During a Senate hearing, Jack Smith, the prosecutor behind the criminal investigations of President Trump, defended his actions against accusations of political bias. Smith addressed questions regarding his investigations into Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election and alleged mishandling of classified documents, while Republican senators criticized his motives and actions. The hearing highlighted ongoing concerns about the politicization of the Department of Justice.
Curtis Wilkie Beasley, a 77-year-old man, was executed in Florida on September 29, 2026, for the 1995 murder of Carolyn Monfort. This execution is the 16th in Florida for the year, making it the state with the most executions in the country.
The Supreme Court has temporarily allowed the Trump administration to continue deporting migrants to third countries while the justices prepare to hear arguments on the matter in December. In other news, a Venezuelan delivery driver has been charged with assaulting a federal officer, Dutch police arrested a suspect linked to a hack of the FBI's jobs database, and Hurricane Polo has caused evacuations in Mexico. Additionally, Manchester City faces serious financial charges in the Premier League.
On September 29, 2026, President Donald Trump announced an agreement with technology CEOs to self-regulate artificial intelligence, termed 'super intelligence.' The White House Accord outlines guidelines for AI companies, emphasizing internal controls, oversight, and audits to ensure safe technology development. Key signatories include CEOs from Google, Meta, and OpenAI.
Adam Hamilton, a Democratic Senate candidate in Kansas, has announced his intention to limit his service to two terms and focus on local issues rather than investigating President Trump. His campaign is gaining traction in a traditionally Republican state, with polls indicating a competitive race against incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall. Hamilton's centrist approach appeals to a diverse voter base, including independents and moderate Republicans.
Former special counsel Jack Smith testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding his acquisition of phone records from Republican lawmakers. He defended the subpoenas but could not confirm whether they included geolocation data. The investigation reportedly involved over 4,700 donor checks related to contributions to Donald Trump's campaign, raising concerns among lawmakers about the extent of the surveillance.
Cornell University has reopened an investigation into an alleged gang rape from 2024 after the victim, identified as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit against the university. The lawsuit claims that Cornell failed to adequately respond to the allegations, and local officials have criticized the handling of the case. Prosecutors are set to present the case to a grand jury, while the university maintains that disciplinary actions were taken against the accused.
Jack Smith, the former special counsel, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding his investigation into President Trump's actions surrounding the January 6 Capitol attack. Smith defended his decision to charge Trump, stating that the investigation revealed serious crimes, while facing criticism and personal attacks from some Republican senators.
Polling suggests that Democrats may regain control of the House of Representatives in the midterm elections, potentially leading to Hakeem Jeffries becoming Speaker. In a recent interview, Jeffries discussed priorities such as affordability, AI safety, and accountability, emphasizing the need for decisive action to address economic challenges facing Americans.
Six Flags Magic Mountain has permanently closed the X2 rollercoaster following numerous allegations of brain injuries from riders. The decision comes after lawsuits and reports of injuries, with the park stating that ride safety is a priority. The closure has been met with calls for better regulatory oversight from affected families.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has unveiled a plan to combat antisemitism and hate crimes against Jewish individuals in the city. The initiative includes increased funding for synagogue security, integration of Jewish history in schools, and support for community organizations focused on hate crime prevention. Mamdani, who has faced criticism for his stance on Israel, aims to create a safer environment for Jewish residents.
Former special counsel Jack Smith reportedly collected private messages from journalists as part of the Arctic Frost investigation, according to a whistleblower disclosure to Senator Chuck Grassley. The investigation focused on Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election and involved communications from various national news organizations, but did not target the journalists themselves.
Recent diplomatic talks mediated by Qatar between the U.S. and Iran have not yielded significant progress, with both sides remaining firm in their positions. U.S. officials express concerns that a return to military conflict is increasingly likely, while Iranian officials assert that they have communicated their terms to the U.S.
The US executive branch will now officially refer to artificial intelligence as 'Super Intelligence' following an executive order signed by President Trump. Trump stated that the term 'super' is simpler and more powerful, and noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping supports this terminology.
On September 29, 2026, a Staten Island judge ruled against New York City's pied-à-terre tax on second homes, stating that the city's implementation was mishandled. Judge Wayne Ozzi indicated that the Department of Finance violated the rights of the plaintiffs involved in the case.
Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, a Venezuelan delivery driver, has been charged with assaulting a federal officer after being shot by an ICE agent in Texas. The charge stems from an incident where he allegedly struck an officer with his vehicle while trying to escape.
The D.C. Circuit Court is considering whether to allow Judge James Boasberg to continue a contempt inquiry into Trump administration officials regarding deportations of Venezuelans to El Salvador. The Justice Department argues the inquiry is unlawful, while the ACLU supports its continuation. A ruling is expected in the coming months.
The NBA is set to choose the winning bid for the Las Vegas expansion team shortly, with the franchise and new arena expected to sell for $12 billion to $13 billion. Three finalist groups are competing, and the approval process for two expansion teams will conclude by the end of December. Las Vegas is anticipated to finalize its selection ahead of Seattle due to a more competitive bidding environment.
Austin Riley hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series. The game featured a pitching duel between Chris Sale and Jesús Luzardo, with the Braves looking to clinch the series in Game 2.
An investigation is being conducted into a possible plot linked to Iran that may have targeted a British air base important for U.S. Air Force operations. Five individuals were arrested and later released as part of the inquiry, which has drawn attention in both the U.S. and Britain.
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