Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing but his private journals, released by Senator Rand Paul, reveal discrepancies between what he said publicly and what he believed privately about COVID-19. The journals show Fauci had doubts and withheld some information on the virus’s risk and vaccine safety, especially regarding children and pregnant women.
Key Facts
On July 29, 2026, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times during a Senate committee hearing.
Fauci kept thousands of pages of notes on a government computer at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
Senator Rand Paul obtained and released Fauci’s journals from the Department of Health and Human Services.
In February 2020, Fauci privately estimated COVID-19’s fatality rate to be 0.2-0.3%, but publicly said it was much higher.
Fauci acknowledged low infection rates in children but helped convince New York City officials to close schools.
Fauci privately expressed concerns about vaccinating pregnant women in the first trimester, but publicly reassured safety.
Fauci influenced CDC language about vaccine effectiveness, downplaying that vaccines didn’t fully prevent infection or transmission.
His journals show some public statements were made to support vaccine mandates and maintain public confidence.
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An ABC journalist and union leader, Michael Slezak, may face disciplinary action for writing an opinion article in another newspaper. The article criticized a proposal limiting journalists’ access to company director information, and ABC management is reviewing whether he followed rules about outside work.
Key Facts
Michael Slezak is an award-winning ABC climate journalist and federal president of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) union.
Slezak wrote an opinion piece in the Australian Financial Review about a proposal by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to restrict journalists’ access to certain personal information.
ABC management called Slezak to a meeting to discuss if he violated the ABC’s policy on external work and public comments.
The union says Slezak did not need ABC approval for the article because of an agreement that allows him to speak publicly as a union representative.
ABC’s new director of news, Simon Robinson, and other management have not ruled out disciplinary actions, including possible dismissal.
The union claims this is an attack on press freedom and union rights, urging ABC leaders to confirm no disciplinary action will be taken.
Over 190 union members signed a letter supporting Slezak, and the union plans to meet to decide on a joint response.
ABC’s managing director Hugh Marks has had tense relations with the union, including during a recent staff strike.
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Senator Darline Graham and Democratic nominee Annie Andrews debated for an open Senate seat in South Carolina. The candidates discussed topics like Iran, the economy, and artificial intelligence while criticizing each other's qualifications ahead of the November election.
Key Facts
The Senate seat is open after Senator Lindsey Graham’s sudden death in July 2026.
Darline Graham, the late senator’s sister, is running as the Republican candidate and was endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Annie Andrews is the Democratic nominee.
The candidates clashed on issues including national security and ties to President Trump.
Andrews criticized Graham for being unqualified and linked closely to the White House.
Graham defended her experience and legal name, saying she kept her brother’s surname for family reasons.
Both candidates see the race as important in the fight for control of Congress.
Outside groups have spent millions supporting Graham’s campaign.
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A federal judge has ordered President Trump’s administration to stop running TV ads paid for with taxpayer money that promote his political message. The ads, which cost $20 million and were funded by the Department of Homeland Security, have been challenged as illegal political propaganda.
Key Facts
U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon ordered the administration to cancel all remaining taxpayer-funded TV ads.
The ads were paid for with $20 million from the Department of Homeland Security.
The ads promote President Trump’s political message and echo his campaign themes.
A coalition including the watchdog group Common Cause argued the ads broke laws against using government money for political propaganda.
The judge’s order is a temporary restraining order lasting two weeks.
The White House said the ads were "public service announcements" and defended their use.
Some Republican senators criticized using taxpayer money for the ads.
The ads began airing in late September, including clips of Trump and coverage of the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
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Senator John Barrasso, the Senate Majority Whip, spoke about recent news reports concerning U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle’s financial matters. He said the reports are worrying and believes an investigation is likely, probably by the State Department.
Key Facts
Senator John Barrasso is the Senate Majority Whip and represents Wyoming.
Barrasso commented on news about Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle’s finances.
He described the reports as “very troubling” and "concerning."
Barrasso expects an investigation to take place.
He thinks the State Department will be involved in the investigation.
Kimberly Guilfoyle is the current U.S. Ambassador to Greece.
The comments were made during a Sunday interview or statement.
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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized President Donald Trump on Sunday, calling him "America last." She shared a screenshot of an email that appeared to come from Trump's campaign as part of her ongoing disagreement with him.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene is a Republican member of the House of Representatives from Georgia.
Greene has had a long-running conflict with President Trump despite previously supporting him.
On Sunday, she publicly criticized Trump by calling him "America last."
She shared a screenshot of an email that seemed to be from Trump's campaign team.
The email included a message addressing Greene directly.
This event continues the public feud between Greene and President Trump.
Greene’s comments were made on social media where she often shares political opinions.
