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President Donald Trump said he helped with recovery efforts after the September 11, 2001 attacks by visiting the site shortly after. He also claimed firefighters carried him from a nearby building when it seemed like it might collapse, but there is no evidence supporting these details.
Key Facts
President Trump stated he visited the 9/11 site the day after the attacks.
He said he was working with construction workers at the site soon after.
Trump claimed he was carried by firefighters from One Liberty Plaza during the crisis.
One Liberty Plaza was formerly called the U.S. Steel Building.
These statements were made in a TV interview and at a 9/11 anniversary event in Washington, D.C.
PolitiFact found no evidence to support Trump’s claims about his role in recovery efforts.
The interview aired on Fox News on September 6, 2023.
The anniversary event took place on September 8, 2023, honoring 9/11 emergency responders.
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Two workers who were on different floors of the South Tower of the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks share their story of escaping safely. One worked on the 78th floor, and the other on the 70th floor. Their stories reveal the difficulty and bravery involved in leaving the building that day.
Key Facts
The story features a bank employee on the 78th floor of the South Tower.
A Morgan Stanley executive was on the 70th floor during the attack.
Both individuals managed to escape the tower despite extreme danger.
The article is based on an interview from the CBS News program 60 Minutes.
It recalls the events of September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center.
The escape took place amidst chaos and destruction in the towers.
The interview is available through the CBS News app and website.
The story highlights personal experiences from that day’s tragedy.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul showed support for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after former Mayor Rudy Giuliani criticized Mamdani for planning to attend the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Hochul emphasized the importance of unity during the memorial event.
Key Facts
The event marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani planned to attend the 9/11 commemoration in New York City.
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani told Mamdani not to attend the ceremony.
Governor Kathy Hochul supported Mayor Mamdani’s decision to attend.
Hochul called for unity rather than division during the memorial.
The controversy involves politicians from different parties: Hochul and Mamdani are Democrats, Giuliani is a Republican.
The 9/11 anniversary is a significant event in New York City and the United States.
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Iranian forces said they captured an American underwater drone near the Strait of Hormuz, but the US military said the drone had stopped working more than a day earlier. The US Navy said the drone was old, not carrying secret equipment, and was on patrol when it malfunctioned.
Key Facts
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed they seized a modern American unmanned underwater drone.
The US military said the drone had malfunctioned and was defective.
The drone was an older model, without sensitive data or classified equipment.
The incident took place near the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil shipments.
Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz since the war began over six months ago.
The US has also blocked Iranian ports at the same time.
After a calm period in August, Iran and the US have started exchanges of fire again.
President Donald Trump has had difficulty ending the conflict, which has caused US and Iranian deaths.
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Apple will hold its annual fall event on September 9, 2024, to introduce its first foldable iPhone and the leadership debut of new CEO John Ternus. The event will also showcase new versions of the iPhone 18, AirPods, and Apple Watch, with an emphasis on improvements in artificial intelligence features like Siri.
Key Facts
The event is called "Surprise and Shine" and will take place at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California.
John Ternus became Apple’s CEO on September 1, 2024, succeeding Tim Cook.
Apple plans to unveil its first foldable phone, possibly named the iPhone Ultra, with a screen that folds to offer a larger display.
Foldable phones are more popular in Asia but are expected to grow in the US market, with Apple’s entry boosting foldable device sales by 13% this year.
The foldable iPhone could cost around $2,000, much higher than the current top iPhone price of about $1,200.
Apple faces slowing iPhone sales because many Americans already own iPhones, and some people find upgrades less affordable due to higher living costs.
Analysts expect Apple to improve its AI capabilities, especially in Siri, to compete with rivals like Alphabet (Google).
The smartphone market is shrinking due to chip shortages and higher prices, but foldable phones are one of the few segments expected to grow.
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Stablecoins are digital tokens tied to the U.S. dollar designed to move money quickly using blockchain technology. While traditional banks take days and multiple fees to send payments internationally, stablecoins settle transactions in seconds, even outside business hours. However, simply adding stablecoins to old banks is difficult because of outdated systems, so new banks built specifically for stablecoins are being created.
