Washington desk

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

Sports · 25 October 2026

Teenage Mercedes Whiz Kimi Antonelli Snags US GP Pole, Leaves Verstappen in His Slipstream and Title Hangs on a 125‑Point Cliff

Candy Voss, Washington desk

Kimi Antonelli secured pole for the United States Grand Prix, beating Max Verstappen and extending his 102‑point lead over George Russell to within 125 points of the championship mark.

World · 25 October 2026

Democrats’ Midterm Sweep Triggers White House Staff to Extend Tenure for Prison‑Filling Legal Campaign

June Harrow, Washington desk

With the Democrats clinching the midterms, a cadre of White House aides who had planned to quit are now hanging on to use government lawyers, a development officials warn could send a flood of people to prison.

Business · 25 October 2026

Executives Parade AI Success While Staff Face a Digital Doldrums

Helen Pell, Washington desk

A company survey shows CEOs praising a robust AI rollout while many employees report ongoing glitches and frustration, highlighting a widening perception gap.

Business · 24 October 2026

France Dodges Moody’s Downgrade, Gets a Gentle Warning About Rising Debt

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Moody’s kept France’s sovereign credit rating steady, but warned that political uncertainty and higher borrowing costs are worsening the country’s debt situation. Investors avoid a downgrade for now, yet the agency…

Business · 24 October 2026

Taixing’s Tiles Turn to Gold as U.S. Mahjong Mania Fuels Factory Frenzy

Helen Pell, Washington desk

American shoppers willing to spend hundreds on mahjong sets are driving Taixing’s factories into overdrive, reviving a town that once struggled to keep its machines running.

Finance · 24 October 2026

US Lifts Tariffs on Canadian Machinery, Adds New Carpet Tariff Ahead of Midterms

Helen Pell, Washington desk

Starting 30 October the White House will ease tariffs on certain Canadian machinery while imposing a new tariff on Canadian carpets, a move that coincides with the looming midterm elections. The shift makes U.S. firms�…

Technology · 24 October 2026

Rug‑Riot: Hand‑Knotting Meets GPS Tracking in a 20%/30% Birthday Blowout

Rita Knox, Washington desk

Revival Rugs is slashing 20% off every hand‑knotted and hand‑woven wool rug through Sunday, while Fi is offering 30% off its satellite‑connected pet trackers through Oct 25 with the code SCARY. Grab a new floor a…

Entertainment · 24 October 2026

Jane Wiseman Exits Paramount+ After 14‑Month Run Amid Skydance Merger

Candy Voss, Washington desk

Paramount+ EVP and Head of Originals Jane Wiseman is departing after a 14‑month stint that began in August 2025. Her exit follows the earlier departure of former boss Cindy Holland and comes as Casey Bloys rolls out…

Entertainment · 24 October 2026

Bravo Expands Next Gen Empire: NYC Gets Season 3, Atlanta Joins the Party

Candy Voss, Washington desk

Bravo renewed ‘Next Gen NYC’ for a third season after its No. 1 summer debut and announced a new Atlanta‑based spin‑off, ‘Next Gen ATL’, alongside renewals for ‘Southern Hospitality’ and ‘In The City�…