Trade unions are concerned that Labour’s plan to reduce zero-hours contracts might not fully meet the party’s promise to protect workers. They want the policy to cover all workers and fear that limits and rules could leave many out. The government is still deciding details as the consultation period ends soon.
Key Facts
Labour wants to cut zero-hours contracts to give workers contracts that match the hours they usually work.
Trade unions like Usdaw, GMB, and Unite warn the policy might exclude some workers due to limits on who qualifies.
Unions want the policy to apply to all workers, including full-time employees, without loopholes.
The government proposed a “regularity requirement” that unions say could disqualify many workers.
Business groups estimate the policy could cost companies up to £2.9 billion a year.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) argues that some cost estimates assume employers won’t adapt their practices, which is unlikely.
Irregular work schedules on zero-hours contracts currently cost workers about £3,000 a year and affect their mental health.
The consultation on the zero-hours contract policy closes soon, and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will lead the next steps.
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California and 28 other US states are suing Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, over claims it created addictive products that harm children. The trial in Oakland examines whether Meta broke child privacy laws by collecting data from kids under 13 without permission and could lead to huge fines and changes in how Meta runs its platforms.
Key Facts
Meta’s business model was described as “hook, hold, harvest, hide,” meaning it attracts users, keeps them engaged, collects their data, and hides information from the public.
The lawsuit alleges Meta’s social media platforms are addictive and cause harm to children.
The case is led by California and includes 28 other states suing Meta in US courts.
The lawsuit claims Meta broke federal child privacy laws by gathering data on children under 13 without parental consent.
Meta denies the allegations, stating it does not allow children under 13 to create accounts and has disabled over 1 million such accounts.
If found liable, Meta could face damages up to $200 billion, equal to its projected 2025 yearly revenue.
The trial includes testimony from former Meta employees, a psychologist, and is expected to last 6-8 weeks.
Meta has already lost two similar lawsuits earlier this year related to child safety and addictive design on its platforms.
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A coroner found that the UK Treasury partly caused the death of Chloe Moffat, a 26-year-old employee who died by suicide after a distressing disciplinary meeting. Her parents have been investigating the circumstances and say the Treasury has not apologized or offered condolences since the ruling.
Key Facts
Chloe Moffat worked as a personal assistant at the Treasury for nearly three years.
She died by suicide the day after a surprise disciplinary meeting with her managers.
The meeting left her distressed and convinced she would lose her job.
The coroner ruled that the Treasury “materially contributed” to Chloe’s death.
Chloe was not told about her rights during the meeting, such as bringing a supporter or knowing the likely outcome.
She faced anonymous complaints she denied and was not reassured about her job security.
Chloe’s parents investigated the case themselves to understand what happened.
Since the ruling, the Treasury has not contacted the family to offer condolences or an apology.
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Alex Jones must still pay over $1 billion in damages for falsely claiming the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting was a hoax. A Texas court reduced some of the money he owes, but Jones continues to face multiple large legal judgments and has filed for bankruptcy.
Key Facts
Alex Jones falsely said the Sandy Hook shooting was staged using actors to push for gun control.
Families of victims sued Jones and his company for defamation and emotional harm.
In Connecticut, Jones was ordered to pay $1.25 billion, which remains in place after appeals.
In Texas, a court reduced a $50 million punishment for Jones to about $6 million due to state limits on damages.
Jones and his company filed for bankruptcy amid these financial judgments.
Victims’ families have not yet received any money from Jones.
Jones denied responsibility for threats made by his followers but admitted the shooting did happen.
Jones plans to keep appealing the decisions, claiming they affect free speech rights.
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Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes decided not to file criminal charges against Governor Katie Hobbs in a bribery investigation involving a group-home company. The investigation found no proof that Hobbs gave special treatment in exchange for political donations from the company Sunshine Residential Homes.
Key Facts
The investigation lasted more than two years and focused on Sunshine Residential Homes.
