In other news

A fast-growing German coffee chain, LAP Coffee, has expanded to 21 outlets across Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg in just two years, causing a stir in the coffee market. The chain's rapid expansion and affordable prices have made it a topic of discussion on German television, with some questioning whether its presence is changing the character of local neighborhoods.

The article discusses how a family, the Ellisons, could potentially control both Warner Bros, a traditional media production studio, and TikTok, a tech platform known for user-generated content, following a pair of deals. This would make them a significant force in both old and new media. The article highlights the ongoing battle between professional production studios and tech platforms in the media industry.

The article discusses the recent decline in the market value of Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, two major pharmaceutical companies that produce weight-loss drugs. Both companies have seen significant losses in their market value, with Novo Nordisk losing a quarter of its value in one day and Eli Lilly experiencing its biggest one-day loss in 25 years. The article questions whether these companies can regain investor excitement.

The article 'The desperate search for superstar talent' discusses how governments are failing to utilize the potential of highly talented individuals, instead focusing on investing in physical infrastructure and industries. It argues that true economic success comes from innovation driven by the most talented few. Despite government investments in various sectors, the potential of these individuals remains untapped, leading to a vast waste of human potential. The article highlights the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent to drive innovation and economic success.

The article 'Unleash the robotaxi revolution' discusses the rapid growth of robotaxi services in cities like San Francisco and Shenzhen, driven by companies such as Waymo and Baidu. It highlights that safety regulations are hindering the progress of this technology in Western countries. The article argues that the future of transportation is already being shaped by self-driving taxis, with significant increases in the number of trips conducted by these services. It emphasizes the need to adapt regulatory frameworks to accommodate and foster the development of robotaxi technology.

The article discusses Vladimir Putin's ongoing 'grey-zone' campaign against NATO, involving various covert and deniable actions short of outright conflict, such as drones over Poland, cyber-attacks, and propaganda. The West, particularly NATO, is being tested for its unity in the face of these actions. The article emphasizes that while individually these actions may not be considered acts of war, collectively they represent a new and dangerous threat. Germany's Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is quoted as saying that Europe is no longer at peace but not yet at war. The article calls for NATO to resist Russia's efforts to corrode it from within.

The article discusses how California's Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is stifling a small business, SnakeOut Inc., that provides life-saving training to dogs to avoid rattlesnake bites. The business owner, Jake Molieri, is being prevented from charging for his services if he uses native rattlesnakes, which is deemed 'commercialization' of wildlife. The CDFW has offered Molieri two options: provide the training for free or use non-native snakes. Molieri is taking the CDFW to court, represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation, to fight for his right to operate his business without irrational government interference. The article argues that the CDFW's regulations are arbitrary and serve no rational purpose, punishing productive citizens and preventing them from providing valuable services.

The article criticizes New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's proposal to empower the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) to discipline NYPD officers, calling it a 'terrible fix' that would lead to worse policing and more crime. The author argues that Mamdani's plan is rooted in his 'anti-cop bigotry' and is part of a larger scheme to defund the NYPD. The article highlights the NYPD's professionalism and the low number of substantiated complaints against officers, suggesting that Mamdani's proposal is unfounded and would have negative consequences for public safety.

Two regional Delta jets collided while taxiing at LaGuardia Airport on Wednesday night, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries to a flight attendant. The collision occurred between Endeavor Air flight 5155, departing for Roanoke, Virginia, and Endeavor Air flight 5047, arriving from Charlotte, North Carolina. Passengers described the impact as 'super jarring' and chaotic, with one plane's wing being partially ripped off. The 85 passengers were taken to the terminal, provided with food and beverages, and given the option to rebook their flights. Delta apologized for the experience and will work with authorities to review the incident.

A leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, the powerful Mexican drug gang formerly led by El Chapo, admitted in a CNN interview that President Trump's aggressive border policies have made their illegal activities more difficult. The cartel member, who remained anonymous and was interviewed in the back of an SUV, stated that the increased enforcement under the Trump administration has led to a significant rise in the cost of crossing the southern US border illegally, from $6,500 to $10,000 per person. The cartel leader also expressed a desire to deter others from joining drug gangs, describing the life as not being good and stating 'once you get in, you can't get out.' This admission aligns with previous statements from other cartel members who have praised Trump's robust approach to combating human and drug trafficking.

