Keeping up with America

Judge blocks National Guard deployment in Illinois
A federal judge in Chicago halted the planned deployment, days after a similar ruling in Oregon.

Senate confirms Trump pick Jennifer Mascott to a federal appeals court
Another lifetime appointment advances amid the shutdown stalemate.

Flight delays & cancellations mount as shutdown drags on
Staffing strain + ATC training pauses are snarling travel plans nationwide.

Jobless claims likely rose as shutdown bites, economists say
With federal data delayed, Wall Street estimates point to a softening labor market.

Shutdown vote falters again in the Senate
Democrats’ bill fell short of the 60 votes needed; negotiations continue.

Around the World

UN plans aid surge once Gaza ceasefire starts
Hundreds of trucks and medical support slated for the first 60 days of calm.

UN chief welcomes Gaza deal as step toward Palestinian statehood
Guterres urges parties to seize the opening for durable political progress.

Ceasefire activated; hostages to be released in phases
Israel ratified the pact; first releases expected within 72 hours.

Kremlin says U.S.–Russia diplomacy on Ukraine isn’t ‘exhausted’
Moscow pushes back on talk of stalled negotiations.

Brazil’s Barroso to leave Supreme Court, giving Lula another pick
A surprise resignation opens a third high‑court seat for the president.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

Nvidia‑backed Reflection AI raises $2B at $8B valuation
Big funding for code‑automation AI underscores the still‑hot deal pipeline.

OpenAI flags competition concerns to EU antitrust officials
Talks in Brussels zero in on platform power and vertical integration.

Short‑bias ETFs see their biggest inflows in nearly 3 years
Investors hedge euphoria with bearish bets despite record‑high indices.

Earnings watch: profit growth seen softer, AI spend still in focus
Wall Street eyes concentration risk even as AI outlays prop guidance.

Report: China tightens checks on Nvidia AI chips at ports
Heightened scrutiny at customs adds a new wrinkle to supply chains.

Richer, Wiser, Happier

Today’s mortgage rates (Oct. 9)
30‑year still in the mid‑6%s; compare same‑day quotes and ask about float‑downs.

CD rates today (Oct. 9): leaders ~4.25%–4.75% APY
Use a 6–12–18‑month ladder so cash frees up quarterly.

High‑yield savings snapshot (Oct. 9)
Watch teaser APYs, minimums, and ACH hold times.

Prime Big Deal Days: real bargains vs. hype
CR flags categories that actually drop this week.

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

NFL TV ratings surge into Week 5
Viewership up ~8% YoY; multiple networks notch multi‑year highs.

Report: Pro Bowl Games to move to Super Bowl host cities
A bid to revive interest by folding festivities into Super Bowl week.

Lakers rule LeBron out to start season with sciatica
Re‑evaluation in 3–4 weeks; opener vs. Warriors now in doubt.

NBA returns to China with Macau games, Alibaba tie‑up
First games in China since 2019, plus a new multi‑year tech partnership.

London Film Festival opens with a new ‘Knives Out’ entry
Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc returns to kick off 12 days of premieres.

 Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

Prime Big Deal Days: what’s worth buying
CR’s updated list steers you to truly discounted categories.

Home Depot/Lowe’s: best current picks
DIY upgrade? Start here before impulse‑buying another ‘Lightning Deal.’

Smart‑home upgrades, minus subscriptions
Doorbells/cams that don’t lock you into monthly fees.

Fall clean‑up checklist (quick wins)
Yes, in October—declutter, filters, and guest‑ready basics.

Apple deals to target today
If you waited on an iPad or Watch, today’s markdowns may beat Black Friday.

Walmart’s best anti‑Prime Day steals
Competing sale with real savings—especially TVs and small appliances.

Under‑$50 tech that’s actually good
Chargers, cams, and gadgets vetted by reviewers—stocking‑stuffer season starts now.

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