Keeping up with America

Pentagon’s new press rules force media to pre-approve sensitive details
A sweeping shift in media access: reporters must agree not to publish certain operational details—raising First Amendment alarms and setting up a court fight over transparency.

At Charlie Kirk’s memorial, Trump casts a martyr — and rallies his base
A prayer service turned political rally in Arizona: Trump, Vance and a cabinet chorus blended faith, grievance and 2026 turnout math—all under a stadium roof.

‘Fast and furious’: H‑1B workers race back to the U.S. amid new visa fee shock
A scramble at airports and consulates as a $100,000 annual fee looms: tech giants and contractors brace for project delays and scrambled staffing.

Report: DHS veteran Tom Homan ensnared in $50,000 bribery sting
A sting operation, a cash-filled envelope and a high-profile immigration hawk—investigators say the alleged payoff was caught on camera. Homan denies wrongdoing.

Around the 🌎 in 80 Seconds 

Israeli strikes kill 31 in Gaza City as tanks push deeper into urban center
The war’s deadliest phase grinds on: Gaza City is pounded while civilians flee and regional diplomacy tilts toward recognizing a Palestinian state.

UK, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognize Palestinian state
A diplomatic earthquake deepens Israel’s isolation and raises pressure for a ceasefire and a political endgame—even as fighting escalates.

Russia says Ukrainian drones hit Crimea resort, killing three; Belgorod shelled
Cross‑border strikes intensify: Moscow reports deadly blasts on occupied Crimea and casualties in Belgorod as both sides lean harder on drones.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

H‑1B visa crackdown upends Indian IT’s offshoring model
Pricing, staffing and delivery timelines get rewritten overnight—outsourcing majors warn clients to expect slower ramps and higher costs.

‘Fast and furious’ H‑1B dash becomes Big Tech’s ops headache
HR departments are triaging visas, travel and payroll to beat policy clocks—while startups fear talent gaps they can’t patch.

Airport cyberattack snarls flights across Europe for second day
A reminder that resilience is a balance sheet item: cascading outages ground travelers and test airlines’ contingency playbooks.

Richer, Wiser, Happier

Opinion: Is the Fed straying into foreign policy?
A former Bloomberg economics editor argues central‑bank ‘lifelines’ increasingly blur into geopolitics. If monetary policy starts carrying foreign‑policy water, expect more market whiplash—and rethink your diversification and cash buffers.

What today’s H‑1B shock means for your portfolio and paycheck
Tighter tech labor supply can lift wages stateside but hike costs for employers, squeezing margins. Translation: watch IT services, cloud implementation timelines—and don’t chase hype without stress‑testing earnings.

Housing reality check: Smaller homes are in—by necessity
Affordability is forcing buyers to optimize space (and ditch formal dining). If you’re house‑hunting, prioritize layout utility over square footage and lock quotes before rate volatility returns.

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Mahomes and the Chiefs blast the Giants 22–9 for first win
Statement game in East Rutherford: the champs looked like the champs again—defense hawked, offense hummed.

Browns walk it off vs. Packers on 55‑yard bomb of a kick
Andre Szmyt from downtown as time expires—Cleveland steals one and Green Bay relives a loss not seen since the Lombardi era.

Mariners sweep Astros; Raleigh belts No. 58 to seize AL West lead
AL West chaos watch: Seattle surges at the wire with power and swagger—Houston suddenly on the back foot.

John Oliver torches Jimmy Kimmel suspension; calls on Disney to push back
Late‑night takes aim at a political chill: Oliver says the quiet part loud about the risks to free expression.

 Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

What to stream this week: Doja Cat’s new album and ‘Superman’ lands on Max
Cut the scroll: a tight list of fresh drops to queue up tonight.

We tried 13 breakfast sandwiches—here are the winners (and menu hacks)
Fuel the morning like a pro: D.C. taste‑test with clever swaps you can steal anywhere.

AP’s top photos of the day
A one‑scroll world tour—get perspective in pictures (and conversation starters for dinner).