Telegraph: Hamas response to Trump’s Gaza plan ‘could take days’
Accept peace deal or pay in hell, Trump warns Hamas: The Times reports a big decision looms for Hamas as the US president issues a stark ultimatum. The group faces severe consequences if it rejects a 20-point peace plan.
With new US proposal to end Gaza War, a rare moment of triumph for Netanyahu: In President Trump’s plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu got almost everything he hoped for in the end, despite mounting international isolation. NYT
How Donald Trump’s Gaza deal came together: The hurried diplomacy and backroom arm-twisting that shaped the White House plan. FT
ST: Netanyahu is happy with Trump’s Gaza peace plan, but will Hamas bite?
A big majority of Israelis support Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan: Economist reports that Binyamin Netanyahu hopes he can use this to his political advantage.
Israeli far right hits out at Benjamin Netanyahu over US-backed Gaza peace deal: FT reports finance minister Bezalel Smotrich describes proposal as ‘resounding diplomatic failure’ that will ‘end in tears.’
Keir Starmer used his conference speech to welcome the US and Israeli peace plan for Gaza and won huge applause in the conference hall for his recent move in recognizing Palestine.
Bloomberg: Blair’s return in Gaza role drives wedge into wary Labour Party
Britain’s leader promised to defeat populism. So far, he’s losing. Keir Starmer was billed as a European litmus test for pragmatism over populism. After a year in office, he trails in the polls. WSJ
Farage is a snake oil merchant who does not like Britain, says PM: The Times reports Starmer used his Labour Party conference speech to accuse the Reform UK leader of pursuing ‘the politics of grievance’ with racist policies.
Memo for Labour: Globalisation is good, actually: This government is in many ways the party returned to its factory settings. But the product was faulty in the first place. Stephen Bush
Meloni's deficit reduction masks Italy's struggling economy: Le Monde reports while Rome boasts of ratings agencies upgrading its public debt, Italy's economy continues to suffer from sluggish growth, anemic productivity, persistent poverty and a continuing brain drain.
How Europe can strike back at Putin without starting World War Three: As Russian drones and fighter jets test NATO’s resolve, the West gears up to defend itself. Roland Oliphant
NATO's new engagement rules mark a turning point in response to Russian incursions: By opening the door on Tuesday, September 23, to shooting down Russian fighter jets that violate the Alliance's airspace, NATO allies have moved beyond supporting Ukraine with weapons and intelligence from behind the front lines. Le Monde
The flashing red threat from Russia’s dark fleet: NATO navies struggle to contain a new danger on the seas. Economist
Germany jails Chinese spy, marking new low in China-Europe relations: WSJ reports Europeans are growing skeptical about Beijing’s interest in solving a series of economic and political disputes between the two blocs.
Germany: Ex-AfD aide convicted of spying for China: DW reports a former assistant to far-right lawmaker Maximilian Krah has been jailed for nearly five years for working with Chinese intelligence. The court said Jian Guo passed on sensitive EU documents and spied on dissidents.
China’s Communist Party replaces senior diplomat: WSJ reports Liu Jianchao is latest to be caught up in leader Xi Jinping’s disciplinary purges.
Saudi comedy festival draws big names and backlash: Human rights advocates and some comics say the festival, at which Bill Burr, Louis CK, Dave Chappelle, and Kevin Hart are performing, whitewashes abuses. WP
South African ambassador to France found dead: FT reports former police minister Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa had been named in corruption allegations this month.
A world with two predatory superpowers: Nations must work out how to contend with Trump’s America and China. Martin Wolf
Can the West survive an age of brinkmanship? It is time to relearn the cold-war arts of escalation management. Economist
Trump, Hegseth lecture military leaders in rare, politically charged summit: WP reports the hastily organized event became a forum for the president to tout his political agenda while his defense secretary lectured the brass on standards.
Trump and Hegseth recount familiar partisan complaints to top military leaders: The US generals and admirals summoned from around the world had been given little information about the planned event. NYT
Hundreds of officers. Two long hours of political theater. WJ Hennigan
‘Could have been an email’: Officials balk at Hegseth's generals meeting: The last-minute gathering featured hundreds of senior military officials, who swear an oath to the Constitution, attending something more akin to a campaign rally. Politico
Hegseth uses rare meeting of generals to announce new military standards: Politico reports he warned commanders who don’t support the changes could leave the service.
