Washington desk

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

Science · 30 September 2026

NASA Grants Starliner a Fresh Launchpad After Two Astronauts’ Unwanted Space Vacation

Clyde Rook, Washington desk

After a test flight that left astronauts stranded for months, NASA pours $359 million into Boeing’s Starliner, promising new missions while the crew still waits for a return ticket.

Finance · 29 September 2026

Anthropic Tells Wall Street Its AI Is 'Robust' and Its Balance Sheet Is Not

Helen Pell, Washington desk

A prospectus reveals that Anthropic is betting on a record-breaking listing, relying heavily on the word 'robust' to describe its financial health. Investors are being asked to trust in the fog.

Entertainment · 29 September 2026

Netflix’s ‘The One About Matthew Perry’ Promises a $7 Million Sobriety Saga That Even the Show’s Producers Won’t Believe

Candy Voss, Washington desk

Netflix’s new docuseries about Matthew Perry teases a $7 million sobriety journey, debuting Oct. 27 with a trailer that could make viewers question whether the show will be a heartfelt tribute or a marketing gimmic…

Business · 29 September 2026

Retailers Throw a New Price Party: Shoppers Must Learn the Rules

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Retailers have redefined 'value' with inventive pricing tactics that keep shoppers guessing. A pricing expert offers a tongue‑in‑cheek roadmap to dodge the latest cost‑surprise.

World · 29 September 2026

Bail, Bombers, and Blunder: Five Men Freed in UK Terror Case

Iris Quay, London desk

Five men suspected of a terror plot against a UK airbase used by US bombers to strike Iran were released on bail, prompting an unexpected ‘surprise’ from President Trump. The case raises questions about security prot…

Finance · 29 September 2026

The Finger in the Chain: How One Metal Circle Is Trying to Buy the Wall Street Confidence It Lacks

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Oura, the maker of the smart ring that tracks your sleep better than your therapist, is preparing to list on Wall Street. The company believes its trove of biometric data is a gold mine, a sentiment that financial analys…

Science · 29 September 2026

Starship Finally Hits Orbit, Sends First Next‑Gen Starlinks to the Stars

Clyde Rook, Washington desk

SpaceX’s Starship, after 99 % of the journey, finally reaches orbit on its 14th flight, dropping a batch of new‑generation Starlinks and confirming the company’s orbital ambitions.

Entertainment · 29 September 2026

Lindsay Lohan and Henry Golding Return to Love in Netflix's 'Return to You': A Mark Waters Love Story

Clyde Rook, Washington desk

Lindsay Lohan, who once broke the internet with 'Mean Girls,' is back, this time producing and starring in Netflix's 'Return to You' alongside Henry Golding, under the direction of Mark Waters, with a script by Eric Cham…

Entertainment · 29 September 2026

Shawn Levy Abandons Streaming Comfort Zone for Traditional Magic Kingdom Negotiating Table

Candy Voss, Washington desk

Shawn Levy is trading the algorithmic comfort of Netflix for the bureaucratic labyrinth of Disney’s 20th Television, effective 2027. The move signals a definitive retreat from the streaming wars into the hallowed, over…