Trump says he will meet with Putin in Budapest to discuss end to Ukraine war: WSJ reports a phone conversation between the two leaders took place a day before Trump is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky.
Trump, Putin will meet in Budapest to discuss end to war in Ukraine: WP reports President Donald Trump is seeking another diplomatic breakthrough after brokering a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The US leader will also meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Oval Office on Friday.
Trump to meet Putin in Budapest for second Ukraine summit this year: The Times reports the announcement comes before President Zelensky of Ukraine visits the White House on Friday to ask the US for Tomahawk missiles.
Russia’s succession fear: ‘All our dictators quit by 80. Putin is 73’: Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who lives in exile and is accused of plotting a coup, says paranoia is growing in Moscow about the transfer of power. The Times
Russia is arming drones with North Korean cluster weapons, report says: NYT reports though Pyongyang has largely pulled its soldiers off the front lines in Ukraine, it is expanding the types of ammunition it supplies to Russia.
Russia’s weakness is Trump’s opportunity: The president leveraged Netanyahu’s vulnerability to secure a cease-fire. He can similarly pressure Putin. Rahm Emanuel
Putin bluffed Biden. It won’t work on Trump. The only way to bring to peace to Ukraine is to increase the cost of war to Russia. Marc Thiessen
Trump’s Gaza lessons for Ukraine: Putin won’t negotiate until he pays a higher price for waging war. WSJ-Editorial
Militias and mafias — how Gaza has unravelled since the ceasefire: The Times reports that after Israel’s withdrawal, Hamas is killing rivals and reasserting control as fear, hunger, and lawlessness grip the territory. Some fear civil war is next.
Pick-up trucks and public executions: Hamas emerges from Gaza’s ruins: FT reports show of strength attempts to send message to both Palestinians and truce mediators that group remains in control.
A day of somber ceremony in Israel, with a fragile cease-fire holding: NYT reports ceremonies took place on Thursday to commemorate two years since the surprise attack of Oct. 7, 2023, on southern Israel.
Israel is in a rare position: Strong and isolated: While two years of war have left Israel in a position of military dominance, the country's image has collapsed as never before among its friends and traditional allies. Alain Frachon
What does China want? It’s too soon to tell: Whether playing from a position of strength or weakness, Beijing’s timing is excellent. John Authers
Bloomberg: Xi rare earth shock gives Trump chance to win over US allies
The Chinese spy scandal that is rocking Britain’s government: When a British parliamentary researcher was arrested for allegedly spying for China, security officials expected a slam-dunk case. Instead, the trial collapsed. WSJ
Cai Qi: Xi Jinping’s right-hand man drawn into UK’s China spy drama: Political veteran mentioned in collapsed prosecution of two British men over espionage allegations. FT
‘You’re in spy territory now’: How the China case unfolded: Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry were accused of providing an inside track on British ministers — and their views on Beijing — according to the government’s witness statement. The Times
I spy mixed messages and muddle on China: National security concerns clash with demands of trade, making the government’s approach to Beijng wildly inconsistent. Patrick Maguire
MI5 thwarted another China spy threat this week, chief reveals: The Times reports Sir Ken McCallum says he is frustrated by the collapse of the spy trial as he vowed to ‘never back off’ from the challenge posed by Beijing.
MI5 chief says China a continual threat: The Times reports Sir Ken McCallum discloses that a new espionage threat from Beijing was intercepted in the past week.
Finally, Japan is standing up for itself: Japan is spending more on defense. Trump’s pressure helped. WP-Editorial
EU exports to US drop sharply: WSJ reports exports to the US fell 26% on month in August and 22% on year.
IKEA boosts US production as Trump hits furniture makers with hefty tariffs: FT reports the flat-pack group moves to increase domestic sourcing as it faces tariffs of up to 50% on wood products.
