Andy Burnham, the prime minister of England, outlined a plan to create a free social care system similar to the NHS. The service would be paid for by everyone and aim to fix the current system, but details on funding are still being worked out and the plan won’t happen before the next general election in 2029.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham wants a universal social care system free at the point of use for all in England.
The system would be funded by contributions from everyone but exact methods are still under review.
Burnham said the current social care system is unfair and vulnerable people can lose everything.
He plans to include this reform in the Labour party’s next general election manifesto.
The new service is expected to be costly and complicated but necessary to fix long-standing issues.
Burnham’s personal experience with his father’s Alzheimer’s care motivates his efforts.
Proposed social care funding might differ from the NHS’s tax-funded model but aims for broad coverage.
Past proposals included taxes on estates, but details remain open to change as the plan develops.
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Hasan Piker is a political streamer and commentator who recently sparked controversy after saying the US committed more atrocities than al-Qaida. Republicans are using him as a symbol in the midterm elections, trying to link Democratic candidates to him, although many voters do not recognize or consider him important.
Key Facts
Hasan Piker is a 35-year-old socialist streamer from West Hollywood.
He made a statement comparing US atrocities to those of al-Qaida in an Axios interview.
Republicans are focusing on Piker to criticize Democrats ahead of the November midterm elections.
Many voters have not heard of Piker or the streaming platform Twitch where he appears.
Republican ads and events have highlighted Piker to connect him to left-leaning Democrats.
Some moderate Democrats also use Piker as an example against more left-wing party members.
Piker streams daily for about seven hours and has hundreds of thousands of viewers.
He says the attention on him distracts from discussing real political policies.
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Charlie Cook, who started the Cook Political Report, said on Sunday that Democrats are very likely to win back control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the November midterm elections. He also said it is quite possible that Democrats could win the Senate as well.
Key Facts
Charlie Cook is the founder of the Cook Political Report, a respected source for election analysis.
He said it is almost certain that Democrats will win the House in the midterms.
He described the chance of Democrats taking control of the Senate as "very realistic."
The midterm elections will be held in November.
This analysis reflects current political trends and polling data.
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A woman went to a clinic for a routine blood detox procedure intended to filter harmful substances from her bloodstream. During the treatment, a catheter accidentally punctured her heart, causing severe bleeding and cardiac arrest, leading to emergency open heart surgery and a long recovery.
Key Facts
The woman had been experiencing allergic reactions, hives, and long COVID symptoms before deciding on a blood detox.
The procedure involved inserting a catheter in her neck to filter her blood outside her body and then return it.
The catheter punctured her heart, creating two holes that caused blood to leak into the sac around her heart.
This led to her heart being unable to pump, causing cardiac arrest during the four-hour procedure.
Medical staff performed 21 minutes of CPR, breaking many of her ribs to save her life.
She was transferred to the UC San Diego Health Cardiovascular Institute for emergency open heart surgery.
She spent a day and a half unconscious in intensive care before waking up and learning about the complications.
She is now recovering from the surgery and broken ribs caused by the emergency resuscitation.
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Senator Thom Tillis criticized President Trump for supporting Ken Paxton instead of Senator John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate primary earlier this year. Tillis called the endorsement a serious error.
Key Facts
Senator Thom Tillis is a Republican from North Carolina.
Tillis spoke on CNN’s “State of the Union” with host Jake Tapper.
He said President Trump made a “colossal mistake” by backing Ken Paxton over John Cornyn.
The endorsement took place during the Texas Senate Republican primary earlier in 2024.
Ken Paxton and John Cornyn are both Republican senators from Texas.
Tillis openly criticized President Trump’s choice in this political endorsement.
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Some working families who receive SNAP food benefits can lose more in assistance than they earn if their income goes just above the limit. This situation, called a "benefits cliff," makes families worse off financially when they get a small raise or extra work hours. For example, a Nebraska mother lost $150 monthly in SNAP benefits after earning just $19 above the cutoff.
Key Facts
SNAP is a federal program that helps low-income households buy food using monthly prepaid benefits.
More than 35 million people across the U.S. receive SNAP benefits.
A "benefits cliff" happens when a small increase in income causes a larger loss in government aid.
Families may hesitate to accept raises or extra work hours because they might lose more in benefits.
Alicia Freemont, a Nebraska mother, lost $150 in SNAP benefits after making $19 more than the income limit.
After losing benefits, Alicia worked extra shifts but still struggled financially and later faced medical issues.
Researchers say small income increases often do not keep up with the rising cost of living.
The Department of Health and Human Services defines a benefits cliff as when benefit loss equals or exceeds income gain.
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Experts warn that President Donald Trump and his allies might try to disrupt the counting of votes after the November midterm elections. They could challenge the results by raising unproven claims during the time it takes to count all votes, especially since some states take days or weeks to finish counting.
Key Facts
President Trump’s attempt to restrict mail-in ballots was blocked by the Supreme Court.
Election experts say the period after Election Day is vulnerable to disruptions and false claims.
Some states, like California, take a long time to count all votes, making the results slower to finalize.
Experts warn that Trump’s team could use claims of foreign interference to seize ballots or voting machines.
