Will Trump’s Russian Diesel Deal Lower Prices?12 CardsLuke Vargas on WSJ What’s News
India’s government locked down New Delhi and detained thousands as protests expanded against a revision of voter lists that activists say could strip about 130 million people of voting rights. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government says the revision is needed to remove fraudulent entries and denies discriminating against Muslims.Andrew Dowell on WSJ What’s News
Saudi Arabia’s counteroffensive against Yemen’s Houthis has put Riyadh on a war footing, with the airport shut for two consecutive days, evacuations ordered and schools moved home. President Trump said the United States might join Saudi strikes, after a previous U.S. campaign bombed the Houthis for about 53 days before a ceasefire.AI Has an Insurance Problem9 CardsLuke Vargas on WSJ What’s News
U.S.-Mexico trade talks have stalled after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick opposed lowering tariffs on Mexican steel, aluminum and automobiles. Rates are 50% for steel and aluminum and 25% for autos, while Mexico seeks a 15% auto tariff, putting broader USMCA renewal talks at risk.Luke Vargas on WSJ What’s News
Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh declined to say whether the central bank will raise or hold interest rates at its remaining 2026 meetings, while most colleagues expect at least one more increase. Warsh said AI could expand production capacity without necessarily raising prices.The Tech Selloff Deepens9 CardsLuke Vargas on WSJ What’s News
Israel’s military is expanding its presence in Gaza less than two weeks before elections, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a difficult contest and rejects President Trump’s peace plan. Israel now controls around 70% of the enclave and has more than 30 outposts, including nine built since an October 2025 ceasefire.Luke Vargas on WSJ What’s News
Tech stocks were headed for another selloff after hotter-than-expected inflation raised expectations that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates. CoreWeave, Nvidia and Micron fell in off-hours trading, South Korea’s tech-heavy index dropped 7%, and European AI stocks declined.Why Businesses Can’t Budget for AI9 CardsLuke Vargas on WSJ What’s News
SpaceX agreed to buy cellular-spectrum licenses from an investment firm, preparing to enter the US wireless market dominated by AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. The FCC also approved SpaceX’s plan to launch up to 15,000 satellites for mobile service, while shares of the three carriers fell after hours.Joe Stoner on WSJ What’s News
Reports that OpenAI’s September revenue was several billion dollars below previously signaled levels sent NVIDIA, Micron, and other AI-chip stocks lower. Investors later questioned whether the gap reflected lower guidance or accounting differences between net and gross revenue, helping tech stocks recover.Have U.S. Cars Lost Their Edge?8 CardsLuke Vargas on WSJ What’s News
The International Energy Agency says worldwide diesel supply fell by 1.7 billion barrels a day in the third quarter, pushing the market into deficit before peak winter demand. Tight supplies are expected to strain businesses, increase inflation risks and squeeze refiners facing soaring shipping and crude-delivery costs.Luke Vargas on WSJ What’s News
A Houthi strike hit Saudi Aramco's headquarters overnight, exposing Saudi Arabia's oil assets to the conflict. Continued attacks on refineries have kept fuel prices nearly double their pre-war levels, and the International Energy Agency says supplies will remain tight into next year.The U.S. Wants Answers on Russian Lab Death8 CardsLuke Vargas on WSJ What’s News
France’s government is preparing to use special constitutional powers or executive orders to force through nearly $50 billion in spending cuts that have sparked violent protests nationwide. Finance Minister Roland Lescure said the bill may change, but France will maintain its goal of a 5% budget deficit to reassure financial markets.Luke Vargas on WSJ What’s News
The Reserve Bank of India raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 5.5%, its first increase in four years. The central bank cited surging energy prices linked to fighting in the Middle East and said future increases will depend on growth and inflation.IMF Warns AI’s Riches Are Increasingly Concentrated7 CardsLuke Vargas on WSJ What’s News
The IMF kept its 2026 global growth forecast at 3.1% but warned that growth is increasingly concentrated in high-tech economies such as South Korea and Taiwan. Thirty-two economies now account for 95% of global growth, while failed AI gains, borrowing costs, and deficits threaten a sharper slowdown.Luke Vargas on WSJ What’s News
Cybersecurity experts and hackers say the world’s estimated 1.2 billion internet-connected cameras can be hijacked for spying, including Russian surveillance allegations involving cameras near the Kerch Bridge and Ukraine aid. Artificial intelligence makes scanning cameras and passwords easier, while experts advise avoiding default passwords, changing them periodically, using devices with security updates, and controlling network access.Do Smartglasses Belong in Public Spaces?7 CardsLuke Vargas on WSJ What’s News
Stocks fell and oil futures rose after Houthi militants attacked two Saudi airports, including one in Riyadh, killing three people and injuring dozens. Oil also gained as Hurricane Isaias disrupted U.S. Gulf Coast production, a ship was attacked in the Middle East, and Atlantic reported President Trump was considering striking Iran before the midterms.Luke Vargas on WSJ What’s News
A suspected Iranian plot targeting U.S. B-1 bombers at Britain’s RAF Fairford led to the sudden removal of 12 aircraft, though Iran’s ability to carry out the attack remains uncertain. The UK plans a law allowing the military to shoot down drones near bases, while the Pentagon invests in counter-drone systems.