A lawful permanent resident named Meng Ju Liu has sued the U.S. government because his application to become a U.S. citizen has been delayed for about 18 months without explanation. He is asking a federal court to force officials to finish processing his application and grant citizenship if he passes security checks.
Key Facts
Meng Ju Liu, a Taiwanese national living in Ohio, applied for U.S. citizenship on April 25, 2025.
He has been a lawful permanent resident since 2002.
Liu's naturalization application has not moved forward for around 18 months with no interview scheduled.
The usual processing time for his type of application is about 9.5 months for most cases.
Federal law allows applicants to ask a court for help if their case is not decided within 120 days after the interview.
The government has not requested more information from Liu since May 2025 and is still processing his case as of May 2026.
Liu's lawsuit claims the delay is unreasonable and asks the court to order completion of background checks within 30 days and citizenship within 30 days after that.
The Department of Homeland Security has proposed raising the fees for citizenship applications by up to 80 percent.
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Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico invited Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to a debate hosted by TMZ. Talarico said Paxton has not accepted previous debate invites as the November election approaches.
Key Facts
James Talarico is running for the U.S. Senate in Texas as a Democrat.
Ken Paxton is the current Texas Attorney General and a Republican.
Talarico wants Paxton to debate him before the November election.
Talarico proposed TMZ as the debate host.
Paxton has declined or ignored past debate invitations from Talarico.
The debate is intended to help voters compare the candidates.
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President Donald Trump is holding campaign events in South Carolina to support Republican candidates. His goal is to boost their chances in upcoming elections as his own approval ratings have dropped.
Key Facts
President Trump is actively campaigning for Republican candidates in South Carolina.
These campaign stops are part of a broader effort across the United States.
President Trump’s approval numbers have been decreasing recently.
The rallies aim to encourage voters to support GOP candidates.
The article focuses on political campaigning ahead of upcoming elections.
The context includes concerns about current political advertising and public reactions.
The news also touches briefly on unrelated topics like internet threats and local news.
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Stephen Hubbard, a U.S. citizen detained in Russia for over four years, returned to the United States after being released. His release was announced following a meeting between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Hubbard is now undergoing medical evaluation.
Key Facts
Stephen Hubbard, 74, is from Michigan and was held in a Russian prison for over four years.
He was accused by Russia of fighting for Ukraine but was considered wrongfully detained by the U.S. government.
Hubbard was released after a meeting between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
President Donald Trump confirmed Hubbard’s return to the U.S. and expects him to visit the White House soon.
Hubbard landed in San Antonio for medical checks, which is standard for prisoners released from foreign detention.
Hubbard was arrested in Ukraine after Russia’s full invasion in 2022 and was sentenced to nearly seven years in a penal colony.
President Trump said Putin agreed to release Hubbard without a prisoner swap, linked to a pause on new U.S. sanctions against Russia.
Despite the release, Russia launched missile strikes on Ukraine shortly after, showing ongoing conflict tensions.
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A federal judge in California stopped most Department of Homeland Security (DHS) activities aimed at investigating voter fraud in nine states. The judge ruled that DHS cannot carry out election-related field work, such as interviews, in those states.
Key Facts
The ruling came from U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín.
The judge was appointed during President Biden's administration.
DHS field operations targeted voter fraud investigations.
The restriction applies to nine states, including California, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania.
DHS is barred from elections-related field operations and interviews in these states.
The ruling was issued on a Wednesday (exact date not provided).
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Rebecca Gayheart spoke about the final days of her late husband, actor Eric Dane, who died of ALS in February surrounded by his family. Despite separating years ago, Gayheart and Dane stayed close and supported their daughters together during his illness.
Key Facts
Eric Dane died in February at age 53 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease that damages nerve cells and has no cure.
Rebecca Gayheart and Eric Dane were married for 14 years but separated; they did not divorce and remained close.
They co-parented their two teenage daughters, Billie and Georgia, throughout Dane’s illness.
Dane told his family about his ALS diagnosis two years before he died, which was very difficult news for them.
The family used therapy and honest conversations to support each other during Dane’s illness.
Dane’s memoir, "My Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments," will be published in November and shares his experience.
Gayheart said Dane’s memoir helps their daughters understand him as a person beyond his illness.
Dane and Gayheart worked hard to spend quality time together as a family despite the challenges.
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Judi Dench, the 91-year-old British actor, says she can no longer perform on stage or in films due to worsening eyesight caused by age-related macular degeneration. Although her vision loss affects daily life, she remains passionate about Shakespeare’s sonnets.
Key Facts
Judi Dench has age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diagnosed in 2012, a condition that causes gradual sight loss.
She can no longer read, recognize faces, or perform in plays and films.
Dench struggles with daily tasks like going out alone because of her poor vision.
Despite this, she greatly enjoys Shakespeare’s sonnets and finds meaning in their rhythm and emotion.