NBC: Hegseth says 'no more beards, long hair, superficial individual expression'
Telegraph: Fat generals banned from Trump’s new-look US military
Trump, justifying domestic military action, tells Pentagon leaders to ‘handle’ the ‘enemy from within’: Politico reports the president suggested “dangerous” American cities should be used as Pentagon “training grounds” during a dark and winding 72-minute speech.
Trump tells generals the military will be used to fight ‘enemy within’: WSJ reports president says some US cities he considers dangerous should become training grounds for American troops.
Donald Trump says US cities should be used as military ‘training grounds’: FT reports defence secretary Pete Hegseth also tells admirals and generals they must restore ‘warrior ethos.’
Donald Trump tries to enlist the top brass for “the war from within”: A gathering of generals turns into a surreal, and worrying, political show. Economist
Trump says not winning Nobel would be 'insult' to US: Le Monde reports Trump's administration recently listed the seven wars it said he has ended: Cambodia and Thailand; Kosovo and Serbia; the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda; Pakistan and India; Israel and Iran; Egypt and Ethiopia; and Armenia and Azerbaijan. Trump said that if the Gaza plan works out, 'we'll have eight in eight months.'
Trump says government shutdown likely as no last-minute deal emerges: WSJ reports funding will lapse at 12:01 am Wednesday unless Congress passes a stopgap spending bill.
Bloomberg: Democrats leverage US shutdown to try to dent Trump’s dominance
Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries face a big leadership test in the shutdown fight: NBC News reports some Democrats are still furious with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for caving in the last shutdown fight, while his House counterpart, Hakeem Jeffries, is relatively untested.
The Hill: Fetterman: Shutdown ‘would be the ideal outcome for Project 2025’
The Hill: Republicans refuse to swear in newly elected Democrat, delaying success of Epstein petition
Trump announces deal with Pfizer to lower drug prices, new ‘TrumpRx’ website: WP reports the White House has been pursuing efforts to lower US drug costs by linking them to the cheaper prices paid abroad.
KMUW: Kansas sorghum farmers will have their biggest yield in years. But tariffs killed the market
#farmageddon
Tariffs mean you pay more for worse products: Even if America could make as much coffee as Colombia, it wouldn’t be nearly as flavorful. Scott Burns + Caleb S. Fuller
US vows to maintain tariffs regardless of Supreme Court ruling: Jamieson Greer says Trump administration has other ways to impose levies if use of emergency powers is struck down. FT
The man behind Trump’s push for an all-powerful presidency: Russell T. Vought spent years drawing up plans to expand presidential power and shrink federal bureaucracy. Now he is moving closer to making that vision a reality, threatening to erode checks and balances. NYT
Why Trump is going for Soros: The philanthropist is as close as the world’s strongmen get to a cross-border demon. Edward Luce
Americans view Trump, Vance and congressional leaders in both parties more negatively than positively Pew
+ 58% of Americans have an unfavorable view of Trump, while 40% have a favorable view. This is identical to his approval rating.
+ 51% of Americans view Vance unfavorably, while 40% see him favorably. Another 8% say they have never heard of him.
After volatile summer, Trump’s approval remains low but stable, poll finds: A new Times/Siena survey shows the president retaining the support of nine out of 10 GOP voters, even as the government races toward a shutdown on Wednesday. NYT
How Zohran Mamdani built a campaign around food: The front-runner for New York mayor is leveraging his lifelong love of eating to inform his policy plans and spread his message. NYT
The legend of Zohran: NYC’s mayoral candidate has Kennedy-like charisma, a global profile, and nepo baby instincts. He is also a proud democratic socialist who has both Donald Trump and the left-wing establishment in a lather. Is Zohran Mamdani the future of American politics—or a fantasy? Vanity Fair
With Mamdani, Republicans should be careful of what they wish for Chris Stirewalt
‘AI for America’ wants to be a New Deal for workers and communities. But it needs teeth: Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly’s plan to protect workers amid the AI revolution starts the conversation, but here’s how it could take the fight to the companies building the future at a breakneck pace. FC
‘I have to do it’: Why one of the world’s most brilliant AI scientists left the US for China: In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now he might hold the key to who wins the global AI race. Guardian
Top AI researchers leave OpenAI, Google, and Meta for new start-up: Founded by a co-creator of ChatGPT, Periodic Labs aims to build artificial intelligence that can accelerate discoveries in physics, chemistry, and other fields. NYT
AI fighter jets and cockroach spies: Inside the changing business of war: Russia’s war on Ukraine changed the course of a generation of start-ups and investors that have applied a new business model to Europe’s military buildup. NYT
Are AI glasses the next smartphone race between the US and China? Meta Ray-Ban Display and rival devices may make personal AI agents a reality soon. Nikkei
Variety: Emily Blunt calls AI actress Tilly Norwood ‘really scary’ and warns Hollywood agencies: ‘Don’t do that’
OpenAI launches video generator app to rival TikTok and YouTube: WSJ reports the company’s new social media app allows users to create short videos with audio from text prompts and insert themselves in AI-generated scenes.
