Keeping up with America

US judiciary warns courts may not operate fully past Oct. 3 if shutdown hits
Reserve funds could run out days into a shutdown—meaning slowed civil cases, squeezed juror payments, and pressure on public defenders unless Congress acts.

Judge blocks tying disaster aid to state immigration enforcement
A federal court said the administration can’t condition emergency funds on state cooperation with immigration crackdowns—setting up the next separation‑of‑powers fight.

Democrats probe top law firms over Trump‑era projects
House Democrats requested records on major policies firms helped shape; subpoenas could follow if cooperation lags.

Court says Trump unlawfully fired inspectors general—but declines reinstatement
The judge found the removals illegal yet didn’t order IGs back in their posts, citing no irreparable harm—the dispute could climb to the Supreme Court.

Secret Service looks into Trump’s ‘sabotaged’ UN escalator claim
After equipment glitches at the UN, Trump alleged sabotage; UN staff suggested routine safety triggers and normal audio for delegates.

White House to formalize TikTok divestiture path via executive order Thursday
The order is expected to declare a deal moving U.S. operations under American control compliant with the 2024 law—avoiding a ban.

Around the 🌎 in 80 Seconds 

Zelenskyy to UN: Stop Russia—or face a destructive new arms race
Ukraine’s president pressed for tighter controls on military AI and more support, warning appeasement fuels escalation beyond Ukraine’s borders.

Kremlin rejects Trump’s Ukraine claims as ‘mistaken’
Moscow shrugged off Trump’s assertion that Ukraine can reclaim all occupied territory—rhetoric hardened during UN week.

Ukrainians welcome tougher talk—with caution
Kyiv observers say words are welcome, but aid, sanctions and air‑defense commitments will tell the real story.

Allies’ push for Palestinian statehood tests U.S. policy
European recognition efforts complicate Washington’s leverage in Gaza diplomacy and could ripple into the Abraham Accords.

Lets Talk Business and Tech

Tick‑tock on TikTok: Executive order to greenlight U.S. spinoff
Formalizing a divestiture path would keep the app alive in the U.S. while reshaping social‑media geopolitics.

U.S.–China officials meet at Treasury amid trade and tech frictions
Technical talks aim to set guardrails even as export controls and investment restrictions remain flashpoints.

Stocks slip as the dollar firms; investors parse the Fed
After record highs earlier in the week, risk appetite cooled on rate‑cut uncertainty; energy and defensives outperformed.

How the indexes finished today
S&P 500 (‑0.3%), Dow (‑0.4%), Nasdaq (‑0.3%): Micron gave back gains while homebuilders climbed on strong new‑home sales.

Oil market watch: futures volume surges as traders reposition
Heavy turnover on NYMEX with open interest drifting lower—signals a market bracing for supply headlines.

Richer, Wiser, Happier

Mortgage check: 30‑year averages hover near ~6.3%
If your quote starts with a 7, shop again—points‑vs‑rate tradeoffs are back in play as lenders jockey for volume.

Best savings rates today: high‑yield accounts in the mid‑4s
Emergency funds deserve market‑rate yield—don’t let idle cash earn 0% while inflation nibbles.

How pros are positioning while the data argues with itself
DoubleLine’s playbook: quality credit, selective duration, and cash as optionality. Translation: diversify bets, not guesses.

Market pulse: modest pullback after records—what that means for 401(k)s
Stay the course on contributions; if you rebalance quarterly, today’s dip is a nudge—not a fire alarm.

Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans

Aaron Judge belts HRs No. 50 and 51 as Yankees rout White Sox
Only Ruth, McGwire and Sosa have more 50‑homer seasons—Judge joined the club again with a statement night in the Bronx.

Judge ties MLB history with his 4th 50-HR season as Yankees roll
New York’s captain launched two and the Bronx grabbed a share of the AL East lead—postseason vibes are back in pinstripes. 

A’s blank Astros behind Langeliers’ 4 hits
West Sacramento brought the bats and the zero—Houston never found a rhythm. 

Kimmel’s back—big ratings, but some stations still won’t air him
An emotional return to ABC, yet a few affiliates are still balking—free-speech debate meets local programming control. 

THR: Colbert and Fallon tip the hat to Kimmel’s comeback
Late-night’s other Jimmys welcomed their friend back on air—industry solidarity on display. 

Disney hit with shareholder legal salvo after Kimmel suspension saga
Investor pressure adds a new twist to Disney’s already headline-heavy week. 

‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ moves up to June 18, 2027
Sony’s animated trilogy finale swings to an earlier summer slot—mark your calendar, web-heads. 

Dua Lipa calls out “clickbait” over agent controversy
The pop star says a tabloid twisted a global tragedy for traffic; her team pushes back hard. 

Kamala Harris book event briefly disrupted by Gaza protesters
A political flashpoint meets the book tour circuit—security pause, then the show goes on. 

Variety Daily: Kimmel’s return, release shuffles, festival buzz
A handy roundup if you want the bigger entertainment picture in one skim. 

Javier Bardem & Mark Ruffalo board Jordan’s Oscar entry as EPs
Two A-listers throw their weight behind an international awards hopeful—festival chatter intensifies. 

 Life Hacks to Hack Your Life

Smartphone fatigue is real—what actually helps
Do a one‑hour notification triage, set app‑level quiet hours, and declutter your home screen—low‑tech beats more tech.

Planner vs. perpetually late family? Here’s the fix
Set expectations, set boundaries—stop being the ‘bad guy’ for wanting basic respect for time.

Tattoos your spouse hates—whose body is it, anyway?
Autonomy vs. partnership—useful for any ‘I love it/they don’t’ debate.

Solo travel deals: hotels and cruises cut ‘single’ penalties
A good week to plan that reset trip—more offers popping up for one‑person bookings.