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China is staging its biggest naval show of force in years, the Federal Reserve is heading into a closely watched meeting with markets betting on a rate cut, and climate forecasters are warning that a weak La Niña could still fuel disruptive weather.

At the same time, Bad Bunny has reclaimed Spotify’s global crown and a new report flags a looming metals crunch for the clean-energy transition. Forward this to a friend who wants the world in five minutes. markdown Copy code

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China has deployed dozens of naval vessels from the South China Sea to waters near Taiwan and Japan in one of its largest peacetime shows of force. The flotilla includes advanced destroyers and coast guard ships patrolling disputed areas and shadowing U.S. and allied vessels and aircraft. Chinese deployments come as regional tensions simmer over Taiwan, the South China Sea, and new defense pacts.

Officials and analysts say the activity is meant to signal Beijing’s reach and readiness as the U.S. steps up exercises with Japan, the Philippines, and other partners. The moves also follow recent friction over Taiwan’s elections and maritime run-ins with Philippine vessels.

Why it matters: A more crowded and assertive Chinese presence at sea raises the risk of accidents or miscalculation. It also tests how far U.S. allies are prepared to go in enforcing freedom-of-navigation claims as the region becomes more militarized.

Washington has quietly halted plans to sanction China’s powerful Ministry of State Security over a long-running cyberespionage campaign in order to preserve a fragile trade truce. The contemplated penalties targeted a hacking operation known as Salt Typhoon that allegedly breached telecom networks and even a U.S. National Guard system, but were put on hold after a Trump–Xi deal in South Korea.

Under that understanding, the U.S. agreed not to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports, while Beijing delayed new export licensing rules for rare earths and other key materials. The decision shows how cyber and security concerns can collide with economic priorities, especially as both sides eye domestic growth and market stability.

Why it matters: The move underscores how deeply intertwined trade, technology, and security have become in U.S.–China relations. It could encourage further hacking if Beijing sees limited economic consequences, while reminding allies that Washington sometimes softens its stance when larger economic risks are in play.

The World Meteorological Organization said the Pacific is likely to shift into a weak La Niña phase in the coming months, ending more than a year of record ocean warmth but not eliminating extreme weather risks. The agency’s latest update projects a modest cooling pattern, yet stresses that underlying greenhouse gas-driven warming will still amplify heatwaves, floods, and storms.

La Niña typically brings drier conditions to parts of South America and the southern United States and wetter weather to Australia and Southeast Asia. Forecasters say those patterns may be more muted this time, but warn that many regions remain highly vulnerable after back-to-back years of climate-related disasters.

Why it matters: A weaker La Niña could lull policymakers and businesses into complacency even as climate risks build. The outlook is a reminder that infrastructure planning, crop choices, and disaster preparedness need to account for a warmer baseline climate, not just swings in the Pacific.

China’s president pledged $100 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza and signaled support for a cease-fire during talks with visiting European leaders, expanding Beijing’s diplomatic footprint in the Middle East. The pledge, announced as part of a wider regional outreach, comes amid criticism that global assistance has lagged behind need in the devastated enclave. The move positions Beijing as a potential mediator while it deepens ties with Arab states.

New drone video shows the eastern Ukrainian town of Myrnohrad reduced to charred apartment blocks and cratered streets as Russian forces press an offensive in the Donetsk region. The footage, released by Ukrainian authorities, illustrates how months of bombardment have pushed residents underground or out of the city entirely, turning the area into a frontline ruin. The images highlight the grinding nature of the war as both sides brace for winter amid stalled peace efforts and renewed strikes.

Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest are set to vote on whether Israel will be allowed to compete in next year’s competition after broadcasters reported a wave of boycott threats. The European Broadcasting Union has faced petitions and protests from artists and activists arguing that Israel’s participation would politicize the event amid the Gaza conflict. Broadcasters in several countries are weighing whether they would participate if Israel remains in the lineup.

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Fresh survey data show Americans are drinking a bit less overall, but not by as much as some wellness trends suggest. The analysis found modest declines in heavy drinking among younger adults, while consumption among older Americans has stayed relatively steady, leaving total alcohol use only slightly lower than a decade ago. Researchers say the pattern complicates narratives that younger generations are rapidly turning away from alcohol.

A major dairy producer has recalled several varieties of shredded cheese sold at large retailers after tests found possible metal fragments in certain batches. The recall covers multiple store brands and package sizes distributed nationwide. Consumers are being urged to check lot numbers and discard or return affected products; no serious injuries have been reported so far.

No ticket matched all six numbers in Wednesday’s Powerball drawing, pushing the jackpot to an estimated $775 million ahead of the next game. The prize is now among the largest in the lottery’s history, with odds of hitting the top payout at roughly one in 292 million. The lack of a winner extends a weeks-long run of rollovers, documented in updated jackpot postings.

Global stocks were mixed but mostly holding near record highs as investors bet the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its meeting next week. U.S. indexes inched higher on Wednesday after a soft private-jobs report boosted expectations for easier policy, while Japan’s Nikkei surged and some European benchmarks also gained. Market watchers say steady bond yields and cooling inflation are helping risk assets.

The U.S. dollar drifted near multiweek lows as traders priced in an roughly 85% chance of a quarter-point Fed rate cut next week, based on futures market gauges. The euro touched a seven-week high and the yen strengthened modestly as investors reassessed the dollar’s yield advantage. Analysts say any hints about the pace of cuts in 2026 could be as important as the initial move.

