly, with only 12 minutes per person, increasing the chance of mistakes.
Some U.S. citizens feared they were wrongly targeted, leading to fewer people attending voting events or monitoring polls.
The Department of Homeland Security stated it won’t investigate people believed to be U.S. citizens.
The investigation is known as the “Unlawful Voter Initiative” and was revealed through a whistleblower report by Democratic senators.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s team accidentally dropped and damaged a historic World War II-era globe that once belonged to General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The incident happened while moving the 30-inch floor globe to Hegseth’s office.
Key Facts
The globe dates back to World War II.
It was previously used by General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The globe measures about 30 inches in diameter.
Hegseth’s staff was moving the globe to the Defense Secretary’s office.
During the move, the team lost control and the globe fell.
The fall caused damage to the historic artifact.
The information was reported by a source familiar with the incident.
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A recent Harvard Youth Poll shows that young voters aged 18 to 29 prefer Democrats over Republicans by a large margin ahead of the upcoming election. Among those certain to vote, Democrats lead by 37 points, while on a generic House ballot, they lead by 21 points.
Key Facts
The poll focuses on young voters aged 18 to 29.
Democrats lead Republicans by 37 points among young voters who say they will definitely vote.
On a generic House ballot among all young voters, Democrats lead by 21 points (45% to 24%).
The poll was conducted by Harvard University.
The survey aims to measure voting preferences before the fall election.
Young voters show significantly more support for Democrats than Republicans.
The data suggests potential trends in youth voter turnout and party preference.
This information can influence campaign strategies targeting young voters.
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A foreign national was beaten to death by a mob in Durban, South Africa, during protests against immigrants. The violence is part of ongoing tensions and demonstrations in the city calling for action against illegal immigrants.
Key Facts
The victim was attacked by about 50 people and died at the scene.
Police did not reveal the victim’s nationality but said he was between 30 and 40 years old.
Durban has seen many protests against foreign nationals since June, with some turning violent.
Countries like Nigeria, Mozambique, and Malawi have reported deaths of their citizens due to xenophobic attacks.
South African authorities said some reported deaths might be linked to crime, not just xenophobia.
Tens of thousands of migrants have left South Africa recently to avoid violence or because they lacked legal papers.
South Africa is Africa’s biggest economy, attracting migrants looking for work and better opportunities.
President Cyril Ramaphosa criticized the violence but said border control weaknesses contributed to illegal immigration.
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Vice President Vance announced a $1.3 billion investment to build fertilizer manufacturing in Nebraska while supporting Senator Pete Ricketts in his reelection campaign. He praised Senator Ricketts for supporting farmers and emphasized the importance of domestic fertilizer production.
Key Facts
Vice President Vance made a $1.3 billion investment announcement for fertilizer manufacturing in Nebraska.
The announcement took place during a rally for Republican candidates.
Senator Pete Ricketts, a Republican from Nebraska, is running for reelection.
Vance said Senator Ricketts has worked to support farmers in Nebraska.
The investment aims to increase domestic fertilizer production, which helps farmers by providing local supplies.
The announcement is part of efforts to boost local agriculture and manufacturing jobs.
Fertilizer is an important product that helps crops grow better and supports farming.
The rally showed political support for Republicans in Nebraska ahead of upcoming elections.
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President Donald Trump said he asked Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai to rename the Atlantic Ocean after himself or America, but Google declined. Trump has previously renamed places like the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario on Google Maps as part of his efforts during trade disputes.
Key Facts
President Trump asked Google to rename the Atlantic Ocean after him or America.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai rejected the request, saying oceans are different and affect many countries.
Trump has renamed the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America" and Lake Ontario to "Lake America" on Google Maps for U.S. users.
These name changes were made during trade disputes with Mexico and Canada.
Google shows different place names depending on the user’s country, keeping original names for Mexico and Canada users.
Trump has also suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz to "Trump Strait."
Google has previously made changes following Trump’s requests but faced criticism from other countries.
The Guardian contacted Google for comment, but no response was included in the article.
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Researchers from South Korea have used astronomy to find a new likely date for Vincent van Gogh's painting "The Starry Night." They matched the stars and moon in the painting to the early morning sky over Saint-Remy-de-Provence on or around July 22, 1889, instead of the previously thought June 1889.
Key Facts
"The Starry Night" shows a crescent moon and Venus in a sky with swirling stars.
Art historians usually dated the painting to June 1889, soon after van Gogh entered an asylum in France.
The South Korean research team used forensic astronomy to compare the painting to real skies from 1889.
Their study found the moon phase and star positions better match July 22, 1889.
The team is led by Elijah Jeong-hyun Kim, a doctoral candidate and CEO of a telescope company.
Weather data and van Gogh’s letters support the July dating, including references to cicadas common in summer.
Some experts see the July date as a strong new possibility but not a final answer.
The research was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
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A video showing an Israeli soldier throwing a cat over a fence has become very popular online. Meanwhile, France criticized Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir for sharing an AI-created video that falsely shows him sending Palestinians from Gaza to France.
Key Facts
An Israeli soldier was recorded throwing a cat over a fence in a viral video.
The video spread widely on social media platforms.
French officials criticized Itamar Ben-Gvir, an Israeli politician.
Ben-Gvir posted an AI-generated video that depicted deporting Palestinians from Gaza to France.
The AI video is not real and shows a false event.
France expressed strong opposition to the video’s content and message.
The situation is connected to the broader tensions involving Gaza and Israeli politics.
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Tommy Robinson, a far-right activist, is on trial for harassment after using private investigators to track journalists who wrote about his role in 2024 riots. He admits to taking photos of their homes but denies trying to intimidate them physically and says he used the photos to pressure journalists.
Key Facts
Tommy Robinson’s real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
He is charged with two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against two MailOnline journalists.
Robinson used private investigators to find journalists’ home addresses and had pictures taken.
He shared photos of a journalist’s wife and daughter but denies intending to bully or threaten physical violence.
Robinson left a voicemail threatening to make a Mail editor and his family “famous.”
Some journalists and their families fled their homes after receiving threatening messages linked to Robinson’s actions.
Robinson was in Cyprus during early August 2024 when violence was happening in England, and he says he did not encourage the riots.
The trial is ongoing and has been paused until Friday.
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UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the government will still meet its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, despite approving the new Jackdaw gasfield. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is deciding whether to approve the Rosebank oilfield and emphasized she alone will make the decision, focusing on climate commitments.
Key Facts
The UK government approved the Jackdaw gasfield, a new North Sea oil and gas project.
Prime Minister Burnham pledged not to approve any new North Sea oil and gas licenses beyond current ones.
Burnham reaffirmed the UK's commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is the sole decision-maker on approving the Rosebank oilfield project.
Fahnbulleh warned that overriding her decision could lead to legal challenges in court.
The government is balancing energy security and support for oil and gas workers with climate goals.
The UK has experienced its hottest summer on record, causing health problems and wildfires.
There is concern about a breakdown in political agreement on climate action within the UK.
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