The U.S. FDA approved a new generic version of the abortion drug mifepristone. This decision has led to criticism from anti-abortion groups and some lawmakers who want more restrictions on the drug.
Key Facts
The FDA approved a generic version of mifepristone made by Evita Solutions.
Some conservative groups and lawmakers are upset about this approval.
Mifepristone is used to end early pregnancies, making its approval controversial.
The FDA's role is to ensure the generic version matches the original drug.
Senator Josh Hawley expressed his disappointment in the FDA's actions.
A spokesman for Health and Human Services stated the FDA followed legal requirements for approval.
The FDA is also reviewing the safety of mifepristone.
The U.S. government shutdown has entered its second day, causing national monuments to close and federal workers to go on unpaid leave. Tourists in Washington, D.C. are unable to visit certain sites and are urging lawmakers to resolve the situation.
Key Facts
The U.S. government shutdown is in its second day.
Many national monuments have closed due to the shutdown.
Thousands of federal workers are on unpaid leave.
Tourists in Washington, D.C. are affected as they can't visit certain attractions.
Tourists are calling on lawmakers to resolve the shutdown.
The BBC interviewed tourists about their experiences and opinions.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to enforce strict grooming rules in the military, aiming for uniformity. This decision could affect soldiers with religious beliefs that require beards or those with skin conditions worsened by shaving. There is concern this could force soldiers to choose between their service and their beliefs or health needs.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth wants stricter grooming rules in the military, focusing on shaving policies.
Some religious groups, like Sikhs, Muslims, and Orthodox Jews, have traditions that require men to have beards.
Medical conditions like pseudofolliculitis barbae, which affects many Black men, are worsened by shaving.
The new rules might force soldiers to choose between their religious beliefs and serving in the military.
Sikh service members must keep their beards as part of their faith.
The new memo states religious accommodations will revert to older, stricter standards and limited approvals will be allowed.
Affected troops could find themselves in non-deployable roles.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson criticized the rules as an attack on Black identity.
Former President Trump mentioned Project 2025 in a recent social media post, despite distancing himself from the initiative during his 2024 campaign. Project 2025 is a plan created by some of Trump’s allies and the Heritage Foundation, focusing on reshaping American policies and government structures. Trump plans to meet with Russ Vought, a key figure in the project, to discuss government strategy amid a shutdown.
Key Facts
Project 2025 was not an official Trump campaign platform but was created by Trump allies.
The project proposes expanding executive power and controlling federal bureaucracy.
Trump distanced himself from the project during the 2024 campaign, calling it "extreme."
Russ Vought, who helped develop Project 2025, will meet with Trump for discussions amid a government shutdown.
The plan includes proposals on abortion, oil and gas drilling, and reducing government agencies' size.
Trump mentioned Vought on social media, highlighting his connection to Project 2025.
Project 2025 drafts suggest significant changes to American social and economic structures.
A U.S. immigration judge rejected Kilmar Abrego Garcia's asylum request after he was previously deported and then returned to the U.S. by the Trump administration. Abrego Garcia, who entered the U.S. undocumented as a teenager, now faces possible deportation to a third country, despite a previous ruling against deporting him to El Salvador. He has 30 days to appeal the decision.
Key Facts
A U.S. judge denied Kilmar Abrego Garcia's asylum request.
Abrego Garcia was wrongfully deported to El Salvador and later returned to the U.S.
He originally entered the U.S. without documents as a teenager and lived in Maryland.
A 2019 judge's order protected him from being deported to El Salvador due to gang risks.
The Trump administration attempted to deport him again, suggesting Uganda or Eswatini as alternatives.
The administration accused him of MS-13 gang affiliation without substantial evidence.
Abrego Garcia's lawyers argue the charges against him are politically motivated.
He was detained in Pennsylvania after brief release and faces 30 days to appeal the judge’s decision.
Lawmakers have not made progress on ending the government shutdown. President Trump warns of serious consequences and mentions Project 2025, a policy plan he previously avoided.
Key Facts
The government is shut down with no new deal in sight.
Lawmakers have not made progress in negotiations.
Democrats focus on protecting health care.
President Trump warns of significant outcomes if the situation continues.
Trump mentions Project 2025, a policy plan, although he previously distanced himself from it.
A former Texas megachurch pastor, Robert Morris, pleaded guilty to child sex abuse charges. Morris admitted to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child in Oklahoma, relating to events from the 1980s. He received a 10-year suspended sentence with six months in jail.
