Category: us
Several journalists left the Pentagon after the government put new rules in place that limit how they can report on military affairs. These new rules, introduced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, could lead to journalists being removed if they report on unapproved information.
Key Facts
Reporters handed in their Pentagon access badges and left.
The new rules were introduced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Journalists are restricted from reporting on unapproved information.
The government describes the rules as "common sense."
News organizations largely disagree with the rules and rejected them.
Journalists covering the military often need access to the Pentagon to do their work.
Vice President JD Vance and members of the Trump family will participate in Turning Point USA's campus tour, as announced by the group. The tour aims to continue Charlie Kirk's work after his recent death and features events at various universities with significant attendance expected. Key figures like Eric and Lara Trump, along with Vance, will speak at these events.
Key Facts
Vice President JD Vance will join Turning Point USA's campus tour.
The tour continues after the group's founder, Charlie Kirk, passed away.
Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, will appear at the University of Mississippi event.
Eric and Lara Trump will speak at Auburn University on November 5.
The events will have speeches and question-and-answer sessions with attendees.
The tour aims to maintain Charlie Kirk's mission and influence on campuses.
It is expected to have strong participation, with 9,000 to 10,000 attendees at some events.
Volunteers have stepped in to lead tours at the Oklahoma City National Memorial. This is happening because government workers are not working during a shutdown.
Key Facts
A government shutdown has caused park rangers to stop working.
Volunteers are now giving tours at the Oklahoma City National Memorial.
These volunteers have personal connections to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
The Memorial is a site dedicated to remembering the bombing incident.
The government shutdown has affected various federal operations.
The Supreme Court is considering a case that could weaken the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which protects minority voting rights. The case revolves around a redistricting map in Louisiana, where arguments focus on whether creating a second majority-Black district is necessary for fair voting. The court's decision could impact how racial considerations are used in drawing voting districts.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court is reviewing a case that may change how the Voting Rights Act is applied.
The 1965 Voting Rights Act aims to protect minority voting rights in the U.S.
The current case involves Louisiana's decision to create a second majority-Black voting district.
Louisiana has a 30% Black population, with two out of six House members being African-American.
A group opposed to the new map argues the second majority-Black district is unnecessary.
Justices are debating whether political advantages can be separated from racial considerations.
This case revisits issues from a similar decision involving Alabama two years ago.
Some justices believe there should be a time limit on using race-based remedies in voting laws.
A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows that in the New Jersey governor's race, Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill leads over Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli by 6 points. The election, scheduled for November 4, is one of only two gubernatorial races this year and is drawing national attention due to its potential impact on future political strategies.
Key Facts
Mikie Sherrill leads Jack Ciattarelli by 6 points, with 50% to his 44%, according to a Quinnipiac poll.
This poll surveyed 1,327 likely voters in New Jersey from October 9 to October 13 and has a margin of error of 3.6%.
New Jersey is historically a Democratic state, but the race is competitive this year.
Sherrill has a 43% favorability rating, while Ciattarelli has a 39% favorability rating.
The candidates are focusing on issues such as taxes, utility costs, and their views on President Donald Trump.
The election is set for November 4, and both candidates are aiming to persuade undecided voters.
Both candidates have made statements on social media highlighting their campaign issues and criticising each other.
The U.S. State Department revoked the visas of at least six foreign nationals due to their public comments about the death of Charlie Kirk, a conservative influencer and ally of President Donald Trump. Kirk was shot dead during a university event, and some of the visa holders reportedly expressed support for his death on social media. The action is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to monitor social media and tighten immigration policies.
Key Facts
The U.S. government canceled the visas of at least six individuals for comments on Charlie Kirk's death.
Charlie Kirk, a supporter of President Trump, was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University.
The revoked visas were linked to posts that supported or celebrated Kirk's death.
The affected individuals are from Argentina, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, and Paraguay.
President Trump awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
The Trump administration has increased social media checks during visa applications.
Over 6,000 student visas have been canceled this year for various violations.
A suspect named Tyler Robinson was charged with aggravated murder in Kirk's death.
The FAFSA application for federal student aid is open for the 2026-27 school year, despite a government shutdown. The Education Department confirmed that the processing of FAFSA applications will continue as usual. While most of the Department of Education's workforce is furloughed, essential operations like FAFSA processing are automated to reduce disruptions.
Key Facts
The FAFSA application for the 2026-27 school year opened on September 24.
The government shutdown has not affected FAFSA processing, which continues as normal.
FAFSA helps students qualify for financial aid like scholarships, grants, and loans.
Students need to input financial details, with dependent students including one parent's information.
The Department of Education states that essential operations, including aid disbursement, will carry on.
87% of the Education Department staff is furloughed; issues may arise if technical problems occur.
Financial aid eligibility is determined by the FAFSA, crucial for federal programs like work-study.