Key Facts
Sending money through traditional banks often involves multiple middle banks, fees, and delays.
Banks usually don't transfer physical dollars abroad but adjust account balances through complex systems.
Stablecoins are digital tokens linked to the dollar that use blockchain networks to settle payments instantly.
Blockchain payments work 24/7, unlike traditional banking systems that close on weekends and holidays.
Stablecoins can be programmed to automate transactions and react to conditions, useful for future AI payments.
Large banks have old, complex technology and processes, making it hard to fully adopt stablecoin systems quickly.
Creating new federally approved banks from scratch to support stablecoin technology could solve current banking limitations.
A startup named Augustus got conditional approval from the federal agency that oversees banks to explore this new banking model.
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The RNLI chief has reported that volunteers have faced unacceptable abuse after assisting migrants arriving by boat in Portsmouth. The abuse followed protests against migrant landings, with misinformation spreading about the charity’s role in rescuing people in danger at sea.
Key Facts
RNLI volunteers experienced online and physical abuse after anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth.
Protesters blocked roads to prevent migrants arriving at Eastney Landing ferry port.
RNLI CEO Peter Sparkes called the abuse unacceptable and said misinformation about the charity was spread.
Hundreds of protesters also disrupted the Port of Dover the day before.
Digital Secretary Lisa Nandy is working with tech companies to remove posts sharing personal information about RNLI staff and volunteers.
RNLI boats carrying migrants were not allowed to land in Portsmouth harbour and Southampton Port.
The charity’s main mission is to save lives at sea, with only 1.2% of rescues in 2025 involving migrants crossing the Channel.
Almost 95% of small migrant boats are intercepted by the UK Border Force before RNLI involvement.
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Burton Snowboards chose Denny Bruce as their new CEO. Bruce previously worked for Burton and has led other companies before returning to Burton Snowboards.
Key Facts
Denny Bruce was once Burton Snowboards' Mid-Atlantic Brand Manager from 2003 to 2005.
Bruce has worked in leadership roles at Vans, Skullcandy, Traeger, and Dickies.
He will replace Donna Carpenter, who was interim CEO.
Donna Carpenter is the wife of Jake Burton Carpenter, the company founder.
Jake Burton Carpenter started Burton Snowboards in 1977 in Vermont.
Burton Snowboards is still privately owned.
The company is nearing its 50th anniversary.
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The Texas State Board of Education approved new social studies lessons for high school students that include descriptions of Islam focusing on violence and military campaigns. Muslim community members and some experts disagreed with this portrayal, saying it is inaccurate and harmful, but the Republican majority on the board supported the changes.
Key Facts
The board requires students to learn that “radical Islam” motivated the 9/11 attacks instead of focusing on specific groups like al-Qaeda.
New lessons describe early Islam through “brutal military campaigns,” slavery, and the taking of female captives, which experts say is not accurate.
Muslim Texans and scholars testified that the portrayal distorts Islamic history and causes harm to Muslim students.
The board rejected efforts to remove the word “brutal” from the curriculum.
The lessons omit positive contributions of Muslims to fields like math and astronomy.
A Muslim-American EMT who died during 9/11 trying to save lives was mentioned as a contrast to the broad claims linking Islam to violence.
The Republican majority on the board also approved changes to K–8 social studies and a Bible reading list earlier in the year.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations said that the new lessons exclude and misrepresent communities and warn it could affect others in Texas history education.
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Putting $10,000 into a 6-month certificate of deposit (CD) account now can earn about $200 in interest, depending on the exact rate. Current CD rates are higher than earlier this year but lower than some months in 2025, so locking in a good rate soon might be a smart move.
Key Facts
A traditional savings account has a very low interest rate of about 0.38% right now.
Inflation is over 3%, so keeping money in low-rate accounts means losing buying power.
Top 6-month CD interest rates currently range from about 4.00% to 4.20%.
At these rates, a $10,000 CD can earn between $198 and $208 after 6 months.
Withdrawing money from a CD early often causes penalties that can cancel out earned interest.
CD rates change with the market and may go up or down; they are higher now than earlier in 2024 but lower than in some parts of 2025.
Online banks often offer better CD rates than traditional banks with branches.