AP: Amazon unveils new generation of devices all powered by AI
Amazon unveiled the latest generation of connected products on Tuesday, featuring enhanced artificial intelligence capabilities designed to make interactions with AI more frequent and natural.
Why Amazon went all-in on balls for its new line of speakers: FC reports three years in the making, Amazon’s new spherical Echo Studio and Echo Dot Max are built to raise the bar of Amazon’s audio quality and usher in the next generation of smart home.
How Nvidia’s Jensen Huang became AI’s global salesman: Chipmaker’s chief is urging countries to build their own AI ecosystems — but using its tech. FT
The murky economics of the data-centre investment boom: How similar is it to the 1990s telecoms bubble? Economist
Will our robot future be Rosey? Or will it look less like ‘The Jetsons’ and more like ‘Desk Set’? Gregg Opelka
Komatsu says autonomous dump trucks carry social impact of $2.4bn: Nikkei reports the Japan construction equipment maker discloses annual nonfinancial figures for first time.
AP: DoorDash is expanding into restaurant reservations and robot deliveries
Daniel Ek, founder of Spotify, to step back from running business: The Times reports Ek will relinquish the day-to-day running of the music streamer to become executive chairman in January.
Elon Musk hit by exodus of senior staff over burnout and politics: Churn at Tesla and xAI comes amid disillusionment with billionaire’s activism, strategic pivots, and mass lay-offs. FT
Shein fails on human rights, wages, and environment, says OECD: The Times reports the Paris-based authority said the Chinese fast-fashion retailer “does not comply” with several of its guidelines related to corporate social responsibility.
Berkshire Hathaway nears $10 billion deal for Occidental’s petrochemical unit: WSJ reports Warren Buffett’s sprawling conglomerate could unveil its largest deal in years in coming days.
Exxon CEO sought security assurance from Mozambique for $30bn project: FT reports US oil major in final stages of deciding whether to go ahead with LNG export terminal amid jihadist insurgency.
This windowless plane is vying to be the private jet of the future: Flexjet to buy 300 business planes from Otto Aerospace. WSJ
A low-cost Icelandic airline suddenly folds, stranding passengers: NYT reports Play Airlines said it was ceasing operations, becoming the second low-cost airline in Iceland to collapse in the last six years.
You can now buy your next car straight from Hertz online: FC reports that with its new e-commerce site, Hertz aims to make direct-to-consumer sales its biggest resale channel.
ABC: Starbucks new protein lattes, protein cold foam now on menus
Why whiskey collectors are flocking to Unicorn’s $125 million marketplace: Unicorn’s logistics web—vans, vaults, and verification—has created a $125M marketplace for spirits collectors. FC
The $400 million restaurant man: Stephen Starr has become one of America’s most successful restaurateurs, making and replicating dining magic at places like Pastis and Osteria Mozza. NYT
The invention of Jane Birkin, French girl: In an excerpt from her new Birkin biography, ‘It Girl,’ Marisa Meltzer marks the moment when a 16-year-old Brit began her ascent toward becoming the ultimate French style icon. WSJ
The world’s most influential rising stars Time
Bad news, America. The numbers say we’re getting another Yankees-Dodgers World Series. Baseball’s most prestigious teams haven’t had the best of seasons. But the odds say they’re poised for a Fall Classic rematch for one simple reason: They both hit a ton of home runs. WSJ
Yahoo: Lynx star Napheesa Collier calls out WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, calls for more consistent officiating
+ Collier: 'We have the best players in the world. We have the best fans in the world. But right now, we have the worst leadership in the world."
