Happening Now — September 11, 2026: Saudi Oil Attack, 9/11 Anniversary, AI Copyright

Overview

Happening now, Friday, September 11th, two PM Pacific. A look at today's closing tape shows a broad rally in equities. The S&P 500 closed today at 7,671.08, up over one percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished the session at 52,647.96, gaining 1.12%, while the Nasdaq-100 settled at 29,412.09. In fixed income,

In this show

• Happening now, Friday, September 11th, two PM Pacific. A look at today's closing tape shows a broad rally in equities. The S&P 500 closed today at 7,671.08, up over one percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished the session at 52,647.96, gaining 1.12%, while the Nasdaq-100 settled at 29,412.09. In fixed income, the US 10-Yr Treasury yield is at 4.959%. The VIX fell sharply. WTI Crude finished down at $100.05 a barrel amid new geopolitical developments. Bitcoin is trading at $77,418. With me are our Markets and World correspondents as we track the stories breaking this hour.
• Across the wires this hour, geopolitical tensions are escalating as a key Saudi Arabian oil pipeline system has been shut down after multiple attacks, threatening global energy supply. In Washington, the Trump administration has officially backed OpenAI in its major copyright dispute with a news organization, a significant move for the future of artificial intelligence. And across the nation today, Americans are commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks with solemn ceremonies in New York City, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. We'll break down these stories and more right now.
• That pipeline story is critical. Officials in Saudi Arabia have confirmed a shutdown of a major pipeline system following what they are calling multiple, coordinated attacks. This isn't just any pipeline; it's a critical artery for global energy infrastructure. The disruption comes as tensions with Iran are already extremely high due to the ongoing conflict. While details on the attackers are still emerging, the immediate effect is clear: a shock to the oil supply. This incident is expected to cause a significant spike in oil prices, which have already been elevated due to the war, further straining the global economy.
• Turning to tech policy, the Trump administration is throwing its weight behind OpenAI in the company's landmark legal battle over copyright. The core of the case is whether OpenAI was permitted to use millions of news articles to train its large language models. The administration's decision to side with the AI developer signals a strong pro-innovation stance, prioritizing the advancement of artificial intelligence. This move could set a crucial precedent for copyright law in the age of AI, potentially shielding AI companies from massive liability and shaping the future development of the entire sector.
• Today marks a solemn day in American history. Across the country, ceremonies are underway to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. At the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, a moment of silence was held as the names of the 2,977 victims are read aloud, a tradition that honors each life lost. President Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at a commemoration at the Pentagon later today. These events serve as a powerful reminder of the tragedy and the resilience shown in its aftermath, uniting the nation in remembrance of one of its darkest days.
• In media, a Pulitzer Prize has been awarded for a global investigation that uncovered the vast expansion of government surveillance in China. Critically, the reporting detailed the instrumental role that U.S. tech companies played in enabling this surveillance state. The series of stories exposed how technology developed in Silicon Valley was utilized to build systems that led to significant human rights abuses. The award highlights the power of investigative journalism to hold powerful entities, both governments and corporations, accountable on the world stage and has led to renewed calls for export controls on sensitive technology.
• On the world stage, Pope Leo XIV is making a historic visit to a Catholic shrine in Angola with deep ties to the African slave trade. The location was historically a center where enslaved people were held before being transported across the Atlantic. The visit is being interpreted as a powerful gesture of reconciliation and a direct acknowledgment of the Church's complex and often criticized role in the history of slavery. In his address, the Pope is expected to confront the painful legacy of colonialism and its lasting impact on the African continent, a message that will resonate globally.
• In U.S. politics, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, a former Democrat, took the primetime stage at the Republican National Convention to deliver a forceful endorsement of former President Trump. Johnson detailed his reasons for switching parties, pointing to what he calls Republican-led successes in Dallas. He specifically cited reductions in both crime rates and property taxes as key achievements under his leadership that align with the GOP platform. His appearance is a key part of a broader Republican strategy to appeal to a more diverse, urban electorate by highlighting a prominent African American mayor from a major city.
• Federal health officials have now declared an end to the largest cyclospora food poisoning outbreak in U.S. history. The outbreak was vast, with nearly 13,000 cases linked to recalled iceberg lettuce. However, a major question remains unanswered: the specific origin of the contamination is still a mystery. While the immediate threat is over, the inability to pinpoint the source is a major concern for food safety experts and regulators. The investigation is ongoing, as officials work to understand the breakdown in the supply chain to prevent a future occurrence of this scale.
• In sports, there's a surge of excitement at the U.S. Open. Three American men have advanced to the quarterfinals, fueling hopes that the long drought for a men's singles champion could finally end. Ben Shelton, a previous semifinalist, is seen as having the strongest chance among the American contenders. His next match is a highly anticipated showdown against top seed Carlos Alcaraz. The strong showing is a significant boost for American tennis, drawing huge ratings and creating a buzz around the tournament as it heads into its final weekend.
• In Seattle, civil rights laws could soon be expanded to include protections for individuals in polyamorous relationships. A new proposal aims to prevent discrimination based on relationship status in key areas like housing and employment. If the measure passes, Seattle would become one of the first major U.S. cities to formally recognize and protect polyamorous individuals under its civil rights code. The move is part of a broader national conversation about the legal definitions of family and relationships, and it is being watched closely by other progressive municipalities across the country.
• ACV Auctions is today's standout performer, skyrocketing over 44 percent to trade around $10.44. The massive jump comes on news that the online vehicle auctioneer Copart is acquiring the company in an all-cash deal valued at nearly $1.9 billion, or $10.50 per share. This represents a substantial premium for shareholders and has reset the stock's valuation. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year, with ACV set to operate as an independent subsidiary of Copart.
• Hewlett Packard Enterprise is climbing sharply, up more than 12 percent to around $62.09. The major catalyst is accelerating demand for its AI servers and data center infrastructure, a trend reinforced by strong quarterly results and an upgraded financial outlook. The company reported a 34% year-over-year revenue increase in its last quarter. This rally places HPE within a broader advance among AI-related hardware companies, signaling strong investor confidence in its growth trajectory.
• Dell Technologies is trading at a new record high, surging nearly 12 percent to $567.30. The rally was ignited by a new "Outperform" rating from analysts, who pointed to Dell's strong position in the AI hardware market. The company's AI-optimized server revenue doubled to $16.4 billion last quarter. This, combined with its inclusion in the S&P 100 index, is fueling significant investor enthusiasm and pushing the stock to unprecedented levels.
• As we head into the evening, one thing we'll be watching is the kickoff of the second week of the college football season. A notable matchup tonight features No. 18 Missouri taking on Kansas. It's one of several key games this weekend that will begin to shape the national rankings. Sports bettors and fans alike will be watching to see if Missouri can maintain its undefeated record on the road. That's all for this edition of Happening Now. We'll be back this afternoon with further updates. Stay with us.