Republicans held a rare midterm convention in Dallas focused on energizing voters ahead of the November elections, with President Donald Trump as the central figure. While Trump’s presence and speech dominated the event, many Republicans are already thinking about who will lead the party after his presidency ends.
Key Facts
The convention in Dallas was the first midterm convention held by Republicans.
President Trump gave a long speech and promised $5,000 payments to all Americans if Republicans keep control of Congress.
Vice-President JD Vance gave a keynote speech, signaling he could be a future party leader.
Some Republicans at the event expressed concern about the party’s future after Trump leaves office.
Supporters showed strong enthusiasm for Trump, including wearing his signature red "MAGA" hats.
Polls suggest Democrats may win back control of the House, with the Senate race less certain.
Trump asked voters to act as if he were on the ballot, but some party members doubt this approach will work.
Young party activists want a new generation of leaders but acknowledge Trump’s influence on the party’s direction.
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Two Indigenous mothers settled a trespass case against New South Wales (NSW) police after officers visited their homes many times to check bail conditions for their sons. The police were accused of entering homes without proper court permission, causing stress and disruption for the families.
Key Facts
NSW police visited one mother’s home 150 times in 20 months, mostly between midnight and 4 a.m.
The visits were to check if her sons, who were on bail, were following their bail conditions.
The police sometimes entered without court approval, which the mothers claimed was trespassing.
The visits caused fear, stress, and school absences for the children involved.
Another mother had over 90 police visits for bail checks on her son in 18 months.
NSW police said the bail checks were legal and important for public safety.
A 2025 report found police were often overstepping their authority by skipping court permission.
The mothers’ legal case was settled before going to trial, but a related racial discrimination case is still ongoing.
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Angela Rayner, the local government secretary, paused plans to change local council boundaries in England to avoid legal problems. She wants to review the proposals carefully after legal challenges and advice from her reappointment under Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Key Facts
Rayner stopped plans to reorganize local councils in Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk due to legal challenges.
She is reviewing plans for 16 other areas before moving forward.
Legal threats came from Reform and Conservative-led local authorities challenging the council changes.
The council boundary plans aim to remove two-tier systems where different councils share services.
The government says the changes would improve local government efficiency and reduce costs.
Critics say the plans won’t save money and might hurt local services and make councils less connected to communities.
Some councils argue the changes could delay plans to create bigger regional authorities led by mayors.
Rayner wants to be sure all legal and practical issues are addressed before continuing with the plans.
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President Donald Trump spoke at the Republicans' first midterm convention in Dallas, urging supporters to vote as if he were on the ballot in the November elections. He highlighted his achievements and promised a $5,000 payment to every adult if Republicans win both the House and Senate, while warning against Democratic policies.
Key Facts
President Trump called on supporters to “pretend” he is on the November midterm ballot to boost Republican turnout.
The convention took place over two days in Dallas, Texas, and had about 20,000 attendees.
Trump promised a $5,000 “Trump dividend” for all US adults if Republicans control both chambers of Congress.
Polls predict Republicans may lose control of the House and possibly the Senate in the midterms.
Trump claimed he has fulfilled all his promises and improved the country, citing lowered prescription drug prices.
The event featured around 50 speakers and resembled a large rally, without formal Republican party business.
Trump Jr. criticized Democratic candidates for supporting democratic socialism, calling it a radical ideology.
Economists warned the $5,000 payment could cost over $1 trillion, and Democrats called it a bribe.
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The 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in New York City has been marked by political debates. Zeshan Hamdani, whose brother Salman died as a Muslim police cadet during 9/11, spoke about how Islam is misunderstood and stressed the focus on families affected by the tragedy.
Key Facts
The 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is being observed this year.
Salman Hamdani was a Muslim American New York police cadet who died in the North Tower.
His brother, Zeshan Hamdani, expressed concerns that Islam is being wrongly linked to terrorism.
Rudy Giuliani, the NYC mayor during 9/11, suggested the city’s first Muslim mayor might skip the event.
Zohran Mamdani, the current Muslim mayor, said he will attend and focus on supporting the families who lost loved ones.
The anniversary events have become part of political discussions in New York City.
The story was covered by BBC with input from Nada Tawfik, including video by Andrew Blum.
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President Donald Trump made a joke telling Republican voters to "cheat like hell" in the upcoming midterm elections. He made this comment at the Republican National Committee (RNC) midterm convention held in Dallas.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump spoke at the RNC midterm convention in Dallas.
He asked Republican voters to "cheat like hell" in the midterm elections.
Trump compared this to how he said Democrats cheat.
The comment was made in a joking manner.
The midterm elections determine control of Congress halfway through a presidential term.
The RNC is the organization that supports the Republican Party in elections.
This event was focused on gearing up Republican voters for the upcoming midterms.
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JD Vance gave a speech at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas where he spoke in support of President Donald Trump’s political views. He criticized Democrats, made claims about immigration, and responded angrily to a protester. Vance aimed to show he could lead the party and appealed to Trump’s supporters.