Napheesa Collier reveals shocking Caitlin Clark conversation with WNBA commissioner: SI reports Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier had a lot to say about WNBA leadership in a prepared statement during her exit interview.
MAGA-tinged melee casts a shadow over the Ryder Cup: Vulgarities and beer were tossed about at this year’s golf competition staged in New York. Sujeet Indap
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
A11. | September 30
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 26
Bragging rights meet battlefield reality as Trump’s peacemaker pitch falls flat at UN: Politico reports Trump appears more interested in claiming victory than dwelling on the details to get there.
Agent Melania: The path from reluctant to ruling first lady: Diplomats and foreign powers believe President Trump’s wife could hold the key to influencing the administration’s foreign policy. Katy Balls
Trump’s pivot toward Ukraine was inevitable: Putin had every chance to make peace. Instead, he escalated the war. You don’t do that to Donald Trump. Marc A. Thiessen
Tusk issues stark reality check about Trump’s pro-Ukraine pivot: Politico reports the US president’s words actually mean he might be done with Kyiv, Poland’s prime minister warns.
‘They’re encircled, and we’ll wait until they surrender, withdraw or die’: Ukrainian troops surround hundreds of Russian infantrymen, restoring hope after a brutal summer and, they say, swaying Trump in their favour. The Times
AP: Russian warplanes detected flying near Alaska for ninth time this year, US military says
Bloomberg: Europeans privately tell Russia they’re ready to shoot down jets
NATO states should shoot down intruding Russian jets, says Mark Rutte: The Times reports NATO’s secretary-general says he agrees with President Trump after a series of incidents over European airspace.
Danish authorities say 'professional actor' behind drone airport disruptions: Le Monde reports drones were seen on Wednesday and Thursday at Danish airports in Aalborg, Esbjerg, Sonderborg and the Skrydstrup air base before leaving, police said.
Drones seen at 4 more Danish airports in ‘systematic’ attack: FT reports an airfield used by military shut down for several hours as Europe remains on alert over airspace violations.
Xi climate speech highlights China's push for global leadership: Beijing sees opening as US under Trump shuns international cooperation. Nikkei
Chinese premier signalsdDesire for stable US ties: WSJ reports Li Qiang, China’s No. 2-ranking official, urged US executives in a New York visit to help maintain a fragile detente between Beijing and Washington.
Xi hails China's 'correct' rule of Xinjiang in face of global criticism: Nikkei reports the Chinese leader's visit marks 70 years of region's autonomous status.
Why Xi Jinping now accepts Kim Jong Un at the grown-ups’ table: China is grudgingly mending ties with North Korea. Economist
Hong Kong airport in talks with 20 global airlines to launch flights to city.
Microsoft disables some cloud services used by Israel’s defense ministry: WSJ reports the software company found ministry used the services to surveil Gaza citizens.
‘Palestine is ours,’ Abbas tells UN General Assembly: NYT reports Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority president, vowed that his people “will not leave our land.” His address came days after 10 Western countries joined 150 other nations in recognizing Palestinian statehood.
Trump assures Arab leaders he won’t allow West Bank annexation, officials say: NYT reports after more countries recognized a Palestinian state, President Trump told Mideast and Muslim powers that he would not permit Israel to annex the territory, people familiar with the matter said.
Trump presents new Gaza peace plan to Arab and Muslim leaders: FT reports it is unclear if Israel will accept permanent ceasefire proposal that includes limited role for Palestinian Authority.
Could Tony Blair run Gaza? Many are vying to run the devastated territory. Economist
Saudi Arabia aims to work with Asian countries on AI: investment minister: Al-Falih highlights kingdom's low energy costs and access to Middle East and Africa. Nikkei
Chinese lobbyists must register jobs by Wednesday amid spy concerns: The Times reports Dan Jarvis, the UK security minister, says all state backed consultants could be jailed if they fail to sign the foreign influence registration scheme.
UK defense pledge to fundamentally alter British state, IFS says: Bloomberg reports delivering the UK government's pledge to lift defense spending to 3.5% of gross domestic product would require cuts to other services equivalent to eliminating all spending on police, border force, courts, and prisons, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said.
