Here is a roundup of recent events, developments and headlines from the U.S. and beyond. Some are political, some are cultural and some are unexpected. Some of what has happened lately is hard to process. Some of it is heartbreaking. Some of it is just bizarre. If it gets to be too much, take a breath or a break. 

• D.C. was placed under military occupation as Federal troops moved in and took control of key areas across the city 

• Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who allegedly targeted him for political reasons and is now facing the death penalty. 

• Jimmy Kimmel was pulled off the air by ABC for criticizing Donald Trump’s response to Charlie Kirk’s murder, but was reinstated days later after Disney reportedly lost over $4 billion in market value. 

• President Trump signed an executive order to restore the “Department of War” as a secondary title for the Department of Defense. 

• Albania became the first country in the world to appoint an AI-powered government minister, though not a full prime minister. 

• The White House and Department of Homeland Security posted a video showing ICE arrests set to the original Pokémon theme song, captioned “Gotta Catch ’Em All”, and shared it on TikTok and X. The Pokémon Company later responded, saying it did not authorize the use of its intellectual property or participate in the video’s creation. 

• Elon Musk was named in Epstein’s September files via a 2014 calendar entry suggesting a possible island visit. Musk denied ever going and accused media outlets of twisting the facts. 

• Republican lawmakers “introduced” a bill to mint silver dollar coins honoring Charlie Kirk, making him the youngest American ever featured on U.S. currency. The coins will feature his full name, the year 2026, the phrase “Well done, good and faithful servant” and “In God We Trust”. 

• 23+ states now require users to upload government-issued ID or pass facial recognition to access adult websites. Pornhub responded by blocking access in those states unless verification is completed. 

• President Trump announced a 100% tariff on all imported branded and patented pharmaceutical drugs, effective October 1. 

• President Trump claimed Tylenol (acetaminophen) causes autism when taken during pregnancy. However, the World Health Organization and most medical experts say there is no proven link, and the evidence remains inconclusive and divided. 

• A 12-foot bronze statue titled “Best Friends Forever” appeared in front of the National Mall, depicting Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands and frolicking about. Created by anonymous art group “The Secret Handshake”, it mocked their past friendship and was permitted to stay until September 28. However, the Park Police tore it down within 24 hours, citing “noncompliance” without further explanation. 

• New York judge, Gregory Carro dismissed terrorism-related murder charges against Luigi Mangione, who was accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The court ruled Mangione’s anti-industry motives did not meet the legal threshold for terrorism, but second-degree murder and eight weapons-related charges still stand. 

• Fox News hosts Brian Kilmeade and Lawrence Jones suggested jailing homeless people who refuse mental health services. Kilmeade went further, saying “just kill them” via involuntary injection, prompting outrage and an apology. 

That is a lot of movement in a short time. If you need a moment to step away, that is completely fine. This space is here when you are ready to keep going. If you are still with me, here is what else has been unfolding: stories, updates and moments. 

• The Trump administration ordered the destruction of nearly $10 million worth of contraceptives, including birth control pills, IUDs and implants. They were originally purchased for low-income countries. Officials claimed they were “abortifacients,” 

• Newly-released Epstein estate documents included a note allegedly written by President Trump in a “birthday book,” alongside a sketch of a woman’s body. Trump denied involvement and is suing The Wall Street Journal for reporting on it, while Congress pushes for full disclosure of the Epstein files. 

• Researchers announced two birth control options for males: a reversible injectable gel and a non-hormonal oral pill with “minimal” side effects. Both are presumed to be available for public use within the next 7 to 10 years. 

• Uber announced it will start offering helicopter rides through its app by 2026, following a new partnership with Joby Aviation.  

• Huntington’s disease was successfully treated for the first time using a breakthrough gene therapy called AMT-130. 

• Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that bans federal agents from wearing masks, making California the first state to do so. 

• Delegates at the United Nations General Assembly stormed out as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu took the stage to speak. Their response to Netanyahu was a contrast to the long round of applause that Palestine’s President Mahmoud Abbas received. 

• Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) warned that imported shrimp contaminated with radioactive cesium-137 could “turn you into the alien” from the 1979 movie Alien.  

• People all over the world believed the rapture would happen, so some quit jobs, emptied savings or gathered with family to “ascend together.” TikTok and livestreams fueled expectations of a literal disappearance, with many watching the skies at sunset, waiting to be lifted. 

• New Mexico passed a law offering free universal childcare to all families, regardless of income starting in November. 

• The body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke). The car had been impounded after sitting parked for days in Hollywood Hills, and a tow yard employee noticed a foul odor before the grim discovery. 

That is some of the latest. The pace does not seem to be slowing, but staying informed helps us keep up; and sometimes, make sense of it. Thanks for reading through. We will keep watching what unfolds next.