Sunshine donated a total of $400,000 to Arizona Democratic Party-related funds before and after Hobbs took office.
Sunshine received a 30% payment increase from the state in 2023 after previously being denied in 2022.
The rate increase approval came from the Arizona Department of Child Safety, which said Hobbs and her office were not involved.
The rate increase was considered necessary to prevent Sunshine from reducing the number of beds for children in state care.
Governor Hobbs denied any involvement in the rate decisions or directing anyone about them.
The Attorney General suggested lawmakers should pass new laws to make political donations from state contractors more transparent.
Separate investigations related to the case are still ongoing by Maricopa County and the state auditor general.
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Lindsay Clancy, a mother from Massachusetts, is on trial for killing her three children. Her defense says she had postpartum psychosis, a serious mental illness after childbirth, and was experiencing hallucinations and delusions when the killings happened.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is charged with three counts of first-degree murder for killing her children in January 2023.
She strangled her children with fitness bands and then jumped from a second-floor window, resulting in paralysis.
A forensic psychiatrist testified Clancy had a "command hallucination" and "delusions" caused by postpartum psychosis during the killings.
Postpartum psychosis is a rare and serious mental illness that can occur after childbirth.
Clancy’s defense argues she could not control her actions or understand right from wrong due to her mental state.
Prosecutors claim Clancy made a planned decision to kill her children.
Clancy's mother and former mother-in-law said her mental health worsened after giving birth and she sought help.
The trial has included nearly a month of testimony and is expected to go to the jury soon.
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The U.S. Department of Education wants to stop the American Bar Association (ABA) from controlling the approval of law schools. The ABA has managed this role for about 70 years, but the Department plans to change this system.
Key Facts
The American Bar Association has accredited nearly 200 law schools for around 70 years.
The Department of Education is proposing to remove the ABA’s authority to oversee law school accreditation.
This proposal was reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Changing the accreditation process could affect how law schools are evaluated and approved.
The move is part of the current administration’s efforts to revise education oversight.
Accreditation ensures schools meet certain quality standards.
The ABA is a professional group representing lawyers and law students.
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Karoline Leavitt will join the MAGA Inc. super PAC linked to President Donald Trump after leaving her job at the White House. She announced this plan shortly after stepping down as White House press secretary.
Key Facts
Karoline Leavitt is leaving her role as White House press secretary.
She will work at MAGA Inc., a super PAC connected to President Trump.
Leavitt shared this information with reporters near Air Force One.
Her announcement came about one week after she said she would resign.
MAGA Inc. is a political organization supporting President Trump’s goals and campaigns.
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A U.S. judge has ruled that a policy by President Donald Trump’s administration to stop immigrant visas from 75 countries is illegal. The judge said the policy goes beyond the legal powers given to the Secretary of State and conflicts with U.S. immigration law.
Key Facts
The policy stopped immigrant visas from applicants in 75 countries starting January 2024.
The affected countries include nations in Latin America, the Balkans, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled the policy “patently unlawful” because it exceeded the Secretary of State’s authority.
The ruling came from the Southern District of New York.
The lawsuit was filed by immigrant rights groups Catholic Legal Immigration Network and African Communities Together, along with visa applicants and U.S. citizens sponsoring family members.
The State Department claimed that applicants from these countries posed a “high risk” of relying on government resources.
This policy is part of several immigration restrictions introduced by President Trump’s administration in early 2024.
The State Department has not yet responded to the court’s decision.
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Lord Jim O'Neill, an economist advising Prime Minister Andy Burnham, announced he will not take a formal role in Burnham’s government. He said he wants to keep control of his business interests and avoid the legal rules that come with government jobs.
Key Facts
Lord Jim O'Neill has been advising Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister of a regional government.
O'Neill decided not to accept a formal government position.
He does not disagree with Burnham’s policies, especially on devolution (shifting power to local governments).
Taking a government role would require placing shares in blind trusts to avoid conflicts of interest.
O'Neill was previously a Treasury minister under the Conservative Party from 2015-2016.
