Keeping Up With America

Jobless Claims Jump to 235,000: The biggest weekly rise since late May, with continuing claims also edging up. It’s another sign of a cooling labor market as traders handicap a potential September rate cut.

Trump Visits Police and Guard Units in D.C.: A high-visibility stop on the capital’s anti-crime push, as federal patrols and checkpoints expand. The visit underscored the administration’s public-safety focus heading into fall.

Inside ICE’s Surge Hiring: AP got a look at recruit training as the agency ramps staffing for stepped-up deportation operations. Officials say the build-out aims to clear backlogs; advocates are watching due-process impacts.

California Speeds a New Congressional Map to Voters: The plan moves quickly toward the November ballot and could reshape several House districts. Legal challenges are expected as parties jockey for 2026 advantages.

U.S. to Review 55 Million Visa Holders for Violations: State and DHS officials launched a sweeping review of all current U.S. visas to flag potential violations and revoke those tied to security or fraud concerns. Supporters call it a long-overdue enforcement push; civil-liberties groups warn of overreach and due-process risks.

Around the World

U.S.–Europe Weigh Ukraine “Options”
National security teams are reviewing support scenarios that boost Ukraine without U.S. ground troops; think air defenses, training, logistics, and potential air support concepts paired with diplomacy.

Israel–Gaza Track
Netanyahu signaled hostage talks will resume once a venue is set, even as the IDF keeps pressure on Gaza City, a dual track of operations and negotiations.

EU–U.S. Auto Tariffs
Brussels pushed a joint text to lower U.S. tariffs on EU cars (retroactive to Aug. 1) while narrowing exemptions, text still being finalized on both sides.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

​Meta Picks Google Cloud in a $10B+ Deal
A multi-year compute/storage pact deepens AI infrastructure ties between tech rivals and signals a land-grab for training and inference capacity.

Zoom Raises Outlook on AI Demand
Stronger enterprise uptake of AI-enabled collaboration and contact-center tools led Zoom to lift its annual guidance.

Oil +1%
Crude firmed on stalled peace dynamics and sturdy U.S. demand; traders leaned risk-on after inventory data.

Market Wrap: Fifth Straight Down Day — S&P −0.4%, Nasdaq −0.7%, Dow −0.3%
Walmart’s profit miss weighed, higher yields pressured expensive tech, and indexes drifted lower rather than plunging.

Richer, Wiser, Happier

If layoffs are rising, tighten your safety net.
Today’s claims data show a softer labor market. Refresh your resume and contacts, and pad cash reserves to 3–6 months where possible. If you’re sitting on high-rate card balances, pre-qualify for 0% intro transfers before the job market cools further; set a payoff date inside the promo window.

Heads-up: “Zero Sugar” soda mislabel.
Nearly 1,950 cases of 7Up Zero Sugar Tropical were mislabeled and may contain full sugar; check UPCs/lot codes and return if affected.

Shrimp recall, check your freezer.
FDA flagged multiple brands (Sand Bar, Arctic Shores, Best Yet, Great American, First Street) of frozen shrimp tied to Southwind Foods, LLC; don’t eat—return or discard. Affected states include AL, AZ, CA, MA, MN, PA, UT, VA, WA.

Cut the robocalls.
FTC’s consumer guidance lays out five steps to slash unwanted calls (use your carrier’s tools, block repeat offenders, and report scams). Quick win for peace of mind.

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Red Sox 6, Yankees 3: Rookie Roman Anthony homered late to seal it at Yankee Stadium.

Dodgers 9, Rockies 5: L.A. rolled in Denver with regulars rotating rest days.

Aces 83, Mercury 61: A’ja Wilson posted 19 & 13 as Vegas won its 9th straight.

Blake Lively Books First Film Since ‘It Ends With Us’ Fracas: Signs on to star in and produce “The Survival List.”

Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

Backyard Chickens? CDC Flags a New Salmonella Outbreak
Simple rules that save headaches: keep birds out of the house, wash hands after handling, no snuggles or kisses, and keep kids under 5 away from live poultry. Watch for symptoms and talk to a clinician if you get sick.

New Rules for Parents: Water Beads & Infant Neck Floats Get Federal Safety Standards
CPSC approved two standards today—one for water beads and one for infant neck floats; aimed at preventing choking, obstruction, and drowning risks. If you own them, read the new labels/requirements and stash them out of reach. (Neck-float standard: details here.)

Heavy-Duty Storage Racks Sold on Amazon? Stop Using These—Collapse Hazard
CPSC logged 13 failure reports tied to LIANTRAL wall-mount racks and issued an urgent stop-use warning. If you have one, pull it down and dispose of it, no recall cooperation from the seller yet.

Use Fintech Apps? CFPB Filed Action in the Synapse Case: Know Your “Bank of Record”
If your app relies on a middleware provider, outages can freeze funds. Quick checks: confirm the FDIC-insured bank behind your app, keep a backup checking account at a traditional bank/credit union, and avoid parking rent/groceries money in a single fintech wallet.