Mortgage rates in the U.S. have reached 7.40%, the highest point in almost three years. This increase has made monthly home payments more expensive for buyers and comes as a key economic concern ahead of the November midterm elections under President Trump’s administration.
Key Facts
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 7.40% as of October 8, up from 7.28% the previous week.
Mortgage rates have climbed for seven weeks in a row and are higher than the 6.30% rate from a year ago.
When President Trump took office in January 2025, the average rate was 6.91%.
The median U.S. home price is about $419,250 as of September 2026.
Buyers now pay roughly $246 more per month or $2,954 more per year on their mortgage compared to last year.
Compared to the start of President Trump’s term, monthly mortgage payments are about $111 higher for the same home price and down payment.
Higher mortgage costs make buying a home harder and can reduce home sales and available homes for sale.
The rising cost of living, including housing expenses, is a top issue for voters approaching the midterm elections.
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Robert Jenrick, leader of the Reform UK party, criticized Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and the Tory party, saying they represent wealthy city people and not working-class voters. Jenrick also rejected the idea of a coalition deal with the Conservatives and defended his views on English identity.
Key Facts
Robert Jenrick is the shadow chancellor of Reform UK and previously a Conservative.
Jenrick called Kemi Badenoch "Kensington Kemi," accusing her of representing wealthy metropolitan elites.
He said a coalition deal with the Tories would be like being “handcuffed to a zombie.”
Reform UK and the Conservative Party have worsening relations and disagree on political cooperation.
Kemi Badenoch ruled out uniting with Reform UK, saying the party made her mixed-race children feel not fully English.
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader, said a post-election deal with the Conservatives is “extremely unlikely.”
Jenrick talked about differences between ethnicity, culture, and citizenship in relation to English identity.
Jenrick defended his controversial comments on “Islamification” of the UK, which have been reported to police.
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Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed debated as candidates for the U.S. Senate in Michigan before the midterm elections. They discussed topics like Iran, Hamas, and Israel, and CBS News reviewed some of the claims they made during the debate.
Key Facts
Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed are running for U.S. Senate in Michigan.
They participated in a debate ahead of the midterm elections.
The debate covered issues involving Iran, Hamas, and Israel.
CBS News' Aaron Navarro fact-checked statements made during the debate.
The event was part of the political process leading to the U.S. midterm elections.
The debate focused on important foreign policy topics related to the Middle East.
This is a key campaign moment for both candidates in Michigan.
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The Trump administration has temporarily stopped Microsoft, Adobe, and several other tech companies from sponsoring foreign workers for permanent US residency. Officials say these companies misused immigration programs meant to help skilled workers, which they argue harms American workers.
Key Facts
Microsoft, Adobe, and six IT outsourcing firms were banned from the program allowing US employers to hire foreign workers permanently.
Vice-President JD Vance claimed the H-1B visa program is full of fraud and that Microsoft abused the system more than any other company.
The Indian government criticized Vance's language, saying Indian professionals in the US are skilled and valuable.
The banned companies include Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, and Capgemini.
Microsoft said most of its US employees are Americans; Tata said it mostly hires locally in the US.
The Trump administration has previously tried to raise fees for H-1B visas but was blocked by a judge.
Over 400,000 H-1B visas were approved last year, with many holders from India.
Indian companies and lobbyists say fewer employees are moving from the H-1B visa to permanent US residency because of long delays.
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President Donald Trump criticized Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed after a debate between El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers. Trump praised Rogers and said El-Sayed performed very poorly in the debate.
Key Facts
President Trump made comments about the Michigan Senate race debate.
The debate was between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers.
The debate took place on Thursday evening.
Trump called Mike Rogers a "great American Patriot."
Trump said Rogers "completely obliterated" El-Sayed in the debate.
The comments were posted by Trump on the social media platform Truth.
Abdul El-Sayed is running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate in Michigan.
Mike Rogers is a former Republican Congressman running for the same seat.
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A federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot a man in a car in New York City where a five-year-old child was also present. New York Democrats, including Governor Kathy Hochul, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, condemned the shooting and demanded ICE stop enforcement actions in the city.
Key Facts
An ICE officer fired at least seven shots, hitting a man in the neck in the Bronx neighborhood of Marble Hill.
A five-year-old child was in the car during the shooting but was not injured.
The man was conscious, hospitalized, and later taken from the hospital by ICE agents.
New York leaders called the incident “unconscionable” and demanded ICE stop enforcement activities in New York City.
Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani spoke with President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to negotiate the man’s release, but negotiations failed.
The man is from the Dominican Republic and has prior criminal convictions.
Representative Ocasio-Cortez called for ICE to be abolished, labeling it as a lawless and paramilitary agency.
Protests and clashes with police occurred at the scene, involving local community members and incoming representative Darializa Avila Chevalier.
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The U.S. military will carry out the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter, by firing squad on December 3 at Fort Hood, Texas. For the first time since the 1930s, the execution will be livestreamed for the public to watch online, although it is not clear if people can attend in person.
Key Facts
Nidal Malik Hasan was convicted for killing 13 people and injuring over 30 in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting.
