Keeping Up With America

Federal Reserve shows unexpected unity, independence as it weathers Trump’s attacks
After Wednesday’s rate cut, the Fed projected calm despite political heat—signaling policy will track the data, not the noise. Translation: borrowing costs may ease further this year, but only if inflation cooperates and growth cools on schedule. 

Oil prices ease on U.S. demand concerns
Crude slipped as traders bet the soft-landing story could mean softer fuel demand into Q4—even after OPEC+ restraint. Lower pump prices would reinforce the Fed’s path, but a Middle East jolt (see: Saudi-Pakistan pact) could whipsaw this quickly. 

3 police officers killed and 2 injured in rural Pennsylvania shooting
A follow-up visit in a domestic case turned deadly, leaving three officers dead, two wounded, and a community reeling. State investigators are reconstructing the suspect’s timeline as vigils form and departments assess protocol gaps. 

Disney’s ABC yanks ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ off air after remarks
ABC abruptly pulled the late-night mainstay after a segment sparked political blowback. Affiliates were told to slot in alternates—keeping advertisers guessing and igniting a free-speech vs. standards debate online. 

Around the World

Trump to return to the United Nations as Gaza, Ukraine conflicts rage
UNGA week opens with a high-wire address from the U.S. president amid dueling wars. Expect corridors, not the podium, to shape any movement on cease-fires, grain routes, or hostage deals. 

Britain will recognise Palestinian state this weekend, Times reports
A UK recognition could reset Europe’s posture and complicate UN calculus—especially with Gaza combat intensifying and Washington courting Arab partners. Markets will read this for trade and defense-industry knock-ons. 

Israeli troops press forward into Gaza City
Communications blackouts and mass flight mark the newest push. With casualties mounting, diplomatic clocks tick as mediators try to keep humanitarian lanes open during street-to-street fighting. 

Cuba urges UN to stop “militarization” of the Caribbean
Havana accused Washington of provocative operations and pressed the General Assembly for action—another geopolitical sideshow competing with Gaza and Ukraine for attention in New York. 

Lets Talk Business and Tech

Wall Street ends mixed after Fed cut; traders parse Powell’s guidance
Stocks see-sawed as the Fed’s quarter-point cut met a cooler growth vibe: the Dow rose on financials while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped. Powell flagged labor-market softness even as inflation lingers—fuel for “lower for longer,” but not a free pass for risk. Watch how rate-sensitive names (banks, housing, autos) reprice over the next 2–3 sessions.

Elliott reveals >$2B stake in Workday, backs leadership
The activist made a supportive entrance—rare—and lit a fire under the HR-software heavyweight. Focus now shifts to margin discipline, AI copilots inside the suite, and whether a “friendly” activist can still push for sharper operating targets into FY26.

Google and PayPal team up on AI-powered checkout across platforms
A multiyear pact aims to make pay flows nearly invisible—think identity, fraud, and upsell logic handled by AI in the background. If the rollout lands inside Android + Chrome + merchant stacks, expect faster conversions (and tougher competition for smaller gateways).

Oil slips as U.S. diesel builds stoke demand worries
Brent and WTI edged lower after EIA data showed rising distillates, hinting at softer freight and industrial demand. Rate cuts help the macro story—but refined-product inventories are the tell; if they keep rising, energy equities may lag broader reflation bets.

AI to reshape global trade flows, says WTO
A new report argues generative AI will compress supply chains and favor services exports—good news for U.S. software and logistics firms, but a fresh test for developing-market manufacturing hubs. Policy takeaway: digital trade rules are now industrial strategy.

Meta Connect 2025: 6 biggest announcements
Smart glasses, new VR/AR features, and more AI everywhere—this is the fastest way to catch what actually shipped (and what’s just “coming soon”). If you’re weighing a headset refresh or creator tools, this is the cheat sheet.

How to watch Meta Connect (and what to expect tonight)
Exact stream times and links, plus a quick primer on the rumored glasses and software upgrades. Bookmark if you’re planning live posts or want the replay for your team.

Cybersecurity firm Netskope raises $908M in U.S. IPO
Big ticket listing in a choppy tape: secure access service edge (SASE) demand and AI-era data controls are the bull case. If the debut trades well post-lockup, expect more security names to test the window before year-end.

SiTime unveils ultra-low-power timing chip for wearables
A niche component with outsized impact: timing chips touch battery life, GPS stability, and sensors. If OEM wins follow, you’ll see this inside next-gen fitness bands and smartwatches chasing multi-day endurance.

All the news from Meta Connect (live hub)
A running newsroom that aggregates key reveals as sessions drop—useful for product teams comparing notes after the keynote dust settles.

Check Your Credit in Minutes

The fastest way to add points and get approved!

SmartCredit’s process

Staying on top of your credit isn’t just for mortgage hunters. It affects rates on cars, cards, and even insurance. SmartCredit gives you an organized view of your credit, alerts, and tools so you can track what’s changing and why. No hype. Just clarity to help you plan the next step.

