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Putin Raises Russian Energy Asset Sale With Trump Envoys Kushner and Witkoff
During U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine, President Putin brought up a sale of Russian energy assets with Trump envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The proposed oil deal, tied to Trump allies, is raising new questions about conflicts of interest.
Elon Musk Joins Pentagon Advisory Board, Reviving Conflict-of-Interest Concerns
The SpaceX founder, whose companies hold billions of dollars in military contracts, joins several other defense industry executives on the board. His return to Washington has brought renewed scrutiny of potential conflicts of interest.
Tom Cruise's 'Digger,' Warner Bros.' Last Film Before Merger, Flops at Box Office
The film grossed an estimated $8 million in its opening weekend. That could put the movie on track to lose at least $125 million.
Former OpenAI Safety Report Lead Resigns, Citing Broken Company Culture
The writer, who led the safety reports published with each major OpenAI launch, says they resigned this week. They join a growing group of former staff at OpenAI and other leading AI companies who believe the current path is unacceptable and that firms aren't being nearly careful enough.
G7 to Release Millions of Barrels of Oil and Diesel After Trump Threat
The coordinated release is meant to head off further price spikes. It also aims to avoid a U.S. ban on diesel exports, which Trump had threatened.
Times/Siena Polls Show Democrats Competitive in Five Red-State Senate Races
New polls in Texas, Kansas, Ohio, Alaska and Iowa show Democrats performing strongly in reliably Republican states they are trying to flip to win Senate control. The results continue a run of strong showings for Democrats in states Trump won easily in 2024.
Trump Rallies in Red States to Energize Voters Ahead of Midterms
Trump is campaigning in Republican strongholds such as Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama, betting his presence will motivate voters who might otherwise sit out the election. The travel is seen as a sign of midterm concerns, and panelists on Washington Week With The Atlantic discussed how he is trying to maintain control over the party.
Culver City Protesters Urge Sony, Amazon, Apple to Defend Fair Elections
A protest march in Culver City asked media and tech companies, including Sony, Apple and Amazon, to help ensure fair elections ahead of the midterms.
L.A. Weighs First-Ever Closure of an Active Oil Site in Jefferson Park
Zoning officials are considering shutting down an active oil production site, which would be a first in a city built on oil that still has over 2,000 active wells.
Metrolink Fares Rise Up to 27% Monday, First Increase in 13 Years
The increase comes amid financial and maintenance challenges at the commuter rail agency.
Dartmouth Reviews Provost's AI Use After President's Essay Backing More AI
Dartmouth's student newspaper reported on September 21 that Provost Santiago Schnell appeared to have relied heavily on AI in his writing. President Sian Leah Beilock, who recently wrote an Atlantic essay titled "Why I Want More AI at Dartmouth," is now launching a review of whether her top deputy used too much AI.
Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain With Axe in Bid to Seize Israel-Bound Jet
A UAE official says the co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe. Several media outlets have named the accused as Hamam al-Hammami.
Russia Strikes Second Major Bridge in Kyiv, the Northern Bridge
The attack on the Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge follows repeated strikes on another major bridge in the Ukrainian capital.
OpenAI safety employee David Robinson resigns, says company culture is broken
David Robinson, who wrote the safety reports that accompanied OpenAI's major model releases, resigned this week and published an editorial in The Atlantic warning about the company's direction. He acknowledges he is "something of a cliché" as an AI insider issuing a dire warning on the way out, but argues his concerns about the industry's culture still deserve attention.
Federal judge rules warrantless Flock license plate search violated Fourth Amendment
A federal judge found that a sheriff's deputy violated a woman's Fourth Amendment rights by using Flock to search for her license plate without a warrant. The judge characterized the system as "indiscriminate mass surveillance."
Sanders introduces bill to bar federal government from using Flock
Sen. Bernie Sanders has proposed legislation that would prohibit federal agencies from using Flock. The bill would also extend to all automated license plate readers.
Jack Dorsey's Bitchat largely unavailable in India after government order
Bitchat, the messaging app from Jack Dorsey, has disappeared from app stores in India following a government order. The restrictions have left the app largely inaccessible in the country.
Capcom says it is preparing for a future of making games with AI
At the Capcom Open Conference RE: 2026, programmer Satoshi Ishida presented on the REX Project, a next-generation evolution of the RE Engine. He described the challenges of producing games at Resident Evil's scale, where even simple tasks can be extremely time consuming. The talk suggests the studio is open to AI-assisted development, despite Pragmata's themes about the dangers of AI.
Amazon Web Services CEO says company no longer uses NDAs for data centers
Responding to widespread suspicion of data centers, the head of AWS pushed back on the backlash and said Amazon no longer uses nondisclosure agreements in its data center deals.
Meta releases Muse code for free, hoping developers embed it in devices
Meta is giving away the code for Muse, encouraging developers to build it into products ranging from TVs to household appliances.
Tony Gilroy Calls Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger "Tragic" at "Behemoth!" Premiere
At the world premiere of his new film "Behemoth!," Tony Gilroy criticized the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger as destroying a "healthy and beautiful business" in the name of venture capital. The film, made on a $36 million budget, represents the mid-budget, adult-oriented drama that once sustained Hollywood's theatrical business and helped filmmakers like Gilroy build their careers.
Aaron Sorkin Says It Never Occurred to Him Eisenberg Wouldn't Return for "The Social Reckoning"
Aaron Sorkin, who wrote "The Social Network" (2010), said it never crossed his mind that Jesse Eisenberg might decline to reprise his role as Mark Zuckerberg in the sequel. "The Social Reckoning" premieres Oct. 9.
Jeremy Strong Defends Method Acting, Says He Won't Apologize to Co-Stars
Speaking on The New Yorker Radio Hour podcast, Jeremy Strong said he doesn't feel the "need to apologize" to collaborators who may think he takes the acting process "too seriously." Strong, known for his dedication to method acting, stepped into the role of a tech billionaire in "The Social Reckoning."
Jerry Golod, "Tales From the Darkside" Producer and Former CBS/NBC Executive, Dies at 87
Jerry Golod died Wednesday at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., following a brief battle with cancer. After serving as an executive at CBS and NBC, he launched JayGee Productions in the early 1980s and produced "Tales From the Darkside." His other credits include "Adderly," "Return to Green Acres," and a new version of "Land of the Lost."
Disney Cruise Line Details Expected This Week Alongside New Music and Sports Documentaries
Disney fans are expected to learn more about the latest Disney Cruise Line ship this week. Feature-length documentaries and concert films on Oasis, Stephen Curry and Queen are also arriving in theaters or on Disney+.
Foundation Drilling Underway for New Dark Universe Attraction at Epic Universe
Land clearing for the new attraction behind Dark Universe at Universal's Epic Universe now reaches the edge of the expanded Monsters Unchained queue. Aerial photos show drilling is the main focus, likely for the attraction building's foundation. The entrance will likely sit near Burning Blade Tavern.
Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios Gets Final Themed Paint on Pizza Building
Most of the Archie's Scare Pig Pizza building in Disney's Hollywood Studios now has its themed paint, with red brick, bronze columns, and cream trim appearing finished. Crews are also adding window details at the back of the site and installing an aluminum facade on another building.
Burbank Opens L.A.'s First Horror- and Sci-Fi-Themed Convenience Store
The Horror Boodega stocks Halloween snacks and treats inspired by classic scary movies, along with items that draw on childhood nostalgia. The Burbank shop also doubles as a photo-op destination for genre fans.
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