Keeping Up With America

Fed Gov. Lisa Cook Sues to Block Firing
An unprecedented court fight over Fed independence lands in D.C., and could set who-gets-to-fire-whom rules for decades. 

Cook Taps D.C. Heavyweight Abbe Lowell
The same fixer fronting other high-stakes cases now fronts the Fed showdown. Expect motions—fast.

CDC Staff Walk Out Amid Leadership Turmoil
Dozens protest inside the nation’s top public-health agency; insiders warn of a “vacuum” at the worst time. 

YouTube TV–Fox Strike a “For-Now” Truce
Your weekend games are safe… for now. How long the extension lasts is the cliffhanger. 

GDP Revised Up to 3.3%—Markets Pop
A stronger Q2 print (and AI capex) pushed stocks to fresh records. The question: is it durable? 

Jobless Claims Slip to 229,000
A cooler labor market… but not cold. Traders keep the September-cut odds alive. 

Global Parcels to U.S. Get Paused
Carriers from Europe to the Pacific hit pause as tariff rules flip, cross-border returns just got messy. 

‘De Minimis’ Is Done: $800 Duty Exemption Ends
A 6-month transition starts; flat fees per package kick in for postal shippers. E-commerce braces. 

Around the World

Kyiv Hit; UK & EU Summon Russian Envoys
Missiles struck near EU/British missions; capitals demand answers after one of the deadliest raids in months. 

Putin & Kim to Join Xi at Beijing Parade
A choreographed show of alignment…right as the West debates aid, sanctions, and deterrence. 

Europe Moves to “Snapback” UN Sanctions on Iran
The E3 pivot puts Tehran on a 30-day clock and reshapes the sanctions map…again. 

EU Floats Deal to Cut U.S. Auto Tariffs
Brussels dangles concessions to push Washington toward lower duties, another twist in tariff chess. 

Gaza: UN Warns of a “New, Dangerous Phase”
Strikes intensify as hostage-talks flicker; civilian toll mounts. 

Lets Talk Business and Tech

​Commonwealth Fusion Raises $1.5B to Chase Net-Energy
Cash to build the ARC reactor and prove fusion works off the whiteboard.

Stocks Notch More Records as Treasury Yields Dip
Dow & S&P end at fresh highs; Nasdaq shakes off early nerves.

Apple Pulls Torrent App from EU Alt Store
Even outside the App Store, Cupertino flexes control. 

Tesla Slumps in Europe as BYD Surges
July registrations: down 40% for Tesla, up 225% for BYD. 

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Richer, Wiser, Happier

Mortgage Rates Hit a 10-Month Low—Lock or Float Today?
Freddie Mac’s 30-yr average dipped to ~6.56%, the lowest since Oct ‘24. If you’re ≤45 days from closing, price a lock with a float-down, verify lock length/extension fees, and run a points break-even before buying the rate. Want a second data point? Cross-check Bankrate’s daily sheet and set a same-day quote window with at least 3 lenders.

Gas Into Labor Day: Why Prices Just Jumped—and How to Pay Less
AAA says refinery flooding bumped the national average to about $3.21 this week. Fill up mid-week mornings, use your warehouse club or grocery fuel points, and avoid stations right off interstates where markups spike. Watch AAA’s tracker before a long drive.

Social Security 2026 COLA Watch: The Number to Plan Around
Current forecasts hover near ~2.7%—helpful, but not keeping up with retiree health costs. Action plan: model retirement with a lower COLA scenario, review Medicare Part B/D during open enrollment, and increase 401(k)/IRA deferrals if you’re still working. For a broader weekly money brief, see Investopedia’s rundown.

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Yankees Detonate 9-Run Inning, Sweep Nats 11–2
Six homers, Judge’s No. 41, and a Max Fried near-no-no. Yes, the third inning felt like an entire game. 

A’ja Wilson Cooks: Aces 81–75 Dream
Wilson fuels a decisive 15-0 run; Vegas’ streak rolls on. Highlights worth your coffee break. 

US Open Round-1: The Stat Nuggets You’ll Repeat All Day
Who served the fastest? How many Americans made it through? Fun, skimmable, and snackable.

Denzel Washington: “I’m Tired of Movies.”
The Oscar icon’s candid pivot talk sparks a thousand think pieces. So… what would lure him back?

Stallone Biopic Finds Its ‘Rocky’—and It’s a Gutsy Pick
Anthony Ippolito (played Pacino in The Offer) laces up for I Play Rocky. Trailer tease soon?

Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

Best Handheld Steam Cleaners of 2025
CR tested four; only one demolished truly gross grime. Before you buy the wrong one, peek here.

Fuel-Saver Playbook, Updated Today
Real tactics that move your MPG (and the myths to skip). Screenshot before your next road trip. 

14 High-Protein Lunches in 15 Minutes
Dietitian-approved and pantry-friendly, your 12:30 p.m. slump just lost. 

12 Cozy Dinners to Fake Fall Early
Comfort food without the 3-hour slog; weeknight-fast. 

Flight Attendants’ 10 Travel Hacks—All on Sale
The gadgets crews actually use, discounted ahead of Labor Day. 

Amazon’s 50 Best Labor Day Deals (Picked for Real Life)
From AirPods to purifiers—what’s truly worth the tap. 

Spanx Labor Day Sale: Up to 60% Off
The internet’s favorite travel pants just got cheaper. 

The Jar Swap Kitchen Pros Swear By
Why some cooks ditch Ball/Mason for Weck—and what it fixes on your shelves. 

Best CD Rates Today: Where 4.45–4.60% Is Still Real
If the Fed trims soon, this may be your last clean lock. Quick shortlist. 

HYSA Picklist Updated (Up to ~4.46%)
Park cash where it actually earns, then set auto-moves. 

FDA Alert: Egg Recall: Check Lot Codes Before Breakfast
“Sunshine Yolks” pulled for possible Salmonella; refunds available. 

Drug Recall: Mislabel Risk on Muscle Relaxer
Cyclobenzaprine bottles mislabeled as another med, double-check your script.