Meta and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, have made an agreement to protect him from a possible new California tax on billionaires. Meta will create new shares that Zuckerberg can sell to help pay the tax, while he agrees to stay living in California for eight years.
Key Facts
California voters will decide on Proposition 40, a one-time 5% tax on about 250 billionaires in the state.
Zuckerberg is worth $239 billion and was thinking about moving out of California because of the possible tax.
Meta will issue new Class C non-voting shares to Zuckerberg, which he can sell to pay any future tax bill without losing control of the company.
Zuckerberg agrees to remain a California resident, or live where Meta is based, for at least eight years.
Prop 40 currently lacks enough voter support, and some tech billionaires are spending money to oppose it.
Meta reported a 26% revenue increase to $64.6 billion last quarter but profits dropped by 37% due to a $9.9 billion legal charge.
A judge in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay $25 billion over misleading users about Facebook data.
Meta reduced its workforce by 15% in the past year, now having 66,775 employees.
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The UK government has used artificial intelligence (AI) to find 500 new weaknesses in its computer systems. These security problems could affect many websites, and experts worldwide are working to fix a issue linked to a major cyber-security flaw.
Key Facts
The UK’s AI Minister Kanishka Narayan announced that AI helped discover 500 new vulnerabilities in government systems.
These kinds of weaknesses can allow hackers to access or damage websites and data.
The discovery was made before a big cyber-security flaw was made public globally.
Many organizations around the world are trying to fix this serious security problem.
The news was shared during an interview with the BBC.
Cyber-security flaws like this can affect millions of websites and online services.
AI is being used increasingly to find and fix security issues in computer systems.
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Two candidates for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers, debated their views less than two weeks before the November 3 midterm elections. They discussed issues like the U.S.-Iran conflict, tariffs, and how these affect Michigan’s economy and gas prices.
Key Facts
Mike Rogers supports bringing car manufacturing jobs back to Michigan but is cautious about tariffs on Canada, which affects Michigan’s car industry.
Rogers said he will prioritize Michigan’s interests above party politics.
Abdul El-Sayed blamed rising gas and food prices on the U.S. war with Iran and criticized President Trump for leaving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
The 2015 deal (JCPOA) limited Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for lifting sanctions; the U.S. left this deal in 2018.
Gas prices in Michigan increased sharply over one year, with regular gas reaching $4.44 per gallon and diesel $6.41.
El-Sayed accused Rogers of supporting the war on Iran and being closely aligned with President Trump’s policies.
Rogers criticized El-Sayed for frequently mentioning Trump during the debate.
The outcome of the Michigan Senate election will affect which party controls the U.S. Senate, where Republicans currently hold a majority.
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Two storms named Austen and Boelo are expected to hit the UK within two days, bringing strong winds, rain, and travel disruptions. The Met Office has issued warnings for high wind speeds that could cause power cuts, fallen trees, and flooding in parts of the country.
Key Facts
Storm Austen will bring strong winds to south-west England on Friday morning, with gusts up to 80 mph in some places.
Amber wind warnings are in place for Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Plymouth, and parts of Devon during Storm Austen.
Storm Boelo is expected on Saturday and will affect the whole UK with wet and windy weather, especially strong winds in Scotland overnight.
Yellow wind warnings cover Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England during Storm Boelo.
Winds from these storms may cause transport disruptions, power cuts, and damage to buildings.
Some ferry services have been canceled due to the strong winds.
It is common to have storms close together because of a strong jet stream and temperature differences over the Atlantic Ocean.
The UK storm season usually starts in September, with most storms occurring in winter months.
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Israeli forces killed a disabled man during a raid in southern Syria’s Daraa region, according to Syrian state media. The man was shot in the village of Jamla, where Israeli snipers were positioned on rooftops.
Key Facts
The incident happened early Thursday in Jamla, a village in western Daraa countryside, Syria.
The man killed was a civilian with a disability.