Key Facts
Robert Morris, 64, founded a Texas megachurch and resigned last year after allegations of past sexual abuse.
He pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child in Osage County, Oklahoma.
The victim, Cindy Clemishire, accused Morris of abuse starting in 1982 when she was 12 years old.
Morris's plea agreement includes a 10-year suspended sentence, with the first six months in jail.
He must register as a sex offender and will be supervised by Texas authorities.
Morris will pay for his incarceration costs and provide restitution to the victim.
The abuse occurred when Morris was a traveling evangelist staying with Clemishire's family in Oklahoma.
Morris was also politically active, having served on Trump’s evangelical advisory board.
Congress was not in session on Thursday because of the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur. Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican, explained the current situation concerning negotiations about ending the government shutdown.
Key Facts
Congress did not meet on Thursday due to Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday.
The Senate will return to session on Friday.
There is a government shutdown currently in place.
Some senators are trying to find a solution by talking across party lines.
Republican Senator Mike Rounds is involved in discussions regarding ending the shutdown.
A Democratic lawmaker claims that the White House is using the threat of a government shutdown to justify firing more staff. The statement brings attention to possible political motivations behind personnel decisions.
Key Facts
A Democratic lawmaker made a statement regarding the White House's actions.
The lawmaker claims the White House is using a government shutdown as a reason for firings.
A government shutdown happens when lawmakers can't agree on a budget.
The claim suggests there could be political reasons for these job cuts.
The issue concerns staff employment and federal budget discussions.
The article discusses how politicians are presenting their views on the 2025 government shutdown. It includes a past statement by Donald Trump about handling shutdowns and mentions a controversial video he shared on social media.
Key Facts
Donald Trump, in 2013, expressed how a president should manage government shutdowns by negotiating to make deals.
As president, Trump shared a video targeting Democrats during the 2025 government shutdown.
The video falsely depicted U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer in a negative light.
PolitiFact has been fact-checking claims about government shutdowns for over ten years.
Government shutdowns occur when Congress cannot agree on a funding plan.
Shutdowns directly affect the economy, government workers' pay, and services for low-income families.
Political parties often blame each other for shutdowns.
Two programs that helped seniors during COVID, telehealth benefits and in-home hospital care, ended when their funding ran out on September 30. Congress did not approve a new budget to keep these services going.
Key Facts
Two Medicare programs for seniors have ended.
The programs are telehealth benefits and in-home hospital care.
The programs ended because the government shutdown happened.
Their funding expired on September 30.
Congress did not pass a new budget to continue these programs.
Amna Nawaz talked about this issue with Kyle Zebley from the American Telemedicine Association.
The U.S. government has increased its efforts to deport certain immigrants, including those who have lived in the country for many years. This includes starting to deport people to Laos again, with some like Alan Petsadakian, who came to the U.S. as a small child, facing deportation.
Key Facts
The U.S. government is intensifying actions to deport more immigrants.
Deportation flights to Laos from the U.S. have started again after a long pause.
Alan Petsadakian came to the United States as a toddler.
Alan now faces the possibility of being deported back to Laos.
This is part of a broader crackdown on immigration under the Trump administration.
The United States government is experiencing a shutdown, and President Trump mentioned cutting funding to certain agencies. Russ Vought, the budget director, outlined plans to cancel several projects and announced the potential for layoffs. The administration blames Democrats for the shutdown, while some believe these actions are aimed at pushing Democrats to negotiate.
Key Facts
The U.S. government is in a shutdown, affecting normal operations.
President Trump wants to cut funds from certain agencies, linked to the Democratic Party.
Russ Vought, the budget director, plans to cancel $8 billion in energy projects.
An additional $18 billion in infrastructure funding for New York City faces cuts.
Potential layoffs of federal workers have been mentioned.
The administration claims these cuts are due to a directive from President Trump.
Critics argue these actions are to pressure Democrats into negotiations.
Temporary funding lapses do not permit permanent changes, as explained by a legal expert.
President Trump and some Republican officials have shared videos online that depict Democrats wearing cultural symbols like sombreros and mustaches. These videos criticize Democrats over claims related to healthcare for undocumented immigrants, which Democrats deny. The videos have caused controversy, with Democrats labeling them as racist.
Key Facts
President Trump posted AI-generated videos featuring Democrats wearing sombreros and mustaches.
