A political ad by Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign for Ohio governor caused controversy by featuring the estranged mother of his opponent, Amy Acton, accusing her of lying about her childhood abuse. Vice President JD Vance defended the ad but faced criticism from other Republicans, including Governor Mike DeWine, who called for the ad's removal.
Key Facts
Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign spent $4 million on a TV ad targeting Amy Acton, his Democratic opponent.
The ad includes Acton's estranged mother accusing Amy of lying about childhood abuse.
Amy Acton said she was sexually abused by her stepfather and that her mother failed to protect her.
Vice President JD Vance supports Ramaswamy and defended the controversial ad.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, asked Ramaswamy to take down the ad.
Several Republicans, including Senator Jon Husted and Nikki Haley, criticized the ad.
JD Vance has campaigned for and endorsed Ramaswamy, showing their close political relationship.
The controversy is seen as a risk to Vance's political future as he considers a 2028 presidential run.
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President Donald Trump signed a new law called the Clergy Act, which allows certain religious leaders who previously chose to opt out of Social Security to change their minds and join the program again. This change applies to a specific group of ministers, members of religious orders, and Christian Science practitioners starting in 2029 or 2030.
Key Facts
The new law, called the Clergy Act, was signed by President Trump on a Tuesday.
It gives a temporary chance for some clergy who opted out of Social Security to opt back in.
This change only affects ministers, religious order members without a vow of poverty, and Christian Science practitioners who had an exemption under tax laws.
Roughly 2,000 people are estimated to have taken the Social Security opt-out.
Clergy must revoke their exemption by the tax return deadline for the year starting after December 31, 2028, meaning 2029 or 2030.
Once they opt back in, they cannot opt out again.
The law does not affect people outside this small group who chose not to participate in Social Security.
Although it helps clergy get retirement benefits, they still need enough work credits to qualify for Social Security.
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been allowed to test a nonlethal heat ray weapon called the Active Denial System (ADS) to help manage illegal immigration at the southern border. This weapon uses electromagnetic waves to create a strong burning sensation on the skin, causing people to move away without serious injury.
Key Facts
Secretary Pete Hegseth gave permission in September for DHS to test the ADS weapon.
The ADS emits invisible electromagnetic waves that heat the skin's surface quickly, causing intense but temporary pain.
President Donald Trump has made border security and stopping illegal immigration a key focus of his current term.
The ADS can target people up to about 1,000 meters (0.62 miles) away.
The pain caused by ADS is like "an intensified version of opening an oven," making people move away rapidly.
The weapon is designed not to cause lasting harm, but some users have reported burns or blisters during tests or accidents.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture has said weapons like ADS should not be used in law enforcement because they may violate human rights.
The ADS has not yet been used actively in combat or policing but is being evaluated for border security use.
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A judge has ordered President Donald Trump to give a deposition by December 11 in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC. The BBC’s lawyers said Trump delayed the deposition without a valid reason, and the lawsuit is set to go to trial in 2027.
Key Facts
President Trump is involved in a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC.
A federal judge ordered Trump to attend a deposition by December 11.
The deposition is part of the discovery process in the lawsuit.
The BBC’s lawyers complained that Trump delayed attending the deposition.
Trump canceled a previous agreed-upon deposition date of October 16.
Trump cited a "matter of national importance" for canceling but was campaigning in Georgia on that day.
The trial for the lawsuit is scheduled for 2027.
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A federal judge in California has ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to stop investigations in nine states looking into whether noncitizens are registered to vote. The judge said the data used was full of errors and the investigations were intimidating voter assistance groups. The pause will last until the November 3 election unless the government appeals.
Key Facts
The investigation targets nine states: California, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The judge, Araceli Martínez-Olguín, ruled the data used was unreliable and caused intimidation toward voter helpers.
The order was issued on Wednesday but delayed until Friday to allow the Trump administration to appeal.
The administration claims the effort seeks to remove illegal votes by noncitizens but previous findings show noncitizen voting is rare.
Investigators were asked to review flagged voters quickly, with only 12 minutes per person, increasing the chance of mistakes.