Revealed: Group 78, the secret US task force fighting cybercriminals: When the FBI presented 'Group 78' to European counterparts in November 2024, some officials were shocked. They expressed particular concerns about the integrity of their investigations. Le Monde
French PM survives no-confidence vote by 18 votes: Le Monde reports most Socialists did not vote to bring down the government after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu promised to suspend the pension reform and not to use Article 49.3 to push the budget through.
Sweden defends its 'snus' through thick and thin: Le Monde reports in the Scandinavian country, the use of nicotine pouches has surged, yet any form of regulation remains off the table. Lobbyists have presented snus as a risk-free alternative to cigarettes, while political leaders defend it as an integral part of the Swedish lifestyle.
Uruguay passes law to legalize euthanasia: Le Monde reports after a decade-long debate, Uruguay's Senate approved a 'Dignified Death' law, making the country one of the first in Latin America to legalize assisted suicide.
Bloomberg: Peru’s new President Jerí faces left-wing push to oust him
US Special operations helicopters near Venezuela expand Caribbean mission: WP reports the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment appears to have flown within 90 miles of Venezuela, according to a Post visual analysis. Trump has authorized CIA covert action inside the country.
US B-52s and helicopters fly near Venezuela in show of threats: NYT reports the Trump administration is sharply increasing US military pressure on the government of Nicolás Maduro.
America doubles down on Javier Milei: But there’s a catch. Economist
Bloomberg: Argentines dump the peso, betting US rescue is doomed to fail
+ Argentines are convinced that a flood of cash from the US won’t be able to stop another painful devaluation of the peso.
+ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has moved to prevent a devaluation by stepping in to buy the currency and talking it up as “undervalued”.
+ Residents are continuing to dump the peso, betting it’s virtually assured that President Javier Milei will need to let it tumble after the Oct. 26 legislative elections.
US and Canada weigh revival of ‘zombie’ Keystone XL pipeline in trade talks: FT reports controversial project to ship heavy crude to Texas coast was killed by Biden administration on environmental grounds.
‘I’ll have Eric call’: Trump sets up son’s meeting with Indonesian president: WSJ reports a hot-mic moment suggests blurry line between US president’s roles as political leader and businessman.
How the Trump companies made $1bn from crypto: The president and his family have built a rapidly growing digital assets empire which has been fuelled by the administration’s industry-friendly policies. FT
The impossible politics that mean the shutdown is set to drag on: Democrats and Republicans both feel they have the upper hand; Trump hasn’t signaled what deal he would support. WSJ
This shutdown is different — and shows signs of lasting: The government closure is driven by partisan fury and a fight over who controls government. That could make it harder to resolve. WP
CNN: ‘The communication culture sucks’: Republicans on Capitol Hill in the dark on Trump administration decisions during shutdown
Ossoff walks political tightrope in Georgia as shutdown drags on: NYT reports for Jon Ossoff, the most endangered Senate Democrat, the shutdown fight could rally support among some voters, but risks alienating others in a state President Trump won in 2024.
NY Mag: Democrats torch Mike Johnson for blocking Grijalva over the Epstein files
Voters blame everyone for the shutdown: A new AP-NORC poll shows fairly similar proportions of Americans placing significant onus for the shutdown on Donald Trump at 58%, congressional Republicans at 58% and congressional Democrats at 54%.
White House set to announce proposal seeking to make IVF more accessible: NYT reports it is unclear whether the new guidance will substantively affect how many employers will choose to offer such benefits.
Judge says immigration agents must wear body cameras in Chicago: NYT reports the federal judge said she was “profoundly concerned” that federal agents might have violated earlier limits that she had set as the Trump administration has carried out an immigration crackdown.
Penn becomes latest university to reject White House deal: NYT reports Penn is the third school to say no to the Trump administration’s offer of federal funding preferences in exchange for complying with certain requirements, such as protecting conservative voices.
AP: Journalists turn in access badges, exit Pentagon rather than agree to new reporting rules
Why is Pete Hegseth afraid of the press? Nia-Malika Henderson
Chamber of Commerce sues over Trump’s new $100,000 H-1B Visa fee: WSJ reports the lawsuit puts the chamber among the few business groups to challenge the Trump administration in court over policies they say will hurt employers.
