Happening Now — September 13, 2026: AI Warnings, Mideast Tensions, Hormuz Attack

Overview

Happening right now, Sunday, September 13th. U.S. stock futures are pointing to a higher open this week. S&P 500 futures are trading up eight-tenths of a percent at 7,659.50, with Nasdaq 100 futures also up at 29,387. Dow futures are indicating the strongest start, up nearly a full percent. In commodities, WTI crude is

In this show

• Happening right now, Sunday, September 13th. U.S. stock futures are pointing to a higher open this week. S&P 500 futures are trading up eight-tenths of a percent at 7,659.50, with Nasdaq 100 futures also up at 29,387. Dow futures are indicating the strongest start, up nearly a full percent. In commodities, WTI crude is pulling back to just over one hundred dollars a barrel, while Gold is trading higher at $4,348. Bitcoin is seeing a slight dip, trading at $76,886. The Dollar Index sits at 99.122. We’re live with our World and Markets correspondents to break down the hour's top stories.
• Across the wires this hour, tensions are escalating in the Middle East. Maritime authorities are reporting a vessel has been struck by a projectile in the critical Strait of Hormuz. This follows a drone attack on a major Saudi pipeline. Separately, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City has reportedly killed at least two people and wounded more than a dozen. In the Pacific, Tropical Storm Norbert continues to strengthen and may now be on a path toward Hawaii. And in Washington, a viral warning from a researcher has reignited the debate over AI safety, with top CEOs now calling for a slowdown in development.
• We're tracking two incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital channel for global energy supplies. The UK's Maritime Trade Operations agency reports a vessel was struck by an unknown projectile today, causing a fire onboard. The crew was safely evacuated. This comes just after a drone attack, which President Trump suggests Iran was likely behind, forced Saudi Arabia to temporarily shut down its major East-West pipeline. These dual threats to maritime and pipeline infrastructure are stoking new fears over the security of oil shipments out of the region, putting upward pressure on energy markets.
• There's another strategic chokepoint under pressure. In Yemen, Ansarullah forces are advancing south along the Red Sea coast. Reports confirm they have seized the strategic port of Mocha and are now moving towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This is a critical maritime corridor for global trade. The advance presents a significant new challenge for the Trump administration, intensifying pressure on another key waterway in the Middle East as the broader conflict with Iran continues to simmer. Control of this strait has major implications for shipping between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
• Former President Barack Obama is sounding the alarm on artificial intelligence. Speaking at a private fundraiser, Obama warned that AI is moving 'very fast' in the private sector and could become 'dangerous' if not managed correctly. He directly urged House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to begin developing a framework for a public conversation around AI policy. Obama stressed the urgency of the issue, calling for it to be a central topic in the 2028 presidential race, signaling a push to bring AI regulation to the forefront of the Democratic party's platform.
• The debate over AI safety has reignited in Washington, sparked by a viral social media post from researcher Jacob Coxon. His post, which warned of catastrophic risks from advanced AI, has captured the attention of policymakers and industry leaders. In a swift response, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei publicly called for a slowdown in AI capabilities research. That sentiment was quickly echoed by other influential figures, including OpenAI's Sam Altman and xAI's Elon Musk, creating a rare moment of alignment among competitors on the need for caution and potential regulation in the face of accelerating AI development.
• More breaking news from the Middle East. An Israeli airstrike in the Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood of western Gaza City this morning has killed at least two Palestinians and wounded thirteen others. Eyewitness reports say the strike targeted a vehicle, which was left completely mangled. The Israeli military has issued a statement confirming the strike, saying that it successfully targeted two Hamas militants who were in the vehicle at the time. The incident raises fears of further escalation in the region following a recent period of relative calm.
• A significant verdict has been handed down related to the Syrian civil war. A court, whose specific jurisdiction is still being confirmed, has sentenced former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia. This verdict marks a symbolic, if not immediately enforceable, judgment for his role in the country's devastating, years-long conflict. Assad remains in power in Syria, making the practical implications of the sentence unclear. However, the ruling represents a major legal milestone for opponents of his regime and victims of the war, as further details about the specific charges continue to emerge.
• Turning to a major cultural shift impacting the restaurant industry. Solo dining reservations are on the rise across America. New data shows a significant increase in people choosing to dine out alone, a trend visible in cities from Portland to Buffalo. This isn't about a lack of company; it's a deliberate choice. Analysts point to a cultural shift where people are reclaiming meal times for themselves, whether for quiet reflection or to simply enjoy a good meal without social obligations. Restaurants are now adapting, creating more counter seating and smaller tables to accommodate the growing number of solo patrons.
• A new champion has been crowned at the U.S. Open. In a battle of the top two seeds, Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan has defeated Aryna Sabalenka to win the 2026 women's singles title. The final at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York was a hard-fought contest, showcasing the power and skill that took both players to the top of the sport. For Rybakina, this victory marks a career milestone, as it is her first-ever U.S. Open championship, adding another Grand Slam trophy to her collection and solidifying her position in the highest echelon of women's tennis.
• In climate news, all eyes in the Pacific are on Tropical Storm Norbert. The storm is maintaining its strength as it churns through the ocean, and the latest forecast models show it is now on a potential path toward Hawaii. Forecasters are closely monitoring its trajectory and intensity, warning residents to begin preliminary preparations. Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, a separate system is expected to bring a weekend of heavy rain and thunderstorms all along the East Coast of the United States, from Florida to New England, raising concerns about potential flooding in low-lying areas.
• Dell Technologies is today's standout, surging to a new record high. The stock is up nearly 12 percent, trading around $567, driven by an RBC Capital upgrade to 'outperform' and booming demand for its AI-optimized servers. The company's AI server backlog recently hit an impressive $95 billion, signaling robust future growth in enterprise tech spending. This momentum underscores Dell's pivotal role in the build-out of artificial intelligence infrastructure.
• Oracle is active after reporting stellar first-quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations. The enterprise software giant saw its stock trade down slightly to about $150 a share. The company posted a remarkable 121% growth in its cloud infrastructure revenue, a key metric highlighting its successful transition to the cloud. Despite the strong results, some investors are expressing concerns over the high capital spending required to fuel this growth, leading to some profit-taking.
• Moderna is seeing significant buying interest, with its stock climbing over 5 percent to trade around $144. This upward momentum is fueled by growing investor confidence in its mRNA technology beyond COVID-19 vaccines. The primary driver is the positive Phase 3 trial data for its personalized cancer vaccine, developed with Merck, which has the potential to be a groundbreaking treatment. This has led to several analyst upgrades and a significant rally in the stock over the past month.
• As we head into the afternoon, we'll be watching the kickoff of the first full Sunday of the NFL season. The afternoon slate features a key divisional matchup with the Green Bay Packers visiting the Minnesota Vikings, with that game starting at 4:25 PM Eastern. Then all eyes will turn to MetLife Stadium for Sunday Night Football. The Dallas Cowboys are in New York to take on the Giants, with broadcast coverage beginning at 7:00 PM Eastern. It's a packed day of football to wrap up the weekend. We'll be tracking all the developing stories for you. Stay with us.