Some U.S. citizens feared they were wrongly targeted, leading to fewer people attending voting events or monitoring polls.
The Department of Homeland Security stated it won’t investigate people believed to be U.S. citizens.
The investigation is known as the “Unlawful Voter Initiative” and was revealed through a whistleblower report by Democratic senators.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s team accidentally dropped and damaged a historic World War II-era globe that once belonged to General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The incident happened while moving the 30-inch floor globe to Hegseth’s office.
Key Facts
The globe dates back to World War II.
It was previously used by General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The globe measures about 30 inches in diameter.
Hegseth’s staff was moving the globe to the Defense Secretary’s office.
During the move, the team lost control and the globe fell.
The fall caused damage to the historic artifact.
The information was reported by a source familiar with the incident.
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A recent Harvard Youth Poll shows that young voters aged 18 to 29 prefer Democrats over Republicans by a large margin ahead of the upcoming election. Among those certain to vote, Democrats lead by 37 points, while on a generic House ballot, they lead by 21 points.
Key Facts
The poll focuses on young voters aged 18 to 29.
Democrats lead Republicans by 37 points among young voters who say they will definitely vote.
On a generic House ballot among all young voters, Democrats lead by 21 points (45% to 24%).
The poll was conducted by Harvard University.
The survey aims to measure voting preferences before the fall election.
Young voters show significantly more support for Democrats than Republicans.
The data suggests potential trends in youth voter turnout and party preference.
This information can influence campaign strategies targeting young voters.
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Vice President Vance announced a $1.3 billion investment to build fertilizer manufacturing in Nebraska while supporting Senator Pete Ricketts in his reelection campaign. He praised Senator Ricketts for supporting farmers and emphasized the importance of domestic fertilizer production.
Key Facts
Vice President Vance made a $1.3 billion investment announcement for fertilizer manufacturing in Nebraska.
The announcement took place during a rally for Republican candidates.
Senator Pete Ricketts, a Republican from Nebraska, is running for reelection.
Vance said Senator Ricketts has worked to support farmers in Nebraska.
The investment aims to increase domestic fertilizer production, which helps farmers by providing local supplies.
The announcement is part of efforts to boost local agriculture and manufacturing jobs.
Fertilizer is an important product that helps crops grow better and supports farming.
The rally showed political support for Republicans in Nebraska ahead of upcoming elections.
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President Donald Trump said he asked Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai to rename the Atlantic Ocean after himself or America, but Google declined. Trump has previously renamed places like the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario on Google Maps as part of his efforts during trade disputes.
Key Facts
President Trump asked Google to rename the Atlantic Ocean after him or America.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai rejected the request, saying oceans are different and affect many countries.
Trump has renamed the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America" and Lake Ontario to "Lake America" on Google Maps for U.S. users.
These name changes were made during trade disputes with Mexico and Canada.
Google shows different place names depending on the user’s country, keeping original names for Mexico and Canada users.
Trump has also suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz to "Trump Strait."
Google has previously made changes following Trump’s requests but faced criticism from other countries.
The Guardian contacted Google for comment, but no response was included in the article.
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Braden Peters, known as the influencer Clavicular, has pleaded not guilty to charges including felony rape related to an incident in Massachusetts in 2025. He was granted bail and ordered to avoid contact with the accuser as his case moves to a hearing in November.
Key Facts
Braden Peters, aged 20 and known as Clavicular, is a social media influencer promoting "looksmaxxing," which means maximizing physical attractiveness.
He faces charges of felony rape, drugging someone for sex, and giving alcohol to a person under 21.
The alleged incident involved a 17-year-old girl at his family’s home in Massachusetts on May 23, 2025.
Peters denies the charges and says the sexual encounter was consensual.
He was released on $10,000 bail and told not to contact or post about the accuser and to give up his passport.
Peters has more than a million followers on TikTok and Instagram.
He is known for extreme physical changes like using a hammer on his face and taking steroids.
Peters has faced other legal issues, including a firearm charge in Florida and a battery investigation, though no recent charges were filed for the latter.