Syrian state news agency SANA reported Israeli forces placing snipers on rooftops during the raid.
The victim’s body was taken to Deraa National Hospital.
The Israeli military has not yet commented on the report.
Since the removal of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes and border incursions into Syria.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa condemned Israel’s actions, calling them harmful to peace and security.
Israeli forces recently conducted raids, house searches, detentions, and destroyed olive trees in nearby Quneitra province.
Syria’s Foreign Ministry criticized increased Israeli incursions into Daraa and Quneitra.
Israel says it intends to maintain a military presence in a “security zone” in southern Syria.
Security talks between Israel and Syria have stalled since the US-Israel war on Iran started in February 2025.
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Mary Peltola, a Democrat from Alaska, is running for the US Senate seat currently held by Republican Dan Sullivan. The campaign focuses on high living costs in Alaska’s rural areas and important local industries like fishing and oil. President Donald Trump campaigned for Sullivan, who faces a close race that could take days to decide because of Alaska’s voting rules.
Key Facts
Mary Peltola, an Alaska native and former US House member, is running as a Democrat for the Senate seat.
Alaska has very high living costs, especially in remote areas, with some goods and power costing many times more than in cities.
The Senate seat is currently held by Republican Dan Sullivan, who is seeking a third term.
President Trump campaigned in Alaska to support Senator Sullivan.
Both candidates focus on lowering costs and supporting Alaska’s fishing and oil industries.
The race is close, with recent polls showing competition and the presence of a third Republican candidate possibly splitting votes.
Alaska uses ranked-choice voting, which can delay final election results by several days.
Alaska is generally a Republican-leaning state but shows mixed political control locally, with Democrats competitive in some races.
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The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a third measles death but did not say which state it happened in, citing privacy laws. Experts say this lack of information makes it harder for the public to understand the outbreak, which is growing rapidly with over 4,400 confirmed cases this year.
Key Facts
The CDC added a third measles death to its dashboard but did not reveal the state where it occurred.
The agency said privacy laws prevent sharing the state's name, but experts disagree.
Measles cases in the US increased by 8% in one week, reaching 4,410 cases this year.
Pennsylvania has reported six measles deaths, but the CDC lists only three nationally.
The CDC changed its reporting method in September, switching to a system that reports deaths more slowly and lacks state details.
Experts say knowing the state of deaths helps the public understand risks better.
The CDC is governed by the Federal Privacy Act, which usually protects personal information but does not clearly forbid naming states.
Pennsylvania officials say they carefully investigate causes before reporting deaths and follow privacy rules.
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Democrats are closely watching a Minnesota Senate race where the Democratic candidate, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, faces a stronger challenge from Republican Michele Tafoya than expected. Minnesota has not elected a Republican statewide since 2006, but recent polls show a tighter race, partly because of a fraud scandal linked to the current governor’s administration and Flanagan’s association with it.
Key Facts
Minnesota has not elected a Republican to statewide office since 2006.
Peggy Flanagan is the Democratic candidate and current lieutenant governor of Minnesota.
If elected, Flanagan would be the first Native American woman in the US Senate.
Republican Michele Tafoya positions herself as a moderate Republican and has not clearly stated her abortion stance.
The Cook Political Report changed the race rating from “likely Democrat” to “lean Democrat.”
Flanagan’s connection to the state government’s social services fraud scandal is a challenge for her campaign.
Minnesota’s legislature is split, showing the state’s political balance is competitive despite Democratic dominance statewide.
President Trump’s approval rating in Minnesota is low, and national Republicans have not heavily supported Tafoya’s campaign.
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Christiane Amanpour, a well-known CNN journalist, is leaving the network after a long career. She advises journalists to be truthful rather than neutral, emphasizing the importance of reporting the truth clearly even in difficult political times.
Key Facts
Christiane Amanpour joined CNN in 1983 and is now retiring.
She is famous for reporting from war zones and being direct in her news coverage.