The article discusses the alleged immigration fraud committed by Somali migrants in Minneapolis, particularly focusing on Rep. Ilhan Omar's controversial marriages. Federal officials recently uncovered widespread immigration fraud among nearly half of the immigrants in greater Minneapolis. The article highlights Omar's alleged marriage to her brother, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, to obtain legal papers, and her denial of the allegations despite evidence. It also mentions the larger issue of immigration fraud within the Somali community in Minnesota, including involvement in the Feeding Our Future fraud case and expansive Medicaid-fraud schemes.

The US Supreme Court has allowed Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to remain in her position while her lawsuit against President Trump proceeds, despite the president's attempt to fire her over unproven allegations of mortgage fraud. The decision is seen as a temporary victory for the Fed's independence, but the issue is far from resolved. The court's final ruling, expected after hearing arguments in January, will have significant implications for the central bank's autonomy and the president's ability to influence monetary policy. Experts warn that if the court sides with Trump, it could expose the Fed to political influences and erode public confidence in its independence.

The article discusses Channing Tatum's latest film 'Roofman', where he plays a war veteran turned polite robber. The author argues that Tatum's naturalistic acting style is undervalued and that he has a unique ability to connect with the audience. Tatum is interviewed and shares his struggles with self-doubt and watching himself on screen. The film's director, Derek Cianfrance, praises Tatum's versatility and vulnerability. The article highlights Tatum's growth as an actor and his ability to take on complex roles.

A recent poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena University found that Americans have lost faith in the country's political system, with only 33% believing that the country can overcome its deep divisions. The poll, conducted between September 22 and 27, 2025, found that polarization and the state of democracy are major concerns for Americans, and that partisanship has become deeply entrenched. The survey also revealed that Americans are divided on the issue of Donald Trump, with half seeing him as a threat to the American system of government and the other half viewing him as a successful leader. The poll was conducted at a time of heightened tension, just two weeks after the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

The Trump administration has sent letters to nine top US universities, asking them to sign a 'compact' that outlines the administration's educational goals and priorities in exchange for access to federal research funds and other benefits. The compact requires colleges to freeze tuition, cap international student enrollment, and adopt strict definitions of gender, among other demands. The administration has been pressuring universities to comply with its agenda, and has secured individual deals with some schools, but the latest move is seen as an attempt to shift the ideological tilt of the higher education system.

The New York Times' 'The Headlines' podcast summarizes key news stories from October 2, 2025. The main topics include the Trump administration's use of a government shutdown to punish political foes, a mysterious wave of drones in Scandinavia causing emergency preparations, and the death of renowned primatologist Jane Goodall. Other stories cover the Supreme Court's decision to allow Lisa Cook to remain at the Fed and the reactions of Palestinians to a potential Hamas cease-fire.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, is considering a run for president despite being from a deeply red state that has voted for Donald Trump three times. Beshear has won two elections in Kentucky by criticizing Trump and showing respect to voters, even when disagreeing with them on social issues. He believes Democrats need to change their approach to win more votes in rural and red states, focusing on common ground and results that impact all Americans. Beshear has sharply criticized Trump's actions, such as threatening to fire federal employees during a shutdown, and has argued that Democrats should nominate someone from a red state to broaden their appeal.

The Eaton fire in January destroyed over 9,000 buildings in Los Angeles County, with dozens of lawsuits blaming high power transmission lines managed by Southern California Edison. However, an NPR investigation found that distribution lines powering individual homes in Altadena malfunctioned hours before the Eaton fire started, potentially starting fires. On January 7, distribution lines malfunctioned over 200 times in the LA region, with three malfunctions in Altadena, including one at 11 a.m. before the Eaton fire began. Firefighters were dispatched to Altadena at least 35 times due to electrical problems on power lines, with most dispatches occurring before 6 p.m. A family reported a fire starting on their property after a problem with distribution lines nearby, which they believe was caused by sparks from electrical equipment. The investigation suggests that preventable problems with distribution lines may have contributed to the devastation.