The next court hearing is scheduled for November 24 to decide if the case will continue.
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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine condemned a political ad from GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy that featured his Democratic opponent Amy Acton’s estranged mother accusing her of lying. DeWine called the ad “wrong” and urged Ramaswamy to stop airing it, despite still supporting him and the Republican ticket overall.
Key Facts
The ad shows Amy Acton’s estranged mother calling Acton a liar.
Acton and her mother have been estranged since Acton was 12 due to past abuse allegations.
Acton has publicly shared her experience with abuse and criticized the ad as “horrible and hideous.”
Governor DeWine, a former prosecutor, condemned the ad and emphasized protecting victims of abuse.
Despite condemning the ad, DeWine said he will not change his endorsement of Ramaswamy.
Other Ohio Republicans have also criticized the ad and called on Ramaswamy to change his campaign strategy.
The ad came just before important midterm elections in Ohio, including governor, Senate, and House races.
Ramaswamy confirmed his campaign produced the ad, which has faced bipartisan backlash.
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The North Carolina State Fair is currently taking place in Raleigh and has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors. ABC News reporter Leslie Lopez is covering the event live.
Key Facts
The North Carolina State Fair is happening in Raleigh.
The event has already drawn hundreds of thousands of people.
ABC News correspondent Leslie Lopez is reporting from the fair.
The article was published on October 22, 2026.
The fair is a large public event attracting many visitors.
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The Social Security Administration (SSA) has added new information to Social Security cards for newborns to help parents claim and manage "Trump Accounts," a new type of savings account for children. These accounts include a one-time $1,000 contribution from the U.S. Treasury for eligible children born from 2025 to 2028.
Key Facts
The SSA now includes an information insert about Trump Accounts with newborn Social Security cards.
Trump Accounts are special savings accounts for children under 18 with a valid Social Security number.
Eligible children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, can receive a one-time $1,000 government contribution.
Parents, relatives, and friends can contribute up to $5,000 per year to these accounts; employers can add up to $2,500 within this limit.
Funds in Trump Accounts are invested in approved U.S. stock index funds and generally cannot be withdrawn before the child turns 18.
The SSA and Treasury Department work together to inform parents about the accounts when issuing Social Security numbers at birth.
Starting October 1, 2026, eligible children will be automatically enrolled by the Treasury, but parents must activate and claim the accounts to manage them.
Parents must also elect to receive the $1,000 contribution if their child qualifies.
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Karoline Leavitt, who was previously the White House press secretary, said that Katie Zacharia, who quit after less than a week in the job, was not suited for the position. Leavitt explained that being a White House press secretary is a very difficult role.
Key Facts
Katie Zacharia resigned as White House press secretary after less than one week.
Karoline Leavitt was the press secretary before Zacharia.
Leavitt said the job is very challenging because of its demands.
Leavitt believes Zacharia was not a good match for the role.
The White House press secretary is the official spokesperson for the President and the administration.
The job involves speaking to the media and explaining government policies.
Rapid changes in this position can affect how the White House communicates with the public.
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Vice President JD Vance was giving a rally speech in Nebraska when a woman behind him fainted. He asked the crowd to pray for her, and after she recovered, he checked on her in the audience. Vance was there to support Republican candidates Senator Pete Ricketts and Governor Jim Pillen, both running for reelection.
Key Facts
The event took place in North Platte, Nebraska.
A woman fainted in the stands behind Vice President Vance during his speech.
Vance led the crowd in prayer while the woman was being helped.
The woman seemed to recover, and Vance visited her in the crowd afterward.
Vance was campaigning for Republican Senator Pete Ricketts and Governor Jim Pillen.
Nebraska’s 2026 Senate race is becoming more competitive, shifting from "Likely Republican" to "Leans Republican."
Other Republicans, including President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have visited Nebraska recently to support Republican candidates.
The rally aims to encourage Republican voter turnout in the upcoming elections.
