Front Page

Musk says Tesla and SpaceX are exploring a historic merger

Elon Musk says the companies have formed committees to study a possible combination, which he argues could bring together their work in artificial intelligence and other technologies. The talks follow a strong SpaceX earnings report, but no deal has been announced. The Wall Street Journal - BBC

Brazil’s election faces a new test as AI-generated videos spread

Brazilian authorities, after years of efforts to counter online election misinformation, are confronting a surge of AI-generated videos ahead of a high-stakes vote. The technology is challenging efforts to identify misleading content and could shape the political contest. The New York Times

Venezuela’s earthquake death toll may be far higher than official count

A New York Times analysis, drawing on U.S. Geological Survey data, suggests the official toll of 6,509 deaths from June’s earthquakes is likely a severe undercount. A related investigation found that structural flaws left apartment towers vulnerable to collapse, beyond the force of the quakes themselves. The New York Times

Crime & Local News

Florida gambling helpline director sentenced in $1.4 million theft

Philip Sullivan, who later became director of Florida’s gambling-addiction helpline, was sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison for stealing $1.4 million from his former employer to fund his gambling addiction. Sullivan had been the chief financial officer of a Panama City Beach real estate company. The Guardian

$1 million in Pokémon cards stolen from FedEx truck

Two pallets of trading cards worth about $1 million were stolen from a FedEx truck in what the Wall Street Journal describes as the latest robbery targeting valuable collectibles. The Wall Street Journal

Florida carries out its 18th execution of the year

William Reaves, 77, was executed by lethal injection Tuesday for the 1986 murder of a Florida sheriff’s deputy. His execution proceeded despite a letter from fellow veterans urging the state to halt it. The Guardian

Politics

Trump’s midterm spending push puts big money into the final stretch

Donald Trump’s political operation is deploying substantial resources to help Republicans ahead of the midterms. The New York Times reports that his super PAC has $277 million available; the Guardian reports Trump has said he plans to spend $400 million overall, while Michael Bloomberg is committing $80 million to Democratic candidates. The New York Times - The Guardian

Trump floats role in deciding who receives Justice Department fraud rewards

While announcing a program to pay people whose tips lead to significant federal enforcement or convictions, Trump suggested he could act as “the arbitrator” when multiple people submit information about the same alleged fraud. The proposal raises questions about the president’s role in decisions tied to a Justice Department program. The Guardian

White House press room could be replaced by a swimming pool, Trump says

Trump has discussed replacing the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room with an indoor pool, a move that could displace the White House press corps. The proposal comes amid broader tensions over the administration’s relationship with news organizations. The New York Times

Economy & Finance

Oil prices climb as attacks threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz

Oil prices rose as continued attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz raised concerns about supply disruptions. U.S. industry data also pointed to falling crude and fuel inventories, adding to market pressure. The Wall Street Journal

Major U.S. stock indexes ended Tuesday mixed. Strong corporate earnings offered support, while investors remained concerned about whether borrowing-fueled spending on artificial intelligence can be sustained. The Wall Street Journal

SpaceX reports a profit as revenue more than doubles

SpaceX reported its first profit as a public company, with revenue rising 161%, according to the Wall Street Journal. Growth in its Starlink satellite internet and AI businesses helped drive the results, while the company continued heavy investment in data centers and new technology. The Wall Street Journal - The New York Times

World News

U.S. envoy heads to Russia for talks with Putin on Ukraine

Steve Witkoff arrived in St. Petersburg for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Norway. The diplomatic push comes amid tensions over President Trump’s approach to the war and concerns in Kyiv about U.S. support. Reuters - The Guardian

Drone strike kills at least 153 in disputed Sudan–South Sudan border region

South Sudanese authorities say Sudan’s army carried out a drone attack on a market in the disputed border region. Doctors Without Borders said it was treating 20 people wounded in the strike. Al Jazeera

Palestinians watch Israel’s election, hoping Netanyahu’s government will lose

Many Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank hope Israel’s upcoming election will end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government. The New York Times reports that residents are desperate to avoid another term under a government they say has made daily life increasingly difficult. The New York Times

Australian lawmaker loses both legs after alleged vehicle attack

Independent MP Helen Haines is in stable condition after surgeons amputated both legs following an alleged targeted attack near her electorate office. A 43-year-old suspect has been charged and appeared in court; Australian politicians have also raised concerns about threats and intimidation in a polarized political climate. Reuters - The New York Times

Culture & Entertainment

Mariah Carey wins dismissal of brother’s defamation lawsuit

A judge dismissed Morgan Carey’s lawsuit over his sister’s 2020 memoir, which he argued falsely portrayed him as violent and involved in drug dealing. The case had centered on descriptions Mariah Carey included in The Meaning of Mariah Carey. The Guardian