Rising costs are changing the way Americans travel, with many scaling back their ambitions and staying closer to home. The cost of travel has increased by 20% since 2019, driven by higher prices for gas, lodging, and recreation. Luxury travel is setting records, but lower- and middle-income vacationers are feeling the pinch. Many are opting for road trips and domestic travel instead of international trips, and some are even camping in secluded spots instead of popular national parks. Travel experts say that rising costs across the board are leaving less discretionary income in Americans' pockets, forcing them to reevaluate their spending priorities.

The federal government shutdown is putting nutrition aid for millions of new parents at risk. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides crucial assistance to nearly 7 million pregnant women and young children. Advocates warn that funding could run out in about two weeks, leaving states to close the gap. WIC provides not only financial assistance for healthy foods but also breastfeeding support and nutrition counseling. If funding ends, families like Lucia Graves', who rely on WIC to afford baby formula and healthy groceries, will struggle to make ends meet. While the larger food aid program, SNAP, is in better shape due to its advance funding mechanism, WIC's funding is more precarious. Experts hope that states will be able to fill the gap, but warn that some WIC offices may have to prioritize pregnant and breastfeeding women over preschool-age children if the shutdown drags on.

China has launched a new visa, known as the K visa, aimed at attracting foreign tech talent. The visa has sparked controversy among locals, who are concerned that it will increase competition in a sluggish job market. Despite state media efforts to calm the waters, many Chinese citizens have expressed xenophobic and racist sentiments online, particularly towards Indian nationals. The K visa is intended for individuals working in STEM fields and offers more flexibility in terms of entries, validity period, and duration of stay. However, its exact scope and whether it allows foreigners to work in China remain unclear.

A two-storey Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, Indonesia collapsed on Monday, killing at least five students and injuring around 100. Rescuers have been searching for 59 missing people, but so far, there have been 'no signs of life' under the wreckage. The rescue operation has been challenging due to the unstable structure of the building. Authorities are now planning to use heavy equipment to move concrete slabs to continue the search. The building was under construction and had added two extra floors without proper permits, which is believed to have contributed to its collapse.

Elon Musk has become the world's first person to achieve a net worth of over $500 billion, driven by the rising value of his companies, particularly Tesla. Musk's wealth is closely tied to his stake in Tesla, which has seen its shares rise sharply this year. The milestone cements Musk's status as the world's richest person, ahead of rivals like Larry Ellison. Tesla's shares have been boosted by investors welcoming Musk's focus on his companies rather than politics. The company faces challenges, including competition from rival electric car makers and transitioning into an AI and robotics business. Musk's potential pay package worth over $1 trillion is tied to ambitious targets, including boosting Tesla's value eightfold and selling a million AI robots.

The Dutch authorities have warned companies and organizations against relying solely on chatbots for customer service, citing their use as 'one of the biggest annoyances' for consumers. The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) stated that firms must offer people the option to speak with a representative and ensure consumers are aware they are interacting with chatbots. The watchdog voiced concern about the growing use of AI-powered chatbots and warned that regulators would be looking into stricter rules. The authorities urged the European Commission to establish clear guidelines for the design of AI-powered chatbots, emphasizing that they must be fair, recognizable, and accessible.

The G-7 nations' finance ministers have agreed to target countries that continue to increase their purchases of Russian oil and facilitate circumvention of sanctions. They also emphasized the importance of trade measures, including tariffs and import/export bans, to cut off Russian revenues due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The statement did not name specific countries, but the US has previously called on its allies to impose tariffs on countries like India and China for purchasing Russian oil. The G-7 foreign ministers are also considering trade measures against countries helping to finance Russia's war efforts.

Malaysia is experiencing a resurgence in train travel, with the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) train service providing both intercity and local train services across Peninsular Malaysia. The Komuter Utara service, launched in 2015, has benefited many Malaysians by providing a reliable and efficient mode of transportation. The KTM network stretches from Singapore to the Thai border, with various rail arteries, including the Electric Train Service (ETS) and the Jungle Railway. The ETS is set to be extended to Johor Bahru by end-2025, reducing travel time between Johor and Kuala Lumpur to around 3.5 hours. The rail revival is attracting not only commuters but also adventurers and nostalgia seekers who enjoy the scenic views and cultural experiences offered by train travel. Ridership for intercity rail services has more than doubled in the past decade, while urban commuter ridership has declined due to maintenance and upgrading work. The Jungle Railway, a diesel-powered train service, provides essential connectivity to rural areas and is a lifeline for residents in interior Kelantan.