Hezbollah leader’s killing escalates conflict with Israel

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Sunday 09.29.24

Today is a big day for Planet Earth as we welcome a "mini-moon" into our neighborhood! A newly discovered asteroid, named 2024 PT5, will temporarily be captured by Earth's gravity and orbit our world until November 25, according to astronomers. Then the space rock will return to an orbit around the sun. Here's what else you need to know to Start Your Week Smart.
 

By Andrew Torgan and Daniel Wine

Damage from an Israeli airstrike near Beirut, Lebanon. (Ahmad Al-Kerdi/Reuters)

MONDAY

The Department of Education's Fresh Start student loan program, which offers special benefits for borrowers with missed or late payments, comes to an end. About 10 million borrowers were past due on their payments as of January, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office. That adds up to $290 billion in outstanding loans. With the expiration of the temporary program, delinquent borrowers can be reported to credit bureaus, which could lower their credit scores.

TUESDAY

Longshore workers at ports from Maine to Texas are set to walk off the job in what could become the most disruptive strike to the US economy in decades. The strike could stop the flow of a wide variety of goods at most cargo ports on the East and Gulf coasts — everything from bananas to European wine and liquor, along with clothing, toys, household goods and European autos. Also affected could be parts needed to keep US factories operating, and potentially the workers in those plants.

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance and his Democratic counterpart — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz — will have their first and likely only debate on CBS News. CNN will simulcast CBS' debate live and provide pre-debate coverage and post-debate analysis.

Former President Jimmy Carter, the oldest living US president, turns 100. Carter entered hospice care in February 2023 after a series of hospital stays. His grandson, Jason Carter, said in May that the 39th president is "coming to an end" when providing an update on his health.

FRIDAY

The first Friday of the month means it's jobs report day. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is set to release its report for September. In the prior month, employers added an estimated 142,000 jobs, marking stronger growth than July's worrisome low number — which was revised down from 114,000 to 89,000. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, ticked down to 4.2% from 4.3%.

SATURDAY

Former President Donald Trump plans to return to Butler, Pennsylvania — the location of the first assassination attempt on his life this year — to hold a rally and to honor firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was shot and killed during the July 13 incident.

One Thing: 🎧 Understanding the 'Latino Vote'
In today's "One Thing" podcast, we dig into the nuances of the Latino vote with reggaeton historian Katelina Ecclestón and NYU professor Cristina Beltrán. Listen here.

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In this satellite photo, Hurricane Helene spins in the Gulf of Mexico as it approaches the coast of Florida on Thursday. Check out more images from the week that was, curated by CNN Photos.

TV and streaming
It wouldn't be October without zombies and vampires. Yet another "Walking Dead" spinoff refuses to die when "The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol" shambles its way onto AMC at 9 p.m. ET tonight.

A new adaptation of Stephen King's "Salem's Lot" arrives Thursday on Max. For those of you not familiar with the classic horror novel, the 1979 mini-series or the 2004 reboot, "Salem's Lot" tells the story of author Ben Mears, who returns to his childhood home of Jerusalem's Lot in search of inspiration for his next book, only to discover his hometown is being preyed upon by a bloodthirsty vampire. The cast includes Lewis Pullman, Makenzie Leigh and Alfre Woodard, among others. (Max, like CNN, is a unit of Warner Bros. Discovery.)

In theaters

The sequel to 2019's "Joker" hits the big screen Friday. "Joker: Folie À Deux" finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love but also finds the music that's always been inside him. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener and Zazie Beetz. ("Joker: Folie À Deux" is from Warner Bros. Pictures, which, like CNN, is a unit of Warner Bros. Discovery.)

At a glance ...

The WNBA playoff semifinals begin today when the Las Vegas Aces face the New York Liberty, followed by the Connecticut Sun squaring off against the Minnesota Lynx. Games 2 and 3 are set for Tuesday and Friday. WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by Connecticut.

In college football, Alabama blew a 28-0 lead but managed to hold off Georgia 41-34 in a thrilling showdown between two SEC powerhouses.

In the NFL today, the Vikings battle the Packers in a clash of division rivals while the undefeated Bills face the Ravens in prime time tonight.

The final day of the 2024 Presidents Cup tees off today with the United States holding an 11-7 lead. The biennial event, which pits the US against an international team of golfers, is being held at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Quebec, Canada.

Major League Baseball's regular season wraps up today, with the postseason beginning Tuesday.

For more of your favorite sports, head on over to CNN Sports as well as Bleacher Report, which — like CNN — is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.

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'September'
It's the last weekend of September, so let's give it a proper send-off with a classic from Earth, Wind & Fire. (Click here to view)

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