Today's Headlines: Trump Directed Use of Taxpayer Money for Ads Praising His Presidency
D.A. in Cornell Rape Inquiry Declined to Review Additional Evidence
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The New York Times
Today's Headlines
October 3, 2026, 4:30 a.m. Eastern time

Top News

Trump Directed Use of Taxpayer Money for Ads Praising His Presidency

The government-funded ads show just how much President Trump has been able to use federal money for his own aims.

D.A. in Cornell Rape Inquiry Declined to Review Additional Evidence

Records show that campus police officers informed Tompkins County prosecutors that they had conducted additional interviews beyond taking a statement from the woman who said she was raped.

The Mother’s Scream That Sent Passengers to the Rescue

A badly wounded Indian pilot managed to unlock the cockpit door. Four Israeli men teamed up to overwhelm an attacker and avert disaster.

World

Iran Jails Hard-Line Lawmaker, Exposing Deep Rifts in Its Leadership

Hamid Rasaei, a vocal opponent of a diplomatic deal with the United States to end the war, was convicted of publishing false information with the intent to harm the Parliament speaker.

FlyDubai Attack Raises Questions About Pilot Background Checks

Health screenings and criminal background checks may go only so far in identifying pilots who have become radicalized or try to hide their mental health issues, experts said.

U.K. Murder Suspect Is Charged With Preparing Acts of Terrorism, Including Against Farage

Joshua Kerry, a 28-year-old British man accused of killing the former lawmaker Ann Widdecombe, was charged on Friday.

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U.S.

Tennessee Prison Chief Was Hired Despite a Trail of Troubled Executions

The failed execution of Christa Pike has prompted new scrutiny of Frank Strada, the state’s top prison official, and his past role overseeing executions in Arizona.

Judge Blocks Border Wall Construction in Big Bend in Texas

The ruling dealt a setback to the Trump administration’s plans for hundreds of miles of barriers that have drawn local opposition.

Extreme Heat in Los Angeles Area Expected to Last at Least a Week

Forecasters say a dangerous heat wave is descending across much of Southern California, which is likely to bring triple-digit temperatures.

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Politics

Agency Diverted $1.4 Billion in Science Funds Mandated by Congress

The move, affecting about one-fifth of the National Science Foundation’s primary research budget, is the latest sign of how the White House is asserting more control over grants.

In Alabama, Trump Relives His Glory Days (This Time With Some Empty Seats)

The Deep South was the birthplace of the mega MAGA rally. How do people on the Gulf feel about President Trump now?

Trump Suggests Cornell Defendants Won’t Get a ‘Fair Shake’ From Letitia James

President Trump weighed in on the case when asked about Ms. James, who has become a target of his second-term retribution campaign.

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Business

White House Filing Claims President Has Authority to Bar News Outlets

The Trump administration again defended the decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House and to exclude journalists from the pool that covers the president in small spaces.

America Wants to Make More Generic Drugs. India Shows Why That’s Hard.

Cheap labor and global supply chains are among the obstacles to President Trump’s plan to bring generic drug manufacturing back home.

U.S. and Allies Agree to Release Diesel Reserves as Prices Soar

The Group of 7, which includes Britain, France and Japan, announced the release of 100 million barrels over four months, effective immediately.

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Technology

Audio | A.I. Agents: Cute, Cuddly and Maybe Catastrophically Dangerous?

“It’s going to be gnarly for a little while.”

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53 MIN LISTEN

Trump to Name Jay Clayton to Serve as A.I. Czar

The director of national intelligence will help develop new policies, and potentially regulations, for the rapidly evolving technology.

Russia’s Latest Propaganda? A.I.-Generated War Songs.

Russians are creating and spreading music glorifying the invasion of Ukraine, using platforms built in the United States.

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New York

Hochul Denounces D.A. and Cornell Police in Handling of Sex Assault Case

Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed Letitia James, the attorney general, to investigate the original allegations and why a police report omitted crucial information.

Letitia James Is in Charge of the Cornell Rape Inquiry. What Comes Next?

As a special prosecutor, Ms. James has wide powers over the handling of the investigation, but legal experts say the case comes with potential obstacles.

Man Accused of Sex Assault Seeks to Expunge Cornell’s Finding of Related Violation

A panel found the man responsible for attempted sexual exploitation, barred him from contact with the woman and required him to take a class and write a paper.

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Arts

How Well Do You Know the Best TV Shows of the 21st Century?

Take this quiz to find out.

5 Decades After Adoption, St. Louis Man Learns His Father Is a Rock Star

Michael Goessling’s first phone call with his biological father brought a shock: He was speaking to Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers.

The Kennedy Center Honors Will Be Held at Capital One Arena

The center is moving its marquee event off site as it pushes for court approval of a plan to close its main building for a two-year renovation project.