The U.S. Treasury Department fined Bank of America $1.2 billion for breaking rules that prevent money laundering and violate sanctions laws. This is one of the largest fines ever imposed by the Treasury on a bank.
Key Facts
Bank of America was fined $1.2 billion by the U.S. Treasury Department.
The fine is for violating anti-money laundering and sanctions laws.
This fine is the third-largest in the Treasury Department’s history.
The Treasury says such violations can put the U.S. financial system at risk.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that big banks must follow the law.
Bank of America is the second-largest bank in the United States.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump and White House aide Natalie Harp must respond to a lawsuit about a $100,000-a-month Truth Social subscriber program before the November midterm elections. The lawsuit claims the program, which gives early access to presidential posts, is unconstitutional and allows Trump to profit from government information.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed by the news outlet Intercept and involves President Trump, Natalie Harp, and Deputy Chief of Staff Daniel Scavino.
A judge set a deadline of October 30 for Trump and his team to respond to the lawsuit.
The Truth API program offers subscribers real-time access to posts from top Truth Social accounts, many belonging to government officials.
The program costs $100,000 a month or $60,000 a month with a three-year commitment.
The lawsuit claims the program violates the First Amendment by giving paid users early access to government announcements.
Plaintiffs say the program harms news organizations by delaying their access to presidential posts.
The Department of Justice sought a delay in responding, but the judge denied an indefinite postponement.
Other lawsuits have been filed against the Truth API program by watchdog groups and the city and county of San Francisco.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
House Democrats plan a busy start if they win control of the House in next month’s elections. Their goals include making healthcare more affordable, reversing Medicaid cuts, opposing the Iran war, and removing tariffs set by President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Democrats aim to begin their agenda within the first 100 hours of the new Congress in January.
They plan to restore Affordable Care Act tax breaks.
They want to reverse Medicaid cuts made by Republicans.
They intend to hold votes against the Iran war.
They will work to undo tariffs established by President Trump.
Hakeem Jeffries is the likely new House speaker if Democrats take control.
The agenda focuses on fulfilling campaign promises and increasing oversight of the Trump administration.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was interrupted several times by protesters during a panel on autonomous warfare at a U.S. Army event in Washington, D.C. The protesters criticized U.S. military policies in the Middle East, including support for Israel and actions against Iran. Despite interruptions, Hegseth continued speaking, and the protesters were removed from the event.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth was speaking at the U.S. Army’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition.
Anti-war protesters interrupted him four times in about five minutes.
Protesters shouted accusations like "war criminal" and criticized Hegseth’s military role.
The event took place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
All six protesters were escorted out after disrupting the panel.
The interruptions reflect ongoing opposition to U.S. military policies in the Middle East.
The Trump administration supports Israel and has expanded actions against Iran’s military programs.
Pentagon officials were contacted for comment but no immediate response was noted.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Attorney A. Scott Bolden says that President Donald Trump has made many false claims and has promoted policies that many people do not like. Because of this, Bolden believes voters should hold Trump responsible by allowing Democrats to win in the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump has a record of making false statements.
He has supported policies that are unpopular with some voters.
Attorney A. Scott Bolden argues these actions should have consequences.
Bolden thinks the midterm elections are an opportunity for voters to respond.
He suggests that Democratic victories in the midterms would hold President Trump accountable.
Midterm elections happen between presidential election years.
The article focuses on political accountability in the U.S. system.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Seniors receiving Social Security benefits will get a higher payment soon because of a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This adjustment helps benefits keep up with rising prices.
Key Facts
The 2027 Social Security COLA is one of the biggest increases in recent years.
COLA changes help Social Security benefits match inflation, which means higher costs for goods and services.
The adjustment affects millions of seniors and disabled people who rely on Social Security.
The increase is based on government calculations of rising consumer prices over the past year.
Benefits will go up starting in early 2027, adding extra money to monthly Social Security checks.
This boost helps recipients maintain their buying power despite higher living costs.
The exact percentage increase will be officially announced by government agencies soon.
Social Security is a program that provides financial help to retired or disabled Americans.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A record number of people voted early in Georgia’s midterm election, with over 188,600 voting in person on the first day, much higher than in 2022. Vice President JD Vance visited Georgia to support Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins as early voting continues to rise.
Key Facts
More than 188,600 voters cast early in-person ballots on the first day in Georgia, a record high.
This number is much higher than the 53,000 early voters on the first day in the 2022 midterms.
Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, said the high turnout shows confidence in election integrity.
Republican early voting has increased, making early vote totals a less clear predictor of election results.
Vice President JD Vance visited Georgia to campaign for Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins.
Both of Georgia’s U.S. Senate seats are currently held by Democrats, while Republicans control other statewide offices.