Skepticism grows over GOP plan to use Zohran Mamdani to ding Democrats nationally Time
Zohran Mamdani explains his rise: NYT interview with the New York mayoral candidate who has burst onto the national stage. NYT
Five takeaways from the NYT Magazine’s profile of Zohran Mamdani: How the Democratic nominee for mayor who has stunned the New York establishment is working to shore up support and sustain his momentum. NYT Mag
MD-GOV: A new Baltimore Banner poll in Maryland finds Gov. Wes Moore (D) leading in a possible match-up with former Gov. Larry Hogan (R), 45% to 37% with another 14% undecided.
Billionaire Gov. JB Pritzker recounts $1.4 million Las Vegas blackjack win: WSJ reports the Illinois governor was asked about winnings disclosed in a 2024 tax return.
The eye-popping numbers behind America’s investment boom: AI, tax cuts, tariffs, and US consumers are driving a supercharged capital machine. Sara Eisen
From sports to AI, America is awash in speculative fever. Washington is egging it on. The Fed is lowering rates, the Trump administration is loosening regulations across the financial system, and Trump’s own family is cashing in. Greg Ip
‘Of course it’s a bubble’: AI start-up valuations soar in investor frenzy: FT reports unprecedented funding leads 10 groups including OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI to gain almost $1tn in value in past year.
How people around the world view AI: More are concerned than excited about its use, and more trust their own country and the EU to regulate it than trust the US or China. Pew
Chatbots are a waste of AI’s real potential Gary Marcus
AI’s double bubble trouble: There is a distinction between good investment and bad speculation — the likelihood is we are experiencing both. John Thornhill
Get ready to see yourself in ads: Thanks to generative AI, the future may look like Minority Report. John Herrman
Sloponomics: Who wins and loses in the AI-content flood? Against all odds, the deluge might be good for creators. Economist
OpenAI wants to own it all: ChatGPT maker has boundless ambition, but how much can it achieve before suffering a serious case of indigestion? Richard Waters
AI data centers, desperate for electricity, are building their own power plants: Bypassing the grid, at least temporarily, tech companies are creating an energy Wild West; ‘grab yourself a couple of turbines.’ WSJ
The military’s big gamble on small nuclear reactors: The US Army’s plan to deploy microreactors could be crucial after attacks on the electric grid. WP-Editorial
The man building Ford's new world headquarters has 100-year history with automaker Detroit Free Press
Want to recycle Nespresso pods? Don’t bother, say bamboozled customers: The Times reports the ‘seamless’ green operation is anything but, according to coffee lovers who find the process confusing and irregular, which means more end up in landfill.
Nestlé to slash 16,000 jobs in cost-cutting push: NYT reports the company’s new chief executive, Philipp Navratil, announced the reductions as part of a plan to turn around the world’s largest food company.
Delta and United are leaving other airlines behind: NYT reports Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have accounted for most of the industry’s profits since 2022. Their appeal to wealthy travelers could become a liability if the economy weakens.
How powerful is your passport? Americans’ travel documents aren’t as muscular as they used to be. Economist
Austin, Salt Lake City top global list of most affordable cities: New York, Mexico City, and Hong Kong rank among the least affordable. Economist
What the cowboy boot boom says about America: The style statement is also a story about nostalgia, nationalism, and America’s search for identity in times of uncertainty. Bloomberg
Why America’s fridges are overflowing with sauce: The pandemic is over, but households are still stocked up on fancy ketchups and chili crisp like the world could end tomorrow. Bloomberg
No NFL team looks dominant this year. Here are four theories why. After six weeks, most teams are bunched up with records between 4-2 and 2-4. Could artificial intelligence have something to do with it? WP
Inside English football’s training ground arms race – featuring smart urinals, ‘corridors of power’ and F1 simulators Athletic
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
A11. | October 17
