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A US judge has approved a consent decree that settles a 12‑state antitrust challenge and clears the way for Paramount Skydance to complete its takeover of Warner Bros. The five‑year settlement requires at least 30 US theatrical releases a year, separate cable negotiations, and independent editorial boards for CNN and CBS. Ynon Kreiz will join as co‑CEO on Oct. 5.
The US‑backed Board of Peace has presented a six‑month, $2.45bn, 66‑project recovery programme for Gaza while warning that full reconstruction will require about $71.4bn over the next decade. Implementation has not begun because the plan depends on Hamas disarming, Israeli cooperation and major donor funding that remains largely unpaid; Israeli forces continue to control large parts of the Strip.
Britain has warned it could expel up to about 27 Israeli diplomats if Israel closes the UK consulate in East Jerusalem on Thursday. Israel has ordered the consulate to shut within 30 days after Britain announced sanctions on goods and services linked to West Bank settlements. British officials have tried last-minute talks to avert the closure but have not reached a deal.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing mounting opposition from European and some global federations over his bid for a fourth term. Backlash followed his plan to sell stakes in World Cup rights to private investors, which leaders say undermines governance. Several federations have withdrawn support; discussions intensify as voters prepare for the March election in Rabat.
Lenacapavir, branded Yeztugo in the US, has a twice-yearly injection form of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. Its introduction in parts of the Middle East and North Africa comes with cheaper generics set to be available in 2027, while many countries in the region face barriers to testing and treatment.
England has secured a convincing Nations League win, with Harry Kane scoring twice to become the national record scorer and lead a strong performance under coach Thomas Tuchel. The win strengthens England’s position in Group A3, with Spain ahead and Croatia trailing.
Protests in Pristina and across Kosovo have intensified after the Hague-based Kosovo Specialist Chambers convicted former President Hashim Thaci and three other KLA leaders of war crimes. Lawmakers face pressure as opposition pushes to limit the court’s mandate, with parliamentary votes and potential early elections shaping the political crisis ahead of an EU-mentioned path to reform.
Iran has seen its currency hit new lows as US-Israeli actions tighten sanctions and blockades. Indirect talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz continue, while mediatior efforts and new sanctions aim to pressure Tehran. The government has unveiled plans to mitigate shortages and economic decline in the face of ongoing conflict.
Iran's economy has deteriorated amid US-Israeli conflict, with currency volatility, rising prices, and medicine shortages. A seven-point plan is being discussed to mitigate impact, while imports and supply chains face disruption from air and sea blockades. Officials say the blockade has slashed energy exports and worsened living costs.
Kallas says the EU is ready to deploy observers as Palestinian President Abbas sets a Nov. 28 date for legislative elections, the first in nearly two decades. A possible Hamas-Dahlan alliance could shape the race amid logistical challenges and regional dynamics.
Syrian officials and Hezbollah representatives have held talks in Turkey to de-escalate tensions, with both Damascus and Hezbollah denying a final agreement. Reuters cites sources indicating discussions focused on stopping arms transfers and dismantling sleeper cells, while Turkey and other actors deny the meeting. The talks are described as an initial attempt to move from battlefield hostilities toward a pragmatic, if cautious, arrangement.
Trump is touring critical states ahead of the November 3 elections, rallying supporters and tying his policy wins to the ballot in key Senate and governor races. He is pressing manufacturing and tariff policies, while rallying for candidates who align with his agenda amid concerns over energy costs and Iran-related tensions.
Anthropic has expanded Claude Startup to include more startups, offering up to $45,000 in credits, a $1,000 API credit, and a free year of Claude Team for up to five seats. The initiative, announced during SF Tech Week, aims to accelerate enterprise adoption of Claude and strengthen ties with early-stage companies.
The Parti Québécois has won the Quebec provincial election, returning the separatist party to power for the first time since 2014. It falls short of a majority, setting up a minority government and leaving the question of a referendum on Quebec’s independence in play as Ottawa faces potential friction over immigration and other provincial matters.
The United States has offered assistance as a laboratory worker at an Irkutsk anti-plague institute dies amid reports of a quarantine and ongoing investigations. Authorities describe the case as pneumonia with an unknown cause, while the World Health Organization says the initial risk to the public remains low.
Kenya has confirmed its first Ebola case from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo outbreak. A Kenyan who travelled via Uganda arrived in Nairobi on Oct. 3, tested positive at Nairobi Hospital and died late on Monday. Health authorities have identified 28 contacts, are tracing 23 flight passengers and have placed border points on high alert.
President Donald Trump has drawn sharp criticism after telling a Nebraska rally that higher gas prices are "a small price to pay," adding "let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego." California leaders have called the comments "deranged" and "dangerous," while the White House has dismissed the reaction as a "media freakout."
France-based Mistral AI has released Mistral Large 4 (ML4), a 1-trillion-parameter multimodal model dubbed Le Chonk. Open-weight access will come after safety testing, with weights releasing in three weeks. The model targets cybersecurity, finance and chip design, aiming to compete with OpenAI and Chinese rivals in a shifting AI landscape.
Prime Video will stream the Emmys worldwide for free starting 2027, ending the rotating broadcast wheel that previously moved the ceremony among ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. The six-year deal makes Prime Video the ceremony’s permanent home, with no Prime subscription required for viewers in more than 240 countries.
Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio has warned that the world is facing a debt crisis as debt supply outpaces demand. He says governments and large tech firms are flooding markets with debt while buyers in China and Japan pull back. He predicts a crisis within the next two to three years, urges hedges like inflation-linked bonds, and marks diversification beyond the US.
The Education Department has extended the auto-pay incentive, lowering interest by up to 1% for borrowers who enroll or already participate. The program runs through June 2028, with new deadlines and enrollment steps clarified for borrowers in default or on fixed payments.
Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery have completed a high‑stakes merger, creating Skydance. The deal unites Paramount+, HBO Max, CNN and Warner assets under billionaire David Ellison and co‑CEO Ynon Kreiz. The combination expands the streaming library, raises questions about consumer costs, jobs, and future content strategy while signaling further consolidation in the industry.
A 28-year-old woman at the Irkutsk Anti-plague Research Institute in Siberia has died under investigation for suspected pneumonic plague. Authorities say no cases have been detected among staff connected to the case, and a wide circle of contacts is under daily monitoring. The World Health Organization says risk to the wider public remains low while researchers conduct tests.
The US Department of Justice has charged James Cody Bryant, 30, of Washington state, with conspiracy to murder a person in a foreign country in connection with the February Tumbler Ridge attack in Canada. Bryant allegedly provided money, technical advice and planned a livestream, while the shooter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, died by suicide after killing eight people in British Columbia. Prosecutors say Bryant maintained contact with the shooter for months.
Gold Star families are attending a White House reception honoring the fallen as questions persist about the March 1 Port Shuaiba strike in Kuwait. Families report confusion over invitations and information, with critics urging transparency while the Army and Pentagon decline comment.
Christa Pike has survived a botched lethal injection in Tennessee and remains in hospital with critical injuries. Lawyers say she is conscious and receiving care; a court hearing is planned as officials resign over the handling of the case.