Amanpour advises journalists to focus on truth instead of staying neutral or avoiding strong statements.
She believes that media sometimes softens or avoids calling out falsehoods in politics.
Amanpour supports objectivity but rejects pretending to be neutral when facts are clear.
Recent big changes at CNN’s parent company, Skydance, may have influenced her decision.
Amanpour has expressed concern about pressure on journalism and editorial independence, mentioning similar issues at CBS News.
She leaves CNN on good terms with the network’s CEO, Mark Thompson.
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President Donald Trump is rallying in Iowa with Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat. Hinson supports Trump on key issues but has said she will push back on him when needed, showing some independence as her race with Democrat Josh Turek becomes more competitive.
Key Facts
President Trump is holding a rally in Iowa with Rep. Ashley Hinson to support her Senate campaign.
Ashley Hinson is running for Iowa’s open Senate seat against Democrat Josh Turek.
Hinson initially promised to be a strong Trump ally but now says she will challenge him when she disagrees, especially on issues important to Iowa.
Hinson supports Trump on trade with China but disapproves of making new deals with Russia.
She opposes the current war in Iran and wants it ended quickly.
Iowa has become more competitive for Democrats despite Trump winning the state by a large margin in 2024.
Economic challenges like high energy prices and the U.S.-China trade war have hurt Iowa farmers and voters.
Hinson’s campaign uses the image of her as a mom who drives a minivan to connect with everyday voters.
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Hackers are using new methods to infect iPhones with spyware without users clicking any links. They exploit online ads and expired website domains to steal login information and cryptocurrency from victims.
Key Facts
Researchers found two hacking campaigns using online ads and expired domains to deliver spyware to iPhones.
One attack infected an iPhone user after they saw a soccer ad on Instagram, stealing passwords and crypto wallet data.
Another campaign affected nearly 8,000 websites by buying old domains those websites still used, redirecting visitors to spyware.
These attacks happen automatically as people browse, without needing to click on anything.
The spyware checks the iPhone’s software version before attacking to ensure compatibility.
Cybercriminals target users by narrowing down victims based on interests and device types.
Experts say mobile spyware threats are growing rapidly and users should keep their phone software updated to stay safe.
The hacker groups are suspected to have ties to China or want to appear that way.
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Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton are nearly tied in the race for the Texas Senate, according to a recent poll. Governor Greg Abbott is leading in the race for governor.
Key Facts
James Talarico (Democrat) has 48% support in the Texas Senate race.
Ken Paxton (Republican) has 46% support in the same race.
The difference between them is within the poll’s margin of error, meaning the race is very close.
The poll was conducted by Emerson College Polling and The Hill.
Greg Abbott is leading in the Texas governor’s race.
The Texas Senate race is considered one of the most closely watched contests this election cycle.
Poll results indicate tight competition between the two Senate candidates in Texas.
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Senate Republicans are spending money to support former Rep. Mike Rogers in the Michigan Senate race. They are focusing on claims that Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed has connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, which El-Sayed denies.
Key Facts
Senate Republicans want to help Mike Rogers win the Michigan Senate seat.
They are highlighting claims about Abdul El-Sayed’s supposed links to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Abdul El-Sayed strongly denies having any ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Muslim Brotherhood is an Islamist group often viewed with suspicion in U.S. politics.
The issue is being used in the final stage of the Senate race campaign.
Mike Rogers is a Republican and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Abdul El-Sayed is the Democratic candidate running for the Senate seat from Michigan.
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Rep. Ro Khanna plans to introduce a bill to create a Truth and Accountability Commission. This commission would investigate actions taken by President Donald Trump’s administration that Khanna says were abuses of power, such as starting a war in Iran without Congress’s approval.
Key Facts
Rep. Ro Khanna is the person proposing the new bill.
The bill aims to set up the first Truth and Accountability Commission in U.S. history.
The commission would investigate the Trump administration’s decisions and actions.
One key focus is on the decision to start a war in Iran without Congress approving it.
