Today's Headlines: How Cornell Punished Each of the 7 Men Accused of Sexual Assault
U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Now Involve an Oil Deal Tied to Trump Allies
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The New York Times
Today's Headlines
October 4, 2026, 4:30 a.m. Eastern time

Top News

How Cornell Punished Each of the 7 Men Accused of Sexual Assault

Summaries obtained by The New York Times offer a detailed look at the discipline meted out to the men accused of sexually assaulting a fellow student at Cornell University.

U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Now Involve an Oil Deal Tied to Trump Allies

President Vladimir V. Putin brought up a sale of Russian energy assets with President Trump’s envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, pushing a deal that raises new questions about conflicts of interest.

Senate Races in Republican States Tilt Toward Democrats, Polls Find

Democrats are performing strongly in five reliably Republican states where they are trying to flip Senate seats to win control of the chamber, new New York Times/Siena polls found.

World

An Iranian Threat, 3 Vans and a Phone Call: Behind the Mystery at a U.K. Air Base

A mysterious call last Sunday near a military base used by the U.S. set in motion a huge counterterrorism response and days of uncertainty in Britain.

Whale Batters a Yacht, Leaving Its Crew Stranded for 18 Hours

Four people were rescued after being adrift in a life raft in the South Pacific. One of them said he thought he had a better chance of winning the lottery than of being hit by a whale.

What to Know About France’s High School Protests

Students angry over the state of the country’s education system have blockaded hundreds of schools. Thousands of protesters have been arrested and dozens of people injured.

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U.S.

Facing Fury Over Failed Execution, Tennessee Prison Chief Steps Down

Frank Strada, who oversaw the process that left Christa Pike unconscious and hospitalized, quit as an independent review began.

Here’s Senator Cotton’s Cell Number, Trump Says, in Dispute Over Daylight Saving Bill

The president urged people to call Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas and accused him of blocking a bill to cement daylight saving time.

Former Nurse Convicted of Murder in Crash at 130 M.P.H. That Killed Six

Nicole Linton was found guilty of six counts of second-degree murder, which included the death of an unborn child, related to a 2022 crash in Los Angeles.

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Politics

8 Key Findings From the Times/Siena Polls

Democrats are competitive in Alaska, Iowa, Ohio, Texas and even Kansas as they try to wrest control of the Senate from Republicans. Here’s a look at why.

With Elon Musk’s Return to Washington, Possible Conflicts of Interest Resurface

The founder of SpaceX, with billions of dollars in military contracts, joins several other defense industry executives on a Pentagon advisory board.

As Midterms Near, Justice Alito Says He Considers Each Year Whether to Retire

The justice, the second oldest on the court at 76, told CBS News that he decided against stepping down last term. He could face pressure should Democrats win the Senate in November.

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Business

‘Digger,’ Warner Bros.’ Last Release Before Merger, Is a Major Flop

The film, starring Tom Cruise, grossed an estimated $8 million in its opening weekend. That could put the movie on track to lose at least $125 million.

Trump Says Economy Has ‘Public Relations’ Problem Amid High Prices and Slow Hiring

The president, who had hoped to tout a growing economy on the campaign trail, has found it hard to break through as workers’ wages fail to keep up.

America’s Restaurants Face a Dilemma: How to Sell Food in the GLP-1 Era

Fewer orders and higher costs are squeezing restaurants big and small as people on the weight-loss drugs eat and drink less when dining out.

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New York

Cornell President Calls Rape Inquiry ‘Defining Moment’ for Campus

Michael I. Kotlikoff said in a video the university would be more transparent, hold Greek groups accountable and improve sexual assault prevention.

Statue of Liberty Boat Tours: Legit or Scams? Depends Whom You Ask.

New York City lawmakers say many vendors are misleading tourists who seek an up-close experience, and they want to tighten enforcement. Sellers say they are serving a market.

The Top Editor of Harper’s Bazaar Stays Booked and Busy at Fashion Week

The magazine’s editor in chief, Samira Nasr, doesn’t believe in having it all, but she tries to find the balance between prioritizing her work and home life.

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Arts

Don’t Tell Weird Al, but Kyle Gordon’s Satires Are Great Earworms, Too

The artist behind “Mr. Jambo” and other viral spoofs may be the best musical parodist to emerge this decade.

From Love and Pain, Game-Changing Art

Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock are the focus of a blockbuster show at the Met Museum. Four paintings reveal how their high-intensity relationship became a laboratory for ideas.

Stevie Wonder’s Outtake and 8 More Songs We’re Talking About

The prolific songwriter reaches back to celebrate the 50th anniversary of “Songs in the Key of Life,” Wynonna opens up, Jae Stephens knows what she’s worth and more.

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Books

A Gothic Puzzle Box of a Novel That Recalls Jekyll and Hyde

Set just after World War I, “The Eye of Goliath” details a man’s descent into madness and a doctor’s unorthodox treatment methods.

The Final Book From a Master of Crime Fiction

Our columnist on James Sallis’s “Backwater” and three other new novels.

Doppelgängers, Swingers and Murder? Must Be Florida.

In Mikita Brottman’s true-crime odyssey, “A Double Life,” things get lurid.

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