The U.S. economy is growing briskly, but weak hiring and a shrinking labor supply are clouding the outlook for inflation and interest rates. AI investment may lift productivity, yet energy costs, tariffs and labor shortages could keep prices under pressure.

Democrats enter the midterms with a 9-point polling lead and energized voters, but leaders warn that anger at Trump isn’t renewed faith in their party. They say winning depends on easing costs, organizing hard and guarding against election interference.

SNAP enrollment fell by 5.5 million in the first year after the 2025 law, including an estimated 2 million children, as cuts and tougher rules pushed participation to a 17-year low. Rising grocery prices deepen the strain on families and food banks.

The Trump administration announced billions in farm aid ahead of the midterms, including an $8 billion fuel-relief plan and $13.8 billion in crop payments. The temporary support may ease costs, but leaves uncertainty over delivery and long-term pressures.

More than 60,000 runners took on the New York City Marathon’s 50th anniversary course, cheered by millions across all five boroughs. Sweden’s Andreas Almgren and Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui led the finishers, while many runners carried deeply personal reasons to the start line.

Anthropic’s AI use is soaring: by September, Claude wrote over 90% of its new software code, while revenue outpaced hiring. The figures fuel debate over adding AI tokens to employee pay—but retail pricing isn’t company cash spending.

Thailand is promoting affordable, focused AI to help small businesses lift productivity, with an 85-million-baht programme targeting 3,000 firms. Adoption could cut costs and widen credit access, but requires training, safeguards and support for workers facing automation.

OpenAI has begun showing labeled ads to ChatGPT’s Free and Go users in India, raising questions about how chat-derived interests may shape targeting. Privacy assurances and chat deletion may not cover ad profiles; clear disclosure and meaningful controls remain essential.

Anthropic now bars sustained, needless cruelty toward Claude, with permanent bans possible in extreme cases—but says ending chats will remain its main enforcement tool. The precaution isn’t about AI feelings; the company says a model’s tone can affect risky behavior.

A Buddhist temple built online in 30 minutes with OpenAI’s Codex drew 600,000 visitors in three days, as guests pray and explore as monks. Its creator plans an app and new events, but experts warn AI-built worlds still need lasting appeal to succeed.