The bill was first shared with the news outlet The Hill.
The goal is to look into possible abuses of power by President Trump’s team.
The commission would provide oversight and record findings about government actions.
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Republicans are spending a lot of money just before the midterm elections to help candidates who are in close races. President Trump said his team will spend over $400 million, and the Republican National Committee is giving another $50 million to support these candidates.
Key Facts
President Trump announced his political group will spend more than $400 million on the midterm elections.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) is transferring $50 million to help close races.
The goal is to boost Republican candidates in the final two weeks before Election Day.
These funds focus on candidates who are in vulnerable or tight contests.
The spending is part of a last-minute effort to strengthen the party’s chances in key races.
Election Day is less than two weeks away from the announcement date.
This spending effort highlights the importance the party places on the midterm elections.
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Top officials in President Donald Trump’s administration blame Elon Musk for slowing down SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service and its military version, Starshield, which support Ukraine. This reduction in service has caused confusion about who is responsible.
Key Facts
SpaceX founder Elon Musk is accused of slowing down Starlink internet service.
Starlink provides satellite internet access and has a military version called Starshield.
These services support Ukraine, including in the ongoing conflict there.
Officials in the Trump administration are critical of this decision.
The cause and responsibility for the slowdown had been unclear before these accusations.
Starlink is important for communications in Ukraine, especially in conflict zones.
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People in many European countries are protesting because they find it hard to pay for everyday needs like housing, fuel, and education. These protests come as governments try to manage money problems and prepare for upcoming elections.
Key Facts
Protests are happening in France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Albania.
In France, student protests started over crowded classrooms and not enough teachers.
People are upset about high costs for housing, fuel, and low wages.
The protests reflect a feeling of paying more but getting fewer services.
Governments are under pressure to help but face high debt and rising costs to borrow money.
Some countries have elections coming soon, making the situation more complex.
The issues include not only money but also demands for better political accountability.
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Russia and Ukraine continued to attack each other despite agreeing to restart peace talks. Overnight, attacks in Kyiv injured 15 people, and two people were injured in Moscow, while Russia said it stopped 163 drones from Ukraine.
Key Facts
Kyiv was attacked overnight, resulting in 15 people injured.
Moscow also experienced attacks, with two people injured.
Russia claimed it intercepted 163 drones sent by Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy showed willingness to restart peace talks.
The fighting and attacks happened even though both leaders expressed interest in negotiating peace.
The peace talks are being encouraged by the United States.
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Police in New South Wales are investigating the Australian reality TV show Married at First Sight (MAFS) after a report about inappropriate content being shared. The investigation follows earlier concerns about cast members not being informed about their partners’ past criminal convictions.
Key Facts
New South Wales Police started an investigation on August 24, 2026, about inappropriate content connected to MAFS Australia.
The matter will be passed to Western Australia Police, but they have not yet received it.
Channel Nine confirmed the police investigation involves the show’s production company, Endemol Shine Australia.
Earlier in 2026, a BBC News investigation found that some MAFS Australia cast members were not told about their partners’ drug and violence convictions.
Australia’s media watchdog called these findings serious and disturbing.
A male cast member reportedly made a formal police complaint about private information being shared without consent during the show.
The British version of the show (MAFS UK) faced separate allegations of rape, but it is made by a different production company.
MAFS involves strangers agreeing to “marry” and live together, but the marriages are not legally binding and are filmed for TV.
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John Anderson, a well-known US country singer with five No. 1 hits, died at age 71. His career lasted nearly 50 years, and he was honored by being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024.
Key Facts
John Anderson was a US country singer known for traditional country music.
He had five number one hits on the country music charts.
Anderson’s family shared the news of his death on social media.
He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024.
His career started in the 1970s and lasted almost 50 years.
Anderson overcame serious health problems, including almost complete hearing loss in 2017.
He continued performing live after recovering from his illness.
Anderson recorded 22 studio albums, with his latest released in 2020.
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