The execution is scheduled for December 3, 1 p.m., and will be conducted by a firing squad of soldiers.
The execution will be livestreamed, marking the first publicly viewable U.S. execution since the 1930s.
The last widely known public executions were hangings in Kentucky (1936) and Missouri (1937), watched by large crowds.
The Death Penalty Information Center says no U.S. execution has been livestreamed before.
There is debate about showing the execution live, with some experts concerned it may be cruel or terrorizing.
Public support for the death penalty in the U.S. has declined over the past 20 years.
The Pentagon confirmed the livestream, but details about public attendance at the site are not yet clear.
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Democrats have stated what they plan to do if they win control of the House and Senate in the upcoming election. They want to investigate President Trump’s family businesses, his IRS settlement, immigration enforcement, corporate behavior, and vaccine handling by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Key Facts
Jamie Raskin renewed a request for documents about Jared Kushner’s dual role as President Trump’s adviser and private equity firm head.
Democrats want to investigate the Trump family’s business dealings, including links to foreign governments and expensive gifts like a Qatar plane.
The Department of Justice settled a $10 billion lawsuit from President Trump against the IRS, stopping audits of Trump and his family’s past tax returns.
Senate Democrats asked for a bipartisan investigation into why the IRS was barred from auditing Trump-related finances.
Democrats sent letters to companies connected to Trump’s finances to ask if they rely on the IRS settlement as protection.
Investigations may also include the $Trump meme coin and financial ties between Trump family members and certain companies.
House Democrats have plans to investigate immigration enforcement and corporate profiteering as additional priorities.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s handling of vaccines is another topic Democrats want to review.
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Jewish Americans make up about 2% of voters and mostly support Democrats, but they are not a single, unified voting group. Many white Evangelical Christians strongly support Israel more than many American Jews, some of whom now question Israel’s actions in Gaza. In recent elections, issues like affordability have become more important to voters than foreign policy or Israel.
Key Facts
Jewish Americans tend to vote in large numbers and mostly for Democrats (79% chose Kamala Harris in 2024).
Jews are mainly concentrated in a few U.S. districts, especially in New York, New Jersey, California, and Florida.
Florida’s 21st district recently switched from Democrat to Republican due to redistricting.
Orthodox Jews in areas like Lakewood, New Jersey, tend to be more conservative.
White Evangelical Christians, many part of Christian Zionist groups, are strong supporters of Israel, sometimes more than Jewish voters.
Christian Zionists believe the establishment of Israel is part of a religious plan related to the end of the world.
A 2025 poll showed many American Jews believe Israel has committed war crimes in Gaza, with some using the term genocide.
Voters in 2024 focused more on issues like affordability rather than foreign policy or Israel.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized the shooting of an immigrant by a federal officer in the city while a child was nearby. Mayor Mamdani said the shooting was unjustified and discussed the incident with President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security.
Key Facts
An immigrant was shot by a federal officer in New York City on Thursday.
A child was present at the scene of the shooting.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the shooting unjustified and expressed anger over it.
Mayor Mamdani is a member of the Democratic Party.
He spent two hours on Thursday night talking with President Donald Trump and Homeland Security officials about the incident.
The shooting prompted strong reactions from New York City authorities.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized a shooting by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer that took place near a child in New York. The mayor said there is no good reason for federal officers to fire many shots into a car with a young child inside.
Key Facts
The shooting involved a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer.
It happened in New York City.
A man was shot by the ICE officer.
There was a five-year-old child inside the car during the incident.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke out against the shooting.
Mayor Mamdani said he sees no reason to use such tactics in this case.
The incident took place recently, and the mayor made his statement late Thursday.
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New forecasts show 18 U.S. House races moving toward the Democrats just weeks before the midterm elections. The Cook Political Report now predicts Democrats could gain 9 to 19 seats, potentially winning the House majority.
Key Facts
18 House races have shifted toward Democrats in recent forecast updates.
Five races changed from toss-ups to leaning Democratic.
Four races changed from leaning Republican to toss-ups.
Democrats are now predicted to gain between 9 and 19 seats.
If Democrats gain these seats, they would have 224 to 234 seats total.
The House majority requires 218 seats.
These predictions come less than four weeks before the midterm elections.
The Cook Political Report provides the new forecast data.
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Congress is considering a bill to speed up permits for energy projects, which could help both fossil fuel and renewable energy industries. However, political issues, including President Trump’s stance, environmental groups, utilities, and election outcomes, may cause the bill to fail.
Key Facts
The bill aims to make it easier and faster to get government approval for energy projects.
President Trump’s support is uncertain, and his administration’s approach to wind and solar energy could affect the bill.
Some Democrats believe waiting until after the November elections might give them more influence over the bill.
Environmental groups closely linked to Democrats are still deciding whether to support the bill.
Utilities may face more competition and stronger rules if the bill passes, leading to mixed feelings in that sector.
The busy schedule before the end of the current Congress (the "lame-duck" session) could limit the time to pass the bill.
House Republicans want to change parts of the bill, especially around electricity rules.
