Trending now news today — Saturday, September 26, 2026

Iran warNPR

In one of their last votes before November, Senate GOP blocks effort to end Iran war

The Senate Republican majority has blocked a resolution that would have required the president to end military operations against Iran without congressional approval. The measure, which needed sixty votes to pass, fell short with forty-nine senators in favor. It's the second time this year the chamber has rejected the Iran War Powers Resolution, though support has grown—earlier attempts drew fewer votes. The resolution reflects deepening skepticism among lawmakers about the legal basis for continued military action in the region. The Senate will return to the issue after the election, when the composition of the chamber may have shifted.

NPR ↗

Iran warNBC News

Iran’s president says Tehran wants a deal with U.S. before midterm elections

Iran's newly elected president has signaled his government's willingness to negotiate with the United States, with a specific timeline in mind. First, Masoud Pezeshkian told NBC News that Tehran hopes to reach some form of agreement before November's American midterm elections—a compressed window that suggests both sides see political advantage in moving quickly. Then there's the substance: Iran's stated priority is relief from economic sanctions that've crippled its oil exports and banking sector since the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal under the Trump administration. And finally, the detail worth noting is that Pezeshkian's comments come as his government faces domestic pressure to deliver economic improvement, which a sanctions deal could theoretically enable. Whether either side can move fast enough, or whether their opening positions are close enough to matter, remains genuinely unclear.

NBC News ↗

US China trade warBloomberg

Bessent Says US, China Extend Their Trade Truce to Jan. 10

Treasury Secretary Henry Bessent said this week that the United States and China have extended their trade truce to January tenth. The two countries had been operating under a temporary pause in tariffs that was set to expire, but both sides agreed to keep it in place for now rather than let tensions reignite before the new administration settles in. Bessent didn't elaborate on what happens after that date, or whether a longer-term deal is being negotiated behind the scenes. For American businesses that depend on Chinese supply chains—manufacturers, retailers, importers—the extension buys time. They won't face sudden tariff increases in the next few weeks. But the January tenth deadline is still a pressure point. Neither side has signaled what comes next, which means companies are still planning for uncertainty. The truce holds, for now. What happens when it expires remains unwritten.

Bloomberg ↗

AI regulationBarron's

Nvidia Stock Drops as CEO Huang Suggests Drastic Alternative to AI Regulation

Nvidia's been the dominant force in artificial intelligence chips for years now, riding a wave of corporate demand that's made it one of the world's most valuable companies. Regulators worldwide have been weighing how to oversee AI development, with some pushing for stricter controls. That changed this week. CEO Jensen Huang suggested an alternative approach: rather than regulate the technology itself, governments should regulate the data used to train AI systems instead. He argued this would be less restrictive to innovation. The comments came as Nvidia's stock fell roughly three percent, though analysts aren't certain the decline was directly tied to his remarks. The data-focused proposal represents a significant shift from how most policymakers have framed the regulation debate, which has centered on the models and their outputs. Investors and regulators will likely parse what Huang's proposal means for Nvidia's own compliance costs ahead.

Barron's ↗

Iran waryahoo

Qatar Airways seconds pilots as carriers adapt to Iran war hit

Qatar Airways is lending pilots to other Middle Eastern carriers as airlines adapt to disruptions from the conflict between Iran and Israel. The Doha-based carrier has seconded experienced crew to regional operators facing staffing shortages after several airlines suspended or rerouted flights through the Persian Gulf. Airlines including flydubai and Air Arabia have absorbed significant scheduling changes, with some routes diverted hundreds of miles to avoid airspace near Iran. This kind of crew-sharing arrangement is relatively uncommon outside crisis periods, but reflects how deeply the regional instability has rippled through aviation logistics. The secondments are expected to continue through at least the next quarter as carriers reassess their route networks and rebuild operational capacity in one of the world's busiest aviation corridors.

