**Date: 10/03/2026**

**

What Happened This Week**

**

2 Years Later: Reflecting on KSI’s “Thick of It”**

Today marks the two-year anniversary of KSI’s viral single, “Thick of It,” featuring Trippie Redd, which was originally released on October 3, 2024. 

When it first came out, the track quickly generated a massive wave of internet culture, leading to countless memes, TikTok trends, and intense debates across social media. Whether people loved it or hated it, there was no escaping it on their feeds.

Now, two years later, the song remains one of the most talked-about moments in recent pop culture history.

This Week in Major News**

Major news this week focused on the ongoing U.S.-led conflict with Iran, shifting political momentum ahead of the midterm elections, and legal battles regarding press access to the White House. Middle East Conflict:** Public approval of the administration's handling of the war in Iran has dropped to a record low. Additionally, low munition stockpiles are raising concerns among lawmakers about future strategic operations.

• - **

• Political Campaigning:** President Trump campaigned in staunchly Republican areas instead of swing states, while Democrats claimed renewed momentum ahead of the upcoming midterms.

• - **

• White House Press Access:** The administration defended a court filing asserting its right to restrict access to specific journalists in the White House.

• - **

• Middle East Shipping:** Iraq's Oil Tankers Company reported transporting two million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing regional tensions.

Character.AI Chapter 11 Filing

Character Technologies, Inc. (the company behind Character.AI) voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

• Why it happened: The company cited skyrocketing legal and regulatory liabilities—most notably wrongful death and child-safety lawsuits filed by families alleging chatbots contributed to teenage mental health crises and self-harm—as well as unsustainable operating costs relative to revenue.

• Potential Acquisition: Disney is serving as a potential "stalking horse" bidder to acquire certain assets out of bankruptcy, while the platform seeks to keep its servers running during the court-supervised sale process expected to wrap up by late fall.

• Current Status: The app remains active for existing users while the bankruptcy court evaluates bids and regulatory settlements.

Other Notable News Headlines This Week

• U.S. Economy & Pre-Midterm Inflation Report: The final U.S. inflation report ahead of the 2026 midterm elections showed a slight uptick, driven primarily by rising energy and gasoline prices.

• U.S. Foreign Relations & Energy: Discussions around international energy supply chains intensified following recent agreements concerning Russian refined oil imports and ongoing strikes targeting regional power infrastructure.

• State & Consumer Protection Actions: A coalition of state attorneys general increased scrutiny on consumer-facing AI companion tools, filing court notices regarding data privacy and user safety standards in light of recent tech insolvencies.

DNREC Assessments: The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) confirmed that ocean and bay beaches suffered varying degrees of sand loss and dune damage. Crews are prioritizing restoring vehicle access for emergency personnel and evaluating safety before reopening beach crossovers. Dunes Held the Line: DNREC noted that despite visible erosion, none of Delaware's engineered dunes breached during the storm. The dunes did their job by taking the wave impact to shield roads, homes, and inland infrastructure. Federal Assistance: Delaware officials are launching joint emergency assessments with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to identify target sites and secure funding for beach replenishment. Infrastructure & Road Closures: Heavy tidal surges pushed water across low-lying coastal areas, forcing DelDOT to temporarily close stretches of Route 1 between Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach. Severe Sand Loss: New Jersey beaches suffered some of their worst erosion in years from the prolonged pounding waves. Atlantic City officials reported sand loss north of Steel Pier that scoured away huge sections of shoreline, exposing underlying drainage pipes. Steep Dune Scarps: Survey reports showed vertical drop-offs ranging from 5-foot cliffs in North Wildwood up to 10-foot sand drop-offs in Strathmere and Avalon. Pounding Under Boardwalks: Elevated tides sent wave run-up directly underneath boardwalk structures, such as in Wildwood, leaving behind heavy debris.