FAA warns cancellations could double — flight chaos looms

US airlines start cutting routes — thousands of seats vanish

FAA orders cutbacks at major hubs are forcing airlines to slash flights and reroute passengers. Carriers begin large-scale cancellations as officials warn pain could deepen if the shutdown persists.

The AI boom gets a reality check — tech rout deepens

Nasdaq set for worst week since April — AI euphoria fades

AI exuberance cooled as technology stocks tumbled, dragging the Nasdaq toward its weakest week since April. Investors are reassessing lofty valuations after a broad selloff in high-multiple names.

If OpenAI can’t pay $1.4T compute tab… who’s on the hook?

OpenAI hit with new lawsuits claiming ChatGPT drove suicides

OpenAI’s massive compute commitments prompt questions about who would pick up the tab if deals fail. Meanwhile the company faces a fresh wave of lawsuits alleging harm linked to ChatGPT interactions.

China allows Nexperia exports again — supply squeeze eases

Car suppliers: Nexperia shipments restarted — production relief

A thaw in China’s export curbs eases pressure on global auto supply chains after months of disruption. Auto suppliers report Nexperia chips are moving again, calming production risk for European carmakers.

Consumer sentiment slides to near‑record lows — shutdown sting

Americans’ confidence falls — jobs and costs worry households

Consumer mood is deteriorating as the shutdown drags on and inflation worries persist. Surveys show sentiment sliding toward near‑record lows, pressuring discretionary spending and holiday forecasts.

Hertz sees one‑way rentals spike 20% — travel reroutes surge

Travelers brace for turmoil as FAA cuts take hold at hubs

Travel demand is rerouted to rental cars and trains as flight cuts bite, boosting one‑way rental use and straining ground transport. Companies and consumers scramble to adapt to sustained air‑travel disruption.

Fed’s Miran: stablecoins could force policy shifts — rates in play

Fed flags hedge‑fund borrowing as notable vulnerability

Fed officials warn stablecoins and hedge‑fund leverage pose new policy questions for monetary authorities. Regulators signal a need to rethink frameworks as digital dollar alternatives scale rapidly.

Meta details $600B US investment plan — scale raises questions

Analysts: Meta’s $600B pledge is aspirational — check the math

Meta’s headline $600 billion U.S. investment pledge sparks debate over feasibility and political optics. Critics question whether the scale and speed of the plan match the company’s balance‑sheet realities.

US grants Hungary sanctions exemption on Russian oil — Washington shift

Trump greets Orban at White House — energy carve‑out on table

The White House granted Hungary an exemption on Russian energy sanctions, fueling transatlantic friction. The move intensified scrutiny of U.S. relations with EU partners amid broader geopolitical tradeoffs.

Shutdown costs pile up — economy losing billions weekly

Jobs data blackout: government report delayed again by shutdown

The government shutdown is imposing measurable damage on growth and data collection, with weekly economic costs rising into the billions. Key federal reports are delayed, complicating policymaker and market decisions.

Stocks recover on reopening hopes — late rally rescues the week

Market rallies late — salvaging a rough week for indices

Stocks rallied on hopes of a reopening but volatility remains as tech and AI names extend losses. Late‑week moves show breadth improving, yet underlying risks around AI valuations persist.

Brookfield posts record $30B raise — private market demand intact

Brookfield’s fundraising haul underscores enduring investor appetite for yield and infrastructure assets despite market stress. The firm’s record raise signals private markets remain well‑funded for AI and energy projects.

Trump orders DOJ probe of meatpackers — price‑fixing allegation

President asks DOJ to investigate packers’ role in beef prices

President orders a DOJ probe into meatpacking firms amid affordability politics and rising food costs. The move threatens supply‑chain scrutiny and potential antitrust action in the beef market.