Shares are mixed in Asia, with Chinese markets closed for a weeklong holiday. Markets appeared to be taking a potential shutdown of the U.S. government in stride. China's central bank said it plans to inject more cash into the economy, while the Bank of Japan reported an improvement in business sentiment among large manufacturers. On Tuesday, U.S. stocks wrapped up another winning month. The S&P 500 rose 0.4% and the Dow gained 0.2%, setting an all-time high. The Nasdaq composite added 0.3%.  Past U.S. government shutdowns have had a limited impact on the economy and stock market, and many investors expect something similar this time around.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged China to import Australian iron ore without hindrance. This follows reports that a state-run Chinese company asked steelmakers to stop buying shipments from global mining giant BHP, which is based in Melbourne. On Wednesday, Albanese expressed concern over the disruption to Australia’s top export. He hopes the issue is short-term and resolves quickly. China Mineral Resources Group Co. reportedly asked buyers to suspend purchases, affecting deals for cargo already shipped from Australia. Treasurer Jim Chalmers plans to meet BHP’s CEO to discuss the situation. China has lifted multiple trade barriers since Albanese's government took office in 2022.

A closely watched survey by Japan's central bank shows sentiment among large Japanese manufacturers improved for a second straight quarter, making an interest rate hike more likely. The Bank of Japan's survey for July to September, the “tankan,” found the mood of major manufacturers, measured by its “diffusion index,”rose 1 point to plus 14 from the findings in June. The survey is an indicator of companies foreseeing good conditions minus those feeling pessimistic. The relative optimism reflects the recent agreement on tariffs with the U.S. Despite the slight improvement, Japan's export-reliant economy is feeling some pain with higher tariffs on exports of cars and other products to the U.S.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attack that left a Dutch-flagged cargo ship ablaze and adrift in the Gulf of Aden. This attack was their most serious assault in the Gulf of Aden since November 2023. The Houthis fired a cruise missile at the Minervagracht, wounding two mariners. The attack Monday comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including Israel's ground offensive in Gaza and renewed UN sanctions on Iran. The Houthis have targeted over 100 ships, though some targets have little connection to Israel. Their actions have significantly disrupted shipping in the Red Sea, worth some $1 trillion a year.

The U.S. civil rights agency responsible for enforcing worker rights will stop investigating complaints about company policies that don’t explicitly discriminate but may disproportionately harm certain groups. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will clear out all cases involving “disparate impact liability” by Tuesday. Disparate impact is a legal standard that says even if a policy looks fair, it can still be discriminatory if it creates unnecessary barriers. The EEOC's decision follows an executive order from President Donald Trump directing agencies to deprioritize disparate impact in civil rights enforcement. Critics say it weakens an effective legal tool used to root out workplace discrimination.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is suing Zillow and Redfin, accusing them of an illegal deal to suppress competition in online rental advertising. The FTC filed the lawsuit on Tuesday, alleging the agreement began in February when Zillow paid Redfin $100 million. The deal allegedly required Redfin to end contracts with advertising partners and stop competing ads for multifamily properties. The FTC claims this violates federal antitrust laws and could lead to higher prices and fewer choices. Zillow and Redfin, meanwhile, both argue that their partnership benefits renters.

OpenAI has launched a new social media app called Sora, aiming to capture the audience of short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Released on Tuesday, the app allows users to create AI videos in various styles, from anime to realistic. Some worry these AI-generated videos could crowd out genuine human creativity and degrade the internet with a flood of what's known as "AI slop." The app is currently available on Apple devices in the U.S. and Canada. OpenAI says it is building in safeguards to deter doomscrolling and addiction.

Investigators say that a private jet came within 100 feet of crashing into a Southwest Airlines plane on a runway in San Diego two years ago because the air traffic controllers in the tower got distracted. The National Transportation Safety Board issued its final report Tuesday on the incident that happened in August 2023. The NTSB said both the controller directing those planes and the supervisor made bad choices that day that took their attention away from the landing. Tragedy was averted because the airport’s automated system for tracking planes and vehicles on the ground alerted the controller to the potential conflict, and the private jet was able to pull up and circle before landing safely.

Georgia farmers are still waiting for aid after Hurricane Helene, even as other states finalize agreements. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Georgia officials announced $531 million for Georgia farmers on Tuesday. However, unlike South Carolina, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia, Georgia hasn't completed an agreement on distributing the funds. Officials are still ironing out administrative details. The delays have frustrated farmers, who have faced financial stress and low crop prices. The September 2024 storm caused significant damage across several states, with Georgia's poultry industry being a major target for additional aid.

Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays have new owners after a group led by real estate developer Patrick Zalupski closed its purchase of the team. The sale from Stuart Sternberg was finalized Tuesday. Owners unanimously approved the transaction last week. Zalupski's group is expected to restart the search for a new ballpark. The Rays in March withdrew from a $1.3 billion project to construct a new ballpark adjacent to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, citing a hurricane and delays that likely drove up the proposal’s cost.