Front Page
Flydubai pilot recounts cockpit attack that sent plane into steep descent
Capt. Smit Machchhar, recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital, told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he opened the cockpit door during an attack by his co-pilot so passengers could intervene. He said he realized he had to get back on his feet because passengers could lose their lives. The flight had plunged 17,000 feet in under two minutes before passengers and crew stopped what appeared to be an attempted hijacking.
U.S. military buildup near Iran raises shipping and oil-market concerns
The United States is moving 2,000 Marines to the Middle East and deploying the Roosevelt strike group as part of a broader buildup around Iran, according to Al Jazeera. The New York Times reported that Iran has launched drones and missiles at commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz each week, though a Western security official said the attacks have often missed their targets. Middle East crude exports are recovering, but shipping risks remain.
Al Jazeera - The New York Times
U.S. job growth is expected to slow ahead of payrolls report
Economists expect U.S. job growth to slow in September while the unemployment rate remains steady, Reuters reported. Stocks and European equities moved higher, Treasury yields steadied, and the dollar eased as markets reduced expectations for imminent Federal Reserve rate increases.
Reuters - The Wall Street Journal
National News
New York appoints special prosecutor in Cornell rape investigation
Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor in an investigation into a former Cornell student’s allegation of rape. Hochul said she had lost faith in the prosecutors overseeing the case and that the new arrangement would allow the matter to be investigated independently. Cornell students have held a public meeting to discuss campus safety and sexual violence.
The New York Times - The Guardian
California bans child marriage
California has outlawed child marriage, joining 17 other states where the practice is banned. Under the previous state law, minors of any age could obtain a court order to marry with parental consent. An advocacy group that supported the legislation said 9,000 children are married in California each year.
Tennessee pauses executions after failed lethal injection
Tennessee’s governor suspended all executions and ordered an independent inquiry after Christa Pike survived two attempts to execute her by lethal injection. Pike is in critical condition at a Nashville hospital, according to her lawyers, who said a blood disorder made it difficult to establish an intravenous line.
Politics
Trump launches midterm campaign blitz
President Donald Trump spent the day addressing his most fervent supporters at campaign-style events as Republicans prepare for the 2026 midterm elections. The New York Times reported that his appearances focused on his base rather than voters Republicans will need to win or retain seats from Alaska to Maine. Al Jazeera said the rallies are aimed at improving Republican prospects amid the Iran war and rising fuel costs.
The New York Times - Al Jazeera
States and cities sue over EPA emissions repeal
Twenty-one states, led by New York, along with the District of Columbia and several cities, sued the Trump administration over the repeal of rules limiting greenhouse-gas emissions from coal- and natural-gas-fired power plants. The coalition said eliminating the protections would set the country back decades and worsen the climate crisis.
Congress leaves Washington as Republicans brace for midterm losses
Republicans held a series of unsuccessful votes during Congress’s final hours before leaving Washington, hoping to portray Democrats as obstructionists. Some Republicans acknowledged that their party could be punished in the midterms, with affordability and the economy remaining central concerns.
Business & Finance
Nike plans a smaller company as sales decline deepens
Nike lowered its sales outlook and said job cuts will begin next year as the sportswear company tries to revive its business. Shares fell 9%. The company’s first-quarter revenue was lower than expected, while a separate report attributed the struggles to several self-inflicted mistakes in recent years.
The Wall Street Journal - Reuters
Global food prices rise as cereal and sugar costs surge
The United Nations said global food prices increased as transport disruptions and weather concerns limited supplies and lifted prices for several crop-based commodities, including cereals and sugar.
Stocks edge higher as investors await jobs data
U.S. stock futures and European equities rose while Treasury yields steadied ahead of the U.S. employment report. Market sentiment improved at the start of the trading day, while gold prices edged higher as investors scaled back expectations for imminent Federal Reserve rate hikes.
The Wall Street Journal - The Wall Street Journal
Oil prices fall as Middle East exports recover
Oil prices declined as traders weighed recovering crude exports from the Middle East against renewed shipping risks and a larger U.S. military buildup in the region. Concerns remain about further military action and attacks on shipping.
World News
Taiwan receives first new F-16V fighter jets amid China threat
Taiwan received its first new F-16V fighter jets as the island seeks to strengthen its defenses against China. The delivery comes as Taipei has expressed concern about the Trump administration’s commitment to arming the island.
Ethiopia and Eritrea sever diplomatic ties as Tigray conflict escalates
Ethiopia and Eritrea cut diplomatic ties as fighting intensified in Ethiopia’s northern region. Ethiopian forces are battling rebel fighters, while tensions between the neighboring countries have also led Ethiopia to expel 10 Eritrean diplomats.
Russia prepares attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
Ukraine showed European partners what it said were intercepted Russian plans to cut major cities off from power, heat and water during the winter. Another report said Russia is using new drones to overcome Ukrainian defenses as it suffers casualties and loses occupied territory.
The New York Times - Al Jazeera
Brazil’s presidential race tightens before Sunday’s vote
Brazil’s first-round presidential election is headed for a close contest between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The two leading candidates are level in the polls, while a dispute involving Brazil’s patron saint, Our Lady of Aparecida, has become part of the campaign.
Arts & Culture
Kanye West’s sold-out Russia concerts are canceled
Two concerts that Kanye West, who now goes by Ye, was scheduled to perform in St. Petersburg on Oct. 10 and 11 have been canceled, organizers confirmed. Russia’s Foreign Ministry had called the planned shows unacceptable because of what it described as the rapper’s glorification of Adolf Hitler.
Enter Shikari announces an indefinite hiatus beginning in 2027
The British rock band Enter Shikari said it will go on hiatus at the end of 2027. The group plans to tour the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States over the next year and said it hopes to perform in some of its favorite places “one last time.”