Vance has been traveling across the U.S. with President Donald Trump to support Republican candidates.
Vance recently also campaigned in Texas and announced a production deal under the Defense Production Act.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Young ultra-conservative activists in Phoenix are working to continue the work of Charlie Kirk, a far-right influencer who was killed in September 2025. They use online debates and social media to engage young people ahead of the US midterm elections.
Key Facts
Charlie Kirk was a far-right influencer and co-founder of Turning Point USA; he was fatally shot in September 2025 at a Utah college event.
Young activists like Carson Carpenter, a 21-year-old from Arizona State University, lead online political debates inspired by Kirk’s style.
Carpenter hosts TikTok live streams where he debates contentious social issues to attract viewers and provoke discussion.
Carpenter has about 19,000 followers on TikTok and uses tactics similar to Kirk’s “Prove Me Wrong” style to challenge opponents.
These debates often cover controversial topics such as accusations of assault at universities.
Carpenter previously led the ASU College Republicans and is now head of Off The Record USA.
The group Turning Point USA remains influential among young ultra-conservatives aiming to impact US elections.
Kirk’s murderer is facing trial and could face the death penalty.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Social Security benefits will go up by 3.6 percent in 2027, as announced by President Donald Trump’s administration. This change means that the average monthly Social Security payment will increase by $75.
Key Facts
The Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 2027 is 3.6 percent.
This increase will add about $75 per month on average to benefits.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) reported this change.
Last year, the COLA was 2.8 percent.
Nearly 72 million people receive Social Security benefits.
COLA adjusts payments to keep up with inflation or price increases.
The announcement came from the Trump administration.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Republican donor involved in the Kimberly Guilfoyle scandal is demanding that officials, including Vice President JD Vance, work to bring back Dr. Abubakar Atiq Durrani from Pakistan. Durrani is accused of doing unnecessary spinal surgeries, even on children, and fled the country.
Key Facts
Eric Deters is a Republican donor tied to the Kimberly Guilfoyle scandal.
Deters wants Vice President JD Vance and others to act on extraditing Dr. Abubakar Atiq Durrani.
Dr. Durrani is accused of performing unnecessary spinal surgeries.
Some surgeries reportedly involved children.
Dr. Durrani escaped to Pakistan to avoid legal consequences.
Deters has warned he will push other administration officials if his demands are ignored.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Texas Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton is very close. The Texas GOP chair, D’rinda Randall, has commented on the competitive nature of the election.
Key Facts
James Talarico is running as a Democrat for the Texas Senate.
Ken Paxton is the Republican candidate for the same seat.
The race between Talarico and Paxton is considered a toss-up, meaning it is very close and could go either way.
D’rinda Randall is the chair of the Texas Republican Party.
Randall has shared her views on the Senate race’s competitiveness.
This race is attracting attention because of the tight competition in Texas politics.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Katie Zacharia gave her first press briefing as President Donald Trump's new press secretary. The briefing was short, with only a few questions asked, and Zacharia read mainly from prepared notes.
Key Facts
Katie Zacharia is the new White House press secretary for President Donald Trump.
Her first briefing lasted 14 minutes and included just three questions.
She often looked down and read from a script during the briefing.
Zacharia smiled during the briefing but made small mistakes, like mixing up words.
The questions she answered were mostly from media outlets friendly to President Trump.
The briefing was shorter and less confrontational than usual.
Zacharia previously worked as a commentator for Newsmax.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Kimberly Guilfoyle, President Donald Trump’s ambassador to Greece, resigned after allegations from Eric Deters, a Kentucky businessman and Trump supporter, surfaced. Deters accused Guilfoyle of financial and ethical misconduct related to a failed political event he organized called Freedom Fest. Guilfoyle denies the allegations.
Key Facts
Eric Deters canceled the 2026 MAGA Freedom Fest after selling only six $1,000 VIP tickets.
Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned as Trump’s ambassador to Greece shortly after the event’s cancellation.
Deters accused Guilfoyle of asking for large sums of money and offering access to senior Trump administration members.
Guilfoyle’s lawyers say she acted with integrity and denies any wrongdoing.
Deters is a Kentucky businessman, conservative broadcaster, former lawyer, and long-time Trump supporter.
Freedom Fest included high-profile pro-Trump figures like Guilfoyle, Donald Trump Jr., and Candace Owens in past years.
Deters claims he paid Guilfoyle about $300,000 for speaking at his events over several years.
The event’s failure and lack of support led Deters to publicly criticize Guilfoyle and threaten to reveal negative stories.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Stephanie Grisham, former White House press secretary, said Kimberly Guilfoyle, who recently left her post as ambassador to Greece, has close connections to President Donald Trump’s family beyond what has been suggested. Grisham shared that Guilfoyle spent many holidays with the Trump family over four years.