A 6-month CD offers a fixed rate and protects the main money put in the account for that period.
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A historic Chicago skyscraper called the Clark Adams Building is being turned from office space into a residential tower with about 400 apartments. The project will keep the building's original exterior while adding new living spaces, including affordable housing, and preserving its place as a city landmark.
Key Facts
The Clark Adams Building, also known as the Bankers Building, is located at 105 W. Adams Street in Chicago’s Loop.
It was completed in 1927 and was the tallest building in Chicago’s financial district at the time.
The building is a 41-story Art Deco skyscraper designed by the Burnham Brothers.
The $183.5 million project will convert about 400,000 square feet from office use to 400 apartments, including studios and one- and two-bedroom units.
About 30% of the new apartments (120 units) will be affordable housing for lower-income residents.
The building is a Chicago city landmark with a protected original masonry and terracotta facade.
The interior has lost most of its historic features due to past renovations, so the focus is on exterior preservation and modern apartment upgrades.
The building currently has retail spaces and a hotel that will require careful integration during the conversion.
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An astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS), Sophie Adenot from the European Space Agency (ESA), wore the badge of Star Trek's fictional Captain Christopher Pike to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Star Trek series. The ESA and the streaming service Paramount+ shared a video of Adenot wearing the badge to highlight the connection between the fictional stories of space exploration and real-life science and cooperation in space missions.
Key Facts
Sophie Adenot, an ESA astronaut, wore Captain Pike’s Star Trek badge on the ISS.
The badge was originally worn by actor Anson Mount in the series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
The video of Adenot was released by both ESA and Paramount+ on Instagram.
Adenot said Star Trek promotes friendship, exploration, and working together to learn new things.
ESA said the badge represents 60 years of Star Trek inspiring real space exploration.
The ISS has had a continuous human presence from 12 countries over more than 50 years.
Another ESA astronaut, Samantha Cristoforetti, previously honored Star Trek by wearing a costume and making espresso in space.
Star Trek has inspired real technology and astronauts while imagining future space exploration.
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A National Guard member named Zion Mitchell was arrested in Washington, D.C., for allegedly pointing a gun at another guard member during an argument about hairstyles. He faces serious charges including assault with a weapon and illegal possession of a gun during a violent crime.
Key Facts
Zion Mitchell is 21 years old and from Georgia.
The incident happened in late August.
Mitchell is accused of pointing a gun at another National Guard member.
The argument was reportedly about hairstyles.
He was arrested last week in Washington, D.C.
He faces felony charges for assault with a dangerous weapon.
He is also charged with possessing a firearm while committing a violent crime.
The information comes from an arrest affidavit.
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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has agreed to give part of its budget to the Department of Defense (DoD) to fund research on medical defenses against pandemics and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. This money will come from the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the agreement will last for 10 years.
Key Facts
NIH will transfer some funding to the DoD to support research on health threats like pandemics and CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) dangers.
The funds will be taken from NIAID’s 2026 budget, which Congress set at $6.6 billion.
The agreement was signed about a month before being publicly released and will run for a decade.
The exact amount of NIH money going to DoD projects is unclear; estimates suggest about 10% of NIAID's budget.
The DoD’s overall 2026 budget is about $1 trillion but faces pressure because of conflict-related expenses.
Some lawmakers worry this deal moves funds to the Pentagon without full congressional approval.
NIH leadership had previously rejected funding certain biodefense and pandemic preparedness research that this money will now support.
The agreement is vague, and its implications for future NIH spending and research priorities remain uncertain.
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VoteVets, a large Democratic group of military veterans in the U.S., started a new campaign against President Donald Trump’s plan to build a large arch near Arlington National Cemetery. They say the project is not respectful to the site.
Key Facts
VoteVets is the largest Democratic veterans group in the United States.
The group opposes President Trump’s planned arch near Arlington National Cemetery.
Paul Eaton, a retired major general and adviser to VoteVets, spoke against the arch.
The opposition campaign uses videos shared on social media.
Critics say the arch project is inappropriate and disrespects the cemetery.
Arlington National Cemetery is a military burial site of great importance.
The arch is planned to be built across from the cemetery.
