Keeping Up With America

Trump Orders Crackdown on U.S. Flag Desecration
Executive order tells the attorney general to “vigorously prosecute” flag desecration under existing laws and to pursue cases that could test First Amendment limits

New Order Expands National Guard Role in Domestic Unrest
Directive arrives as the White House floats deployments to more cities.

Chicago Pushback Intensifies on Possible Troop Deployment
Officials say crime is already down; legal authority likely to be contested.

Trump Says He’ll Fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook
Escalates an unprecedented fight with the central bank.

Flag Order, Chicago Threats Draw Broader Political Fire
Oval Office remarks revive debate over federal use of troops in cities.

Around the World

Gaza Hospital Strike Kills at Least 20, Including Journalists
Israel acknowledged the hit on Khan Younis’s Nasser Hospital and said an inquiry is underway; five journalists were among the dead.

Turkey Condemns Hospital Strike as ‘Attack on Press Freedom’
Ankara’s communications office blasted the Nasser Hospital strike as a war crime targeting journalists.

Ukraine Hits Russian Oil Sites; Fires Burn at Refineries/Terminals
Drone attacks on refineries deepened Russia’s fuel crunch and pushed wholesale prices higher.

Taiwan’s Post Suspends Small Parcels to U.S.
Another carrier pauses shipments amid customs/tariff shifts.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

​Keurig Dr Pepper Buys JDE Peet’s for ~$18B; Will Split Into Two Companies
Coffee + soda giant to separate coffee and beverage units post-deal.

Company Confirms Terms of the Coffee Mega-Deal
€31.85/share cash offer; spin-off plan outlined.

Musk’s xAI Sues Apple & OpenAI Over ‘Anticompetitive’ iPhone Chatbot Tie-Up
Lawsuit says ChatGPT’s system-level integration blocks rivals; Apple/OpenAI respond.

Wall Street Slips After Last Week’s Pop
S&P −0.4%, Dow −0.8%, Nasdaq −0.2% as traders parse rate-cut odds.

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Richer, Wiser, Happier

Mortgage Lock-or-Float, Today
Avg 30-yr fixed sits near 6.63% (Aug 25). Closing inside 30–45 days? Price lock + float-down options, check extension fees, and run a points break-even before buying the rate. Longer runway? Set a target and alerts with your lender.

New-Home Sales Slipped Again: What It Means for Buyers
July sales −0.6% m/m; inventory elevated and builders discounting more. If you’re shopping, widen lender quotes (at least 3), ask about rate buydown credits, and get a spec-home price sheet before touring.

Can You Rely on Social Security?
Survey: 60%+ say they couldn’t financially survive big benefit cuts. Action plan: max your 401(k)/IRA match, model retirement with reduced SS, and keep 6–12 months’ cash if you’re within five years of retiring.

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Liberty 81, Sun 79
Breanna Stewart scores 19 in her return; New York squeaks by.

Aces 79, Sky 74
Las Vegas clinches a playoff spot, 11th straight win.

U.S. Open Shock: Zarazua Upsets No. 6 Madison Keys
3-set marathon knocks out the Aussie Open champ. 

‘SNL’ Trims Cast: Devon Walker Out
Lorne Michaels starts the season-51 shake-up.

From Stage to Aisle: Actor Tyrone Huntley’s Hollywood Hustle
LA Times profile of the actor juggling gigs post–Hollywood Bowl.

Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

TSA Reminder: Some Cordless Hair Tools Can’t Be Checked
Keep butane/cordless tools out of checked bags to avoid confiscation; carry-on rules apply. 

Nationwide Meat Recall: Check Your Freezer
32,000+ lbs flagged for false USDA inspection labels; return or discard.

Hostess Ding Dongs Recall for Possible Mold
Verify UPCs and best-by dates; refunds available.

Seattle Heat Wave Sleep Tips
Science-backed tricks (cool bedding, hydration, timing) for hotter nights.