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The U.S. wants a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030. A Russian-Chinese alliance is working on one for 2036. Some leading scientists caution that governments are moving too quickly and the danger is great. trib.al/HT96ZqB

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These socks strike the balance of breathability, comfort, and durability that we look for in a great hiking sock for most weather. Their lifetime warranty makes these socks exceptional. It's one of the winners of Wirecutter's 50 best products: nyti.ms/4dPd2Mt

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Summaries obtained by The New York Times offer a first look at how Cornell University punished each of the men accused of sexually assaulting a fellow student in 2024. The lightest punishment called for writing a paper and completing training. The most severe was expulsion. trib.al/89bTHAv

A large, red brick building with a tall tower and dark gray roof is set against a cloudy sky. Several people walk along paths in the foreground, surrounded by green and bright yellow trees. A headline reads: "How Cornell Punished Each of the 7 Men Accused of Sexual Assault" Photo by Heather Ainsworth for The New York Times

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Warning: Yossy Arefi’s recipe for easy chocolate cake may make you weep tears of joy. nyti.ms/4rLnwCy

A slice of chocolate cake with the text: ‘My Wife Is Actually Crying Right Now Because This Cake Is So Good’

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While it’s not much to look at, nothing out-plunges it. This ugly, gimmick-free tool should be the last plunger you’ll ever need. It's one of the winners of Wirecutter's 50 best products: nyti.ms/3TFNvi3

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A growing network of American high schoolers and young adults are helping to arm some of Mexico’s most powerful and violent cartels, according to law enforcement officials, trafficking experts and students interviewed by The New York Times. nyti.ms/4hNkx86

Two teenage American weapons traffickers shooting rifles in the desert outside of Phoenix. A headline reads: "American High School Students Are Selling Guns Bound for Cartels" Photo by Adriana Zehbrauskas

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Is an artist “an egomaniac with an inferiority complex”? The comedian Chris Rock talked about that and the things that make him feel insecure on “The Interview.” Watch, read or listen. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/03/m...

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"I’ve had more co-workers tell me about their love for this towel than maybe anything else I’ve tested, and it’s had consistently high owner reviews for years," said our Wirecutter home-decor writer. It's one of the winners of Wirecutter's 50 best products: nyti.ms/47As9Wt

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President Trump on Friday criticized Letitia James, the New York attorney general who is investigating the Cornell sexual assault case. James has become a major political target of Trump’s second-term retribution campaign. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/02/u...

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Newly released bodycam footage shows the moment that police arrested Luigi Mangione in a Pennsylvania McDonald’s in 2024 and uncovered the weapon linked to the fatal shooting of the United Healthcare chief executive Brian Thompson days earlier.

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Kids often have better hearing than adults. They deserve headphones that sound as good as those for grown-ups but with a shape that fits their head and volume limits that protect their ears. No other kids' headphones grow with a child like this Puro pair does. nyti.ms/4j0A5aD

Headline: A Kids’ Headphones That Outlasts Growth Spurts

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Surprise raids of Mumbai kitchens called for by Maharashtra’s new top food and drug official have made him an unlikely celebrity and set off a conversation about food standards in India. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/03/w...

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We spoke with dozens of librarians from across the U.S. about the challenges and triumphs of running a library. Here is what they told us. nyti.ms/4yw4O4k

A grid of photos of people in front of a green background. A headline reads: " Librarians on Libraries."

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Dignity Village in Portland, Oregon, is the longest running experiment in what happens when the structure of an encampment gives way to a more permanent community, with dozens of residents, all previously homeless, managing the space on their own. nyti.ms/3Vh08Rd

A chain-link fence with a no trespassing sign and small wooden structures among trees behind it. A headline reads: "The Homeless Community In Portland That Became A Self-Governed Village." Photo by Ricardo Nagaoka for The New York Times.

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Travelers' first visit to Vancouver should include popular stops like Stanley Park and Granville Island. But locals will insist that some of the most interesting social scenes are beyond the city’s downtown core. nyti.ms/4rHTWh0

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Widespread protests broke out across several cities in India on Friday, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of the country’s election chief over allegations of voter roll manipulation that have rattled the nation in recent months. Read more: www.nytimes.com/2026/10/02/w...

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President Trump directed staff to use taxpayer money for TV ads praising him and his presidency, setting in motion a $20 million contract that used funds from the Department of Homeland Security, according to people familiar with the matter. nyti.ms/4jBqx63

President Trump stands in a dark suit and red tie. A crowd of people and a large American flag are in the background. A headline reads: "Trump Directed Use of Taxpayer Money for Ads Praising His Presidency." Photo by Doug Mills for The New York Times.