Key Facts
JD Vance spoke at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas.
He praised President Trump and echoed his style and messages.
Vance criticized Democrats, calling them “radicals” and accusing them of wanting to harm American families.
He responded to a protester waving a Mexican flag by telling them to leave for Mexico.
Vance made claims that some Democrats "cheered" a recent attack on Israelis, a claim without evidence.
He supported traditional American values like manufacturing and religious freedom.
Vance honored Charlie Kirk, a far-right activist who was killed a year ago.
His speech was aimed at gaining the support of Trump’s base and positioning himself for future leadership in the Republican Party.
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Vice President Vance spoke at the final night of the Republican National Committee convention in Dallas. His speech energized the crowd, and there is increasing talk about him possibly running for president in 2028.
Key Facts
Vice President Vance delivered the keynote speech on the last night of the GOP convention.
The event took place in Dallas during the Republican National Committee’s gathering.
Attendees cheered with chants of “48,” referring to the possibility of Vance becoming the 48th president in 2028.
The speech was seen as a way for Vance to connect with the Republican base.
Discussions about Vance’s future presidential ambitions are growing within the party.
The base’s support will be important if Vance decides to run for president.
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The Republican midterm convention in Dallas highlighted strong support for President Donald Trump as the party prepares for challenging legislative elections in November. Trump promised a $5,000 payment to Americans if Republicans keep control of both the House and Senate, while Democrats held smaller rallies and protests nearby.
Key Facts
The Republican midterm convention took place in Dallas, Texas, aiming to boost support for President Trump ahead of November's elections.
Trump urged voters to act as if he is on the ballot and promised a $5,000 dividend if Republicans keep control of Congress.
Concerns about the US-Israel conflict with Iran have impacted Trump’s approval ratings.
The Democratic National Committee did not hold a national convention but organized smaller protests and rallies in Dallas.
Democrats see opportunities to win seats in Texas, where they hope to challenge the traditionally Republican dominance.
Vice President JD Vance gave a keynote speech focusing on family values and praised Trump’s immigration policies.
Vance called for Republican unity despite some disagreements within the party.
Some Democratic candidates, like James Talarico and Abdul El-Sayed, are seen as energizing the party compared to national leadership.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, who leads the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, said he wants Senator John Fetterman to leave the Democratic Party and become a Republican. This statement followed Fetterman’s unexpected video speech at a recent Republican event.
Key Facts
Dr. Mehmet Oz is the head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid.
Oz ran against Senator John Fetterman in Pennsylvania’s 2022 Senate race.
Oz expressed a wish for Fetterman to change his political party from Democrat to Republican.
Fetterman appeared in a surprise video at the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention.
This exchange reflects ongoing political rivalry and interaction between the two politicians.
The Republican National Committee holds events to promote their candidates and policies.
Pennsylvania is a key state with competitive political races.
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President Donald Trump led a pledge at the Republican National Convention asking supporters to vote in the November midterm elections. He encouraged attendees to vote as if he were on the ballot and emphasized the importance of voting to keep Republican control of Congress.
Key Facts
The event took place during the Republican National Convention in Dallas.
President Trump led attendees in a pledge to vote on or before November 3.
He urged supporters to vote regardless of their registration status and said, "try to cheat like hell like they do."
Trump told the crowd to vote as if he were running, saying, "If you vote, you vote Republican."
The convention was the first-ever Republican midterm convention, aiming to energize voters ahead of the elections.
Republicans currently hold both the House and Senate majorities, which are contested in the midterms.
Vice President JD Vance and other Republican figures spoke before Trump closed the event.
Trump warned against left-wing opponents, calling them communists and radical leftists.
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Vice President Vance spoke at the Republican National Committee’s convention in Dallas and criticized James Talarico, a Democratic candidate running for U.S. Senate in Texas. Talarico is competing against Republican Ken Paxton in the upcoming November election to replace Senator John Cornyn.
Key Facts
Vice President Vance delivered a speech at the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention.
The event took place in Dallas, Texas, on a Thursday evening.
Vance directly criticized James Talarico, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate.
Talarico is currently a state lawmaker in Texas.
He is running against the Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton, a Republican.
The Senate seat is currently held by Republican John Cornyn, who is stepping down.
The election for this Senate seat will be held in November.
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Federal authorities have issued a bulletin warning that foreign terrorist groups continue to encourage attacks in the United States, especially around the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FBI say terrorists, including ISIS and al-Qaeda, are still active and may use new methods like artificial intelligence and drones to plan attacks.
Key Facts
Foreign terrorist groups release propaganda around 9/11 anniversaries to inspire attacks in the U.S.
The FBI is worried about terrorists acting with little warning around the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Terrorist groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda have thousands of members worldwide and use social media to spread messages.
Domestic terrorists also pose a threat, often motivated by anti-government beliefs.