If Republicans lose their majority in the House, they may be less motivated to help pass the bill.
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Cargo theft in the U.S. and Canada is increasing and causing big losses for businesses and higher prices for consumers. Law enforcement is using new technology like infrared drones to catch thieves by seeing their heat signatures on trains and cargo yards.
Key Facts
Cargo theft costs the U.S. between $15 billion and $35 billion every year.
In 2025, reported cargo theft losses in the U.S. and Canada reached nearly $725 million, up 60% from 2024.
Police across more than two dozen states conducted a special coordinated operation using infrared drones to track cargo thieves.
Infrared drones detect the heat from people hiding near trains and cargo, helping police catch thieves without using lights or sirens.
Illinois ranks third in cargo theft cases, after California and Texas.
Thieves steal electronics, sneakers, cereal, and other items by breaking seals on cargo containers.
Authorities say cargo theft is highly organized and as profitable as drug trafficking.
The rise in cargo theft may cause higher prices for consumers, especially during the holiday season.
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Federal agents, railroad police, and local law enforcement in over two dozen states worked together in a nationwide operation to stop train cargo theft. They used special infrared drone cameras to catch thieves stealing goods from trains.
Key Facts
The crackdown was the first national operation focused on cargo theft from trains.
Law enforcement from more than 24 states took part.
The operation used infrared drone cameras to track suspects at night.
Cargo theft from trains has become a growing problem.
The effort targeted both the tracks and nearby highways.
The operation was coordinated by federal agents and railroad police.
The goal was to reduce the theft of goods transported by train.
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The article explains that Congress behaves the way it does because of the way politicians try to get elected. To make Congress work better and pass more laws, the system that motivates politicians during elections needs to be changed.
Key Facts
Congress is currently not performing as well as it could.
Politicians’ actions in Congress are influenced by what helps them win elections.
Changing the rules or incentives around elections could lead to a more effective Congress.
The article focuses on the relationship between election motives and legislative behavior.
Improving Congress means addressing how politicians are rewarded or punished by voters.
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A government review looked at how autism, ADHD, and mental health issues are diagnosed and supported in young people in the UK. It found concerns about too many autism and ADHD diagnoses but said mental health problems are increasing and real. The review also said that support systems like the NHS and schools are not meeting young people’s needs well.
Key Facts
The review was commissioned 10 months ago by then-health secretary Wes Streeting.
Autism diagnoses in children aged 6 to 17 have risen to over 4%, higher than the estimated 1-2% true level.
Data on autism rates are old and incomplete, so the review could not confirm large-scale over-diagnosis.
Mental health problems in 16 to 24-year-olds have increased from 1 in 6 to 1 in 4 in the last 30 years.
Serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia have not increased, but anxiety, depression, self-harm, and eating disorders have.
Diagnosis can sometimes limit young people by focusing on difficulties instead of their strengths.
Many young people with ADHD or autism are not in education, employment, or training, showing a need for better support.
Waiting times for assessments and treatments in the NHS are too long, and support after diagnosis is inadequate in schools and workplaces.
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Senator Thom Tillis criticized the U.S. military's decision to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, who was convicted for the Fort Hood shooting. Tillis said the execution should happen but broadcasting it live is inappropriate.
Key Facts
Nidal Hasan was convicted for the Fort Hood shooting.
The U.S. military plans to livestream Hasan’s execution.
Senator Thom Tillis called livestreaming the execution “beyond disgusting.”
Tillis supports the death penalty for Hasan but opposes public broadcasting of it.
The execution is scheduled to take place soon.
The issue has sparked public discussion about the appropriateness of livestreaming executions.
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Democrats are gaining ground in several areas of the U.S. that usually vote Republican, including Florida, Kansas, Iowa, and Texas. This rise comes as many voters express frustration with current government leaders and seek new options ahead of the upcoming elections.
Key Facts
Angie Nixon, a Democratic Socialist, won the Democratic primary for Senate in Florida.
Florida’s Democratic governor candidate David Jolly is running very closely to Republican Byron Donalds.
Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have supported Democratic candidates in Florida.
Democrats are competitive in other Republican areas like Kansas and Iowa.
Texas Democrats James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa are gaining attention in Senate and governor races.
Many voters are unhappy with the current government and are willing to vote for unfamiliar parties or candidates.
Some Republican candidates, like Roger Marshall in Kansas and Ken Paxton in Texas, face scandals and controversies.
Both major parties remain unpopular overall, and future elections will require strong messages and candidates to keep voter interest.
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A leading House Democrat wants the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) inspector general to investigate claims that HHS gave false or misleading information in lawsuits about the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) unauthorized access to government computer systems. The request was made in a letter sent on Friday.
Key Facts
A top House Democrat raised concerns about HHS providing incorrect or fake information.
The issue is connected to ongoing lawsuits involving the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
DOGE is accused of infiltrating government information systems without permission.
The Democrat asked HHS’s inspector general to look into these claims.
The request was made official through a letter sent on a Friday.
The letter was first shared with the media before becoming public.
The investigation would focus on HHS’s role and accuracy in the lawsuit process.
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