Celebrity Traitors returns with paranoia and new twists
The second series of Celebrity Traitors features celebrities trying to survive amid suspicion, confusion and a battle to identify the traitors. The opening episodes included a major twist and a shocking admission.
Tech & Society
OpenAI fires employees over handling of sensitive information
OpenAI dismissed employees who were investigated for sharing company data with an outside AI evaluation group. The company said three employees violated policies governing sensitive information as it responded to incidents involving rogue artificial intelligence systems.
China moves to limit growing dependence on artificial intelligence
Chinese citizens are using artificial intelligence for entertainment, babysitting and farming advice, prompting the government to step up efforts to set limits. The report describes the country’s push into AI as creating a problem of excessive usage.
SpaceX crew reaches the International Space Station
SpaceX launched four astronauts to the International Space Station aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The crew includes two Americans, a Russian and a Canadian, who are expected to spend up to six months aboard the station. The eight-hour flight set a U.S. speed record and was led by Jessica Watkins, the first Black woman to command a crew to orbit.
Sports
Browns defeat Steelers on a last-second 56-yard field goal
The Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 after Andre Szmyt kicked a career-long 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining. Deshaun Watson passed for 268 yards, while Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes and two costly interceptions.
A’ja Wilson leads Aces past Caitlin Clark and the Fever
A’ja Wilson scored 36 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the defending champion Las Vegas Aces beat the Indiana Fever 94-83 in the deciding Game 3 of the WNBA playoffs’ first round. Caitlin Clark finished with 18 points. Las Vegas advances to face the winner of the Golden State-Dallas series.
Braves advance to NL Division Series against Dodgers
The Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 in the decisive Game 3 of their National League wild-card series. Michael Harris II hit a three-run homer in the first inning, while Ray Kerr threw 3⅓ scoreless innings. Atlanta advances to a best-of-five Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Pistons give Jalen Duren a five-year, $200 million contract
The Detroit Pistons and center Jalen Duren agreed to a five-year, $200 million contract, according to an Associated Press source.
| FRI | 💧 | SAT | SUN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | ☁️ 65/84 | 6% | 🌧️ 57/79 | 🌦️ 53/65 |
| Los Angeles | 🌫️ 64/102 | 0% | ☁️ 75/104 | ☁️ 84/102 |
| San Francisco | ☁️ 55/79 | 2% | ☁️ 56/91 | ☁️ 70/90 |
| Chicago | 🌧️ 54/64 | 100% | 🌤️ 51/60 | ☁️ 53/72 |
| Houston | 🌦️ 76/87 | 57% | 🌧️ 74/85 | ☁️ 76/86 |
| Dallas | 🌧️ 72/75 | 67% | 🌧️ 71/75 | 🌦️ 72/81 |
| Phoenix | ☀️ 75/97 | 1% | ☀️ 75/97 | ☀️ 83/97 |
| Philadelphia | ☁️ 64/85 | 5% | 🌦️ 60/82 | 🌦️ 55/66 |
| San Antonio | 🌦️ 74/80 | 52% | 🌦️ 73/81 | ☁️ 72/85 |
| San Diego | ⛅ 65/97 | 0% | ☀️ 71/101 | ☀️ 82/100 |
| San Jose | 🌫️ 58/84 | 0% | ☁️ 55/92 | ☁️ 73/91 |
| Austin | 🌦️ 73/80 | 81% | 🌧️ 74/78 | ☁️ 73/84 |
| Jacksonville | 🌧️ 76/86 | 47% | 🌧️ 76/84 | 🌦️ 77/92 |
| Fort Worth | 🌧️ 73/77 | 64% | 🌦️ 70/75 | 🌦️ 70/80 |
| Columbus | 🌧️ 60/85 | 75% | ☁️ 48/66 | ☁️ 52/73 |
| Charlotte | 🌫️ 58/88 | 1% | 🌦️ 68/87 | 🌦️ 61/73 |
| Indianapolis | 🌧️ 64/84 | 81% | ☁️ 49/68 | ☁️ 54/76 |
| Seattle | ☁️ 51/68 | 3% | ☁️ 51/68 | ☁️ 52/72 |
| Denver | ☀️ 46/84 | 0% | ☁️ 52/85 | ☁️ 61/85 |
| Boston | ☁️ 65/83 | 24% | 🌧️ 54/74 | ☁️ 53/61 |
| Nashville | ☁️ 72/89 | 66% | 🌧️ 66/77 | 🌦️ 67/80 |
| Detroit | 🌧️ 54/79 | 100% | ☁️ 47/60 | ☁️ 50/73 |
| Portland | ☁️ 57/74 | 1% | ☁️ 56/75 | 🌤️ 58/81 |
| Las Vegas | ☀️ 68/95 | 0% | ☁️ 68/96 | ☀️ 82/96 |
| Miami | 🌧️ 78/85 | 42% | ☁️ 79/84 | 🌧️ 77/86 |
| Atlanta | ☁️ 68/86 | 8% | ☁️ 70/83 | 🌦️ 69/82 |
| Minneapolis | ☁️ 41/66 | 0% | 🌦️ 48/67 | 🌦️ 52/66 |
| Kansas City | 🌧️ 55/70 | 96% | ☀️ 48/69 | ☁️ 58/75 |
| New Orleans | ☁️ 75/87 | 35% | 🌧️ 76/84 | 🌧️ 76/78 |
| Honolulu | 🌦️ 75/84 | 70% | 🌦️ 74/82 | 🌦️ 72/84 |
| Anchorage | 🌨️ 31/42 | 78% | ☁️ 30/45 | 🌦️ 38/44 |