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Senator Darline Graham (Republican) and Annie Andrews (Democrat) debated once for the South Carolina Senate race. The debate became tense as Graham linked Andrews to the Democratic Socialists of America, while Andrews challenged Graham’s ability to represent voters’ interests.
Key Facts
The debate was the only scheduled face-off between the two candidates.
Sen. Darline Graham is the Republican candidate running for re-election.
Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, is the Democratic challenger.
Graham accused Andrews of connections with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
Andrews criticized Graham, saying she might not stand up for all voters.
The debate took place in South Carolina.
Both candidates focused on contrasting their political views and records.
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A federal judge ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to stop airing taxpayer-funded TV ads that promote his political message. The judge agreed with a group that said these ads illegally use government money, and the administration was told to cancel any remaining ads during a two-week court order.
Key Facts
A federal judge in New York blocked President Trump’s administration from airing more TV ads paid with taxpayer money.
The ads promote Trump’s political message and were paid for using $20 million from the Department of Homeland Security.
A watchdog group called Common Cause challenged the ads, saying they illegally use government money for political purposes.
The judge issued a temporary restraining order lasting two weeks to stop the ads from airing.
The administration said the ad campaign was ending soon, but the judge ruled no more ads could air until the order expires.
Critics say using public funds for these ads breaks a law against spending government money on “publicity or propaganda.”
The ads praise Trump and include political themes, like mentioning threats of communism and capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Some Republican leaders also criticized the use of taxpayer money for the ads.
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President Donald Trump announced that Katie Zacharia will start as the White House press secretary on Columbus Day. She will hold her first news conference on the following Tuesday at 9:30 AM.
Key Facts
Katie Zacharia will become the new White House press secretary starting Columbus Day.
President Trump made the announcement on a Sunday.
Zacharia will give her first news conference on Tuesday at 9:30 in the morning.
This is her first official role as press secretary under President Trump’s administration.
The news conference will serve as an introduction of Zacharia to the public and media.
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A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to stop running taxpayer-funded ads featuring President Trump. The decision came from a lawsuit claiming the administration misused government money on these ads before the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
The judge's order stops the ads immediately.
The case involves a lawsuit filed by Common Cause, Democracy Forward, and others in New York.
A similar lawsuit was filed by the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C.
The Trump administration says the ads are public service announcements, like past governments have done.
President Trump said he would pay for the ads himself after lawsuits began but will not repay the government for ads already run.
The plaintiffs argue the ads go beyond what Congress allowed and break rules against government propaganda.
Judge Jennifer Rochon said the plaintiffs likely have a strong case and will be harmed if the ads continue.
A court hearing will happen on October 13 to decide what happens next.
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During a South Carolina U.S. Senate debate, Republican Darline Graham responded to Democratic challenger Annie Andrews’ remark about Graham’s last name. The exchange highlighted a personal history for Graham and came as both candidates discussed their political differences ahead of the November election.
Key Facts
Annie Andrews said there was no confusion about her name and noted she had not changed it recently, unlike Graham.
Darline Graham said Graham has always been her legal name and that she kept it to remember her late parents.
Graham stated Andrews’ comment brought up a painful memory from her childhood.
The debate included Libertarian Kasie Whitener, with all three competing for a Senate seat Republicans have held for decades.
Andrews described herself as a working mother, pediatrician, and moderate, supporting gun rights, border security, and deportation of undocumented immigrants who break laws.
Andrews accused Graham of being too close to the White House.
Darline Graham was appointed to the Senate after her brother, longtime Senator Lindsey Graham, passed away; she won the Republican nomination with support from President Donald Trump.
Recent polls show a competitive race, with Graham leading Andrews by a small margin, making the contest tighter than expected in the traditionally Republican state.
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Some voters in Iowa, a state in the Great Plains, are rethinking their choices ahead of the midterm elections. Rising diesel prices are influencing how people feel about the candidates and their options.
Key Facts
Republicans have held strong control in Great Plains states for many years.
The midterm elections are coming soon.
High diesel fuel prices are causing concern among voters in Iowa.
Some voters say they are now considering different candidates or parties.
This shift shows changes in voter attitudes linked to economic issues like fuel costs.
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A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to stop running government-funded ads featuring President Donald Trump, saying the ads likely break the law. The administration planned to end the ad campaign on Sunday, but the judge stepped in to halt any remaining ads immediately.
Key Facts
A federal judge ruled that government-funded ads with President Trump are likely illegal.
The judge told the administration to stop airing the ads right away.
The administration had said the ad campaign would end on Sunday.
The judge’s decision applies to any ads set to air later that day.
The ads feature President Donald Trump promoting government messages.
The legal issue focuses on using government money for ads featuring the president.
The judge’s order aims to prevent possible misuse of government funds for political purposes.
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Three men were seen entering a sewer system in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, marking a new incident related to manholes in New York City. This is part of a recent pattern of unusual activities involving manholes across the city.
