Washington desk

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

Business · 28 September 2026

Washington Desk: Two Superpowers Agree on Everything, Including the Lack of Brakes

Helen Pell, Washington desk

During a state visit focused on diplomatic warmth, the United States and China mutually agreed to forgo any meaningful international oversight of artificial intelligence, leaving the global market to rely on trust and se…

Business · 28 September 2026

Trump’s White House Tour of Xi Leaves AI Talks in the Dust

Helen Pell, Washington desk

In a display of presidential hospitality, Trump takes Xi on a whirlwind tour of the Oval Office, but the lofty promise of AI collaboration fizzles, proving that even the most robust ambitions can be as fleeting as a feat…

World · 28 September 2026

Five Men, Three Vehicles, One RAF Fairford: The Great 'Suspect Vehicle' Spectacular

Tom Wick, London desk

When five men in three suspicious vehicles approached RAF Fairford, the British counter‑terrorism squad declared a major incident, evacuated locals and hauled the suspects in—no bombs found, just a very dramatic day…

World · 28 September 2026

Pandas Land in Atlanta on Diplomatic Bamboo Mission, Visitors Told to Expect a Wait

June Harrow, Washington desk

Two giant pandas arrived in Atlanta under a US‑China agreement, but officials warn zoogoers that the furry envoys will be under a prolonged ‘bamboo quarantine’ before the public can meet them.

Business · 28 September 2026

Anthropic and Cohorts Drop Job Titles for ‘Technical Staff,’ 50% Surge in Generic Nomenclature

Helen Pell, Washington desk

AI firms such as Anthropic and OpenAI are replacing specific titles with the blanket label ‘Technical Staff,’ a trend that has climbed 50% over the past year, blurring the line between engineer, researcher and develo…

Business · 28 September 2026

The Fed’s New AI Model Outputs 'Robust' Four Times Before Crashing the Quarter

Helen Pell, Washington desk

As central bank algorithms outpace human comprehension, a routine policy briefing devolves into a loop of meaningless superlatives while actual financial plumbing slips away. The Washington desk notes that the gap betwee…

Business · 28 September 2026

Meta’s Muse‑Glasses: The Robust Revolution That Won’t Break Your Face

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Meta’s latest venture into eyewear, powered by its Muse AI agent, promises a robust, hands‑free experience. The company’s bold bet on a new category of devices has investors and skeptics alike wondering if the glas…

Finance · 28 September 2026

Fed’s 0.25% Rate Hike Leaves Borrowers in a State of Uncertainty

Helen Pell, Washington desk

The Federal Reserve’s latest 0.25‑percentage‑point bump in the federal funds rate is sending ripples through the housing market, pushing mortgage rates higher and leaving many borrowers wondering how much extra the…

Finance · 28 September 2026

Fed’s Rate Hike Leaves Markets Feeling Like a Budget‑Friendly Roller Coaster

Helen Pell, Washington desk

In a move to tame persistent inflation, the Federal Reserve raised rates, prompting a mixed reaction from stocks, earnings reports, and a briefing that repeated 'robust' four times.