A US trial began in Brooklyn against China’s Huawei, with prosecutors accusing the company of stealing technology from American firms to grow its business. Huawei denies these claims, saying it succeeded through normal competition and innovation.
Key Facts
The US Department of Justice called Huawei a criminal enterprise involved in theft, lies, and cover-ups for 20 years.
Prosecutors say Huawei stole trade secrets from five US companies, including Cisco and T-Mobile.
Video evidence reportedly shows a Huawei employee stealing a robotic arm from T-Mobile.
Huawei’s lawyers argue the company’s success comes from competition, not crime, and that incidents were caused by individual employees.
Huawei is restricted from doing business freely in the US, with export controls on US technology to China’s telecom firm.
China’s government opposes US actions and supports Huawei in protecting its rights.
The case started in 2018 with charges including bank fraud and violating US sanctions related to Iran.
Huawei’s CFO, Meng Wanzhou, was detained in 2018 but later released in a diplomatic deal; some of her statements will be used as evidence in the trial.
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President Donald Trump pledged to give $5,000 to every American adult if the Republican Party keeps control of both the House and Senate after the November 3 midterm elections. The plan would cost over $1 trillion and would need approval by Congress, and experts say it could increase inflation.
Key Facts
President Trump promised $5,000 to each adult in the U.S. if Republicans win both chambers in the midterms.
About 276.8 million adults live in the U.S.; the total cost would be around $1.38 trillion.
Payments would require Congress to approve funding, as the president cannot spend money without this authorization.
Federal law prohibits offering money directly for votes, but this pledge is a campaign promise applying to all adults regardless of voting.
Similar Trump payment promises in the past, such as $2,000 checks from tariffs, were never carried out.
Giving every adult $5,000 could increase inflation, which is already at 3.4%, higher than the target of 2%.
The government collected $195 billion in tariff revenue in 2025, far less than the total needed for the pledge.
The Supreme Court recently struck down Trump’s tariffs that generated much of the tariff revenue.
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A proposal to raise or remove the Social Security payroll tax income cap is gaining support ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This change aims to fix Social Security’s funding problem and prevent benefit cuts starting in 2032 unless Congress acts.
Key Facts
Social Security is currently funded by payroll taxes on wages up to $184,500 in 2026; earnings above this are not taxed for Social Security.
The program faces a shortfall that could cause automatic benefit cuts around 2032 if no changes are made.
Democrats and some Republicans, including Senator Bernie Moreno, support removing or raising the tax cap to improve funding.
Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Moreno are working together on legislation to eliminate the income cap for Social Security taxes.
Iowa Senate candidate Josh Turek supports lifting the cap as part of efforts to strengthen Social Security finances.
The proposal may become a key topic in the 2026 midterm elections.
Removing the cap would mean high earners pay Social Security taxes on all their income, similar to middle-class workers.
Supporters argue this change would maintain benefits without cuts and make the tax system fairer.
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Rep. Madeleine Dean criticized Sen. John Fetterman for his video appearance at the Republican midterm convention. She said the appearance was a “stunt” and that many people in her district are upset by it.
Key Facts
Rep. Madeleine Dean represents Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Sen. John Fetterman is a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania.
Fetterman appeared in a video during the Republican midterm convention.
Dean called this video appearance a “stunt.”
She described the video as “gravely disappointing.”
Dean said people in suburban Philadelphia are angry about it.
The comments were made at a House Democratic event.
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The Trump administration plans to change census rules by excluding undocumented immigrants from the population count used for political representation. The proposal also suggests removing questions about race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation from the census, which could affect civil rights enforcement and political maps.
Key Facts
The 2030 census proposal aims to exclude undocumented immigrants and people without lawful permanent status from the population count.
The Census Bureau argues these people are not "true inhabitants" or do not have "usual residence" in the U.S. due to lack of "allegiance."
Removing undocumented immigrants could cause states like California, Florida, and Texas to lose House seats.