He was once the chief economist at Goldman Sachs.
O'Neill helped create the "Northern Powerhouse" plan to boost northern England's economy.
He coined the term "BRIC" to describe fast-growing countries: Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
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President Donald Trump has often interrupted reporters, especially female journalists, when he hears questions he prefers not to answer. The BBC examined the reasons behind his reactions and identified the kinds of questions that prompt him to stop reporters from speaking.
Key Facts
President Trump has frequently shut down reporters during press events.
Female journalists are often the targets of these interruptions.
The president reacts strongly to questions he finds uncomfortable or challenging.
These reactions include public insults and demands for quiet.
The BBC analyzed what topics or questions trigger these responses.
This behavior happens during official press interactions.
The article focuses on understanding the reasons behind Trump’s reactions.
It gives examples of questions that the president tends to avoid.
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Army Secretary Dan Driscoll plans to leave his position near the end of 2026 after ongoing conflicts with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The tension between these two Pentagon officials has lasted several months.
Key Facts
Dan Driscoll is the current Army Secretary.
Driscoll intends to resign around the end of 2026.
He has been in a dispute with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Pete Hegseth previously worked in the White House.
The conflict between Driscoll and Hegseth has lasted for months.
Multiple sources familiar with the situation confirmed these details.
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A laptop caught fire on an American Airlines flight from Atlanta to Dallas Fort Worth, causing smoke and possible burn injuries to four or five passengers. The plane landed safely, and one passenger was treated and released after the incident.
Key Facts
The laptop fire happened mid-flight on American Airlines Flight 2398.
There were 133 people on board the plane.
The pilot reported smoke and said four to five passengers might have been burned.
Flight attendants worked to put out the fire during the flight.
The flight landed safely at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
One passenger received treatment after landing and was released.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns that lithium batteries in devices like laptops can overheat and catch fire.
This year, there have been at least 56 reported incidents involving lithium battery fires or overheating on flights.
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Last year, the U.S. government deported Cuban immigrant Yasmany Moreno de Armas and several others to the Central African Republic, a very poor and dangerous country in Africa. These people were not warned about their deportation destination and have no documents, leaving them stranded far from their families.
Key Facts
Yasmany Moreno de Armas, a Cuban immigrant living in Florida, was deported to the Central African Republic in July.
He learned of his deportation destination only after arriving in the African country.
The Central African Republic faces poverty, armed conflict, political instability, and contains Russian mercenaries.
The U.S. has agreements with over 30 countries, including African nations, to accept deportees from America.
Many deportees, like Moreno de Armas and Eritrea native Zena Gebrgzabher, were not notified or allowed to challenge their deportation.
Both men have minor criminal records related to immigration but no major offenses.
Moreno de Armas fears danger if sent back to Cuba because he was previously imprisoned there for trying to leave illegally.
The deportations are part of President Trump’s immigration crackdown targeting immigrants whose home countries refuse or restrict U.S. deportations.
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The U.S. government has ordered big cuts to water use from the Colorado River for Arizona, California, and Nevada because of drought and low water levels. These cuts will start in 2027 and last for two years, reducing water delivery by 1.25 million acre-feet each year.
Key Facts
The Colorado River supplies water to more than 35 million people across seven U.S. states and Mexico.
The federal government planned larger cuts but settled on reducing supplies by 1.25 million acre-feet per year for two years.
Arizona will reduce its water use by 760,000 acre-feet, California by 440,000, and Nevada by 50,000, based on a voluntary agreement.
The government encourages the states to save an additional 700,000 acre-feet over two years.
Cuts were necessary because Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the two biggest reservoirs, are at record-low water levels due to drought and climate change.
The Department of the Interior may require further cuts depending on water conditions in the next 10 years.
No cuts were ordered for the Upper Basin states like Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico.
The government wants to keep Lake Powell above a level where the dam can generate electricity.