Key Facts
Three men were observed climbing into a sewer on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
This event is part of a series of similar incidents involving manholes in New York City.
The incident was reported on October 11, 2026.
New York City has experienced multiple unusual activities related to manholes recently.
The reasons for these activities have not been detailed in the report.
The manholes lead to the city's sewer system, an underground network for waste and water.
Officials have not yet released more information about the men or the incident.
Public concern may grow due to these unusual manhole events.
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A man in Erie, Pennsylvania, killed eight people, including children and a pregnant woman, before taking his own life in a mass shooting at a home. The shooter was a grandfather who was related to most of the victims, and authorities are investigating the possible role of mental health.
Key Facts
The shooter killed eight people and then himself in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Most victims were family members; the shooter was related to seven of them.
A toddler, a pregnant woman, and a five-year-old were among those killed.
The shooter was 45 years old and described as a grandfather by those who knew him.
Police found two women shot outside the home and the other victims inside.
Investigators recovered video and audio evidence from the scene.
Erie police chief suggested mental health might have played a role but did not confirm the motive.
Family and friends described the shooter as previously appearing normal and kind but noted a decline before the shooting.
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President Donald Trump announced a deal with Russia to import large amounts of diesel fuel to lower energy prices in the US. This plan has caused criticism from some lawmakers who say it breaks US laws banning Russian energy imports due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Key Facts
President Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to send 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, with more shipments planned later.
The deal includes an initial 300,000 tonnes, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November, 1 million tonnes after that, and possibly 3 million tonnes monthly afterward.
The US Treasury is suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7, but other Russian assets remain frozen.
Seven US senators from both parties have criticized the plan, saying it violates laws passed in 2022 banning Russian energy imports.
Ukrainian President Zelensky called the deal a gift to Putin, arguing it supports the war in Ukraine.
Some lawmakers want Trump to cancel the deal, warning it gives financial support to Russia’s military actions.
Trump and his Treasury Secretary say the plan is legal and necessary to lower fuel prices for Americans, especially farmers and truckers.
Rising fuel prices have been linked to the war in Iran that began in February and are a concern ahead of upcoming US midterm elections.
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The US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin supports livestreaming the execution of Nidal Hasan, downplaying concerns that the video could encourage violence. The execution is part of President Donald Trump’s tough stance on crime, but some lawmakers warn the broadcast could be harmful and help terrorist groups.
Ranchers in Nebraska are facing higher costs due to wildfires, rising fuel prices, and expensive materials like steel. The Trump administration's decision to allow duty-free imports of foreign beef has lowered cattle market prices, causing frustration among some ranchers who previously supported President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
A wildfire destroyed 1,600 acres of grazing land and damaged fencing on Nebraska rancher Yvette Mannon’s property in April.
Steel prices are high partly because of tariffs imposed by President Trump, making fence repairs costly for ranchers.
Diesel fuel prices increased by over 40% due to the conflict in Iran, raising daily operational costs.
In August, the Trump administration announced importing 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef without tariffs to lower consumer prices.
This announcement coincided with the main selling season for cattle and led to a sharp drop in cattle market prices.
Many ranchers feel government policies have added to their financial struggles despite supporting President Trump in past elections.
Nebraska, a state that strongly supported President Trump, is seeing some political shifts linked to hardship in the farming community.
Both President Trump and Nebraska’s Governor recently introduced relief programs to help lower fuel costs for farmers and ranchers.
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A new report shows that over 5,000 offenders in England and Wales were not monitored because electronic tags were not fitted. Additionally, many tags failed to send signals due to faults, raising concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of probation sentences.
Key Facts
More than 5,000 offenders were not fitted with electronic tags between January and April.
About 1,600 tags did not send signals for over two weeks due to technical problems or lack of charging.
Probation staff are facing many challenges, including understaffing and safety worries.
The current system means offenders may serve part of their sentence with little or no supervision.
None of the probation units inspected in 2024 or 2025 achieved ratings above “requires improvement.”
Two-thirds of probation units inspected were rated “inadequate.”
The report recommends hiring more probation workers and bringing back home detention to ease prison overcrowding.
The early release of prisoners is part of efforts to manage overcrowded facilities but has sparked concerns about public safety and reoffending.
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The U.S. Secret Service is seeing an increase in both internal and external threats. To address these dangers, the agency is creating new ways to protect against attacks using drones, including methods to both attack and defend from them.
Key Facts
The Secret Service has noticed a big rise in threat levels in recent years.
Threats come from people inside and outside the United States.
The agency is working on technology to defend against drones.
These new drone defenses include tools to stop or fight back against drones.
The developments aim to improve safety for officials and the public.
The Secret Service is preparing for future security challenges involving drones.
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