Keeping Up With America

House speaker says he has the votes for a stopgap to avoid a shutdown
Mike Johnson told Fox News a short-term funding bill can clear the House to keep the government open. If it passes, the Senate still must act quickly to avert a lapse, with both parties framing the CR as a temporary bridge rather than a win.

House advances stopgap funding bill as deadline pressure mounts
Procedurally, leaders have started the clock: advancing the measure sets up final votes and signals there’s at least a pathway to avoid a shutdown—though policy riders could still complicate the Senate’s calculus.

D.C. Mayor Bowser defends public-safety record in Capitol Hill grilling
In a House oversight hearing, Bowser argued crime trends are improving and clashed with Republicans over policing and local autonomy. The session underscores ongoing tensions between Congress and the District over governance and enforcement.

Trump says China appears to have approved TikTok deal to keep app in U.S.
The president suggested Beijing has greenlit an agreement to keep TikTok operating domestically. Any final structure will test data-security promises, app-store access, and enforcement mechanisms against Chinese ownership concerns.

U.S. casts sixth UN veto on Gaza ceasefire resolution
While global in scope, it’s a U.S. policy story: Washington vetoed a Security Council call for an immediate ceasefire and wider aid access, citing Hamas’ role. The move shapes America’s diplomatic posture ahead of UNGA—and domestic debate over Middle East policy.

Democrats float ‘free speech protections’ bill after Kimmel suspension
Following the late-night controversy, Democrats unveiled legislation aimed at curbing government pressure on broadcasters. Expect First Amendment arguments to collide with network standards and FCC authority in the weeks ahead.

Around the World

U.S. wields 6th UN veto on Gaza ceasefire
Fourteen members voted yes—Washington said Hamas is to blame; allies called the stalemate a “humanitarian failure.” Stakes now shift to UNGA week. 

EU talks big on climate—misses a key emissions deadline
A credibility gap on the eve of global climate talks: Brussels can’t agree on an updated target as fires and protests flare. 

UN Syria envoy to step down after six tumultuous years
With Assad gone and a fragile new order, Geir Pedersen exits—leaving a vacuum in a country still stitched together by uncertainty. 

Lets Talk Business and Tech

Google injects Gemini into Chrome—AI browsers go mainstream
Your address bar just got smarter: on-page help, summaries, and AI-assists that could change how you browse (and buy). 

Meta Connect live hub: dev keynote kicks off
One link to track the avalanche—glasses, mixed reality, and whatever Zuck thinks is the next “it” platform. 

Podcast: Move aside, chatbots—AI humanoids are here
Why VCs are funding robots that walk like us—and what jobs they’ll take first. 

Hyundai CEO distances brand from ICE raid blowback
After mass arrests at a Georgia facility, Hyundai tries to steady the narrative as it doubles down on U.S. manufacturing. 

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Richer, Wiser, Happier

Rates down, refis up: mortgage average hits ~6.26%
Cheaper money is back on the table. If you’re at 7%+, run the math on a refi and watch discount points; if you’re house-hunting, combine today’s dip with seller concessions while fall listings build. 

Corporate credit window flies open post-cut
IG issuance popped to $15B+ in one session. Translation: expect more coupons to choose from—and watch for sweeteners on longer tenors as CFOs term out debt. 

Semis whipsaw your portfolio? Read this Intel–Nvidia angle
If co-designed CPUs + NVLink GPUs actually ship, Intel’s foundry narrative gets real volume—and AMD’s moat gets tested. Position sizing > hero trades. 

Market wrap: Records with asterisks
Record closes amid a still-softening labor picture. Enjoy the melt-up, but keep dry powder if breadth thins and staples lag—classic late-cycle tell. 

Where the dollar and yields went—why that matters
Yes, both firmed—odd after a cut. That’s your cue to hedge FX if you buy ex-U.S. ETFs and to ladder T-bills while the curve behaves. 

Free speech vs. business risk: the Kimmel trade
Advertisers hate uncertainty. If this drags, expect ad-mix shifts across late night, with streamers and creator networks quietly scooping budgets. 

UN veto math and defense stocks
Sixth U.S. veto in the Gaza war sustains geopolitical tailwinds for defense, energy security, and cyber—watch ETFs that tilt there, but don’t chase gaps. 

Sports & Showbiz Shenanigans

ABC Affiliate Stations Told ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Will Be Off at Least Through Thursday
Stations got guidance to sub in game-show reruns as the network rides out the controversy. The bigger question: does late night lean into edgier jokes—or retreat until campaign season dust settles? 

Miley Cyrus Taps Rock Icons for ‘Something Beautiful’ Deluxe
A star-stacked re-release—featuring Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, and David Byrne—signals a festival-ready sound pivot and fresh chart shots heading into holiday season. 

Celebrity Photos: September 2025
From Dua Lipa’s NYC celebration for Mark Ronson to Sarah Paulson and Kaitlyn Dever at a Tribeca-Chanel luncheon, the industry’s back-to-back event circuit is at full tilt. 

Bayern Munich 3–1 Chelsea (UCL)
Harry Kane’s brace settled nerves in Munich as Bayern’s press pinned Chelsea deep; a late counter sealed it. Plenty for Chelsea to fix off the ball before Matchday 2. 

Liverpool 3–2 Atlético Madrid (UCL)
Anfield chaos: momentum swings, a stoppage-time winner, and a debut cameo that hints Liverpool’s attack will be must-watch all autumn. 

PSG 4–0 Atalanta (UCL)
Title defense begins with a statement—Paris sliced through Atalanta in transition and never looked threatened. Group favorites, confirmed. 

Inter Milan 2–0 Ajax (UCL)
Marcus Thuram’s double—both headers—highlighted Inter’s aerial edge and set-piece drills; Amsterdam left searching for a focal point. 

For Men Wondering “What’s Next” After Career Success

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Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

Opt out of Google’s data machine (step-by-step video)
Short, actionable walkthroughs to claw back privacy without nuking your favorite apps. 

Turn Chrome into your AI sidekick
Gemini-in-Chrome can summarize pages, draft replies, and speed research—here’s where it helps (and where to turn it off). 

Snag Home Depot’s Decor Days smart—what’s actually worth it
A skeptical guide to the sale: lighting, fixtures, and floors mapped to real savings, not “strikethrough theater.” 

3-ingredient smoky sauce that upgrades any noodles
Brown butter + smoked paprika + garlic = fast, addictive weeknight magic. 

Build an effortless shared-plates menu at home
Restaurant tricks for family-style feasts that actually hit the table hot. 

The soft cooler that keeps ice (and your tailgate) legit
Editors’ picks for portable chill—before your next beach day or ballgame. 

Recipe: Lasagne with courgette + three cheeses
A lighter, meat-free twist from Rome that still brings the comfort-food hug. 

Watch: Michelin-star grilled chicken, step by step
Chef techniques you can steal tonight (no blowtorch required). 

Meta Connect cheat-sheet: where to stream and what matters
The one link to follow the upgrades that might land on your glasses/phone next. 

AI humanoids explained (and how they’ll touch your job)
A breezy primer to the robot wave headed for warehouses, stores, and homes.