Election officials are working to inform the public about the vote counting process to reduce confusion and distrust.
Early voting is encouraged because it helps voters feel more confident that their vote will count.
Civil rights groups remain concerned about Trump's claims that the 2026 elections will be illegitimate without federal intervention.
The Department of Homeland Security is still collecting voter-roll lists and election documents, despite the usual “quiet period” before elections.
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Leeds Baby Bank, a charity helping families with baby essentials in Leeds, says more people need help than ever before, especially as winter approaches. The charity, founded in 2017, is asking for more money and donations to keep up with rising demand caused by higher living costs.
Key Facts
Leeds Baby Bank provides items like Moses baskets, prams, nappies, and clothes to families in need.
Since June, the charity has helped about 550 families, with numbers expected to rise.
Many families needing help have at least one parent who works but still struggle with bills and the cost of essentials.
Child poverty in some parts of Leeds has grown from one in five children before COVID-19 to one in two now.
Around 27% of children in Yorkshire and Humber live in low-income families.
The charity recently moved to a bigger, more accessible building, which has increased their expenses.
Donations, including small monthly gifts from local people, are crucial to keep the charity running.
A £5 donation can buy important items like a new mattress for a Moses basket.
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An NHS trust apologized to the family of three-year-old Noah Woods after his medical records were accessed without permission following his tragic death. The trust launched an urgent investigation and reported the data breach to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Key Facts
Noah Woods, aged three, went missing on September 15 in Brantham, Suffolk.
Police divers found Noah’s body the next day in nearby water.
The NHS trust involved is East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
The trust apologized for causing additional distress to Noah’s family due to the data breach.
The breach involved unauthorized access to Noah’s medical records.
The trust started an urgent investigation and took steps to secure the data.
The case has been reported to the UK’s data protection authority, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
An inquest heard Noah had left a playground through a gap in the fence before his death.
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A strong storm is hitting the US Northeast, causing heavy rain, strong winds, and big waves. The storm has led to power outages and flight cancellations, while flooding has affected places like Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore.
Key Facts
The US Northeast is experiencing a powerful storm with strong winds and large waves.
Heavy rain has caused flooding in areas such as Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore.
The storm has resulted in power outages for many residents.
Flight schedules are disrupted, causing travel chaos.
Officials warn that more rain and bad weather are expected soon.
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One Nation party in Victoria is charging potential election candidates multiple fees, including a $150 application fee and a $5,500 candidate fee, which could total up to $633,000. Some applicants say the process feels like a "cash grab" because many were rejected after paying and believe the selection was not fair or transparent.
Key Facts
One Nation charged a $150 non-refundable application fee to potential candidates.
About 1,209 people showed interest, and 220 reached the final stage requiring payment.
Candidates also had to pay an annual membership fee of $60.
If all 96 candidates (88 lower house and 8 upper house) pay the $5,500 fee, the party could collect $528,000.
Total possible money raised from candidates could be $633,000.
Some applicants said the process involved only short 15-minute interviews and required signing non-disclosure agreements.
Complaints suggest the candidate selection was already decided before the process started.
There are concerns that some upper house candidates were chosen by party leaders instead of through the process.
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The article discusses the potential effects on different states if the United States adopted permanent daylight saving time. It explains how winters would change if clocks were not turned back in the fall.
Key Facts
Permanent daylight saving time means clocks stay one hour ahead all year.
This would make winter mornings darker and evenings lighter.
States would experience different impacts depending on their location.
Some states have already tried or considered permanent daylight saving time.
Changing the clocks affects daily routines, such as school start times and work schedules.
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President Donald Trump’s approval rating in the Midwest dropped by five points over one month, with his regional net approval falling from -9 to -14, according to Emerson College polling. Nationally, his disapproval rating reached a new high during his second term, as some Republican Senate candidates face voter concerns over fuel costs, the Iran war, and beef-import policies.
Key Facts
Trump’s Midwest approval rating decreased from 43% in August to 42% in September, while disapproval rose from 52% to 56%.
This change widened Trump’s net approval (approval minus disapproval) in the Midwest from -9 to -14.
Nationally, Trump’s approval was 39% with 58% disapproval in September, the highest disapproval of his second term.
Emerson College polling surveyed 1,000 likely voters with a margin of error of ±3%, conducted August 16-17 and September 21-22.
Key voter issues include the Iran conflict, jobs, and tariff policies, influencing voter decisions in Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, and Ohio.
Iowa Republican Ashley Hinson, endorsed by Trump, opposes increased beef imports and wants an end to the Iran war.
The beef-import policy is a concern in cattle-producing states like Iowa, where farmers worry that more imports lower their income.
The midwestern states involved are politically important, as Trump won Iowa, Kansas, and Ohio, with Michigan being closely contested.
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The U.S. government has operated a program since 1989 that gives money to people harmed by vaccines. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is trying to end this program.
Key Facts
The program started in 1989.
It has given out over $5.5 billion in compensation.
The money is for people who have had negative effects from vaccines.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. opposes the program and wants to shut it down.
The program is run by the U.S. government.
It aims to support vaccine safety and those affected by vaccine injuries.