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Some people who make money from social media are being targeted by a group sending many fake copyright complaints. The extortion only stops if the victim pays money. The episode also talks about AI helping to detect dangerous driving in Ireland and new video games shown at Gamescom in Germany.
Key Facts
Many people earn income from social media posts.
An international scheme sends false copyright infringement claims to extort money.
Victims are pressured to pay to stop the false claims.
AI technology might help identify wrong-way drivers on Irish roads.
Gamescom, a big gaming event in Germany, showcased new games and tech.
The report was presented by Chris Vallance and produced by Tom Quinn.
The story was shared by Imran Rahman-Jones on the World Service.
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Simon Estes grew up in a small, poor coal-mining town in Iowa facing racial discrimination. Despite these hardships, he became a leading opera singer performing at famous places like the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
Key Facts
Simon Estes was born in Centerville, Iowa, in a small house without running water or electricity.
His father worked long hours in coal mines but earned very little and suffered health problems.
Estes experienced racial discrimination, such as segregation in theaters, restaurants, and pools.
His family relied on faith and the Bible to overcome bitterness and hardship.
Estes' mother introduced him to music by directing the church choir and playing piano.
He sang as a boy soprano and joined the high school choir, continuing music at the University of Iowa.
Although initially rejected by a prestigious choir, a music teacher encouraged him to pursue opera.
Estes attended the Julliard School, a top music conservatory, and later performed at major opera houses.
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The Trump administration imposed new sanctions on parts of Iran's aviation sector, targeting airlines and foreign cargo companies involved with the Iranian government. This move is part of a campaign to cut off Iran from international trade and financial systems.
Key Facts
The sanctions focus on over two dozen commercial and private airlines, plus foreign cargo providers linked to Iran.
These actions are part of Operation Economic Outcast, aiming to block financial support to Iran's government.
The U.S. accuses targeted companies of helping Iran move weapons, personnel, and illegal cargo.
Foreign firms doing business with these Iranian entities risk U.S. sanctions like asset freezes.
Mahan Air, Iran's major airline, has been under U.S. sanctions since 2011 for supporting Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
Private companies in Turkey, UAE, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia have been linked to supplying parts and services to Mahan Air.
The sanctions follow recent U.S. moves against a Turkish bank and an Egyptian bank’s operations connected to Iran's oil revenue.
Iranian officials criticized the sanctions, saying they harm America's reputation worldwide.
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An Amazon Prime Air cargo plane crashed near Miami, killing five people. The plane was operated by 21 Air, a company with past employee complaints about safety problems and ignored safety reports.
Key Facts
The crashed plane was an Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767 cargo aircraft.
21 Air, the operator, is owned by Houston Astros owner Jim Crane through a company in North Carolina.
Former employees claimed the company ignored safety rules and punished workers who raised concerns.
Pilots reported being pressured to fly without enough rest and flying planes with mechanical issues.
Safety reports were often suppressed or not properly filed, according to former chief pilot Bruce Joseph’s testimony.
The company’s former CEO, Mike Mendez, denied retaliation and said safety procedures were followed.
A federal legal tribunal is ongoing to examine some of the safety and retaliation claims.
One pilot described a dangerous flight event in 2022 where a plane accelerated sharply and no formal review was done afterward.
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A home equity loan lets homeowners borrow money using their house as security, usually at lower interest rates than credit cards or personal loans. For a $200,000 loan opened in September, monthly payments range from about $1,927 to $2,441 depending on the repayment period and current interest rates.
Key Facts
Home equity loans use your home as collateral, which lowers interest rates but risks foreclosure if you do not repay.
The average home equity loan interest rate as of September 8, 2026, is 8.14%.
Monthly payments for a $200,000 loan at 8.14% interest: approximately $2,441 for 10 years or $1,927 for 15 years.
Payments were slightly higher in previous months when rates were above 8.2%.
Borrowers can shop around online to compare home equity loan offers rather than sticking with their current mortgage provider.
Better credit scores help secure lower interest rates and smaller monthly payments.
Locking in a loan now might be beneficial before rates rise, with refinancing an option later.
Home equity loans are useful for large expenses like home repairs, tuition, or paying off credit card debt.
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