The Reform UK-leaning areas where Labour will pump in millions: We map the constituencies that Labour has marked for its Plan for Neighbourhoods scheme to defeat Nigel Farage at the ballot box. The Times
Digital ID cards to be compulsory for British workers under PM’s plan: Sir Keir Starmer’s proposal would be part of efforts to tackle illegal migration by verifying right to live and work in UK. The Times
Trump wades into bailout politics in offering a lifeline to Argentina: A $20 billion loan to support Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, could come with economic and political risks. NYT
Hegseth orders rare, urgent meeting of hundreds of generals, admirals: The Pentagon has summoned military officials from around the world for a gathering in Virginia. Even top generals and their staffs don’t know the reason for the meeting. WP
Hegseth is said to have summoned US military brass from around the globe: The unusual directive, without a stated reason, came after the defense secretary fired several top officers and ordered a reduction in four-star officers. NYT
ABC: Former FBI Director James Comey indicted days after Trump demanded his DOJ move 'now' to prosecute enemies
James Comey indicted on false statement charges: WSJ reports the federal prosecution against the former FBI director comes days after Trump pressured the attorney general to bring the case.
Justice Dept. official pushes prosecutors to investigate George Soros’s foundation: NYT reports the directive suggests department leaders are following orders from the president, a major break from decades of past practice meant to insulate the agency from political interference.
Former FBI director James Comey indicted amid Trump push to prosecute foes: WP reports Comey faces two counts in connection with allegations that he lied to Congress. A grand jury declined to indict him on a third count sought by prosecutors. He has denied wrongdoing.
Trump gets his Comey indictment: The president’s nemesis has been charged. A conviction won’t be so easy. WP-Editorial
The H-1B visa needs surgery, not a sledgehammer: The administration’s $100,000 fee for high-skilled immigration visas could devastate businesses. WP-Editorial
Trump signs order advancing TikTok deal, in boost to corporate allies: WP reports the deal would create an American version of the popular video app owned by some of the president’s wealthiest supporters.
Bloomberg: Trump signs TikTok order with US app valued at $14 billion
US strikes deal with Musk’s xAI in sign of rapprochement with Trump: Contract agreed just days after the president and his billionaire backer met at memorial for Charlie Kirk. FT
CNBC: Ken Griffin knocks Trump’s corporate deals, says ‘all of us lose’ when government starts picking winners
Trump says he'll use tariff revenue to bail out farmers: Politico reports Hill Republicans and powerful agriculture lobbying groups have been pressuring the administration to deliver some kind of farm aid.
Trump says he wants to give aid to struggling farmers: NYT reports the president said some revenue from tariffs would go to crop farmers, but the agriculture secretary said a plan wasn’t yet ready.
China bought $12.6 billion in US soybeans last year. Now, it’s $0. NYT reports China stopped buying soybeans from America in May, placing a retaliatory tariff on the bumper crop after President Trump increased levies on goods from China.
Bloomberg: Trump plans 100% tariff on brand drugs unless US Plants underway
+ Trump announced new industry-specific tariffs targeting heavy trucks, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom vanities, as well as upholstered furniture.
Rare-earth prices soar beyond China restrictions as US hoards magnet metals: Nikkei reports used in EVs, neodymium-praseodymium hits highest level since 2023.
Justice Department sues six states seeking private voter data: NYT reports the Trump administration has been increasingly focused on an effort to bolster President Trump’s unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud. More than 30 states have received requests for information.
Democrats dig in on shutdown stance after White House threatens to fire workers: WSJ reports Republicans want short-term deal to keep government open, while Democrats seek healthcare funds.
Democrats dig in on shutdown after White House layoff threat: Politico reports multiple lawmakers weighed in Thursday to say they would not be cowed. GOP leaders were quieter.
Democratic anger at their own party fuels 2026 primaries: NBC reports that with the party's image at record lows and declining even among Democratic voters, candidates for Senate see an opening to win by positioning themselves against leaders.
Why some Democratic Senate candidates are saying ‘hell no’ to Schumer: Across the country, candidates are putting space between themselves and the Senator amid a growing appetite for newer leaders waging aggressive fights against Trump. WP
Charlie Kirk and the new Christian GOP: Religious conservatives were part of the Reagan coalition but are far more central to the party now. Peggy Noonan
Oklahoma education chief who promoted Bibles in schools will resign: NYT reports Ryan Walters had drawn criticism from liberals and conservatives alike over his push to place Bibles in classrooms and bring more prayer into public schools.
