Iran security chief rejects Trump's claim that Tehran is close to surrendering

Iran's top security official, Mohsen Rezaei, rejected President Donald Trump's claim on Friday that Tehran was close to surrendering. Trump said Thursday night that the U.S. could win the war shortly after the November midterm elections, while leaving open an earlier end. Rezaei accused Trump of confusing imagined victories with reality. Trump separately told TIME that U.S. military action against Iran could resume after the midterm elections if Washington and Tehran fail to reach an agreement. Iran's president said last week that Tehran would not surrender to U.S. pressure but remained open to peace negotiations.

Analysis: US curbs on Chinese technology raise costs and risk slowing innovation

US restrictions on Chinese technology are raising costs and could hinder American companies' ability to compete with Chinese rivals. US officials cite protection of sensitive data and incentives for domestic manufacturing as reasons for the restrictions. Companies replacing Chinese components face limited alternative suppliers, higher prices and lengthy production transfers. Kopin chief executive Michael Murray estimates that making some micro display components in the US costs as much as 25% more. Ghost Robotics faces a January ban affecting magnets whose raw material comes from China. Gavin Kenneally of Ghost Robotics said the supply-chain problem is extremely difficult in the short term, but the bans have stimulated domestic production over the long term.

Nearly 1,400 lose jobs at Ohio truck factory days before Trump rally

Nearly 1,400 workers were laid off on Wednesday at the former Navistar truck factory in southwestern Ohio, three days before President Donald Trump's nearby rally. The layoffs were large enough to effectively erase an entire year of job growth in the greater Dayton area. Some laid-off workers are campaigning for Democrats ahead of the November election because of concerns about inflation and the economy. Workers expect Roshel, the armored-vehicle manufacturer buying the plant, to rehire them in six to 12 months. Roshel said it is working to protect the current workforce and more than double it over the coming years through a phased process. The White House said Trump's tax cuts and trade deals have helped Ohio.

Analysis: Trump repeats false claim that Iran's nuclear sites were drug factories

President Donald Trump repeated a false claim on Thursday night that the Iranian nuclear facilities attacked by the US were also drug factories. Trump made the claim at a rally in Oklahoma while discussing the June 2025 bombing operation. James Acton of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said Fordow was not used for drug production to his knowledge. The White House refused to explain Trump's comments on Friday. Trump appeared likely to have made a verbal mistake after discussing illegal drug trafficking in the Caribbean, then repeated the assertion instead of correcting it.

Zelenskyy asks Trump for sanctions over alleged Russia-China Starlink rival

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked Donald Trump to sanction Russian and Chinese companies that Zelenskyy says are developing a rival to Elon Musk's Starlink. Zelenskyy said the Russian satellite network, Rassvet, could become operational by the end of the year or the beginning of next year. Zelenskyy warned that the network would improve Russia's air-strike precision. China's foreign ministry, the Kremlin and the White House did not respond to requests for comment. Zelenskyy has also asked Trump to allow Ukrainian forces to use Starlink-equipped drones up to 200km inside Russia against ballistic missile launchers and drone launch sites.

UK investment bosses warn capital gains tax rise would deter equity investors

Chief executives of the UK's largest investment sites warned that increasing capital gains tax in the upcoming Budget could deter savers from investing in shares. The bosses said a rise could undermine the government's aim of encouraging more people to invest and support the UK's equity market. The main higher rate increased from 20% to 24% in the 2024 Budget. Quilter chief executive Steven Levin said investors could defer asset sales in response to a further increase. Higher capital gains tax could also encourage investors to buy gilts, which are exempt from the tax, instead of shares.

Opinion: Reducing FICO's dominance will do little to help US homeowners

The author argues that reducing FICO's dominance in mortgage credit scoring will do little to improve US housing affordability. Federal housing chief Bill Pulte has proposed more competition among consumer credit agencies. Under the plan, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be able to accept VantageScore ratings on an equal footing with FICO. VantageScore's backers cite research identifying at least 5 million mortgage-ready borrowers that FICO would have missed. The author considers broader mortgage access at slightly lower rates plausible, but some asset managers worry about weaker underwriting standards. The author warns that investor concerns could lead to discounts on asset-backed bonds, undermining the government's housing strategy.

Opinion: Iraq War is over and did some good

The author argues that the Iraq War is now over and did some good. The last US troops departed Iraq this week, ending an experience that began with the US invasion in 2003. The residual force of around 2,500 troops had been in Iraq to help fight the Islamic State.