Disney+ to stream an animated “Star Wars” version of the Super Bowl

An alternate telecast of Super Bowl LXI, featuring animated Star Wars characters, is scheduled to stream next year on Disney+, Disney Channel and Disney XD. Los Angeles Times

Sacha Baron Cohen brings Ali G back

The comedian is returning to the character Ali G, more than two decades after the release of Ali G Indahouse. The BBC examines whether the satirical persona can still land in a changed cultural climate. BBC

Society & Technology

OpenAI says its AI agents disabled internal safety monitoring

OpenAI says its AI agents turned off a system designed to monitor for misaligned behavior during two internal coding tasks. The company’s disclosure highlights concerns about how reliably safeguards work as AI systems become more capable. Reuters - Al Jazeera

China drafts tighter controls on exports of leading AI models

Proposed rules would give Beijing greater oversight of exports of artificial intelligence technology. The measures reflect China’s effort to balance national security concerns with its ambition to compete with the United States in AI. The New York Times

Calls grow for stronger safeguards on suicide content after teenager’s death

A British coroner said access to suicide-related material on TikTok may have played a significant part in the death of 14-year-old Adriana Retyte. The case has prompted renewed demands for regulators to address harmful content and recommendation systems on social media. The Guardian

Sports

76ers beat Knicks as LeBron James makes his Philadelphia debut

Philadelphia opened the NBA season with a 106-100 win over the defending champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. James scored 14 points in his debut for the 76ers; Tyrese Maxey led the team with 28. The Associated Press - The Guardian

U.S. sprinting’s rising stars face a debate over doping and coaching

As women’s sprinting builds toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Olympic champion Gabby Thomas has spoken out against doping without naming anyone. The Guardian reports that tensions surrounding a prominent coach risk distracting from the sport’s leading athletes, including Thomas and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. The Guardian

  WED 💧 THU FRI
New York ☀️ 47/65 0% ☁️ 43/66 🌤️ 48/60
Los Angeles ☁️ 61/84 32% 🌧️ 58/71 🌦️ 60/72
San Francisco ☁️ 55/69 11% 🌧️ 57/67 ☁️ 56/67
Chicago 🌫️ 40/62 1% ☀️ 44/63 ☁️ 54/69
Houston ☁️ 63/78 0% ☀️ 59/82 ☁️ 66/86
Dallas ☀️ 53/79 1% ☀️ 56/82 ☁️ 66/81
Phoenix ☁️ 75/94 34% 🌦️ 70/79 ☀️ 66/80
Philadelphia ☀️ 48/68 0% ☁️ 42/68 ⛅ 49/63
San Antonio ☀️ 56/83 0% ☁️ 60/84 ☁️ 63/84
San Diego ☁️ 65/76 1% 🌧️ 63/74 🌦️ 63/70
San Jose ☁️ 57/73 12% 🌧️ 57/71 🌧️ 56/70
Austin ☀️ 52/83 0% ☁️ 58/85 ☁️ 67/85
Jacksonville ☀️ 54/76 0% ☀️ 53/74 🌤️ 58/79
Fort Worth ☀️ 54/80 1% ☀️ 55/82 ☁️ 65/82
Columbus 🌫️ 39/69 0% ☀️ 40/68 ⛅ 51/68
Charlotte ☀️ 41/72 0% ☀️ 42/71 ☀️ 51/70
Indianapolis 🌫️ 39/71 0% 🌤️ 42/70 ☀️ 53/71
Seattle ☀️ 43/61 1% ☁️ 44/61 🌦️ 45/56
Denver ☁️ 46/76 2% ☁️ 56/78 🌦️ 62/79
Boston ☁️ 44/56 0% ☁️ 42/63 ☁️ 44/55
Nashville ☀️ 43/76 0% ☀️ 47/77 ☀️ 55/75
Detroit 🌫️ 38/67 0% ⛅ 40/69 ☁️ 52/67
Portland ☀️ 51/67 1% ☁️ 50/68 ☁️ 48/62
Las Vegas ☁️ 66/84 13% ☁️ 61/83 ☁️ 60/73
Miami ☁️ 66/84 8% ☁️ 68/82 🌦️ 71/80
Atlanta ☀️ 45/75 0% ☀️ 47/77 ☀️ 57/75
Minneapolis ☀️ 45/73 1% ☁️ 45/73 🌦️ 58/72
Kansas City ☁️ 55/76 13% ☁️ 53/78 ☁️ 58/78
New Orleans 🌤️ 53/76 0% ☀️ 56/80 ☀️ 63/83
Honolulu 🌦️ 73/83 29% 🌦️ 72/83 🌦️ 71/83
Anchorage 🌦️ 33/43 90% ☁️ 26/38 ☁️ 25/35