Washington desk

Filed from the Washington desk — including multi-city pieces that also ran elsewhere.

Finance · 14 October 2026

JPMorgan’s Profits Get a Fed‑Induced Crunch, Goldman Struts Ahead

Helen Pell, Washington desk

In a week of uneven earnings, JPMorgan’s third‑quarter profits were dented by a higher‑rate environment, while Goldman Sachs posted a more robust performance than market expectations.

Entertainment · 14 October 2026

Disney Woos Character.ai CEO, Bankruptcy Unfolds: Aussie AI Firm's Asset Seizure

Candy Voss, Washington desk

Disney buys the art director from an Australian chatbot firm and the next day, the bot company goes bankrupt; the entertainment conglomerate could soon control the AI designer's previous work.

World · 13 October 2026

Polling Paradox: Midterm Surveys Claim Crystal‑Ball Powers, Deliver Foggy Mirror Reflections

June Harrow, Washington desk

As the U.S. midterm election approaches, a deluge of polls offers a snapshot of the electorate but no crystal‑ball certainty. Analysts tout their data to chart President Trump’s final two years, yet the numbers shift…

Finance · 13 October 2026

Chip Stocks Crash After Chinese Rival’s Breakthrough Sends South Korean Indices Sliding

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Chip stocks fell sharply after reports of a breakthrough by a Chinese competitor raised competition worries. South Korean indices led the decline, underscoring how quickly optimism can evaporate when a new player whisper…

Entertainment · 12 October 2026

Tubi’s Next Nightmare: R.L. Stine’s ‘The Babysitter’ Arrives in 2027

Candy Voss, Washington desk

Tubi announced a live‑action adaptation of R.L. Stine’s ‘The Babysitter’ for 2027, marking the fourth title in its horror deal that already delivered two Pumpkinhead films and ‘Afraid of Clowns.’ The project…

Business · 11 October 2026

San Francisco Still Trying to Convert Offices into Homes: City’s Housing Dreams in a State of Incomplete Construction

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Despite lofty plans to repurpose downtown offices into housing, San Francisco has yet to finish a single conversion, leaving residents to wonder if the city’s ambition is as solid as its concrete.

Business · 11 October 2026

Target Stuck With Exit Plan After Parking Lot Incident

Helen Pell, Washington desk

In a surprising development, retail behemoth Target Corporation announced a sudden restructuring of their operations following recent events at their parking garage in New York City where immigration officers were report…

Business · 10 October 2026

Verification Tax Squeezes AI Efficiency as Wall Street Pretends It’s Still Robust

Helen Pell, Washington desk

A new verification tax is turning AI‑driven productivity into a paperwork marathon, while earnings reports cheerfully tout robust growth and the Fed repeats the word “robust” four times in a single briefing.

Business · 10 October 2026

Nikon calls AI‑enhanced micro‑film a ‘cheat’, pulls plug on Small World in Motion winner

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Nikon has stripped the Small World in Motion contest winner after determining the entry relied on artificial intelligence. The decision has sparked a debate over the role of AI in creative competitions.