Netanyahu agrees to Trump plan for Gaza deal, but Hamas still a question: WP reports the White House also published the latest version of its peace plan that foresees hostages being released and hostilities ceasing within 72 hours of both sides agreeing to the deal.
Trump touts Israel’s approval of his Gaza peace plan. Hamas has not agreed. Politico reports the president appeared optimistic about bringing the war to an end, even as he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to “finish the job” should the deal fall apart.
The Trump deal for Israel and Gaza: The pressure now shifts to Hamas to release all the hostages and disarm. WSJ-Editorial
The Hill: Trump would head Gaza ‘board of peace’ in new postwar plan
Tony Blair has never quit the Middle East. Now, he could run Gaza. Blair is a key player in planning for the rebuilding and governance of the Gaza Strip if a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is finally signed. WP
Americans’ support for Israel dramatically declines, Times/Siena poll finds: A majority of American voters now oppose sending additional economic and military aid to Israel, a stunning reversal in public opinion since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. NYT
An entire generation of Americans is turning on Israel: Young people — on the left and right — are growing increasingly skeptical of Israel. Politico
Labour conference backs motion saying Israel is committing genocide in Gaza: Guardian reports union-led call for tougher action by government passes, as more cautious alternative proposed by leadership fails.
Dar Global to launch a $1 billion project in Saudi Arabia in a deal with Trump Organization: AP reports London real estate developer Dar Global said Monday that it plans to launch a Trump Plaza in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, its second collaboration with the Trump Organization, the collection of companies controlled by US President Donald Trump’s children.
Reuters: Russia pounds Kyiv, other regions in mass drone and missile attack
US considers Ukraine’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles: WP reports President Donald Trump has not made a final decision on the sale of the weapons, which could strike 1,500 miles into Russia.
Giving Tomahawks to Ukraine could bring US into war, Kremlin warns: The Times reports President Trump is considering allowing the use of the American missiles by Zelensky. The long-range weapon could strike deep inside Russia.
In defeat for Russia, pro-EU party wins Moldovan parliamentary majority: WP reports the results brought a sigh of relief for the European Union, as Moldova showed firm public support for the ruling party’s pro-Europe course.
Moldova moves toward Europe, but Russian tug of war persists: NYT reports Moldova’s pro-European party held onto its absolute majority in Parliament in national elections, but it still has a long road into the European Union.
Moldova defies Russia by re-electing its pro-European government: Russian election subversion fails to beat President Maia Sandu’s party. Economist
Italy's Meloni hardens rhetoric after killing of Charlie Kirk: Le Monde reports since the assassination of Trump ally Chalie Kirk, the Italian prime miniser has embraced darker, more polarized themes, invoking conspiracies and casting herself as a target of political violence.
Between Argentina and the US, bad accounts make for good friends: Donald Trump pledged his unconditional support for Javier Milei's administration as it faces pressure from financial markets on the peso. However, this initiative primarily signals ideological solidarity – one that may ultimately be costly for Argentinians. Stéphane Lauer
Trump set to bail out Argentina, irking some in ‘America First’ camp: The Trump administration is set to provide a $20 billion financial lifeline to Argentina, a move that has sparked controversy among some of his supporters. WP
Reuters: China buys Argentine soybeans after tax drop, leaving US farmers sidelined
Trump bets the soybean farm on tariffs: The damage from the trade war turns out to be mutually assured. WSJ-Editorial
Trump targets China’s tech sector by expanding trade blacklist: Officials are concerned about US technology helping China’s AI companies. WSJ
Pentagon pushes to double missile production for potential China conflict: Military leaders are urging defense contractors to increase assembly of 12 critical weapons. WSJ
AUKUS survives Pentagon review, with US submarine sales to proceed: Nikkei reports Washington to conclude evaluation ahead of Australian PM's visit on Oct. 20.
The missiles threatening Taiwan: China is transforming parts of its east coast into a platform for potential missile strikes against Taiwan and the nearby seas. The buildup is a vital part of the Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s ambitions to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s control and counter US power in Asia through the threat of overwhelming force. NYT
Classified US intelligence warns of China's preparations for Taiwan invasion: A classified US military intelligence report seen by the ABC says China is rapidly building up the country's commercial ferry fleet to prepare for an invasion of Taiwan. The report dates from earlier this year and was prepared by members of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) for the Pentagon. ABC
North Korea vows never to give up its nuclear weapons: DW reports in a rare address to the United Nations, the North Korean official stated that Pyongyang would never surrender its nuclear weapons. However, he left the door open to diplomacy. Follow DW for more from the UN.