The proposal also suggests removing questions about race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation from the census questionnaire.
Race and ethnicity questions have been part of the census since 1790 and are important for enforcing civil rights laws.
The American Community Survey (ACS) will still ask demographic questions but is not a substitute for the census’s full population count.
Legal challenges are expected, with New York’s Attorney General ready to oppose the changes.
The plan follows failed attempts during Trump’s first term to add a citizenship question to the census.
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A former PE teacher, Bronwen James, admitted to and was found guilty of sexually abusing three students at schools in Hampshire and Wiltshire. She faces a lengthy jail sentence after exploiting her position of trust to groom and abuse these children.
Key Facts
Bronwen James, age 30, abused two girls and one boy aged between 13 and 16.
The abuse happened at schools in Southampton, Hampshire, and Wiltshire.
James was convicted of multiple crimes including sexual activity with a child and making indecent photos.
The boy was groomed through messages and physical encounters, including sex.
The schools learned of the abuse after another student showed texts suggesting a sexual relationship.
James received a warning early in her career for unprofessional behavior towards a pupil.
The Crown Prosecution Service called the abuse a “sustained pattern of predatory behaviour.”
A judge is preparing reports to decide James’s sentencing later this year.
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Jimmy Kimmel will interview Senate candidate James Talarico on YouTube, not on ABC TV, because of pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, is reviewing ABC’s licenses and investigating political interviews after complaints from President Donald Trump and others.
Key Facts
Jimmy Kimmel’s usual TV interview with Democratic candidate James Talarico will only be on YouTube to avoid FCC-related problems for ABC stations.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has threatened to revoke ABC station licenses over perceived "news distortion" related to Kimmel’s show.
The FCC started an early license review of ABC’s TV stations following President Trump’s call to fire Kimmel over a joke.
The FCC is investigating ABC’s The View after it aired an interview with James Talarico, questioning if it should keep its exemption from the “equal-time” rule.
The “equal-time” rule means TV stations must give equal airtime to opposing political candidates if requested.
The FCC now wants talk shows motivated by political reasons to follow the equal-time rule, but has not applied this to mostly conservative talk radio.
Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the FCC’s threats as unlawful and harming press freedom.
Similar pressure also affected Stephen Colbert’s interview with Talarico, which was moved to YouTube after legal concerns.
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The U.S. Justice Department and Education Department said that UC Berkeley's law school is giving preference to Black applicants over white and Asian applicants. They claim this practice breaks federal rules against discrimination.
Key Facts
The Justice Department (DOJ) and Education Department made the allegation on a Wednesday.
They say UC Berkeley Law favors Black applicants in admissions.
This alleged preference is said to disadvantage white and Asian applicants.
The complaint was sent in a letter to the law school's attorney, Tania Faransso.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon wrote the letter.
The departments say this violates federal anti-discrimination laws.
UC Berkeley Law is currently under review for its admissions policies.
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The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Missouri congressional maps supported by President Donald Trump. This allows the state to use a different map approved in 2022, as ordered by Missouri’s highest court, ahead of the midterm elections.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court did not approve the congressional maps backed by President Trump.
These maps aimed to help Republicans gain an extra House seat in Missouri.
Missouri’s 2022 map, approved by the state’s highest court, will likely be used instead.
The legal fight over the maps has caused confusion just before voting begins.
The court’s decision affects control of Missouri’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Mail ballots for the November midterm election will be sent out soon.
The Trump administration pushed the Supreme Court to keep its preferred maps.
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A new report finds that about half of U.S. hospitals fully follow federal rules requiring them to share their prices openly. The report, by a nonprofit group, shows hospitals are doing better than before but many still do not provide all the required cost information.
Key Facts
About 49.4% of U.S. hospitals fully comply with the federal price transparency rules.
These rules require hospitals to share prices for their services clearly and publicly.
Compliance has reached a new high compared to previous years.
The report was released by Patient Rights Advocate (PRA), a nonprofit organization.
This is the eighth report on hospital price transparency by PRA.
