Keeping Up With America

Court Finds Trump’s Tariffs Illegal, but Leaves Most in Place (for now)
The ruling blasts the legal basis yet keeps the tariffs through appeals. What changes next, and when? 

So…What Happens to Tariffs Now?
A plain-English explainer on how fast this ripples through prices and policy. 

Cook v. Trump: Judge Hears Both Sides, No Ruling Yet
A once-in-a-century fight over whether presidents can fire Fed governors mid-term. 

Trump’s Guard Order: What a New D.C. Unit Really Means
A “specialized” National Guard team for domestic missions, how far can it go? 

OPM Puts Federal Charity Drive on Ice
A last-minute pause to the government’s biggest workplace giving program, and nonprofits are scrambling.

Around the World

Israel Declares Gaza City a ‘Dangerous Combat Zone’
Daytime “pauses” won’t apply there as operations expand; hostage remains recovered. 

IDF Says Any ‘Tactical Pause’ Won’t Cover Gaza City
Signal: heavier fighting around the urban core. 

Kyiv Reels After Overnight Barrage
Missiles hit the capital and other cities as Europe fumes at the timing.

Global Parcels Snagged as U.S. Kills $800 Duty-Free Rule
Carriers warn of a “Brexit-style” shock; expect new fees and paperwork.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

​Intel Snags $5.7B Early—And Hands Uncle Sam Equity
An amended CHIPS deal front-loads cash and cements a government stake in the turnaround. 

U.S. Tightens China Chip-Tool Rules (Samsung/SK Hynix/Intel Affected)
Old carve-outs revoked; licenses now required. Supply chains brace. 

PCE: Core 2.9%—Not Cool Enough to Kill a September Cut
Services stay sticky, but traders still see a quarter-point trim. 

Markets Slip into the Close, Still Up for August
S&P −0.6%, Nasdaq −1.2%, Dow −0.2%. A red Friday after record highs. 

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Richer, Wiser, Happier

Lock or Float? Today’s Mortgage Math
30-yr averages hover near 6.54%. Inside 30–45 days to close? Price a lock with a float-down, get extension fees in writing, and run a points break-even before you buy the rate. Floating? Set a same-day target and permission to lock intraday with your LO. Cross-check with two more quotes before 3 p.m. local. 

Your Cart After ‘De Minimis’: What Changes at Checkout
Expect fees on small imports, slower returns, and more “pay duties at delivery.” For fast gifts, prefer U.S.-fulfilled listings and check landed-cost estimates and return terms before you click. 

Amazon vs. APT29: The Quiet Hack You Didn’t See
Amazon says it disrupted a watering-hole campaign abusing Microsoft’s device-code login. Do now: turn on phishing-resistant MFA, audit old app tokens, and beware “verify your device” pop-ups. 

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Yankees 10, White Sox 2, Grisham’s Slam, Streak Hits Six
Rodón shoves; Bronx heat check continues.

US Open Day 6: Alcaraz on Cruise, Chaos Everywhere Else
Top seed glides as injuries and upsets scramble the draw.

Julia Roberts’ Venice Glow-Up, Minus the Subtext?
After the Hunt premiere turns into a rare date night…and a conversation starter. 

Andrew Garfield + Monica Barbaro Go Official on the Lido
Hand-in-hand arrival fuels premiere buzz. 

Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

Budget Espresso Winners (Tested Today)
Which sub-$300 machines actually pull a decent shot. 

Radioactive Shrimp? Read This Before You Thaw
Brands/lot codes + why the FDA says risk is low but recalls continue. 

Labor Day Flyers: Record Crowds Incoming
TSA expects 17.5M through checkpoints; pad time, pre-book parking. 

Fall Allergies: One Cleanup That Actually Helps
A physician’s short list to keep ragweed from wrecking your weekend. 

House Hushing: The 1-Day Declutter Trick That Calms a Room
A pro organizer’s “quiet the space” reset you can finish this weekend. 

7 Things to Toss This Weekend for Instant Calm
From pantry lurkers to entryway chaos, quick wins you’ll feel by Monday. 

Melting Zucchini Is the Late-Summer Side You’ll Actually Make
Score, sear, glaze—10 minutes to “how is this zucchini?” level good. 

High-Protein PB-Chocolate Chia Pudding (Make-Ahead Breakfast)
15 minutes tonight = grab-and-go mornings all week. 

Cheese Dreams with Tomatoes: 10-Minute, High-Protein Lunch
Crispy, melty, lycopene-rich toasts that crush the noon slump. 

The 2-Minute “Coffee Cake in a Mug” You’ll Keep Making
Microwave, not bake…plus pro tips so it’s tender, not rubbery. 

This 3-Ingredient “Ice Rice” Is the Heat-Wave Dessert Hack
A Southern Chinese treat that’s cold, chewy, and summer-proof. 

How to Visit U.S. National Parks for Free (2025 Cheatsheet)
The pass + fee-free days that save real money this fall. 

FTC: Spot the Red Flags When Searching for Drug Treatment
The scam tells (and the safe-to-verify steps) if a loved one needs help. 

CDC Travel Alert: Chikungunya Outbreak—What Travelers Should Do
Vaccination guidance + bite-prevention musts before you book.