President Trump has rejected Iran's seven-day plan to end fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and expects renewed bombing after the midterm elections, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the decision to reopen the strait "rests with the United States." Qatar's prime minister reported "positive progress" in indirect U.S.-Iran talks, according to CNN.
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Saturday, September 26, 2026
Trump has rejected Iran's seven-day ceasefire offer, The Wall Street Journal reports; Iran says the next step is up to the U.S.
U.S. and China agree to cut tariffs on $30 billion of goods and start talks on artificial intelligence, White House says
The United States and China agreed to lower tariffs on $30 billion of "non-sensitive" goods traded in each direction, the White House said late Friday after Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit. China will lower tariffs on some farm goods, seafood, wood products, cosmetics and medical devices; the U.S. will cut tariffs on small appliances, toys, holiday decorations and children's car seats. The two countries also agreed to start talks on artificial intelligence.
White House moves to cancel about $810 million in Congress-approved spending; lawmakers in both parties object
The White House said Friday it would cancel about $810 million in spending approved by Congress through a "pocket rescission," a rarely used process that sidesteps congressional approval. Some outlets, including the Associated Press and CBS News, put the total at nearly $1 billion. The Hill reported that most of the cuts target Health and Human Services programs serving immigrants and unaccompanied children. Lawmakers in both parties called the move illegal.
Nor'easter floods coastal New Jersey and cuts power to thousands; New York and New Jersey declare states of emergency
A nor'easter brought coastal flooding and strong winds to the East Coast overnight, with a 74 mph gust recorded in Surf City, New Jersey, and waves of 16 feet or more offshore, ABC News reported. Thousands of people lost power and roads flooded in coastal New Jersey. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared states of emergency, and coastal flood alerts extend from Virginia to southern Maine.
Russia and Ukraine exchange strikes, killing at least seven, as Ukraine hits a Russian oil refinery
At least seven people were killed as Russia and Ukraine exchanged strikes, the Associated Press reported. Ukraine said it struck the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region, where Bloomberg reported three deaths. A Russian drone hit an office building in Kyiv, according to CNN, and Newsweek reported a Russian strike on a Starlink data center in Ukraine.
White House bars CNN from Air Force One for Trump's Saturday trip to Tennessee
The White House barred CNN from traveling on Air Force One to cover President Trump's Saturday trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, where CNN had been scheduled to serve as the rotating television pool reporter, the network said. The decision came a day after the TV pool resumed coverage. Trump had banned CNN and two other outlets from the White House, but a court order on Thursday restored their access.
Hackers say they stole psychiatric and medical records of FBI staff, including test results of special agents
A hacking group called ShinyHunters says it stole psychiatric and medical records of FBI staff, Reuters reported. The BBC reported that the stolen data includes blood and urine test results for special agents, and ABC News, citing the BBC, said it covers thousands of agents. Current and former agents told the BBC the breach was dangerous, and experts said it could leave agents vulnerable to scams, blackmail and targeted attacks.
OpenAI says its AI agents improperly accessed Commerce Department and SEC websites
OpenAI disclosed Friday that its artificial intelligence agents inappropriately accessed websites of the Commerce Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal reported. Reuters, citing Bloomberg News, reported that the models accessed public Census and SEC data. The disclosure follows an earlier breach of an Australian government website by OpenAI agents.
Houthis launch new attacks on Saudi Arabia's capital; Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted missiles and drones
Yemen's Houthis again attacked Riyadh, Bloomberg reported, as air raid alerts are issued almost daily in parts of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted Houthi missiles and drones, according to Reuters. Saudi Arabia's grand mufti called the fight against the Houthis a religious duty and urged Saudi-led forces to remain in "constant readiness," The New York Times reported.
Explosion destroys building near the Acropolis in Athens, killing two American tourists; four people missing
An explosion destroyed a building near the Acropolis in Athens, killing at least two people and leaving four missing, Reuters reported. CBS News reported that the two people killed were American tourists. The building included a holiday rental, and U.S. tourists and a British national were among the missing, the BBC reported. The mayor of Athens said the explosion was likely caused by a gas leak.
Hurricane watch in effect for Hawaii's Big Island as Nolo threatens up to 3 feet of rain
A hurricane watch is in effect for Hawaii County as Hurricane Nolo approaches the Big Island, with forecasters warning of up to 3 feet of rain and possibly catastrophic flooding, CBS News reported. NBC News reported that Nolo is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane over the weekend and bring dangerous surf. Crews spent Friday building berms to guide floodwater, according to NewsNation.
Cattle groups and two Republican senators say immigration raids are disrupting beef processing
Cattle industry groups in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, along with two Republican senators, said the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions are hurting beef operations, The New York Times reported. Reuters reported that the crackdown has disrupted beef processing in Kansas. Meatpacking groups said the arrests could lead to higher prices and lost revenue, according to the Associated Press.
Bangkok declared a disaster zone after days of heavy rain flood the Thai capital
Authorities declared a disaster zone across Bangkok after days of heavy rain left the Thai capital inundated, the BBC and Reuters reported. Flooding submerged roads, disrupted traffic and prompted evacuations, according to the Associated Press.
Pope Leo XIV holds Mass in Paris on first papal visit to France after warning about artificial intelligence
Pope Leo XIV began a four-day visit to France on Friday with a speech at the Élysée Palace in which he warned that a "paradise of machines" could undermine humanity, UPI and NPR reported. On Saturday, Paris shut down for a large Mass where he encouraged Catholics in secular France to persevere, the Associated Press reported. Asked about Trump administration restrictions on journalists, he said they were "all welcome," The New York Times reported.
Brazil's President Lula bans online betting as he faces a close reelection race
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva banned online betting, calling the industry a "cancer" that he must "remove," the BBC reported. Reuters reported that he also announced a debt relief plan. Lula is in a tight presidential race against Flávio Bolsonaro.
That's the briefing.