Keeping Up With America

Shocking Video: Man Snatches Toddler from Mall Play Area: Police in Virginia released surveillance video of the moment a toddler was allegedly abducted by a 26-year-old man at a shopping mall.

Shelter Worker Mauled to Death by 2 Dogs in Mississippi: A man was mauled to death by two dogs while he was working at a Mississippi animal shelter, local news outlets reported.

Democratic lawmakers sue Trump administration for limiting visits to ICE detention centers: A dozen Democratic members of Congress sued the Trump administration on Wednesday over its effort to limit their access to detention centers housing immigrants suspected of being in the U.S. illegally, accusing the White House of inhibiting lawmakers’ oversight responsibilities.

Massachusetts lawmakers pass bill that includes pay raise for public defenders amid legal crisis: Massachusetts lawmakers on Thursday passed a funding bill that includes a pay raise for public defenders as part of an effort to end a legal crisis that led to dozens of cases being dropped and defendants getting out of jail.

Virginia Giuffre’s family expresses shock over Trump saying Epstein ‘stole’ her: The family of Virginia Giuffre, who was among Jeffrey Epstein’s most well-known sex trafficking accusers, said that it was shocking to hear President Donald Trump say the disgraced financier “stole” Giuffre from him and urged that Epstein’s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, remain in prison.

Around the World

China uses “dark fleet” to buy oil from Iran and evade U.S. sanctions in international waters: A CBS News investigation has revealed that China is still secretly buying Iranian oil and evading U.S. sanctions by using what’s known as a “dark fleet” to transfer oil from ship to ship in the middle of the sea.

Ukraine’s Parliament approves law restoring independence of anti-graft watchdogs following backlash: Ukraine’s Parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill presented by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that restores the independence of two of the country’s key anti-corruption watchdogs, reversing his contentious move last week that curbed their power and brought an outcry.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

​Markets see dwindling odds of a September interest rate cut from the Fed

Roblox stock soars 10% after revenue beat, strong user growth

Average rate on a 30-year mortgage eases again, offering modest relief for home shoppers

Richer, Wiser, Happier

More Americans are struggling to pay their debt: 6 ways to tackle yours now: Americans have been feeling the financial squeeze as prices continue to rise due to inflation and interest rates stay high as a result. The pressure isn’t just hitting families who are living paycheck to paycheck anymore. Even the households earning six figures are feeling it, with delinquencies on credit cards and auto loans more than doubling since 2023 for Americans making over $150,000 annually, according to new data from credit-scoring company VantageScore. There was also a 60% increase seen among middle-income earners and a 22% rise for lower-income households during the same period.

I Made One Simple Switch and Earned Hundreds More in Interest | Brooklyn Sprunger, Fool. Most people don’t realize their savings account is quietly draining potential money. If you’ve got your savings sitting in a big-name bank, you’re probably earning pennies — literally. That was me too, until 2020, when I finally switched to a high-yield savings account. That one change earned me hundreds of dollars in interest last year alone. I didn’t save more. I didn’t change my budget. I just stopped letting my money sit in a lazy account. Here’s why a high-yield savings account might be the smartest, lowest-effort upgrade you can make this year.

Should seniors buy annuities if they have Social Security?: Between today’s issues with sticky inflation, rising healthcare costs and longer life expectancies, retirement income planning has gotten a lot more complicated. And, ongoing questions about the sustainability of the Social Security system have made things even more confusing for many seniors. As a result, even the seniors with steady Social Security checks may be wondering whether those benefits are enough to last for the rest of their lives.

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Hendon Hooker gets a chance to shine on Thursday night | Terri Harper joins Jake Paul‘s Most Valuable Promotions

‘Hostel’ TV Series From Eli Roth and Starring Paul Giamatti Lands at Peacock for Development (EXCLUSIVE) | ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ Set: Meet the Fans Waiting Hours in the Heat to Watch Meryl Streep Get In and Out of Cars

Martha Stewart questions Duchess Meghan’s ‘authenticity,’ praises Gwyneth Paltrow | Justin Timberlake Reveals He Has Lyme Disease

Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

6 Things You Should Never Clean With Bleach, According To Cleaning Pros

Melania Trump’s Goodbye Shocks The Nation

You’re Probably Waiting Too Long to Replace Your Shower Liner—Here’s Why It Matters

I Asked Dentists How to Brush Better—Here Are the 4 Tips That Changed My Routine