Many hospitals still fail to share complete price information as the federal rule demands.
Price transparency helps patients understand medical costs before receiving care.
Federal price transparency rules aim to increase competition and lower healthcare costs.
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A federal appeals court refused to remove a block on a new U.S. Postal Service rule about mail ballots before the November midterm elections. The court agreed with a lower judge's decision that the rule could cause confusion and stop many voters from casting ballots, and said there was no proof the rule would stop voting fraud.
Key Facts
The appeals court decision came from a three-judge panel in the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
The court said the Postal Service's new mail ballot rule might cause voter confusion and block many votes.
There is no clear evidence of past or expected large-scale fraud in mail voting, according to the court.
The rule requires states to use special barcodes on mail ballots and send voter information to the Postal Service.
Postal workers must check ballots and can return those that don’t meet the new rules.
A lower court judge blocked the rule, saying it was likely unconstitutional and could harm voters.
The appeals court said election rules belong to states and Congress, not the Postal Service.
The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to allow the rule anyway, but so far, the high court has not acted.
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The FDA is investigating a salmonella outbreak connected to broccoli sprouts that had been recalled. The CDC and state officials found 22 people infected across four states, with two hospitalizations but no deaths.
Key Facts
The FDA is looking into a salmonella outbreak tied to broccoli sprouts.
The CDC and state partners identified 22 cases in four states.
Two people were hospitalized due to salmonella symptoms.
No deaths have been linked to this outbreak.
The broccoli sprouts involved were recalled as a safety measure.
The investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope of the outbreak.
Salmonella is a bacteria that causes food poisoning, leading to symptoms like stomach pain and diarrhea.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio is finishing a tour in South America, visiting countries led by conservative governments. He is meeting with Peru’s new President Keiko Fujimori to discuss cooperation on fighting drug trafficking and reducing illegal immigration in the region.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio is Secretary of State and is visiting three South American countries.
The countries he is visiting are led by conservative leaders.
Rubio has already met with leaders from Colombia and Ecuador.
He is meeting Peru’s new President Keiko Fujimori.
The talks focus on fighting drug trafficking and illegal immigration.
The Trump administration is increasing efforts against narcotics and immigration in the Western Hemisphere.
Rubio and President Trump emphasize a tough approach to "narcoterrorism," including military actions against drug traffickers.
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Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for California governor, said he would close the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and set a flat annual car registration fee if elected. He described the DMV as a large, inefficient agency and wants to move some services online and handle others at local offices.
Key Facts
Steve Hilton is running for governor of California as a Republican.
He proposes abolishing the DMV and charging $73 per year for car registration.
Hilton criticized the DMV as a “bloated bureaucracy” with high costs and long wait times.
California’s legislature, controlled by Democrats, must approve any plan to close the DMV.
Democrats hold a strong majority in the California state assembly and senate.
Hilton is behind Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra in recent polls.
The DMV budget for 2025-2026 is $1.46 billion.
Becerra’s campaign said Hilton’s plan could risk driver safety by outsourcing some checks.
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President Donald Trump said that if Republicans keep control of both the House and Senate after the midterm elections, every American adult would receive a $5,000 payment. Some Republican lawmakers criticized the plan, questioning how it would be paid for and warning it could worsen inflation, while others supported the idea.
Key Facts
President Trump announced a $5,000 payment to every adult American if Republicans control Congress after the midterms.
The announcement was made during the Republican midterm convention in Dallas.
Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie criticized the plan, calling it an insult and suggested $10,000 would be more appropriate, while warning about inflation.
Marjorie Taylor Greene estimated the cost of Trump’s plan combined with other proposals could reach $1.6 trillion.
Former Republican Justin Amash called the plan “economically illiterate” and a large redistribution of wealth.
The estimated cost of the $5,000 payments is between $1.2 trillion and $1.35 trillion according to outside analysis.
Vice President JD Vance said the payments would mainly target working Americans and suggested tariffs could help fund the plan.
