Keeping Up With America

Trump signs order to rebrand the Pentagon as the “Department of War.”
A symbolic shift with real budget, messaging, and oversight ripples. 

U.S. adds just 22,000 jobs; unemployment edges up to 4.3%.
A soft print revives rate-cut odds and recession chatter heading into fall. 

Homeland Security detains 475 in Hyundai’s Georgia factory raid.
A worksite sweep at a marquee EV plant jolts labor, supply chains, and diplomacy. 

USCIS to hire armed agents with arrest powers.
The green-card agency expands into frontline enforcement, critics warn of a chilling effect. 

Congress expected to let Trump’s 30-day D.C. police takeover expire.
Hill leaders balk at an extension while pushing separate home-rule curbs. 

Judge halts move to end TPS for Venezuelans and Haitians.
A federal court says the rollback came too fast, hundreds of thousands retain protection for now. 

House Democrat widens probe into Corey Lewandowski’s DHS role.
The question: did a “special employee” exceed limits that trigger tougher disclosure rules. 

Around the World

U.S. and U.N. weigh Gaza reconstruction ahead of UNGA
Big promises collide with ground realities and donor fatigue. 

UK’s Starmer faces new turbulence after Rayner exit
Cabinet reshuffles and backlash mark an uneasy autumn in London. 

Beirut backs an army-led plan to disarm Hezbollah “over time”
A high-risk roadmap tests Lebanese politics and regional red lines. 

Putin warns Western troops would be “legitimate targets” in Ukraine
A fresh threat lands as aid debates drag across Europe.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

​Inside the White House tech-titan dinner
Who showed up, what they asked for, and why it matters for AI rules and chips.

Roblox adds TikTok-style “Moments” video and new AI tools A platform with 80M+ users leans harder into creator video. 

IFA 2025 opens with gadget pile-on: from Dyson’s stain-seeking bot to rotating-screen laptops The year’s biggest European tech show drops a torrent of hardware news. 

After the weak jobs report, strategists draw a line in the sand for the S&P 500
Momentum holds if the index stays above ~6,400; below that, watch 6,150. 

Check Your Credit in Minutes

The fastest way to add points and get approved!

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

Richer, Wiser, Happier

Mortgage rates today: where the 30-year sits—and how to pounce
With the 30-year around 6.38% nationally, lock if you’re inside 30–45 days and build in a one-time float-down; shoppers beyond 60 days can rate-watch with alerts and pre-underwriting so you can “trigger-lock” on dips. Pair with points math: compare the breakeven months for a 0.5–1.0 point buy-down versus keeping cash liquid. 

Cash that actually earns: best savings and money-market yields right now
High-yield savings top ~5.84% APY, while money-market accounts peak near ~4.35%. Prioritize no-fee accounts with fast ACH and same-day transfers from your main bank to avoid “inertia drag.” Laddering short-term CDs can beat both if you don’t need instant access. 

Used-car arbitrage: which model years still punch above their price
CR’s September top picks span 2016–2021 sedans and crossovers with strong reliability and lower depreciation. Shop trim-specific reliability, not just the nameplate, and pull your insurer’s quotes before test drives—some “cheap to buy” models aren’t cheap to insure.

Stuff that lasts: reliability cheat sheets for big appliances and cars
Stretch lifespans with simple care: clean condenser coils quarterly, avoid “turbo” modes except on holidays, and use manufacturer-recommended descalers. Pair with the updated car reliability and owner-satisfaction guide to forecast repair risk before you buy or lease. 

Consumer Reports+1Not Bigger: CR’s Early Holiday Upgrades
Updated picks spotlight reliable appliances and gadgets—scan install needs before you click “Buy.” 

Sports & Showbiz Shenanigans

US Open: Celeb row shows up big—Hugh Jackman, Anna Wintour, Rami Malek Queens doubles as a red carpet. 

‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ end-credits scene, decoded
One last jolt that sets the stage for the franchise’s future. EW.com. 

Alcaraz ends Djokovic’s run—in straight sets.
The rematch wasn’t a thriller; it was a message. 

Dodgers–Orioles highlights: Ohtani vs. Basallo turns cinematic.
Three minutes of loud swings and louder stakes. 

White Sox–Tigers highlights: chaos on a wild pitch, then Chicago slams the door.
A weird inning and a tidy finish—very September baseball. 

Mets–Reds highlights: Vientos and New York squeeze one out in Cincy.
A three-minute reel that swings the wild-card math. 

Blake Lively leans into sheer in NYC while Ryan Reynolds hits TIFF.
Fashion moment here, documentary premiere there—power couple split-screen. 

Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Christy’ gets a thunderous TIFF ovation.
Transformation, training, then tears on stage. 

Mark Ruffalo coyly teases a Hulk return in the next Spider-Man.
A wink, a dodge, and just enough to spark the theories. 

Pamela Anderson swats down “PR stunt” buzz around Liam Neeson rumors.
“I’ll never feed into PR stunts,” she says—then lets the mystery hang. 

Venice shifts from glam to grit—politics takes over the red carpet.
The year the festival decided to make a 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

NYT Connections hints and answers
Quick nudge without spoilers, then the grid solution.

NYT Strands hints and answers
Warm-up clues, then the theme reveal.

Quordle answers and hints
Four words, minimal frustration.

NFL tonight in Brazil: how to watch Chiefs–Chargers free on YouTube 
Step-by-step stream setup and kickoff details.

What to stream this weekend (curated list)
Ten editor picks so you don’t scroll for an hour.

Should you buy the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus? Our take 
The new handheld gets a surprising “best yet” verdict after fixes.

Make your home safer: 360° floodlight cam with on-device AI 
Local video search and pan-tilt tricks without a cloud fee.

Savings account rates today
Find current top APYs and where to open in minutes.

Money-market rates today
Park short-term cash efficiently.