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The US Postal Service (USPS) plans to enforce new rules that require states to share voter information with the federal government before the November midterm elections. These rules are currently blocked by court orders, but USPS is ready to act if the courts lift those blocks.
Key Facts
USPS wants states to provide voter lists to the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies.
States must follow new balloting procedures before USPS delivers mail-in ballots.
If states don’t comply, USPS will refuse to deliver some ballots.
Federal courts in California and Massachusetts have blocked these new rules for now.
The federal government has sued 30 states and Washington DC for not sharing voter information.
USPS issued the rule following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in March.
The new rules would take effect if the court injunctions are lifted before the November elections.
About one-third of Americans voted by mail in 2024, and President Trump has used mail-in voting himself.
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President Donald Trump’s legal team threatened to sue the Center for American Progress (CAP), a left-leaning think tank, over a report saying National Guard deployments did not reduce violent crime. CAP rejected the threat, saying the report is based on facts and protected by free speech.
Key Facts
President Trump’s lawyer demanded CAP retract, apologize, and pay damages over a July report on National Guard deployments.
The report found no evidence that sending National Guard troops to cities reduced violent crime.
CAP refused to retract the report, defending it as truthful and protected by the First Amendment.
National Guard troops were deployed to several cities in 2025 to support federal law enforcement amid protests and crime concerns.
The FBI reported that violent crime rates went down nationwide in 2025.
Legal experts say it is hard for public figures like the president to win defamation lawsuits because they must prove statements were made with actual malice.
CAP’s president said such lawsuits threaten free public debate and independent research.
President Trump has a history of filing lawsuits against political opponents or critics.
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President Donald Trump visited Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to support Senator Darline Graham in the upcoming primary runoff election. He encouraged Republicans to vote in the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump traveled to Myrtle Beach to rally support for Sen. Darline Graham, a Republican from South Carolina.
The visit took place ahead of a primary runoff election next week.
President Trump urged Republican voters to participate in the November midterm elections.
He made a comment about Senator Lindsey Graham’s respect for Darline Graham.
The event was focused on building support in a traditionally pro-Trump area.
The primary runoff is an important step before the general election in November.
The goal was to help Darline Graham secure her party’s nomination.
Encouraging voter turnout was a key part of President Trump’s message.
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President Donald Trump campaigned with Senator Darline Graham in South Carolina ahead of a runoff election to fill the late Senator Lindsey Graham's seat. Despite some concerns about her knowledge of foreign policy, Darline Graham received President Trump’s endorsement and emphasized focusing on domestic issues.
Key Facts
President Trump campaigned for Republican Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina before a special primary runoff.
The runoff will decide who replaces the late Senator Lindsey Graham on the November ballot.
Darline Graham did not get more than 50% of votes in the crowded primary, so a runoff is required.
President Trump said he supports Graham and asked voters to "pretend" he is on the ballot to encourage turnout.
Darline Graham was appointed to finish her late brother’s term after he passed away in July.
Graham admitted she is not very informed on national security issues like Taiwan and the South China Sea.
President Trump defended her honesty and intelligence despite her admission.
Other Republican leaders also spoke at the rally, including Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso and Senators Tim Scott and Representative Russell Fry.
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California state Senator Aisha Wahab has won a special election to fill the U.S. House seat left by Eric Swalwell, despite heavy spending by pro-Israel groups supporting her opponent. Wahab will represent California’s 14th congressional district until January and is set to become the first Afghan American member of Congress.
Key Facts
Aisha Wahab won the special election for California’s 14th congressional district.
Wahab defeated Melissa Hernandez, a moderate Democrat backed by pro-Israel groups.
Pro-Israel groups spent over $4 million to support Hernandez through advertising and campaigns.
Wahab has called the district her home and said her victory shows the district cannot be bought.
Wahab is the first Afghan American expected to join the U.S. Congress.
The election followed Swalwell’s resignation amid denied sexual assault allegations.
Wahab supports economic and social justice and has spoken against the war in Gaza.
Wahab will face Hernandez again in the November general election for the full term.
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