Maximize your credit score and safeguard your privacy may help you to save money on loans.

Richer, Wiser, Happier

Federal Reserve shows unexpected unity, independence as it weathers Trump’s attacks
With the Fed telegraphing independence post-cut, think in sequences: card APRs and HELOCs tend to follow within weeks; autos may reprice faster than mortgages; deposit APYs often fall first. If you’re sitting on high-yield cash, consider laddering CDs or Treasuries before banks reset. Equity risk still benefits from a glide-path easing cycle—but earnings sensitivity rises if growth cools too fast. 

Who will speak at the UN and what is on the agenda?
UNGA 80 is packed: Gaza, Ukraine, Iran’s nuclear file, food corridors, and women’s rights at the Beijing+30 milestone. Brazil kicks off as tradition, the U.S. follows, and hallway diplomacy may matter more than microphone moments. For readers, the signal to watch is whether side-meetings produce verifiable humanitarian or cease-fire steps—not just big-room applause lines. 

The top photos of the day by AP’s photojournalists
A visual breather that still informs—today’s gallery spans royal pageantry, protest snapshots, and quiet human moments. Use it as a 3-minute reset between doom-scrolls; counterintuitively, photo essays can boost recall of hard news by giving your brain anchors to file the facts. 

Sports & Showbiz Shenanigans

ABC Affiliate Stations Told ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Will Be Off at Least Through Thursday
Stations got guidance to sub in game-show reruns as the network rides out the controversy. The bigger question: does late night lean into edgier jokes—or retreat until campaign season dust settles? 

Miley Cyrus Taps Rock Icons for ‘Something Beautiful’ Deluxe
A star-stacked re-release—featuring Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, and David Byrne—signals a festival-ready sound pivot and fresh chart shots heading into holiday season. 

Celebrity Photos: September 2025
From Dua Lipa’s NYC celebration for Mark Ronson to Sarah Paulson and Kaitlyn Dever at a Tribeca-Chanel luncheon, the industry’s back-to-back event circuit is at full tilt. 

Bayern Munich 3–1 Chelsea (UCL)
Harry Kane’s brace settled nerves in Munich as Bayern’s press pinned Chelsea deep; a late counter sealed it. Plenty for Chelsea to fix off the ball before Matchday 2. 

Liverpool 3–2 Atlético Madrid (UCL)
Anfield chaos: momentum swings, a stoppage-time winner, and a debut cameo that hints Liverpool’s attack will be must-watch all autumn. 

PSG 4–0 Atalanta (UCL)
Title defense begins with a statement—Paris sliced through Atalanta in transition and never looked threatened. Group favorites, confirmed. 

Inter Milan 2–0 Ajax (UCL)
Marcus Thuram’s double—both headers—highlighted Inter’s aerial edge and set-piece drills; Amsterdam left searching for a focal point. 

For Men Wondering “What’s Next” After Career Success

You’ve worked hard. You’ve built a life. But now the question lingers: what’s next?
Many men find that retirement or transition feels less like freedom and more like drift.

That’s why I created The Reset Button – a 6-phase process to help accomplished men reset identity, reclaim direction, and live with renewed purpose.

Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

Meta Is Debuting New Smart Glasses Today—Here’s How to Watch
A simple where/when link for tonight’s Meta Connect stream—so you can judge the new glasses yourself (and skip the rumor mill). 

Meta Connect 2025: the 6 biggest announcements
Missed the keynote? This roundup is your quick catch-up on the AI + glasses + Quest updates that actually matter. 

How to Change Your Kindle’s Language Settings
Traveling or gifting your Kindle? Switch system language, dictionaries, and keyboards in minutes—without nuking your library. 

Your Apple Watch will now warn you when it could be charging faster
A tiny watchOS tweak that saves time: it nudges you when your charger is the bottleneck. Handy for road-warriors. 

Pup in the air! Pets will soon be allowed on some Australian flights—here’s how it will work
Scroll this explainer hub for the pet-policy piece—airline rules, size limits, and rollout timelines in one place. 

Australia’s 2035 emissions target: what it means for households
Policy shifts now = electricity pricing and rebates later. This explainer distills what regular bill-payers need to know. 

NSW’s planning overhaul: will it really speed up housing approvals?
A quick, clear read on what could change for developers and renters if the proposals pass. 

Centrelink welfare payments are rising—by how much and when?
Dates, amounts, and eligibility—so you can plan (or help family plan) ahead of the increases. 

17 Early Prime Day Kitchen Deals (Le Creuset 30% off, our favorite air fryer 20% off)
If you’re kitting out a rental or upgrading a starter kitchen, this is a curated, hype-free deals sweep. 

All the news from Meta Connect 2025
A live hub that updates as sessions drop—bookmark for tomorrow’s Day 2 spillover.