The videos criticize Democrats for allegedly supporting healthcare for undocumented immigrants.
Democrats, including leaders like Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, have called the videos racist.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz shared similar videos of Senate Democrats on social media.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson suggested that political focus should remain on keeping the government open, not on social media posts.
A White House spokesperson indicated that such content might persist until Democrats agree to reopen the government.
Thousands of dollars have been donated by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the family of a man who reportedly attacked their church in Michigan. The attacker drove a truck into the church, opened fire, and started a large fire, resulting in multiple casualties before being killed by police. A fundraiser has been set up to support the attacker's family, raising over $250,000.
Key Facts
A man attacked a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, killing four people and injuring eight.
The attacker, Thomas Sanford, drove into the church, fired shots, and started a fire.
Sanford was killed by police during the incident.
Church member David Butler launched a fundraiser for Sanford's family on GiveSendGo.
Over $250,000 has been raised to support the widow and children of Sanford.
Many donors identified themselves as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Investigators are still looking for a motive for the attack.
Thomas Sanford was a former Marine with a history of legal issues.
The article discusses whether the Democratic Party's strategy to challenge Donald Trump during a government shutdown will be effective. The focus is on the timing and potential impact of their actions.
Key Facts
The article is about the Democratic Party's strategy involving a government shutdown.
Democrats are challenging Donald Trump.
The main issue discussed is the timing of this challenge.
The potential impact of the Democrats' actions is in question.
This discussion is part of a program called Americast on BBC Sounds.
Several changes to Social Security will take effect soon. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for benefits will be announced on October 15. Other changes include work credit definitions and tax policies, which aim to address future funding challenges.
Key Facts
Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2023 will be finalized on October 15.
An estimated COLA of 2.7% could increase the average monthly retirement benefit by $26.
Beneficiaries will receive increased payments starting in January with the new COLA.
The definition of a work credit will change, increasing the earnings required for a credit.
In 2026, the taxable wage base will increase, meaning high earners will pay taxes on more of their income.
Changes aim to strengthen Social Security and address potential funding shortfalls by 2033.
Approximately 70 million Americans rely on Social Security payments monthly.
The cost of building a high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and Southern California has increased from $16 billion to $21.5 billion. The company behind the project, Brightline West, is asking the U.S. government for a $6 billion loan to help cover these increased costs.
Key Facts
The Las Vegas to Southern California high-speed rail project now costs $21.5 billion.
Initially, the cost was estimated at $16 billion.
Brightline West, the company building the rail, has asked for a $6 billion loan from the U.S. government.
Rising costs are due to increased prices for materials and labor.
The U.S. does not currently have any operational high-speed rail lines like some other countries do.
Brightline West previously built a rail line in Florida but it is not categorized as high-speed.
The Department of Transportation has not yet decided whether to approve the loan request.
The Trump administration warned that a U.S. government shutdown might affect USCIS services like visa interviews and naturalization ceremonies. USCIS, mostly funded by application fees rather than the federal budget, stated that while services might slow, their mission includes vetting for security concerns. Some people say the slowdown could be a choice rather than a necessity.
Key Facts
USCIS services such as visa interviews and naturalization ceremonies may face delays due to the government shutdown.
USCIS is primarily funded through fees from immigration applications, not federal government funding.
Despite being fee-funded, USCIS said they must comply with the law during a shutdown.
The agency's current priorities include vetting national security concerns and working with ICE.
Only the E-Verify system within USCIS relies on taxpayer funding and it remains active.
USCIS continued operations during past government shutdowns.
Critics argue the service slowdown is a policy choice, not due to necessity or budget constraints.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for college students is available earlier than ever this year, aiming to improve the process and avoid previous delays. The FAFSA form is important for students seeking federal loans and grants for college. Recent changes include early access for some students and a faster identity verification process.
Key Facts
Students can now apply for FAFSA starting earlier than previous years.
The form is necessary for federal student loans and grants for the 2026-27 school year.
In 2020, Congress passed a law to make the FAFSA process simpler, but past issues caused delays.
Past delays led to fewer students, especially those from high poverty areas, completing FAFSA.
This year, some students could fill out FAFSA early through a test run by the Department of Education.
A new verification tool allows students to quickly confirm their identity using their Social Security number.
Over 125,000 FAFSA applications have already started, according to the Department of Education.
Students can invite family members to help complete the form via email without creating a separate account.