The MAGA media takeover: Trump and his powerful friends are creating a dangerous moment for free speech. David Karpf
Donald Trump is trying to silence his critics. He will fail: But the country could still lose. Economist
Epstein’s emails reveal his elite supporters as investigators closed in Bloomberg
Bloomberg: The LA fires destroyed 11,000 homes. Less than 10% have permits to rebuild
Auto industry is flashing a warning sign on US economy: WSJ reports CarMax, the biggest seller of used cars, said that sales and profit plunged in the latest quarter. Its shares closed down 20%.
Bosch to cut 13,000 jobs in blow to Germany's auto industry: Le Monde reports the cuts represent about 10% of Bosch's total workforce in the country, and 3% of its staff worldwide. Workers' representatives vowed to resist the cuts, labelling them 'unprecedented.'
Toyota launches Woven City project site to test self-driving: Nikkei reports Daikin, Nissin, and other Japanese companies join the experimental community in central Japan.
Amazon reaches $2.5 billion settlement over allegations it misled Prime users: WSJ reports the agreement requires the e-commerce giant to give money back to customers and change its subscription practices.
Amazon will refund Prime subscribers to settle claims that it deceived consumers: WP reports the refunds are part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations that Amazon tricked people into signing up for the shipping service and made it difficult to cancel. The settlement is one of the largest in US history.
The future of war? AI fighter jets trained in a matter of hours: Europe’s first uncrewed AI fighter jet, which beat human pilots in simulations, could be set for deployment within five years. The Times
Bloomberg: David Einhorn sees ‘tremendous’ capital losses from AI spending
San Francisco's comeback is fueled by AI giants: Le Monde reports San Francisco's new mayor, Daniel Lurie, boasts about the city's falling crime rate, the return of residents and tourists, and its rise as a hub for artificial intelligence, though he admits problems remain.
OpenAI is upping the ante massively: Calculated display of self-confidence is intended to signal it is still leading the charge to superintelligence. Richard Waters
Accenture to ‘exit’ staff who cannot be retrained for age of AI: FT reports the group details $865mn restructuring programme and outlook reflecting sluggish corporate demand for consulting projects.
AI coding start-ups reap $7.5bn wave of investment: FT reports Sequoia, NEA, and Nvidia invest $50mn in Factory in bet software engineering will be critical application for the tech.
Google DeepMind unveils new robotics AI model that can sort laundry: FT reports new technology advances reasoning capabilities in general-purpose machines in push to make them more useful.
Million-year-old Chinese skull may rewrite human evolution theory: Discovery of the Yunxian 2 skull challenges the view that humans first evolved in Africa, hinting Homo sapiens may have appeared 400,000 years earlier in Asia. The Times
The misunderstood genius of Taylor Swift: More than just a pop star, she’s a great songwriter who proves that mass appeal and lyrical subtlety can go together. WSJ
Why Britain’s top comedians are headlining a festival in Saudi Arabia: The Riyadh Comedy Festival opens this weekend with a bill of starry UK and US stand-ups — who are being paid handsomely ‘to look the other way.’ The Times
Paul Thomas Anderson's epic race across a divided America in 'One Battle After Another': Le Monde reports the filmmaker explores the extremist drift in the United States today in his new film, loosely adapted from Thomas Pynchon's novel 'Vineland.'
Milan Fashion Week: Gucci stages Demna's debut: Le Monde reports a palazzo turned into a movie theater, a short film and a parade of celebrities: The Florentine fashion house masterfully orchestrated its new creative director's arrival on the opening day of the Spring-Summer 2026 Women's collections.
Climber shuns bottled oxygen in historic Everest mission with skis: The Times reports Andrzej Bargiel has become the first person to climb then ski down the world’s highest mountain without the aid.
Why Israel faces no sanctions from international sports bodies, unlike Russia: Le Monde reports Israeli teams, clubs, and athletes continue to participate in international competitions, despite mounting calls for their exclusion. Independent UN experts urged FIFA and UEFA to impose sanctions on Tuesday.
New England Patriots valued at $9bn as sport deal flurry continues: FT reports Sixth Street and US financier Dean Metropoulos buying 8 percent stake in Robert Kraft’s NFL team.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal