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The Taliban continue to control Afghanistan 25 years after the 9/11 attacks. They use military equipment and machines originally supplied by the United States to maintain their power.
Key Facts
The Taliban have stayed in control of Afghanistan for 25 years since 9/11.
They use military gear and machinery that the U.S. provided earlier.
The equipment includes vehicles and weapons left behind or captured.
This gear helps the Taliban enforce their rule and defend against opponents.
The situation shows how American-supplied tools are still important in Afghanistan.
The report was covered by CBS News and reporter Imtiaz Tyab.
The ongoing control affects regional stability and international relations.
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The cost of new homes in the U.S. has dropped by about 15% compared to four years ago and is now cheaper than existing homes, which is unusual. Housing inventory is improving and almost back to pre-pandemic levels, but the supply is still not enough to meet the country’s needs, especially in high-demand areas.
Key Facts
New homes cost an average of $394,000, while existing homes cost $434,000 as of July 2026.
Normally, new homes are more expensive than existing homes, but now new homes are about 9.3% cheaper.
Builders have lowered new home prices due to slower demand and higher borrowing costs since mid-2022.
Existing home prices have increased by about 15% despite less market demand.
The U.S. has a housing shortage estimated at over 1.5 million units.
Inventory of new homes is about 488,000, equal to 9.6 months of supply, which is high compared to sales rates.
Restrictions on land use and high costs are limiting new housing construction, especially in the Northeast, Midwest, and California.
Housing construction is stronger in the Southern and Mountain West regions.
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Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla are the national leaders of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Their party won 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt's recent elections, making the AfD the strongest political force in that state, ahead of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) which won 17.2%.
Key Facts
The AfD's strong showing in Saxony-Anhalt marks the first time a far-right party has nearly controlled a German state since World War II.
Alice Weidel has been AfD co-chairwoman since June 2022 and has a background in economics and banking.
Weidel admires policies of low taxes, welfare cuts, and privatization, inspired by former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Weidel joined AfD in 2013 because of its opposition to the European Union (Euroskepticism).
Tino Chrupalla, co-chair since 2019, was a house painter turned construction company owner before entering politics.
Both leaders represent the party’s anti-immigration platform, which will influence coalition talks in Saxony-Anhalt.
Weidel lives partly in Switzerland with her partner and two adopted children, which is unusual for a leader of the conservative AfD.
The AfD’s future role in governing Saxony-Anhalt is uncertain despite its election success.
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Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is cutting 4,000 jobs due to falling sales, increased competition, and the impact of a cyber-attack that halted production last year. The company is investing in electric vehicles but faces challenges in China and the US, including slower sales, tariffs, and high energy costs.
Key Facts
JLR’s sales in China dropped from 146,000 cars in 2017 to 62,400 in the last financial year.
Chinese carmakers backed by the government are increasing competition with advanced electric vehicles.
JLR was hit by a cyber-attack in September 2025 that stopped production and cost £1.9 billion.
In the US, JLR’s sales fell from over 120,000 cars to under 100,000, affected by tariffs and production issues.
JLR plans to partner with Stellantis to build vehicles in the US to avoid import tariffs.
Energy costs in the UK, among the highest in Europe, raise production expenses for JLR.
European carmakers like Volkswagen are also cutting jobs due to challenges in China.
Competition from Chinese brands is increasing in JLR’s home markets, such as the UK and Europe.
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New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham criticized President Donald Trump for posting a map that renamed New Mexico as “New America.” She said the state’s name has a long history and is not open to change.
Key Facts
President Trump shared a post featuring a map that renamed New Mexico to “New America.”
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham responded by saying New Mexico’s name has existed for a long time, even before the U.S. was formed.
The governor emphasized that the real issue is supporting working families, not changing the state’s name.
The discussion began after President Trump released his post online.
Governor Lujan Grisham is a member of the Democratic Party.
New Mexico is one of the original states with a historic name tied to its identity.
The governor’s statement opposes the idea of renaming the state or debating its name.
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The U.S. military has used a high-energy laser weapon system to shoot down drones near the southern border, leading to a 75% drop in drone activity in the Rio Grande Valley. The laser targets suspicious drones linked to drug cartels and is part of efforts to protect the border.
Key Facts
The laser weapon was first used on August 25 and 26 to bring down three drones after months of training.
The military coordinates with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prevent risks to civilians.
The military uses jamming technology, but the laser provides a way to fully disable drones seen as threats.
Since the start of 2024, about 300 drones linked to cartels have been stopped, including 11 by the laser in ten days.
There are about 1,000 drone incursions at the southern border each month.
The laser system, called LOCUST, is controlled using an Xbox-style controller and targets drones with a precise heat beam.
The Army awarded a $465 million contract to AeroVironment to provide high-energy laser systems.
The laser is less effective in bad weather like rain but is considered a cost-effective additional tool for border security.
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President Donald Trump described the conflict involving Iran as "small potatoes" while tensions between the United States and Iran have increased over the past two weeks. The situation has raised concerns about possible escalation.
Key Facts
President Trump commented that the Iran conflict is "small potatoes," meaning he sees it as a minor issue.
The conflict includes increasing tensions and clashes between the U.S. and Iran.
These tensions have grown significantly over the last two weeks.
The news was reported by CBS News correspondents Taurean Small and Tom Hanson.
The phrase "small potatoes" is an informal way to say something is not very important or serious.
The conflict involves potential risks of further escalation or violence.
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President Donald Trump updated his list ranking U.S. presidents, keeping himself alone in the top "The Greatest" category. The revised chart adds several presidents who were missing in the first version, like Ronald Reagan, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and George W. Bush, while moving some to lower categories.
Key Facts
Trump originally posted a chart ranking presidents with himself alone in the top spot.
The updated ranking adds presidents like Reagan, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, Ford, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.
Reagan and Eisenhower are now in the "Near Great" category in the new version.
Kennedy and Nixon are ranked as "Average" presidents.
Ford and George H.W. Bush were placed in the "Below Average" tier.
Herbert Hoover moved from "Average" to "Failures," and George W. Bush was also added to "Failures."
Trump remains the only president in the "The Greatest" category, above historic figures like Lincoln and Washington.
The list excludes some presidents such as William Henry Harrison and James Garfield, who served very short terms.
There have been 45 individuals who served as president, but 47 presidencies because Trump served two nonconsecutive terms, counted as the 45th and 47th presidencies.
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The UK government has paused plans to merge smaller local councils into larger ones in several regions after receiving new legal advice. A formal review will check if the process follows the law and fits with the priorities of the current government before any changes proceed.
Key Facts
Plans to merge councils in Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk have been stopped.
A review will also pause plans in 14 other regions across England.
The review is to ensure the merger process is legal and suitable for the current government’s goals.
The review announcement will be made by Communities Secretary Angela Rayner in Parliament.
The local elections set for May 2027 will happen using the current council boundaries.
The Surrey reorganization, where new council members were elected in May, will continue as planned.
Some areas, like Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, and West Sussex, are still under consideration and not yet paused.
These plans started under the previous government led by Sir Keir Starmer and involved changes by past local government leaders.
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Frances Perkins was an important advocate for workers' rights in the United States. Despite her significant contributions, many Americans are not familiar with her name.
Key Facts
Frances Perkins was a strong supporter of workers' rights.
She played a major role in improving conditions for workers.
Perkins is not widely known among the general public.
The article encourages remembering her during Labor Day.
Labor Day is a holiday that celebrates workers and their contributions.
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Tuskegee University’s president, Mark A. Brown, is introducing stricter rules about how students dress and use cell phones. These changes aim to help students avoid being judged unfairly and to get ready for working in professional jobs.
Key Facts
Tuskegee University is changing its dress code to be stricter.
The new rules also include limits on cell phone use.
The goal is to prevent students from being seen in a negative way based on stereotypes.
The policies are meant to help students prepare for professional environments.
Mark A. Brown is the president of Tuskegee University.
The changes focus on improving students’ presentation and behavior on campus.
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John Healey, the UK’s new chancellor, said his main goal for the upcoming budget is to boost economic growth while controlling government spending. He emphasized sticking to the government’s plan to balance spending and tax income by 2029-30, and expressed a commitment to supporting jobs and regional economic development.
Key Facts
John Healey became chancellor in July and delivered his first major speech on economic plans.
He aims to support stronger growth across different parts of the UK.
Healey highlighted the need to control public spending to meet fiscal targets by 2029-30.
The UK is still dealing with financial market issues stemming from the 2022 mini budget crisis.
Healey confirmed Labour’s promise not to raise taxes on working people.
He plans to reduce welfare costs by tackling youth unemployment.
A government review on youth unemployment is expected to guide future policies.
The budget will include more powers for regional leaders over taxes and spending.
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Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, the Taliban controls Afghanistan again. When U.S. and allied troops left in 2021, the Taliban took control of billions of dollars of U.S.-supplied military equipment, which they now use visibly in their operations.
Key Facts
The Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021 after two decades of war following 9/11.
U.S. withdrawal left behind about $7 billion worth of American military hardware now used by the Taliban.
Taliban fighters patrol Kabul in American vehicles and use U.S.-made weapons and gear.
President Trump’s administration initially negotiated the deal to end the war with the Taliban.
President Trump criticizes the Biden administration for its handling of the U.S. troop withdrawal and lost equipment.
Taliban officials say the military assets now belong to Afghanistan as a state and refuse to return them.
The Taliban’s return has led to strict Islamic rule, severely restricting rights for women and girls.
President Biden defended ending the U.S. “forever war” and believes withdrawing was the right choice.
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BBC presenter Maryam Moshiri has been living with a rare blood cancer called polycythaemia vera since November 2024. Although the cancer cannot be cured, it can be managed well, and she says she does not expect to die from it.
Key Facts
Maryam Moshiri is a presenter for BBC News.
She was diagnosed with polycythaemia vera (PV), a rare blood cancer, in November 2024.
PV is a chronic condition, meaning it lasts a long time and cannot be cured.
The disease is treatable and can be managed effectively.
Her general practitioner (GP) detected the cancer early.
Moshiri shared her experience and how the illness affects her life in a conversation with colleague Lucy Hockings.
She is hopeful about living with the disease despite the diagnosis.
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An armed man was arrested after trying to attack Amy Acton, a Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, at a public event. The man was stopped before reaching her, and while Acton was not hurt, several others were injured during the attempt.
Key Facts
The incident happened at Ohio’s annual Canfield Fair.
The suspect, 38-year-old Patrick Havas, was carrying two pistols.
Havas tried to get through the crowd aggressively while holding up a cell phone.
He knocked over two people using mobility scooters.
Havas faces two misdemeanor assault charges and one disorderly conduct charge.
Amy Acton was not injured and expressed thanks to law enforcement.
Both Acton’s Republican rival Vivek Ramaswamy and Governor Mike DeWine condemned the violence.
Recent years have seen multiple cases of political violence in the U.S., some deadly.
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An Amazon Prime Air cargo plane crashed after landing at Miami International Airport on September 6. The plane ran off the runway, hit vehicles near the airport, caught fire, and caused at least five deaths and five injuries.
Key Facts
The crash involved a Boeing 767-300 cargo plane operating as 21 Air Flight 7598 for Amazon Prime Air.
The plane arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, before the crash.
The aircraft overran Runway 30 at Miami International Airport around 2 p.m. local time.
The plane crossed a road near the airport, struck multiple vehicles, and caught fire after the overrun.
At least five people were killed, and five others were injured in the accident.
Air traffic control audio captured the moments after the crash, showing airport operations were put on hold.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the details of the crash, and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause.
The incident caused significant disruption at Miami International Airport.
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The UK retailer Next won an appeal against a court ruling that required it to pay shop workers the same higher basic wages as warehouse staff under equal pay laws. The company argued that warehouse jobs need higher pay due to harder recruitment conditions, while the pay differences for night shifts and overtime remain under dispute.
Key Facts
Next overturned a 2024 court decision that said shop staff must get the same basic pay as warehouse workers.
The case involves more than 6,400 Next employees claiming unequal pay since 2012.
About 78% of shop staff are women, while 53% of warehouse staff are men.
Next said warehouse workers get higher pay to meet market demand and keep staff.
The appeal tribunal rejected Next’s challenge on lower night-time, overtime pay, and unpaid rest breaks for shop workers.
The tribunal also said the issue of lower Sunday pay for shop workers still needs to be decided.
Next warned the equal pay ruling could harm the business and put them at a disadvantage compared to competitors who outsource warehouse work.
The workers’ law firm plans to appeal the decision on basic pay.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a $232 million investment plan to support Greenland in areas like education, fisheries, and sustainable tourism. This move comes as the European Union aims to strengthen ties with Greenland following security tensions sparked by President Trump’s push for the U.S. to take control of the island.
Key Facts
The EU’s investment package for Greenland is worth 200 million euros (about $232 million).
Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark, which is a NATO ally.
The funds aim to improve education, fisheries, internet access, hydropower, housing, small businesses, and sustainable tourism.
The EU wants to be a strong partner in Greenland and the Arctic region.
President Trump pushed for the U.S. to take over Greenland for security reasons, creating tension with Denmark and other NATO countries.
Denmark and several European allies sent troops to Greenland in January for Arctic military exercises to support Greenland’s sovereignty.
President Trump threatened tariffs on multiple European countries but reversed course after NATO agreed on Arctic security cooperation.
Eleven NATO countries, excluding the U.S., began Arctic military exercises in Greenland on September 7, 2026.
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A woman named Tiahna in Brisbane, Australia, was surprised when possums crashed through her apartment ceiling during her lunch break. Possums are common in urban Australia because their natural homes in trees are disappearing, leading them to live in buildings.
Key Facts
Tiahna is a 23-year-old who works and lives at home in Brisbane.
She heard noises in her ceiling, recorded it on her phone, and then possums fell through the damaged roof into her kitchen.
Possums, especially brushtail and ringtail types, are the most common native animals found living in buildings in Australia.
The damaged roof area had been previously harmed by a cyclone, providing possums with entry.
Tiahna and her roommates have dealt with possums in their ceiling for about two years.
Attempts by the real estate agency to remove the possums have not worked so far.
The video of the possums falling through the ceiling went viral online, with over 1.7 million views.
A board temporarily covers the damaged roof area, and repairs are planned to remove the possums fully.
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Many Americans are expected to travel on Labor Day Monday, but gas prices have gone up a lot. Higher fuel costs mean that traveling by car will be more expensive this year.
Key Facts
Labor Day Monday is a busy day for travel as many people return home.
Gas prices have increased, making travel costlier.
The rise in fuel costs affects how much people pay to drive.
Millions of Americans plan to travel during this holiday.
The information comes from CBS News reporting on Labor Day travel.
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