POWER PLAYERS MAGAZINE - Morning Brief
Friday, September 25, 2026 | Houston,TX
Good morning. Markets are pointing higher into the close of a volatile week as diplomacy dominates Washington. Here are the top developments you need to know:
1. LEAD: Trump - Xi Summit Wraps in Washington
Chinese President Xi Jinping has concluded his state visit to Washington after high-stakes talks with President Donald Trump.
President Trump personally welcomed Xi at Joint Base Andrews for talks focused on trade, AI competition, and global security amid the war with Iran. The visit included a White House state dinner and a tour of the National Archives.
Both sides agreed to support each other in hosting the APEC and G20 summits in 2026 and to extend their trade truce, though broader disputes over tariffs, AI, and security remain unresolved. Taiwan emerged as a flashpoint, with Taiwan's government denouncing Xi's comments to Trump as a "distortion of facts."
2. US - IRAN: Phased Deal on the Table?
Diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran are continuing in New York as negotiators explore a phased arrangement linking the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to sanctions relief.
The Strait remains central due to its importance to energy and shipping. Reports indicate Iran has proposed restoring maritime traffic while questioning Washington's reliability. Any breakthrough could ease oil markets, which have been hovering between $90 and $100 per barrel amid the conflict.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said this morning: "We're doing everything we can to push them down" on gas prices.
3. MIDDLE EAST & UNGA FALLOUT
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the UN General Assembly triggered protests and a diplomatic walkout. Netanyahu rejected accusations of genocide in Gaza. Several protesters, including actress Susan Sarandon, were reportedly arrested outside UN headquarters.
In Gaza, two Israeli soldiers were reportedly killed in a drone incident described as friendly fire, while Palestinian vehicles were set on fire in the West Bank.
France is preparing to deploy military personnel and defensive capabilities to protect the Saudi port city of Yanbu on the Red Sea amid Houthi threats. The French move comes as Houthi forces expand activities around the Yemeni port of Mocha.
UKRAINE - RUSSIA: Kyiv Hit, Patriot Deal Approved
Russian drone attacks struck residential areas in Kyiv, reportedly killing a 14-year-old boy, and damaged a hospital in Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine retaliated with drone strikes on Russian refineries and missile-component factories.
President Zelenskyy said President Trump approved a license allowing production of Patriot missile systems for Ukraine. Washington has reportedly proposed the UAE as a location for a trilateral meeting with Ukraine and Russia.
EUROPEAN SECURITY ON EDGE
Swedish and Finnish fighter jets were scrambled to intercept Russian military aircraft near their airspace, amid heightened concerns about hybrid operations and sabotage. Poland's Foreign Minister warned Russia may be preparing a significant operation later this year.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in France for the first papal state visit since 2008, calling for respect for the dignity of every human life.
In Greece, an explosion near the Acropolis in Athens partially collapsed a building and injured two women, possibly caused by gas.
6. US POLITICS & ECONOMY
**Markets:** Stock futures are rising this morning. Futures tracking the Dow and S&P 500 were up nearly 0.4%, Nasdaq up 0.7%. Gold hit $4,347 an ounce, bitcoin near $84,900. The Dow is down 0.6% for the week and heading for a fourth straight weekly loss, while S&P 500 is up 0.7% and Nasdaq up 1.6%.
Yields & Fed:The 10-year Treasury yield pushed above 5.17%, near multi-decade highs. Traders now see a 71% chance of a Fed hike in October, up from 50% earlier this week. 16 of 18 Fed participants expect another quarter-point hike to 4% to 4.25%.
**Business Investment:** US core capital goods orders surged in August, with business equipment spending posting two straight quarters of double-digit growth fueled by AI.
Legal: The Justice Department said today a federal law banning licensed dealers from selling handguns to adults under 21 is unconstitutional and can't be enforced.
Infrastructure: The Senate is nearing a deal to reform permitting laws to speed up large infrastructure projects after a White House compromise on renewable energy.
BUSINESS & TECH - AI DOMINATES
Akamai x Anthropic: Shares of Akamai (AKAM) surged 21% after signing a $11.6 billion seven-year cloud deal with Anthropic to support its accelerating CPU workload demands. Anthropic also received a warrant to buy up to 5% of Akamai.
Meta's Muse: Optimism in AI was driven by increased traction among young consumers for Meta's AI application Muse and its integrated device Charm. Meta is set for its fifth-straight week of gains, nearing a $2 trillion market value.
AI Warning: A former Anthropic researcher quit today warning AI could "kill us all" and become uncontrollable by late 2027.
Costco:Costco Wholesale beat estimates with $95.72B in Q4 sales vs. $94.85B expected, EPS of $6.75 topping by 23 cents, boosted by tariff refunds.
Global equity funds attracted $44.1B in net inflows this week, the largest since July 8, snapping a two-week outflow as AI optimism returns.
WORLD BRIEFS
Kazakhstan:14 military personnel confirmed dead after an accident during a naval exercise in the Caspian Sea when weather deteriorated in the Mangystau region.
Ethiopia: Internet disruption seen in northern Tigray amid renewed fighting, raising fears of famine-like conditions and instability after the 2022 peace deal.
Pakistan-Afghanistan:** Renewed border fighting reported near Gulistan, with Pakistan saying it prevented an attempted Taliban attack.
Nepal: Prime Minister called for international climate cooperation after devastating Himalayan floods left more than 50 Ukrainians missing near the Nepal-China border.
What's Next Today: Durable goods data at 8:30am ET, speeches from NY Fed President John Williams, Kansas City and Cleveland Fed presidents, and the conclusion of UNGA.
For thepowerplayersmagazine.com, this is your Morning Brief. Stay with Power Players for updates all day.
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