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We've tested more than 60 umbrellas in the decade we've been reviewing them. An important factor in our testing is how well they perform on a windy day. These are the best umbrellas: nyti.ms/4yoxwDX

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A scrappy science project conducted in a makeshift lab in North Carolina led to a significant discovery: two new species of a rare organism that could offer a window into a fundamental transition in the history of life on our planet. nyti.ms/4rK5MHC

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Randy Spivey, one of Christa Pike’s lawyers, said that Pike remained in critical condition on Thursday after a botched execution attempt the night before. nyti.ms/46StlV9

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Weird Al Yankovic has charmed generations, especially those who grew up in his ’80s and ’90s heyday. Now the men of that era are taking their kids to his Bigger & Weirder tour, where he headlined Madison Square Garden for the first time at age 65 last summer. nyti.ms/3TZW5IA

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Weeks before her planned execution, Christa Pike expressed concerns that the lethal injections might not work, according to an unedited audio recording shared by her lawyers in response to questions from The New York Times. nyti.ms/4hUk98R

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It started as a bizarre late-night standoff behind the counter of an In-N-Out, as Luca Opperman grabbed a spatula to confront a woman screaming and bashing the counter with a tree branch. It ended with no injuries, a viral video and free burgers. nyti.ms/4ylmb7K

Luca Opperman, airborne and upside down. A headline reads: "The Viral In-N-Out Spatula Hero Is Exactly Who You Imagined He Was." Photo by Mark Abramson for The New York Times

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Documents from a Cornell University review of the sexual assault accusations from a woman known as Jane Doe, obtained by The New York Times, shed light on the crucial three-week period between the fraternity party and her decision to take her story to the campus police. nyti.ms/4yZQCjG

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How did you do in Connections today? Players must select four groups of four words without making more than three mistakes. nyti.ms/4iUy0wU

A Connections game shows a 4x4 grid of words

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We scoured thousands of Wirecutter recommendations from the past 15 years, focusing on unparalleled items that continue to beat out competitors, impress us with their longevity, and stay in heavy rotation in our lives. These 50 standouts are the best of the best. nyti.ms/4z62v7V

An illustration headlined: The 50 Best Products

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Starting next year, Americans seeking their first passports will be able to apply entirely online, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Tuesday. nyti.ms/4yp9eK6

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Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a pilot attacked another in a possible attempt to crash FlyDubai Flight 1073. Those aboard the flight said passengers intervened to subdue the assailant. Here's what to know. nyti.ms/4rDP4tg

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Kelly McWilliams is biracial, and she was raised to be proud of her identity, but when she walks into a room, a lot of people perceive her as a white woman. And when she does tell people she’s Black, the situation can get uncomfortable — even scary — very, very fast. nyti.ms/4e5ZQmq

Kelly McWilliams poses for a portrait. Headline: I’m Black, Even if You Don’t See it

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Finding a bra that actually fits is harder than just figuring out your size. After testing more than 35 bras, our expert explains what to look for and which bras are worth buying. nyti.ms/4z9pu26

“There’s a lot more to consider beyond just your band and your cup size that impacts how a bra fits you and feels on your body.” - Zoe Vanderweide, a Wirecutter senior writer, on how to finally find a bra you won’t hate

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In Alaska's annual battle of the big bears, only one can be the winner. And this year, a brown bear that overcame a life-threatening injury in 2007 was crowned the winner of Katmai National Park and Preserve’s Fat Bear Week. nyti.ms/4rCmk48

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Passengers intervened after a clash broke out in the cockpit of a flight to Tel Aviv from Dubai, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, according to accounts from those on board. nyti.ms/4z6mYJJ

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A couple recently received a $575,000 settlement from the city of Milwaukee after 55 swatting calls over the course of three years summoned police to their home. Officials knew the calls were made by pranksters. nyti.ms/3TtgRQH

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Meta is using its A.I. data centers to exploit a lucrative tax break intended to support research and experimentation, according to an exclusive report by The New York Times. The company’s own accountants recognize that the strategy is on shaky legal ground. nyti.ms/3VlavDw

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How did you do in Connections today? Players must select four groups of four words without making more than three mistakes. nyti.ms/4deYdCR

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From @theathleticfc.bsky.social: "We knew it was going to be bad. But this bad? No," our columnist writes about Manchester City. "The club manipulated, doctored and abused the system to ensure English football was lopsided in their favour." nyti.ms/4jxGv17

“No other club has swindled English football so brazenly. Nobody has gone about it in such a devious and heavy-handed fashion. It has disfigured years of competition and, for that alone, Manchester City’s supporters should probably brace themselves for the heaviest of punishments." - Daniel Taylor, senior writer

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After two decades, the U.S. formally withdrew from Iraq, leaving behind a battered nation trapped between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation cost nearly 4,500 U.S. lives and killed more than 115,000 Iraqis, according to the most modest counts. trib.al/E3sCiNB

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