The article suggests the program is important to keep.
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The U.S. Navy confirmed an increase in the number of wounded troops in the Iran war after updating its official casualty database. The Pentagon raised the count by 37 without publicly explaining the change, and all injured sailors have returned to active duty.
Key Facts
The Pentagon increased the count of wounded service members by 37 this week.
This number includes 29 Navy sailors and 8 Marines.
The update was made in the Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS), which tracks U.S. military casualties.
The Navy confirmed the update followed standard verification checks.
All 29 Navy sailors who were added to the wounded list have returned to active duty.
The Navy did not release the names of the injured personnel.
There was no public announcement or detailed explanation from the Pentagon about the increase.
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President Donald Trump criticized CNN and MS Now over their news coverage and told an MS Now reporter to “be quiet” during a recent White House interaction. The White House recently barred CNN and MS Now from certain press activities, including travel on Air Force One and coverage of the state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Key Facts
The White House blocked CNN from traveling on Air Force One for President Trump’s trip to Tennessee.
President Trump called MS Now “fake news” and told reporter Akayla Gardner to “be quiet” when she asked questions.
Trump often labels news outlets that do not support him as “fake news” or “the enemy of the people.”
Access for CNN, MS Now, and Politico was temporarily restored by a federal judge after being revoked by the administration.
Despite the restoration, these outlets were still blocked from covering Trump's state dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The White House now controls which TV network provides pool coverage of presidential travel, a role previously coordinated by the White House Correspondents’ Association.
Real America’s Voice, a pro-Trump network without live video capabilities for other broadcasters, replaced CNN on the Tennessee trip.
President Trump returned to Washington without taking questions from print reporters who were allowed to travel with him.
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A pollster told Republican Senate donors and staff that they could gain one more Senate seat in the upcoming November midterms, but many at the event were skeptical. Republican leaders admit the election will be difficult, and the party is seeking extra funds to help in key states.
Key Facts
The pollster, Erik Iverson, said Republicans might gain one Senate seat in the 2024 midterms.
Many attendees at the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) retreat in Georgia did not believe this forecast.
Republicans feel the overall mood is cautious or pessimistic about their chances.
Iverson pointed out that in 2022, Democrats gained a Senate seat even though President Biden was unpopular.
The retreat gathered major GOP donors, senators, and senior staff to discuss election strategies.
Iverson shared messages Republicans could use about gas prices and data centers to appeal to swing voters.
Key Senate Republicans, including Majority Leader John Thune, have said the 2024 Senate race will be tough.
The NRSC is asking donors for $9 million to support races in Alaska, Iowa, and Ohio, states won by President Trump in 2024.
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Christa Pike is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection in Tennessee, potentially becoming the first woman executed in the state in over 200 years. Pike was sentenced to death in 1996 for a murder she committed at age 18, but her lawyers argue she faced neglect and abuse as a child and that these factors were not fully considered during her trial.
Key Facts
Christa Pike was convicted of murder in 1995 for killing Colleen Slemmer in Tennessee.
Pike was 18 years old at the time of the crime.
She is scheduled for execution on September 30 by lethal injection.
If executed, Pike will be Tennessee’s first woman executed in more than 200 years.
Pike’s lawyers submitted a clemency petition asking to reduce her sentence.
They highlight her history of childhood sexual abuse, neglect, and mental illness.
Pike was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in prison in 2021.
Some legal experts say Pike’s defense did not fully present her traumatic background during her trial.
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A strong nor’easter storm is causing flooding, power outages, and travel disruptions in the northeastern United States. More than 400 flights were canceled, over 88,000 homes lost power, and states of emergency were declared in New York and New Jersey.
Key Facts
The nor’easter storm brought heavy rain, strong winds, and high tides to the northeastern U.S.
Power outages affected more than 88,000 homes and businesses, down from a peak of 119,000.
Over 400 flights were canceled, and 1,300 flights were delayed on Saturday.
Governors of New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency in the hardest-hit areas.
Authorities warned people to avoid flooded areas and beaches due to safety risks.
Some residents reported high water levels flooding backyards and streets.
Several concerts and sporting events, including Ed Sheeran’s shows, were canceled due to the storm.
Nor’easters are common in autumn but this storm came earlier than usual.
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A Texas city council candidate, Misael Ramos, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge for participating in a riot during protests over the shooting of Wilber Rafael Garces Perez by a federal immigration officer. Ramos denies the charge and plans to contest it.
Key Facts
Misael Ramos was arrested on September 26, 2026, for “riot participation” related to a protest on September 20.
The protest was over the shooting of Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a Venezuelan man, by an immigration officer in Austin.
Ramos is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and is running for Austin city council.
Ramos' lawyer says he only saw people chanting and protesting, not rioting.
Wilber Rafael Garces Perez was shot after an encounter with ICE officers and taken to a detention center with the bullet still in his back.
Garces Perez was reportedly an asylum seeker with a valid work permit.
The arrest was made by the Texas Department of Public Safety; the Travis County Sheriff's Office confirmed booking Ramos.
The exact reasons for the shooting by ICE have not been fully explained by ICE or the Department of Homeland Security.
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