Some Republicans fear the proposal will increase government spending and question its feasibility, while others support Trump’s focus on helping Americans with affordability.
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A US appeals court refused President Donald Trump’s request to limit mail-in voting rules ahead of the November midterm elections. The court kept a lower court’s order in place that stops the Postal Service from changing mail-in voting procedures.
Key Facts
President Trump sought to impose stricter rules on mail-in voting before the midterm elections.
A lower court issued an injunction blocking changes to mail-in voting rules.
The Boston-based first US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld this injunction.
The appeals court did not allow the Postal Service to tighten mail voting rules.
The US Supreme Court also blocked President Trump’s attempts to set new mail-in voting requirements.
President Trump has criticized mail-in voting but has used it himself in the past.
These legal decisions maintain current mail-in voting procedures for the upcoming midterms.
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David Morales, a 27-year-old democratic socialist, won the Democratic primary for mayor in Providence, Rhode Island, defeating the current mayor, Brett Smiley. Morales is now the favorite to win the upcoming November election and has promised to make changes like limiting rent increases, building affordable housing, and supporting immigrants.
Key Facts
David Morales won the Democratic primary for mayor in Providence, Rhode Island.
Morales is 27 years old and could become the youngest mayor in the city’s history.
He was endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
Morales plans to cap annual rent increases at 4%, build more affordable housing, and raise taxes on polluters and landlords.
The current mayor, Brett Smiley, vetoed a rent-stabilization law and faced criticism for a large property tax increase.
Morales supports making Providence a sanctuary city to protect immigrants from federal immigration agents.
Morales opposes President Trump’s anti-immigrant policies and has criticized Israel’s government actions in Gaza.
This win is part of a trend with other democratic socialists winning key elections in U.S. cities recently.
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President Donald Trump announced plans to send $500 rebate checks to about 1 million Americans. These rebates are for people who, according to the White House, were charged too much for their ObamaCare health insurance.
Key Facts
The Trump administration plans to send $500 rebate checks.
About 1 million people will receive these rebate checks.
The rebates are meant for those who were allegedly overcharged for ObamaCare coverage.
The announcement was made in a recorded message posted on the White House’s social media account on X.
President Trump claimed, without providing proof, that the Biden administration overcharged some health insurance enrollees under ObamaCare.
The rebates are intended as compensation for these overcharges.
The Biden administration has not confirmed or responded to these allegations in this report.
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President Donald Trump has made various public statements about the September 11 terrorist attacks over the years, including personal memories and claims about his actions at Ground Zero. On the 25th anniversary in 2025, he spoke at a Pentagon ceremony, honoring victims and warning potential attackers, while disputing reports about his decision to attend the Pentagon instead of the New York commemoration.
Key Facts
Nearly 3,000 people died in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
On September 11, 2025, President Trump spoke at a remembrance event at the Pentagon.
Trump described the attacks as a fight against “pure evil” and vowed never to forget the victims.
He said Americans showed great courage on 9/11 in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Trump disputed reports that he chose the Pentagon ceremony over the Ground Zero event because he was not allowed to speak.
He shared that on 9/11, he was at Trump Tower in New York City, watching the attacks from his windows.
Trump said he brought construction workers to Lower Manhattan shortly after the attacks and recounted firefighters helping him avoid a dangerous building.
He stated his accounts of being near Ground Zero were accurate and clarified he was not at the site when the towers fell but arrived soon after.
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A recent survey shows that nearly 30% of U.S. college students believe that using violence to stop a campus speaker can be acceptable. This survey was conducted one year after conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was killed at Utah Valley University.
Key Facts
About 30% of U.S. college students think violence to stop a speaker on campus is acceptable at least sometimes.
The survey included roughly 63,000 college students across the country.
The timing of the survey marks one year since the death of Charlie Kirk on a university campus.
Charlie Kirk was a conservative commentator who was killed at Utah Valley University.
The survey reflects attitudes about free speech and campus safety.
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