JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1274

The US and Qatar warned the EU that its corporate sustainability due diligence directive poses an “existential threat” to European economies and urged lawmakers to repeal or pare it back, arguing it would restrict LNG imports. At the same time, the Trump administration granted final export approval for Venture Global’s CP2 terminal in Louisiana, capable of shipping 3.96bn cubic feet of LNG a day by 2027. One analysis estimates CP2’s emissions at about 190m tons a year, akin to 54 coal plants. Despite a DOE finding that exports raise US energy prices, officials pressed ahead, drawing environmental outcry.

Southwest Airlines reported an unexpected third‑quarter profit, topping Wall Street on adjusted EPS and revenue, even as net income fell 19% to $54 million. Revenue inched up 1% to $6.95 billion. The carrier forecast record fourth‑quarter sales, guiding unit revenue up 1%–3% and capacity up 6%, assuming demand holds. It reaffirmed its reduced 2025 earnings‑before‑tax outlook of $600 million to $800 million. Seeking new revenue, Southwest is moving away from open seating and two free checked bags; paid seat assignments will start, with related sales expected in the first quarter.

The U.S. gross national debt has topped $38 trillion for the first time, Treasury data show, as a government shutdown leaves hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid and stalls the economy. Experts warned the impasse adds costs—past closures drained billions, including $11 billion during the 35-day 2018 shutdown. Michael A. Peterson noted the total crossed $37 trillion just two months ago and is growing at twice its 2000-era pace. With credit ratings lowered and interest costs projected to rise, Maya MacGuineas urged action as key trust funds face depletion in seven years.

Arizona Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva sued in federal court to compel Speaker Mike Johnson, or another official, to swear her into Congress after her Sept. 23 special-election win to succeed her late father. With the House in recess during the shutdown, Johnson has not seated her despite brief sessions, a delay Democrats call disenfranchising. Joined by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, the suit says Grijalva meets all constitutional requirements and notes two Republicans were sworn in this year while the House wasn’t in session. Johnson disputes the comparison. Working without an office or budget, Grijalva calls the holdup obstruction.

Astronomers say asteroid 2025 PN7 has become a quasi-moon of Earth, sharing our orbit until 2083, according to a paper in IOP Science. Though it can seem to loop around us, experts stress it actually orbits the sun on a path similar to Earth’s and will later shift into a horseshoe pattern. First imaged by the Pan-STARRS telescope on Aug. 29, earlier data show it’s trailed us for decades. It’s extremely faint—magnitude 26—so no second moon will appear to the naked eye.

Jude Bellingham’s first goal of the season gave Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Juventus at the Bernabéu, his arms wide to a chorus of Hey Jude for the first time since April Fool’s Day. Madrid dominated possession and fired 27 shots, but had to sweat for it, as Thibaut Courtois denied Dusan Vlahovic one‑on‑one and saved from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. Vinícius Júnior hit the post before Bellingham pounced; Michele Di Gregorio made eight stops, including a late double save. Madrid move to nine points, leaving Igor Tudor’s side below the cut in this league phase.

A new report from the nonprofit Cyberspace Solarium Commission 2.0 says U.S. cyber defenses are eroding as adversaries intensify attacks on communications and infrastructure. Senator Angus King cites Trump administration cuts that shrank CISA by a third, the firing of U.S. Cyber Command leader Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, and the elimination of the State Department’s cyber ambassador. Implementation of Solarium recommendations fell from 80% last year to 70% this year. King also warns China has penetrated infrastructure-control networks and telecoms. The report urges empowering the national cyber director, restoring cyber diplomacy funding, and rebuilding the cybersecurity agency.

On Day 22 of the shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson conceded at his Capitol news conference that the GOP’s message feels "old" and said a strategy shift may be needed, even as he insisted Republicans are "99.8%" united in refusing to negotiate with Democrats until the government is funded. With the lapse now the second-longest on record, Johnson hinted the House may be called back. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged talks, stood by $1.5 trillion demands, and said Trump has spent more time golfing than talking to Democrats. A new poll found 45% blame congressional Republicans, 39% Democrats.

EU leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday to debate a €140 billion loan for Ukraine, financed with frozen Russian assets, and whether to tie it to buying European-made weapons. France, with Germany and Italy to a lesser extent, backs steering funds to the EU defense industry, an idea floated by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The Netherlands and Nordic-Baltic countries want Kyiv free to purchase U.S. systems like Patriot. Draft conclusions nod to reinforcing Europe’s defense industry, drawing accusations of hypocrisy. Finland’s Petteri Orpo and former Lithuanian minister Dovilė Šakalienė argue criteria should stay open to meet urgent needs.

The Agriculture Department will reopen about 2,100 Farm Service Agency offices nationwide on Thursday despite the government shutdown, enabling access to $3 billion in existing aid. Each site will have two paid staff, with funding drawn from the Commodity Credit Corporation, a White House official said. Republicans and farm groups praised the move as harvest continues, while Democrats called it political and overdue. Farmers, facing inflation and year-end financing decisions, objected to plans for more Argentine beef and soybean policy moves, and still await China trade-war aid stalled by the shutdown.