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President Donald Trump signed a law that changes Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona into Chiricahua National Park, the nation’s 64th national park. This move has brought attention to other places across the U.S. that may become national parks next, including sites in Georgia, Pennsylvania/New Jersey, and Idaho.
Key Facts
Chiricahua National Park is in southeastern Arizona, near Willcox, and is known for its rock formations and diverse wildlife.
The park was previously a national monument before being redesignated as a national park by law signed by President Trump.
This change does not alter the park’s physical boundaries, only its official status.
Chiricahua is Arizona’s fourth national park, joining Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro.
Creating a national park requires a bill to pass Congress and be signed by the president.
The Ocmulgee Mounds site in Georgia is a leading candidate for national park status, with legislation under consideration.
There is a citizen campaign to upgrade Delaware Water Gap, spanning Pennsylvania and New Jersey, from a recreation area to a national park.
Idaho also has efforts underway to propose new national parks.
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Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, is working with Joe Manchin, an independent and former Democrat, to attract moderate voters in Maine. Manchin campaigned with Collins to help her gain broader support.
Key Facts
Susan Collins is a Republican Senator from Maine.
Joe Manchin was a Democrat but is now an independent.
Manchin is helping Collins appeal to moderate voters.
They campaigned together in Maine.
This effort aims to widen Collins' voter base.
Manchin's involvement is notable because he was previously a Democrat.
The campaign targets voters in Maine, a state with a mix of political views.
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A US judge has ordered President Donald Trump to answer questions under oath by 11 December in his defamation lawsuit against the BBC. Trump sued the BBC over a TV program that edited parts of a speech he gave before the US Capitol riot in 2021, which the BBC later apologized for.
Key Facts
President Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against the BBC about a Panorama episode.
The episode edited together parts of a speech Trump gave before the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
The BBC apologized, saying the program wrongly suggested Trump called for violence.
A US judge ordered Trump to attend a deposition, an official sworn interview, by 11 December.
Trump canceled a previous deposition appointment due to his campaign activities in Georgia.
Trump's lawyers asked to delay the deposition to between 11 and 22 January 2027.
The BBC has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, saying the program was not defamatory and not shown in the US.
Trump dropped the lawsuit against BBC Studios, the commercial side of BBC, which had no role in the program.
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Several West Coast states asked the CDC to approve a new fast and large-scale measles test to better prepare for outbreaks. The CDC declined the request, saying it is focusing on newer testing technologies, while states want better tools to handle potential large measles outbreaks.
Key Facts
California, Washington, Hawaii, and Oregon jointly requested the CDC in May to validate a rapid, high-volume test for measles.
After waiting two months, the CDC denied the request, citing other priorities.
The states want the CDC to develop and publish testing protocols for measles and other important disease threats.
Current measles tests are low-volume and slower, like individual PCR tests. PCR is a way to detect viruses from samples.
During COVID-19, labs bought machines that can process hundreds of tests quickly, but no similar high-volume measles test is available.
Texas labs made a high-throughput measles test but haven’t shared or published it widely.
The CDC completed some incomplete studies on these rapid tests but hasn’t fully validated them.
Health officials warn lack of fast, large-scale measles testing could slow outbreak response and harm patient care.
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A federal judge has ordered President Trump to give a deposition for a defamation lawsuit against the BBC by December 11. The deposition is part of a case where President Trump claims the BBC misled viewers in a documentary about his speech on January 6, 2021.
Key Facts
President Trump must sit for a deposition by December 11 or face possible penalties, including dismissal of his lawsuit.
The deposition was originally planned for October 16 but was postponed because President Trump was busy with political events.
President Trump filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC over a documentary that aired in October 2024.
The lawsuit claims the BBC falsely edited his January 6 speech, which preceded the Capitol breach.
The BBC apologized for the editing but denies the defamation claim.
The BBC seeks testimony from Jack Smith, the former special counsel who charged President Trump in 2023, related to January 6.
President Trump’s lawyers argue Jack Smith lacks personal knowledge about the speech and that his testimony would be repetitive.
Discovery in the case started in February and ends on December 18; the BBC says they have not yet questioned President Trump.
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