The application is available early, and applying soon is advised to secure available aid.
Protests took place at many U.S. universities last year as students called for an end to the Israel-Gaza war. A ceasefire has now been announced, leading to mixed feelings among the students. Some students feel relieved about the ceasefire, while others remain cautious about how the situation will develop.
Key Facts
Many U.S. college students protested against the Israel-Gaza war, demanding a ceasefire.
Protests were held on major campuses, with some being peaceful and others resulting in arrests.
President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire deal, stating "the war is over."
Students felt both relieved and wary about the ceasefire, unsure of its long-term impact.
Some students with family ties to the region felt apprehensive about the future despite the ceasefire.
Universities faced calls from government officials to address antisemitism amid the protests.
Over 3,000 protesters were arrested during the campus demonstrations.
The ceasefire deal included the release of hostages and prisoners.
During a press briefing, FBI Director Kash Patel spoke about the investigation into Charlie Kirk's death. Patel stated that the FBI quickly caught the suspect and is following every lead to ensure full legal action.
Key Facts
FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the death of Charlie Kirk at a press briefing.
Patel stated that the FBI caught the alleged assassin within 33 hours.
He emphasized focusing on facts and not on conspiracy theories.
Patel mentioned the FBI is pursuing all leads for full prosecution.
The capture of the suspect was described as a record-breaking operation.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon suggested that the federal shutdown shows the Education Department might not be needed. She made this statement after her department began laying off hundreds of workers due to the shutdown.
Key Facts
Linda McMahon is the Education Secretary.
McMahon stated the federal shutdown shows the Education Department may be "unnecessary."
She shared her views in a social media post.
Thousands of government workers are being laid off, including at the Education Department.
McMahon emphasized that schools are still running normally and teachers are being paid during the shutdown.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered all military personnel to watch or read a speech he delivered on September 30 at Marine Corps Base Quantico. In his speech, Hegseth criticized current leadership practices and announced plans to tighten physical fitness and grooming standards to improve military readiness. He stated that the military will see a cultural shift and referred to a rebranding of the Defense Department.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30.
He has ordered military personnel to watch or read this speech.
Hegseth criticized "woke" practices in the military and emphasized stricter physical fitness standards.
A memo called the "Warrior Ethos Tasking" was issued specifying these orders and new policies.
Hegseth mentioned a shift in culture, moving toward a more aggressive military stance.
He criticized current leadership selections based on race and gender.
President Trump also addressed the military leaders during the event, following Hegseth's speech.
Officers were instructed to remain neutral and non-expressive during the speeches, similar to the State of the Union tradition.
Due to the ongoing government shutdown, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought announced plans to significantly cut the federal workforce through reductions-in-force strategies. These cuts are expected to exceed 10,000 employees to streamline bureaucracy.
Key Facts
Russ Vought is the Office of Management and Budget Director.
Vought announced plans for workforce cuts if the government shutdown continues.
These workforce reductions are called reductions-in-force (RIFS).
Early reports indicated around 4,000 federal employees were being let go.
Vought suggested the number of cuts could grow to over 10,000.
The aim is to reduce both funding and bureaucracy to benefit taxpayers.
Vought's comments were made on "The Charlie Kirk Show."
The U.S. government is in its third week of a shutdown due to disagreements between Democrats and President Donald Trump over health care subsidies and federal worker layoffs. Democrats are resisting pressure from Republicans to pass a spending bill, while Republicans insist on linking the bill to changes in health care subsidies. The discussion has involved attempts to negotiate, but both parties remain firm in their positions.
Key Facts
The government shutdown began on October 1st and is now in its third week.
President Donald Trump wants to link the reopening of the government to changes in health care subsidies.
Democrats have rejected the Republican proposal to open the government multiple times.
Federal worker layoffs are being used as a strategy by the Trump administration.
Some moderate Democrats have started informal talks with Republicans but have not changed their stance.
Health care subsidies set to expire at the end of the year are a major issue for Democrats.
Senate votes on the Republican bill are planned but show no signs of progress.
Democratic leaders claim that Republican tactics are intended to intimidate but are not successful.
A Florida judge has temporarily stopped the transfer of land for President Donald Trump's future presidential library in downtown Miami. The judge cited a lack of proper public notice and involvement in the decision. The Miami-Dade College board plans to appeal the decision.
Key Facts
President Trump's presidential library is planned for a 2.6-acre plot in downtown Miami.
The land was previously owned by Miami-Dade College and is valued at approximately $67 million.
The college approved the land transfer in a brief meeting and then gifted it to the state.
A judge has paused this transfer after a lawsuit claimed the process violated the Florida Sunshine Act by not involving the public.
The judge said the public was not given enough notice about the decision.
The board of Miami-Dade College stated they intend to appeal the judge’s ruling.
