<h1>Markets open higher amid government shutdown, bank deal, AI chip pact, automaker tariff hopes and global political shifts</h1> US markets were set to open higher as a government shutdown entered its second week, with futures for major indices up and notable moves after a regional bank announced an all-stock acquisition and a semiconductor firm revealed a major AI chip deal. Automakers rose on reports the US president might ease tariff costs. Fewer US economic releases are expected during the shutdown, though earnings and Federal Reserve minutes are due. Global markets reacted to sudden political upheaval in France and a leadership change in Japan that pushed the Nikkei higher and weakened the yen, boosting defense and industrial stocks; energy prices rose modestly after an OPEC+ output tweak.