At least 16 people have been arrested recently in the U.S. for plotting attacks on behalf of ISIS or al-Qaeda.
DHS says the terrorism threat environment has become more complex since 2001, with attacks now sometimes carried out by small groups or individuals.
Terrorists are experimenting with artificial intelligence to create propaganda and explore ways to carry out attacks using explosives or biological agents.
Authorities are concerned about the use of drones by terrorists to help with attacks.
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Andrew Hastie, a former SAS captain and current politician, accepted an apology from Barnaby Joyce over a One Nation cartoon that called Hastie a traitor. However, Hastie criticized One Nation leader Pauline Hanson for not apologizing and said the cartoon insulted all veterans.
Key Facts
The One Nation cartoon called Andrew Hastie a traitor multiple times, linking this to his testimony in a defamation trial.
Barnaby Joyce apologized to Hastie, saying he was not aware of the cartoon before it caused controversy.
Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, refused to apologize and kept the cartoon on her social media.
Hanson told critics to “take a chill pill” and defended the cartoon as insightful about politics.
Other politicians, including Jacqui Lambie and senior Liberals, criticized the cartoon and supported Hastie.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said calling Hastie, a veteran, a traitor was “tasteless.”
One Nation senator Sean Bell said the party did not need to apologize and accused Hastie of looking for conflict.
The cartoon depicted Hastie as a paranoid opposition leader controlled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
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On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four American planes. Two planes hit the Twin Towers in New York, a third hit the Pentagon near Washington DC, and the fourth crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers tried to stop the hijackers. Many Americans remember where they were that day and how it changed the country.
Key Facts
On 9/11, hijackers took control of four US passenger planes.
Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, killing thousands.
A third plane hit the Pentagon, the US military headquarters near Washington DC.
The fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers fought the hijackers.
The hijackers intended to target the US Capitol Building in Washington DC.
The attacks caused deep emotional pain and lasting changes in the US.
The BBC interviewed Americans in Washington about their memories of 9/11.
The day is still widely remembered and discussed across the country.
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Younger and older Republicans disagree about whether the United States should go to war with Iran. This difference is noticeable at the Republican National Committee (RNC) Midterm Convention.
Key Facts
The disagreement is mainly between younger and older members of the Republican Party.
The main topic causing division is the question of a war with Iran.
The discussion is happening at the RNC Midterm Convention.
Al Jazeera reporter Emma Withrow is covering the convention.
The issue highlights a split within the Republican Party based on age.
The article does not mention specific policies or actions planned.
The generational divide could affect party unity and future decisions.
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The U.S. Mint is releasing a special half dollar coin to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The coin features symbols like the Statue of Liberty and the words "NEVER FORGET," and aims to honor victims while educating younger generations about the attacks.
Key Facts
The coin is called the 2026 Semiquincentennial Enduring Liberty Half Dollar.
It shows the date "9-11-01" surrounded by "NEVER FORGET."
It honors those who died in both the 2001 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
The front shows the Statue of Liberty and inscriptions like "IN GOD WE TRUST" and "1776 ~ 2026."
The back shows Liberty passing a torch to a new generation and the phrase "KNOWLEDGE IS THE ONLY GUARDIAN OF TRUE LIBERTY."
Coins are made at the Philadelphia Mint and sold in rolls of 20 for $40 and bags of 100 for $100.
Preorders started on Thursday and end September 25; shipping begins December 3.
A recent survey found that many Americans believe younger people do not fully understand the events of 9/11.
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Life expectancy in the United States has increased to 79 years in 2024, reaching its highest level recorded. This rise follows a sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, with improvements linked to lower death rates from diseases and fewer drug overdoses.
Key Facts
Life expectancy in the U.S. dropped to about 76.4 years in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By 2024, life expectancy rose to 79.0 years, the highest recorded in the country.
The increase reflects reduced deaths from heart disease, cancer, and drug overdoses.
Obesity rates in the U.S. have declined from 39.9% in 2022 to 36.4% in 2026.
Americans are eating less processed food; processed food calorie intake dropped from 56% in 2017-2018 to 53% in 2021-2023.
Sales of organic food rose by 7% in 2025.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy mentioned the reversal of a 30-year decline in longevity at an RNC event.
Experts say longevity improvements result from many long-term factors, not just recent policies.
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Democratic lawmakers from New Mexico asked Apple and Google not to change the state's name on their digital maps to "New America," a name suggested by President Donald Trump. They want the official name, New Mexico, to stay the same on these platforms.
Key Facts
New Mexico Democratic lawmakers sent a request to Apple and Google on Thursday.
They want the companies to keep the state's name as "New Mexico" on their map apps.
President Donald Trump suggested renaming New Mexico to "New America."
Trump shared an image with the name "Mexico" crossed out and replaced.
The request aims to prevent changes based on the president’s proposal.
The issue involves how digital map services display state names.
The move reflects political disagreement over the state's official name.
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