She has had a long acting career of over 70 years, including an Oscar win and roles as M in James Bond films.
Dench’s memoir, titled Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, is set to be published soon.
She described losing the ability to see bluebells and faces, relying now partly on memory.
In recent years, friends have helped her learn scripts by repetition as she can no longer read them.
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France is facing serious economic problems, including high debt and government spending. Protests over these issues have turned violent, causing injuries and damage in several cities. The government has changed prime ministers five times in two years, reflecting political instability.
Key Facts
France has had five prime ministers in the last two years due to political difficulties.
Protests on October 17, 2026, began peacefully but became violent, injuring 500 police officers and damaging 1,500 shops.
A 19th-century city hall building was burned during the protests.
France's borrowing costs are at their highest level in 26 years, showing a lack of investor confidence.
Public spending in France, especially on pensions, is higher than in many other European countries.
Plans to raise the pension age, which would reduce government spending, were met with strong opposition and delayed.
The economic challenges have caused debates about whether France is becoming ungovernable.
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Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Dr. Abdul El-Sayed took part in their final debate for the Michigan Senate race. They discussed their loyalties and campaign positions as they competed for voter support.
Key Facts
Mike Rogers is the Republican candidate for the Michigan Senate seat.
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is the Democratic candidate running against Rogers.
The debate was the last one before the Senate election in Michigan.
Both candidates challenged each other's loyalties during the debate.
The debate covered important campaign issues relevant to Michigan voters.
The event was covered by CBS News with reports and video highlights.
This debate is part of the efforts to inform voters ahead of the Senate election.
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The New World screwworm is a type of fly that can infect animals by laying eggs in their open wounds. The larvae then eat the living tissue, which can harm or even kill the animal. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that this pest has spread to wildlife in Texas.
Key Facts
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly.
It lays eggs in open wounds on animals.
The larvae feed on the living flesh of the animal.
This infestation can cause serious harm or death to animals.
The USDA confirmed the screwworm has been found in Texas wildlife.
This is notable because screwworms were previously controlled or eliminated in the U.S.
The presence of this pest could threaten livestock and wild animals.
USDA and other agencies are likely monitoring and responding to this situation.
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France has seen recent waves of protests and riots, leading the government to admit that their police response was not strong enough. Officials have promised to increase security efforts ahead of upcoming demonstrations.
Key Facts
There were weekend protests and riots in France.
The French government said the police response was insufficient.
Authorities plan to deploy more police for future protests.
French Prime Minister promised a "massive" police presence for upcoming events.
Pro-Russian online accounts have amplified anger during these protests, according to a non-governmental organization.
The far-right political leader Marine Le Pen has gained popularity amid the unrest.
Some protests included incidents like arson attacks on public buildings.
French union leaders have urged strikes in response to the situation.
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Fake polls are stirring controversy in U.S. politics as the midterm elections approach. The article also discusses close Senate races in Minnesota, recent political updates in Texas and South Carolina, and President Donald Trump’s campaign events in red states.
Key Facts
Fake polling data is causing concern among both major political parties.
The midterm elections are nearing, increasing attention on polling accuracy.
The Minnesota Senate race is becoming more competitive.
Political developments are occurring in Texas and South Carolina.
President Donald Trump is actively campaigning in conservative, or "red," states.
The Hill’s Bill Sammon and Decision Desk HQ’s chief elections analyst are providing coverage and analysis.
The controversy involves questions about the reliability of polling information used during campaigns.
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A Florida police officer, Brian Louis Sguros, is accused of stealing the identity and home of a man he found dead during a welfare check in 2022. Sguros reportedly used the man's identity to take control of the property, renovate it, and tried to claim ownership before the true heirs reclaimed it.
Key Facts
Brian Louis Sguros, a Lauderhill police officer, found Dennis West dead in July 2022.
Sguros falsely claimed West had no family and posed as his friend to the medical examiner’s office.
He paid West’s home taxes and utilities, using West’s ID to get city permits for repairs.
Sguros spent over $210,000 of his own money repairing the house between 2022 and 2025.
He accessed West’s personal information using law enforcement databases without permission.
In 2025, Sguros and his spouse tried to claim legal ownership of the house with the property appraiser.
The scam was discovered when a real estate company bought the home from West’s heirs and confronted Sguros.
Sguros was charged with official misconduct and criminal use of a deceased person’s ID and was released on bond.
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French authorities have banned protests in several major cities after violent incidents during recent demonstrations. President Emmanuel Macron blamed far-left groups for causing the unrest and announced strict measures to control future protests.
Key Facts
Protests were banned in parts of Paris, including near government buildings and train stations, until 8pm GMT on Thursday.
Demonstrations planned in Lyon, Lille, and Grenoble were also banned.
Over 500,000 people protested on Saturday, including students and groups opposing high living costs.
Around 2,500 people were arrested after riots and looting during the protests.