Key Facts
Kimberly Guilfoyle was recently removed from her ambassador role in Greece.
Stephanie Grisham served as White House press secretary during President Trump’s first term.
Grisham said Guilfoyle spent almost every holiday for four years with the Trump family.
Guilfoyle was present at Trump family locations like Mar-a-Lago and Bedminster.
Grisham disagreed with suggestions that Guilfoyle was just someone Trump’s son dated.
The comments show Guilfoyle had a deeper role or presence within Trump’s family circle.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
New York City plans to ban horse-drawn carriages by June 2028. The city aims to protect the horses' welfare while addressing the concerns of workers affected by the ban.
Key Facts
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin support a bill to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City.
The ban would start in June 2028, ending a popular tourist attraction in Central Park.
Animal rights groups raised concerns about horse safety after several horses died or collapsed since 2020.
The ban gained momentum after an 18-year-old tourist died from a carriage accident.
Transport Workers Union opposes the ban due to concerns over drivers' income and jobs.
The bill proposes a workforce transition program to help carriage drivers find new jobs.
It also suggests compensation programs for carriage owners.
The bill requires horses to be retired humanely, banning their sale or use in other carriage industries or for slaughter.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff admitted the university and he made mistakes when a student reported a sexual assault in 2024. He also defended the steps taken afterward and explained his actions as the university’s leader in an interview.
Key Facts
The alleged sexual assault involved a gang rape reported at Cornell University.
The university and President Kotlikoff first learned about the case in November 2024.
Kotlikoff said there were errors made in handling the initial report.
Since then, the university took further actions to address the situation.
Kotlikoff spoke about the case and his role in an interview with The New York Times.
The case has drawn public and media attention to how Cornell handles sexual assault allegations.
President Kotlikoff defended the university’s current efforts to support survivors and improve procedures.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A conservative group started by former Vice President Mike Pence asked President Donald Trump’s administration to stop Russia from shipping diesel fuel to the United States. Some Republican senators and others also oppose this deal, saying it should not go forward.
Key Facts
The group is called Advancing American Freedom.
It was started by former Vice President Mike Pence.
The group sent a letter to President Trump’s administration.
The letter urges the U.S. to block unsanctioned Russian diesel from entering the country.
Some Republican senators also disagree with the diesel deal.
The diesel deal involves shipping fuel from Russia to the U.S.
This issue is part of broader debates about trade with Russia and sanctions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Social Security recipients will get a 3.6% increase in their monthly payments starting in January 2027, the largest raise in four years. This change will add about $75 a month, or $900 a year, to the average retiree's benefits and raise the income cap subject to Social Security taxes.
Key Facts
The 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from July to September 2026.
About 76 million people receiving retirement and disability benefits will get the payment increase.
The average monthly benefit will rise by $75, totaling about $900 more per year.
The income limit for Social Security payroll taxes will increase to $192,300 in 2027 from $184,500 in 2026.
Income above this limit will not be taxed for Social Security purposes.
The higher COLA provides more income to seniors but may speed up depletion of the Social Security trust fund.
The trust fund for Social Security is projected to run out in about six years if current trends continue.
Earlier estimates had predicted a smaller COLA increase of about 2.7% for 2027.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027 will increase by 3.6%, the largest raise in four years. This increase will raise the average monthly Social Security payment to over $2,000 but is driven by higher inflation, meaning prices for goods and services are rising.
Key Facts
The 2027 Social Security COLA is 3.6%, up from 2.8% in 2026 and 2.5% in 2025.
About 76 million Americans will receive this COLA increase.
The average monthly Social Security benefit will rise from $1,940.08 to over $2,000.
COLA adjustments are based on inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
Higher COLA means inflation is causing prices for everyday items to increase.
The goal of COLA is to protect retirees’ purchasing power from being reduced by inflation.
The largest recent COLA was 8.7% in 2023, following spikes in inflation due to the pandemic.
People with higher Social Security benefits will see larger dollar increases due to the percentage adjustment.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Stephen A. Smith criticized President Trump for how he talks about money and the cost of living during a NewsNation event. Smith said Trump's messages do not seem to convince many Americans, especially with the midterm elections coming up.
Key Facts
Stephen A. Smith is an independent political commentator.
He spoke at a NewsNation town hall event on Tuesday.
Smith focused on President Trump’s communication about affordability and financial promises.
Affordability is a major concern for voters ahead of the midterm elections.
Smith said Trump’s messages often seem directed at business leaders rather than regular Americans.
The criticism came amid ongoing discussions about the economy and election issues.
NewsNation is a broadcast partner of The Hill.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
