This week’s guide to government and politics in under 10 minutes

Happy Monday. We’re excited to announce Next Gen, a new series of live events with Reuters. Our first event, Navigating the AI Economy, will focus on the ways AI is shaping the economy, jobs, and day-to-day lives across the country. Keep scrolling for details and how to request a ticket. We can’t wait to see you there. 

I UN SAYS U.S. MAY HAVE COMMITTED WAR CRIMES IN IRAN

Last week, a UN Fact-Finding mission said it had reasonable grounds to believe the U.S. was behind military strikes on a school and sports facility in Iran that may qualify as war crimes. The mission also found that Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity during their deadly crackdown on anti-government protests. UN Fact-Finding missions are investigative and do not initiate any criminal cases. But national and international courts can use their findings in criminal investigations. The UN mission cited an attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in the city of Minab as an indiscriminate attack causing civilian deaths. The mission reached a similar conclusion about a strike on a sports center in Lamerd, which damaged nearby residential buildings and a school. Finally, the report cited widespread and systemic attacks against civilians during protests in late December 2025, as evidence that Iranian authorities had committed crimes against humanity. 

>> ASP spoke with a senior U.S. Senator about the ongoing conflict here.

I “GODFATHER OF AI” WARNS CONGRESS HAS “MAYBE A YEAR” LEFT FOR AI SAFEGUARDS

Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “Godfather of AI,” warned that Congress has “maybe a year, but not much more” to implement safeguards on artificial intelligence before losing control of the technology. Hinton’s remarks came after he met with Senate and House lawmakers and other AI experts last week. High-profile incidents of AI companies losing control of AI agents have prompted renewed concerns in Congress, including the Hugging Face incident, where a group of OpenAI agents accessed the internet, hacked the Hugging Face platform, and tried to cover their tracks to deceive humans about their actions. Hinton referred to the hack as “little Chernobyl.” In response, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation to put guardrails on AI development, including the AI Kill Switch Act, which would require AI developers to preserve the power to shut down their systems and enable the government to do so if needed. However, the push to clamp down on AI isn’t universal. Some lawmakers, including President Donald Trump, have come out against plans to impose new rules on the AI industry, claiming that doing so would undermine U.S. economic opportunities and competitiveness with countries like China.

>> Dig deeper into revelations about the potential for runaway AI agents here. 

 I PENNSYLVANIA ASKS CDC FOR HELP WITH MEASLES OUTBREAK

Pennsylvania is asking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for emergency assistance related to a major measles outbreak in the state. Pennsylvania is requesting support through Epi-Aid, a rapid response from the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service officers that provides short-term, on-site technical assistance. The officers help local authorities decide how to control and prevent growing public health issues. The Pennsylvania Department of Health says there have been 731 confirmed measles cases across 38 counties so far in 2026. 

>> Find out more about the causes of the recent measles outbreak and how policymakers are responding here.

I TRUMP ADMIN ADVANCES $24.3 BILLION SAUDI FIGHTER JET DEAL

The State Department has approved a deal for Saudi Arabia to purchase 48 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jets and related equipment in a deal valued at $24.3 billion. Before the sale, Israel was the only Middle Eastern country to get approval to purchase the jet, considered the most lethal, stealthy, and survivable aircraft in the world. The Trump administration notified Congress of the possible transfer last Thursday. Some lawmakers have raised concerns that China could acquire or steal the technology, as it has a military partnership with Saudi Arabia. 

>> Discover the role arms sales play in U.S. diplomacy here.

I GAS, DIESEL PRICES EXPECTED TO KEEP GOING UP

Gas and Diesel prices surged last week, and experts warn prices are likely to keep climbing as conflicts overseas reduce global oil supplies. The national average for gas hit $4.44 per gallon, a 50% increase since the Iran war started in February. Diesel hit a record high of $6.40 per gallon, up 77 cents per gallon since the start of September. 

>> Get insights into how much the Iran war is costing the average household here.

The rise of AI has people asking questions about what it means for the future, and Gen Z is at the forefront of that discussion. ASP & Reuters are hosting a live event that will help Gen Z understand how AI is shaping their future. 

ASP’s Mark Kassen and Reuters Global Technology Editor Ken Li will be joined by special guests to dig into how AI is shaping jobs and the economy, how businesses are approaching the changing economic landscape, and how policymakers are responding. 

The event will be held on October 26 in LA. Tickets are free, but space is limited. Get the details and request yours here. 

The farm bill covers more than just farms. It also deals with food assistance programs like SNAP, environmental protections, and more.

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