Asia's Gen Z rises up against entrenched political elites: Le Monde reports since 2022, young people in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal have led a wave of uprisings to demand radical change, united by a common cause: frustration with politicians' corruption and self-granted privileges.
Surface-to-air missiles and deadly drones spread on Sudan’s battlefields: WP reports fighters now possess anti-aircraft weapons that could threaten civilian air traffic and what appears to be a Chinese surface-to-air missile system, experts said.
Russia’s ambitious plans in Africa are unraveling: Russian operations are in tatters two years after death of head of mercenary outfit. WSJ
Algiers seeks to sideline speaking French in favor of English: Le Monde reports that successive educational reforms in Algeria have led to a reduction in the number of classroom hours devoted to French in both elementary and middle school. Starting in the 2025 academic year, French will also be dropped in favor of English at medical schools.
AGOA renewal: Is it time to rethink US-Africa trade? The AGOA trade agreement between the United States and African countries is coming to an end. While countless workers fear for their jobs, there is also an opportunity for new trade partnerships to develop. DW
Stephen Miller takes leading role in strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats: Miller’s homeland security council has played a key part in coordinating operations, sources say. Guardian
Stephen Miller: Donald Trump’s ‘prime minister’ executes his plan to reshape America: Washington’s most powerful unelected bureaucrat slashes immigration and threatens his political enemies. FT
Miami suburb’s once-vibrant housing scene is hit by exodus of migrants: Doral, Fla., was a hub for Venezuelan immigrants, but many have left town. WSJ
AP: Trump will speak at a hastily called meeting of top military leaders, AP source says
Military leaders voice concern over Hegseth’s new Pentagon strategy: The critiques from multiple top officers, including chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, come as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reorders US military priorities. WP
White House shutdown summit fails to produce a deal: Politico reports: "There are still large differences between us," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said afterward.
No deal reached in talks to avoid shutdown: WSJ reports top Democrats made their case to President Trump, but said there was no breakthrough in talks, further dimming hopes of a last-minute deal.
JD Vance says US government 'headed to a shutdown,' blames Democrats: Le Monde reports Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, speaking alongside Vance and Senate Republican leader John Thune, accused Democrats on Monday of 'trying to bring in extraneous issues' instead of accepting his chamber's 'clean' proposal to extend funding.
+ The new Morning Consult poll, shared exclusively with Playbook, reports that 45 percent of voters are more likely to blame Republicans if there’s a shutdown, compared to 32 percent blaming Democrats — a 13-point margin.
+ @MZanona: On House GOP conference call, Lisa McClain walked members through polling and advised them not to make the message about healthcare, because Rs lose that argument.. BUT if they talk about economics of a shutdown, that’s where the GOP has the upper hand/winning message, she said.
Trump administration opens new front to strip Harvard of federal funding: WSJ reports the government is starting a process that could make the university ineligible for future funding.
Trump might be losing his race against time: The president is gambling that he can consolidate authority before the public turns too sharply against him. David Frum
Rahm Emanuel, weighing presidential bid, navigates a Democratic Party moving left: Party long-timer takes stage in Iowa to test political waters, leaving behind past criticism of Democrats. WSJ
How Democrats lost Big Business: The party’s animus toward corporations convinced executives that opposing Trump isn’t worth the risk. Caitlin Legacki
‘Mine, baby, mine’: Trump officials offer $625 million to rescue coal: NYT reports the new effort, which includes opening 13.1 million acres of federal land for mining and eliminating pollution limits, aims to save an industry that has been declining for decades.
Will mining destroy America’s most-visited wilderness? The Trump administration is moving rapidly to approve a mine next to the Boundary Waters that many fear will pollute the pristine wilderness area. WP
+ The price of gold rose above $3,800 per troy ounce, a record that took its gains to more than 45% this year.
YouTube to pay $24.5 million to settle lawsuit brought by Trump: WSJ reports Google subsidiary is the last of three Big Tech companies to resolve personal litigation Trump filed against social-media platforms.
Disney saw more than 1.7 million total paid streaming cancellations in the week after suspending Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show.