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Iran warAl Jazeera

Iran war live: Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani army heads to hold urgent talks

Military leaders from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan are convening for urgent talks as tensions in the Middle East remain elevated. The three nations are coordinating at a moment when the region faces compounding security pressures. First, the gathering signals that Gulf and broader Muslim-majority states see value in direct military dialogue rather than routing concerns through diplomatic channels alone. Then there's the practical dimension: Turkey controls critical NATO infrastructure and straits; Saudi Arabia anchors Gulf security; Pakistan commands one of the world's larger standing armies. And finally, the timing matters—these conversations typically accelerate when intelligence suggests imminent risk, though the exact trigger for this particular meeting hasn't been publicly detailed by any of the three defense establishments. The talks underscore how quickly regional military establishments can mobilize when they perceive a shared threat, even when their governments maintain different public positions on Iran policy.

Al Jazeera ↗

US China trade warSupply Chain Dive

US, China to extend trade war truce by 2 months

A trade negotiator in Washington reviews the latest communication from Beijing. The message is brief: both sides will hold. For now. The United States and China have agreed to extend their trade truce by two months, pushing the deadline for new tariffs into late April. The pause, first agreed in December, had been set to expire at the end of February. Both countries say they're using the time to work through remaining disagreements on intellectual property, technology transfer, and agricultural purchases. What's notable: neither side has actually reduced existing tariffs during this period. They've simply agreed not to raise them further. That distinction matters. The underlying tensions remain intact, frozen rather than resolved. Negotiators from both capitals will continue talks in the coming weeks. The extension buys time, but it doesn't answer whether a full deal is possible.

Supply Chain Dive ↗

Iran warFox News

Crude oil prices slide after Iranian and US negotiators discuss opening Strait of Hormuz

Crude oil prices fell today after Iranian and US negotiators discussed reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway through which roughly a third of the world's seaborne oil passes. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped below ninety dollars a barrel, its lowest level in weeks. The talks, held in Oman, focused on easing tensions that had threatened to disrupt shipping through the strategic chokepoint. Iran had previously signaled it might restrict passage in response to regional escalation. The strait's closure would typically send prices sharply higher, so any signal of de-escalation moves markets in the opposite direction. Negotiators are expected to reconvene next month to discuss further confidence-building measures between the two countries.

Fox News ↗

Iran warCBS News

Iran War Updates: Tehran proposes 7-day plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz as it seeks deal before U.S. midterms

Iran's government has proposed a seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway through which roughly a third of the world's seaborne oil passes. First, Tehran's offer comes as negotiations intensify before the U.S. midterm elections in November, suggesting Iran sees political opportunity in the timing. Then there's the practical detail: Saudi Arabia's crude exports have hit their highest level since tensions escalated, indicating markets are already hedging against prolonged disruption by stockpiling supply. And finally, the proposal itself remains conditional—Iran's willingness to negotiate hinges on whether the incoming American administration proves willing to engage, a calculation that'll shape oil prices and regional stability through the winter months.

CBS News ↗

US China trade warReuters

Details on US, China trade talks to come on Monday, says Greer

In a conference room in Washington, officials are preparing briefing materials for what could be a significant shift in trade relations. Folders are being organized. Calls are being placed. The machinery of negotiation is quietly turning. The U.S. and China will announce details of their trade talks on Monday, according to Greer, a senior administration official. These discussions come as both nations work to ease tensions that've defined their economic relationship for years. The talks will address tariffs, intellectual property, and market access—the core disputes that've stalled progress. What's worth noting: neither side has publicly committed to a timeline for resolution, which suggests these conversations may stretch well beyond the initial announcement. The details themselves, not their outcome, are what's being promised for now. Monday's briefing will tell us how seriously either side is treating this moment.

Reuters ↗

Federal Reserve ratesnytimes

Fed Confronts the Prospect of Another Rate Increase Ahead of Midterms

The Federal Reserve is weighing another interest rate increase before November's midterm elections, even as inflation shows some signs of cooling. Fed officials have signaled they're prepared to raise rates again at their next meeting, despite political pressure to pause. The central bank has already lifted rates six times this year alone, pushing the benchmark rate to its highest level in fifteen years. Inflation remains above the Fed's two percent target, though it's fallen from its peak. The timing creates a delicate political moment—rate hikes can slow economic growth and job creation, which typically hurt the party in power during elections. Yet the Fed has long insisted it operates independently of politics. Officials argue they must keep tightening until they're confident inflation is genuinely retreating. The question isn't whether another increase is coming, but whether the Fed will hold steady regardless of what voters are about to decide.

nytimes ↗

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