U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut has extended a temporary restraining order that stops the Trump administration from using National Guard troops in Portland. The restraining order will now last an extra 14 days as the legal arguments go on.
Key Facts
Judge Karin Immergut issued a temporary restraining order.
The order prevents the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Portland.
This restraining order has been extended for another 14 days.
The legal case is still ongoing.
California, Oregon, and the city of Portland are involved in the legal dispute.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has not yet made a decision on the bigger issue.
Democratic senators have raised concerns about the Trump administration's expanded use of a program to check immigration status, which they say might violate voters' privacy. They argue that the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program is being used without proper oversight, potentially affecting millions of voter records. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims the program is intended to enhance security and enforce immigration laws.
Key Facts
Democratic Senators Alex Padilla and Gary Peters are concerned about voters' privacy due to the SAVE program's expansion.
The Senators have joined a lawsuit claiming illegal oversight of millions of voter records through the SAVE program.
The SAVE program is used to verify immigration status, and several states have checked millions of voter files with it.
The DHS argues that the SAVE program helps remove illegal immigrants and improve national security.
Critics say the program may risk wrongly identifying eligible voters as ineligible or exposing voter privacy.
Legal concerns revolve around the creation of a large database containing Americans' private data without adequate congressional oversight.
The lawsuit contends the expansion allows unlawful investigations and potential errors in voter rolls.
DHS has been unresponsive to repeated inquiries from the senators about the expansion details of the SAVE program.
Representative Seth Moulton is challenging Senator Ed Markey for the Democratic nomination in the Massachusetts Senate race. Moulton emphasizes the need for new leadership and generational change as key reasons for his candidacy. A recent poll shows Moulton with a slight lead over Markey among likely voters.
Key Facts
Seth Moulton is running against Ed Markey in the Massachusetts Senate Democratic primary.
Moulton aims to present himself as a fresh, younger option compared to the 80-year-old Markey.
Moulton says Massachusetts needs leadership that can challenge the Trump administration and address local issues.
Moulton argues for generational change, suggesting older leaders should step aside for new ideas.
A poll shows Moulton leading with 43% support, while Markey has 21%, and 36% are undecided.
The poll included 750 likely voters and has a margin of error of 3.6 percentage points.
Markey came from behind to beat Joe Kennedy III in a similar situation in 2020.
Zion National Park, a popular U.S. park in Utah, faced dangerous flash floods due to heavy rain on Wednesday. The National Weather Service issued a warning because rapid water increases in the park's narrow canyons could be life-threatening. Salt Lake City recorded its wettest October on record, contributing to the severity of the flooding.
Key Facts
Zion National Park in Utah experienced life-threatening flash floods on Wednesday.
Heavy rain led the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood warning for the area.
The flash flood warning covered Zion National Park, including its main canyon and slot canyons.
Zion National Park's slot canyons can quickly fill with water, posing a significant danger.
The flooding is due to an unusually wet October in Salt Lake City, with 4.16 inches of rain recorded.
Visitors are advised to avoid the park's slot canyons and seek higher ground immediately.
Flash floods have also affected other southwestern U.S. regions, including parts of Arizona.
The U.S. government shutdown is delaying the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) announcement until October 24, which affects millions of beneficiaries. This announcement usually depends on the Consumer Price Index for September, which is also delayed. Approximately 70.6 million people will be affected by this delay in planning their finances.
Key Facts
The 2024 Social Security COLA announcement is postponed to October 24 due to the government shutdown.
The COLA adjustment usually ties to the September Consumer Price Index, but it's also delayed.
About 70.6 million people, including retirees, disabled individuals, and children, receive Social Security benefits.
The COLA increase is expected to be around 2.7%, according to projections.
Some beneficiaries express concern that this increase will not match rising costs of living.
Legislators have proposed using a different index, the CPI-E, to better reflect older people's expenses.
Social Security will start notifying recipients of their new benefit amounts in early December.
Despite the shutdown, retirement and Supplemental Security Income benefits will adjust starting January 1, 2026.
President Donald Trump suggested moving World Cup matches away from Boston due to concerns about unrest in the city. The games are planned for Foxborough, Massachusetts, as part of the 2026 World Cup cohosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. However, the decision on match locations is ultimately made by FIFA, the organization in charge of the World Cup.
Key Facts
President Trump talked about possibly relocating World Cup games from Boston.
Foxborough, near Boston, is scheduled to host some matches for the 2026 World Cup.
The U.S., Mexico, and Canada are cohosting the 2026 World Cup.
Trump expressed concerns after mentioning unrest in Boston.
He described Boston Mayor Michelle Wu as both "intelligent" and "radical left."
Trump emphasized the games are already sold out in Boston.
FIFA, not President Trump, decides the locations for World Cup matches.