Trump re-ups tariff plan for movies made outside of US: WSJ reports president says films made elsewhere will face a 100% tariff.
+ "Trump did not specify when or how the tariff could be enacted."
American films are losing their dominance over the global box office Bloomberg
Video games maker Electronic Arts strikes $55bn deal to go private: FT reports Saudi-backed transaction orchestrated by Jared Kushner and Silver Lake is biggest-ever leveraged buyout.
Why EA is ready to quit Wall Street’s game: Legacy videogame companies have struggled with hit-and-miss media cycles. WSJ
Jared Kushner, Saudi Arabia, more backers to buy EA in $55B deal. What this means for gamers. Saudi Arabia is looking to diversify its investments outside of oil, which is why it is interested in acquiring Electronic Arts. USA Today
Anthropic launches new AI model, touting coding supremacy: AFP reports US startup Anthropic on Monday announced the launch of its new generative artificial intelligence model, Claude Sonnet 4.5, which it says is the world's best for computer programming.
AI groups bet on world models in race for ‘superintelligence’: Google DeepMind, Meta, and Nvidia are developing systems that aim to better understand the physical world. FT
Lufthansa to shed 4,000 jobs with help from AI: DW reports German airline Lufthansa plans to cut a slew of administrative jobs by 2030 as it streamlines operations. The group says AI and digitalization will replace some tasks as it reshapes the way its airlines operate.
Creator says AI actress is 'piece of art' after backlash: AFP reports the creator of an AI actress who exploded across the internet over the weekend has insisted she is an artwork, after a fierce backlash from the creative community.
After colonizing the adult world, AI enters the world of children: There are no age limits for AI companies. As digital emotional 'companions' emerge, young children have become tech firms' latest targets. Corine Lesnes
California enacts AI safety law targeting tech giants: AFP reports California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law groundbreaking legislation requiring the world's largest artificial intelligence companies to publicly disclose their safety protocols and report critical incidents, state lawmakers announced Monday.
AI data centers are sending power bills soaring: Wholesale electricity costs as much as 267% more than it did five years ago in areas near data centers. That’s being passed on to customers. Bloomberg
In the global AI boom, Russia is conspicuously absent: The Putin regime is suffocating the country’s tech talent. Chris Miller
A new front opens between Zuckerberg and Musk over robots: The rivalry could be one for the ages—up there with the feud between Bill Gates and the late Steve Jobs. Tim Higgins
Forget about that protein bar: The founder of Jeni’s Ice Cream is convinced that fiber is the future. NY Mag
Once Upon a Farm PBC, the organic baby food company co-founded by actress Jennifer Garner, has filed for an initial public offering in the US, joining a list of firms moving ahead with a public listing.
Britain’s strict new curbs on junk-food marketing: Will they work? Economist
Startup founder Javice sentenced to over 7 years for defrauding JPMorgan: WSJ reports Frank founder Charlie Javice acknowledged she “made mistakes,” but her attorneys say they plan to appeal her conviction.
Occidental Petroleum in talks to sell OxyChem unit for about $10bn: FT reports the deal would carve out one of the world’s largest standalone petrochemicals units.
What does MAGA taste like? Filet mignon is out and marrow bones are in at DC’s new right-wing power spots. NY Mag
Armani’s farewell had it all, from Richard Gere to chic nonagenarians: Giorgio Armani’s extravagant spring 2026 show doubled as a remembrance for the designer, who died earlier this year. WSJ
WP: Dolly Parton’s ‘health challenges’ force delay of Vegas concerts till 2026
The Mets spent a fortune to win it all. They became a $340 million disaster. WSJ reports that after having the best record in baseball in June, the team suffered a stunning collapse that ranks among the worst of the franchise’s many September meltdowns.
The Ryder Cup missteps that doomed Team USA: The Americans fought back late on Sunday, but critical errors and poor showings from stars had already left them facing an insurmountable deficit at Bethpage Black. WSJ
AP: Rory calls out 'unacceptable and abusive behavior' from fans at Bethpage
USL adds ex-Carlyle Group CEO as vice chair with eye toward new first division Guardian
LeBron relishing 23rd season as retirement draws near: AFP reports LeBron James said Monday he had not decided when to retire from basketball as he prepares to become the first player in NBA history to play a 23rd season in the league.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
A11. | September 30