India’s Reliance Industries has begun drafting a prospectus for an initial public offering of its fast-growing digital arm, Jio Platforms, in what could become the country’s biggest-ever listing. Bankers have floated a valuation of up to $170 billion, with Jio potentially raising more than $4 billion under new Indian IPO rules that allow smaller share sales for very large companies. The groundwork for the deal was outlined in a new report citing people familiar with the talks.

A new study comparing leading AI companies’ safety frameworks with international norms found that many fall short on transparency, risk assessments, and independent oversight. Researchers examined policies at several major developers and concluded that current practices do not fully align with guidelines from bodies such as the OECD and UN, particularly around documenting model capabilities and red-teaming. The findings, published in a governance review, land as regulators debate binding AI rules.

Scientists in the U.K. are developing what they describe as the world’s first mobile quantum-enabled brain scanner to measure the effects of blast exposure on soldiers in real time. The magnetoencephalography system, backed by about £3.1 million in government funding, will be deployed to training ranges and field hospitals to track how brain function changes after explosions and when it recovers. Defense officials say the project, detailed in a new announcement, could reshape how militaries monitor and mitigate long-term brain injuries.

Capricor Therapeutics reported that its experimental cell therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy met the main goal in a late-stage study, slowing deterioration in both arm and heart function compared with placebo. Shares in the company surged after it said it plans to use the new data to resubmit its treatment to U.S. regulators, who had previously rejected the drug and asked for more evidence. Trial results and next steps were outlined in a regulatory-focused update.

Former NBA center Elden Campbell, who won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers and remains Clemson’s all-time leading scorer, has died at age 57, his family confirmed. Campbell played 15 seasons in the league and was known for his shot-blocking and steady interior play. Clemson officials and former teammates are remembering him as a quiet anchor on and off the court.

Longtime NASCAR team owner Bob Jenkins criticized the sanctioning body’s latest charter proposal as a “take-it-or-leave-it” offer that teams had just hours to sign, highlighting ongoing tensions over the sport’s economic model. Charters function as franchises that give teams guaranteed spots and revenue in the Cup Series, and a new deal could shape payouts and team valuations for years. Jenkins’ comments, reported in a detailed trial dispute recap, underscore a fragile peace between owners and NASCAR leadership.

Spotify’s 2025 Wrapped data show Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny back as the platform’s most-streamed global artist, ending Taylor Swift’s two-year run at the top. His album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” also ranked as the most-streamed album worldwide, while Swift, The Weeknd, Drake, and Billie Eilish rounded out the top five. A breakdown of the rankings in a new listening trends summary highlights how Latin music and pop dominated global streams this year.

“Gilmore Girls” star Lauren Graham and creator Amy Sherman-Palladino will co-write a behind-the-scenes book about the beloved series, slated for release in fall 2027. Publisher Celadon Books said the still-untitled project will blend personal reflections, new stories from the set, and commentary on how the show has lived on in streaming and fandom. The collaboration, announced in a publishing note, marks one of the most in-depth retrospectives yet on life in Stars Hollow.

A Hollywood benefit is auctioning a collection of rare celebrity portraits, including images of Lady Gaga, Robert Redford, and Prince, to raise funds for a local Boys & Girls Club. The sale, detailed in a new charity auction feature, pairs high-end photography with a focus on expanding arts and mentoring programs for young people.

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While oil prices grab headlines, a quieter supply squeeze is looming in the metals that power the clean-energy transition. A new BloombergNEF analysis finds that global supply chains for copper, lithium, and other transition metals are struggling to keep pace with soaring demand from electric vehicles, renewable power, and data centers. The report warns of structural copper deficits from this decade onward and calls for massive new mining and processing investment.

The International Energy Agency’s Global Critical Minerals Outlook projects that, under current policies, announced copper projects cover only about 70% of expected demand by 2035, leaving an implied 30% shortfall. Lithium faces an even steeper gap, with potential deficits near 40% if new projects and recycling don’t accelerate, the IEA notes in its minerals assessment. At the same time, refining and processing are increasingly concentrated in a handful of countries, heightening geopolitical risk.

These strains are already visible on the ground. A recent feature on copper’s role in both AI data centers and green infrastructure describes how aging mines, lower ore grades, and community opposition have delayed new projects, even as benchmark prices push above $11,000 per ton and long-term demand projections keep rising. A proposed U.S. mine that could supply a quarter of domestic copper needs remains stuck in legal limbo over cultural and environmental concerns. Meanwhile, the European Union is preparing a €3 billion raw-materials strategy, with subsidies and possible legal tools to push companies away from heavy reliance on Chinese suppliers, as outlined in a new EU plan.

What to watch: Analysts estimate the mining industry will need roughly $2.1 trillion in new investment by 2050 to meet metals demand in a net-zero pathway. How quickly that capital materializes—and where—will shape everything from EV prices to grid upgrades and national security policy. Policymakers are also weighing how to balance faster permitting and strategic stockpiles with environmental safeguards and community rights. If copper and lithium become the new chokepoints of the energy system, tomorrow’s “energy shock” may come less from oil tankers than from stalled mines and contested refineries.

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