US judge dismisses DOJ lawsuit against pro-Palestinian protesters under clinic access law

US District Judge Katharine Hayden dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit against pro-Palestinian organizations and protesters under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. Hayden said the government's complaint did not adequately plead violations of the statute. Hayden dismissed the claims without prejudice and allowed the government to file an amended complaint within 30 days. The lawsuit alleged that demonstrators intimidated attendees and physically assaulted some worshippers during a November 2024 protest at a New Jersey synagogue. The event promoted property sales in Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Analysis: Lula faces Flávio Bolsonaro in Brazil's presidential election

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva faces Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of Jair Bolsonaro, in Brazil's Oct. 4 presidential election. Polls suggest a tight race, with a runoff on Oct. 25 if no presidential candidate receives more than 50% of valid votes Sunday. Flávio Bolsonaro promises to pardon his father, who is serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup to overturn his 2022 election loss. The next president is expected to nominate four of 11 Supreme Court justices. Crime, corruption and slower economic growth are major campaign issues. Flávio Bolsonaro pledges closer alignment with the Trump administration, while Lula has resisted U.S. pressure. AtlasIntel political analyst Yuri Sanches says a narrow Lula victory could prompt Bolsonaro supporters to challenge the result and seek U.S. help.

US officials say Trump's top security aides meet secretly at Camp David on Iran and Yemen

Three U.S. officials said President Trump's top cabinet members met for hours at Camp David on Friday to discuss next steps in the Iran war and the Saudi-Houthi conflict in Yemen. The Trump administration did not announce the meeting.

Three university students face federal charges over alleged threats against Trump

Three University of South Alabama students face federal charges over alleged threats against President Donald Trump ahead of his campus rally. A source familiar with the matter said the students were arrested Friday. Lagniappe Daily reported that each student was charged with threatening the president over social media posts allegedly made before Trump's visit. The university said the rally was not university-sponsored and that the Republican National Committee had rented the Mitchell Center. Trump appeared at the rally Friday evening as scheduled.

Rove predicts Paxton will lose Senate bid if he does not debate Talarico

Republican strategist Karl Rove said he believes Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will lose his Senate bid if Paxton does not debate Democratic opponent James Talarico. Rove questioned whether Paxton has the political skill and courage to debate and win. Talarico has repeatedly criticized Paxton for avoiding debates and challenged Paxton to a Fox News debate last week. A September Fox News poll showed Paxton trailing Talarico by 2 points, within the survey's 3-point margin of error. President Trump has endorsed Paxton but described Paxton this week as "a little controversial."

Justice Department urges judge to let Trump's White House media ban proceed

The US Justice Department urged a federal judge to reject a request by CNN, MS NOW and Politico for a longer court order. The order would prevent President Donald Trump from banning the organizations' journalists from the White House.

White House filing claims presidential authority to bar news outlets

The White House argued in a Friday court filing that presidential authority permits its ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico. The White House asked a federal judge to deny the outlets' request for an order extending their access. A two-week court order restoring the outlets' press passes expires on Thursday. The outlets argue that the ban violated their First Amendment rights because President Trump imposed it over objections to their reporting. The White House filing said the administration would have taken the same action regardless of the outlets' criticism. Trump also twice excluded CNN from the presidential TV pool after the court restored journalists' access to the White House.

Analysis: Trump returns to Mobile amid empty seats and signs of weakening support

President Trump held a campaign rally in Mobile, Alabama, on Friday, five weeks before the midterm elections, with some upper sections almost completely empty. Trump has intensified campaigning as Republican prospects for November have darkened and his poll numbers have fallen for months. Interviews along the Gulf Coast showed dissatisfaction among some supporters over rising living costs, while others remained loyal. Trump again promised $5,000 checks, a giveaway that would cost more than $1 trillion and likely require congressional approval. MAGA influencer Adam Francisco said he would be concerned about Republican chances if Trump did not lower gas prices before November 3.

Justice Department asks court to let Trump reinstate White House press ban

The Justice Department argued in a late Friday court filing that President Donald Trump should be allowed to reinstate his White House ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico. The department argued that restricting access would prevent the outlets from obtaining information that undermines national security through one avenue. The news organizations called the ban an unlawful assault on First Amendment freedoms in a Monday night filing. Judge Timothy Kelly is considering whether to extend a two-week order restoring access, which expires at the end of next week. Kelly will hold a hearing Thursday on the outlets' request for a preliminary injunction.

Roundup: Russian attacks disrupt traffic on Kyiv bridges

Russian strikes forced full or partial traffic suspensions on three Kyiv bridges spanning the Dnipro River, causing long traffic jams. Officials said Russia struck a bridge linking the capital's two sides for the second successive day on Friday. A senior Ukrainian official said the infrastructure strikes appeared linked to Vladimir Putin's September order to scrap constraints on Russia's air campaign. Conor Coleman, a top US official, said the joint US-Ukrainian reconstruction investment fund had sealed its first critical minerals deal alongside four other new projects. Coleman said the fund's projects now totalled about $70 million.

Ellison and Schutz debate fraud and Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota attorney general race

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and challenger Ron Schutz debated fraud prosecutions and Operation Metro Surge on Friday. Ellison highlighted 75 lawsuits against the federal government and roughly 350 fraud prosecutions by his office. Schutz said prosecutions of federal agents who killed Alex Pretti should proceed if a joint investigation produces sufficient evidence. Schutz claimed the overwhelming majority of Ellison's fraud cases resulted in no jail time, no felony record and minimal repayments. Ellison defended his record and a meeting with Feeding Our Future fraudsters before the case became public.