President Macron accused far-left groups of carrying out “seditious acts” to destabilize the country.
Macron announced a ban on “illegitimate” protests and said approved demonstrations must avoid city centers to protect businesses.
A large security operation is planned for upcoming protests, especially on Saturday, when yellow vest activists are expected to join.
Student protests started over school staff shortages and poor conditions but expanded to focus on the rising cost of living.
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Leopoldo Luque, the doctor charged in the 2020 death of Diego Maradona, and his lawyers say he is innocent and was unfairly blamed. Prosecutors seek up to 12 years in prison, arguing that Luque was negligent, while the defense says Maradona’s death was sudden and could not be predicted.
Key Facts
Diego Maradona died in November 2020 at age 60 from a heart and lung crisis after surgery.
Leopoldo Luque, Maradona’s neurosurgeon, is charged and faces up to 12 years in prison.
Seven healthcare workers are on trial for possible negligence related to Maradona’s care.
Prosecutors say Luque did not act on warning signs and was inactive during Maradona’s illness.
Luque’s lawyers argue Maradona’s death was caused by an unexpected heart attack.
Medical tests before surgery showed no heart problems, according to Luque’s defense.
A court medical commission said Maradona had heart issues that should have been considered.
Maradona’s death led to nationwide mourning in Argentina during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Candidates for Senate seats in Michigan and Kansas debated on Wednesday night as they make final efforts before the upcoming midterm elections in 10 days. President Donald Trump is traveling to Iowa to campaign and support candidates during this final stretch.
Key Facts
Senate candidates in Michigan and Kansas held debates on Wednesday night.
The debate in Michigan featured former Rep. Mike Rogers (Republican) and Abdul El-Sayed (Democrat).
Rogers questioned El-Sayed about alleged connections to the Muslim Brotherhood.
The debates were part of the final campaign efforts before the midterm elections.
President Donald Trump is visiting Iowa to campaign for candidates.
The midterm elections will take place in 10 days.
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Two recent polls show President Donald Trump’s approval rating at record lows of 32 percent and 36 percent among U.S. adults and likely voters. Democrats lead Republicans by about 10 points in national congressional ballot measures as the November midterm elections approach.
Key Facts
CNN/SSRS poll reports 32% approval for President Trump among U.S. adults.
The New York Times/Siena University poll shows 36% approval among likely voters.
Democrats lead Republicans by 10-11 points in national congressional ballot measures in both polls.
Economic dissatisfaction, including concerns about inflation and gas prices, affects voter opinions.
President Trump’s approval is seven points lower than before the 2018 midterms.
Approval among Republicans dropped from 88% in February 2025 to 74% in the latest poll.
Independent voters largely disapprove of Trump’s performance.
Both polls surveyed thousands of Americans in mid-October with a small margin of error.
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An endangered shark returned to a canal in South Korea after rescuers tried to guide it back to the sea. The shark swam under a net that was meant to stop it from coming back to the canal, which attracts many visitors.
Key Facts
The shark is endangered, meaning it is at risk of extinction.
Rescuers led the shark out of the canal and back to the sea.
A net was set up to prevent the shark from re-entering the canal.
The shark swam back under the net and returned to the canal.
The canal is a popular tourist spot, with about 1.6 million visitors.
Locals value the shark as a main attraction in the area.
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French President Emmanuel Macron said that protests considered "illegitimate" will be banned in the coming days. Protests organized by groups like labor unions will be allowed but redirected to protect local businesses.
Key Facts
President Macron spoke after a meeting with security leaders.
He announced a ban on protests deemed "illegitimate."
Organized protests by unions will be permitted and rerouted.
The goal is to prevent violence and protect businesses during protests.
This announcement comes ahead of planned mass protests in France.
Authorities are preparing for possible unrest and demonstrations.
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General Motors (GM) is continuing to focus on electric vehicles (EVs), self-driving technology, and improving car quality. At their recent GM Forward event, they announced expanded availability of their Super Cruise hands-free driving system and introduced OnStar AI, a digital assistant designed to make driving easier and more convenient.
Key Facts
GM is expanding its Super Cruise technology to nearly all vehicle models, including trucks and crossovers.
Super Cruise allows hands-off, eyes-off driving on certain roads, with testing covering 1 million miles each month.
OnStar AI is a new smart assistant that learns drivers’ habits and helps with tasks like ordering food or understanding car alerts.
The AI assistant works closely with the car and can process information locally, reducing reliance on internet connections.
GM’s vehicles can share crowd-sourced data to warn drivers of road conditions like icy patches or traffic problems.
OnStar AI can coordinate tasks between multiple GM vehicles in one household, such as deciding who is closer to pick up something.
GM aims to keep customers within its technology ecosystem, offering integrated and convenient vehicle features.
The company rejects the idea that the U.S. is falling behind in EV adoption, emphasizing ongoing investments in electric and autonomous vehicle tech.
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