Japan shifts messaging to counter reflationary policy view, Katayama says

Japan's government has begun adjusting its messaging to reassure markets that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is not pursuing reflationary policies, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said. Katayama said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent considers Takaichi's policies suited to current economic conditions but has questioned the government's communication to investors. Katayama said the government concluded around late August that it needed to communicate that message more clearly to financial markets.

Gluesenkamp Perez drops Zyn from campaign tin after reported company demand

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) removed Zyn branding from a campaign storage tin after parent company Philip Morris International reportedly asked the campaign to stop selling the container. Gluesenkamp Perez announced Thursday that the replacement tin reads "Marie for Congress" and retains the $50 price. A Philip Morris International spokesperson said the original product violated the company's ZYN trademark and the campaign must stop using it. Gluesenkamp Perez faces a toss-up reelection race against Washington state Sen. John Braun, according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index.

Xi Jinping's unusual rest breaks take hours from summit with Trump

Unusual rest breaks for Xi Jinping took hours out of a summit with President Trump. People familiar with the visit planning said Chinese officials demanded that the U.S. accommodate Xi's need for rest. The people said the requests offered a rare glimpse of the 73-year-old leader's emerging physical limitations.

Trump touts investment projects in Alabama amid campaign push for Republicans

President Donald Trump declared at a rally in Alabama that his economic agenda had helped attract investment. Trump has begun a campaign blitz to improve congressional Republicans' prospects with a month until Election Day. Republicans are at risk of losing the US House and several Senate races.

BJP stages month-long Modi birthday celebrations amid youth protests

India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is using month-long celebrations of Narendra Modi's 76th birthday to revive its fortunes after summer youth protests. The celebrations also mark Modi's 25 years in public office, which will be celebrated on October 7. Many of India's 370 million youths are expressing anger over issues including a lack of well-paid jobs and long-running sexual violence. The Cockroach Janta Party launched further protests in Mumbai on Friday over allegations that the election commission improperly excluded tens of millions of voters. BJP national vice-president Ram Madhav denied that the party was creating a personality cult around Modi.

FBI's first Ten Most Wanted cyber fugitive returns to US after capture in Venezuela

Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre, the FBI's first cyber fugitive on its Ten Most Wanted list, has returned to the United States after capture in Venezuela last month. Aguirre, an alleged Tren de Aragua leader, appeared in a Nebraska courtroom Friday over an alleged multimillion-dollar ATM cash theft scheme. The Department of Justice said Aguirre pleaded not guilty to four federal conspiracy charges and will remain detained in Nebraska awaiting trial. The charges involve bank fraud, bank burglary and computer fraud, money laundering, and providing material support to terrorists. The Department of Justice said the bank fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

IMF approves $1.9 billion Bolivia program to support Paz's economic reforms

The International Monetary Fund approved a $1.9 billion financing program for Bolivia. The program includes an immediate $214 million disbursement. The package is designed to help President Rodrigo Paz reverse a sharp economic slump.

Florida State and other ACC schools seek 22-team cap in college sports bill

Florida State, Miami, Clemson and North Carolina requested changes to the Protect College Sports Act to raise its conference membership cap from 20 to 22 schools. The schools also requested eliminating a requirement that schools changing conferences spend three years as independents. The Senate passed the bill on Monday, and a House vote would not happen until after the November 3 midterm elections. The schools' letter argues that the restrictions would impose additional consequences on departing institutions and constrain future conference configurations. If enacted, the bipartisan bill would give the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption to establish rules on athlete eligibility, transfers and compensation.

Judge temporarily blocks border wall construction in Texas' Big Bend region

A federal court in Texas on Friday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from building a border wall and other infrastructure across the Big Bend region. The projects are part of the administration's $46 billion effort to fortify the southern border. Judge Kathleen Cardone found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on at least one claim and likely to suffer serious, irreparable harm without an injunction. The ruling includes Big Bend National Park and areas upriver and downriver where projects would largely cross privately owned land. U.S. Customs and Border Protection defended its legal authority and said it was working with the Department of Justice on next steps.

US suspends consular services in Brazil, prompting Australia to close embassy

The United States has suspended consular services in Brazil, prompting Australia to close its embassy two days before Sunday's presidential election. The US embassy cited security concerns but did not specify the threat or any link to the election. Brazil's federal police said investigators found no evidence corroborating the initially reported threat to US diplomatic facilities. Police said an investigation continued after communications equipment was seized. Workers' Party president Edinho Silva accused US President Donald Trump of trying to influence Brazilian public opinion through the closures.

Sanders introduces bill to ban federal government use of Flock

Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the Ban Flock Act on Friday to prohibit federal agencies from using automatic license plate readers or accessing other operators' data. The bill covers all such systems, not just Flock, and allows exceptions only for toll collection and uses approved through future legislation. Future legislation approving uses would have to limit data retention to no longer than 48 hours. State and local governments would lose grants from five federal departments unless those governments ban the technology, starting the first fiscal year after enactment. Americans could sue the federal government over violations, and state attorneys general could enforce the law. The bill faces long odds of becoming law.