Fed Fallout: Jerome Powell’s legacy is being framed as a mix of defending Fed independence while missing the mark on inflation—setting up a fresh fight over how much politics should steer rates. US–China Trade & Tech: Trump says Xi’s “declining nation” line was aimed at Biden-era damage, while markets watch Beijing for deal signals that could reshape EV and battery competition. Crypto Rulemaking: The Senate Banking Committee advanced the CLARITY Act, moving digital-asset oversight closer—though floor passage still needs a big bipartisan push. Courts & Work: The Supreme Court let negligent-hiring claims against freight brokers proceed under a safety exception, raising risk for transportation intermediaries. Cyber & Manufacturing Jobs: Foxconn confirmed a ransomware hit at North American sites, with production disruptions and data theft claims. Middle East Costs: Israel–Hezbollah fighting continues as Lebanon’s economy strains under job losses and price gouging. Workforce Pipeline: Arkansas launched SkillStream to connect employers with training for energy and advanced manufacturing roles in Fort Smith. Local Business: Walmart plans to cut or relocate about 1,000 corporate jobs in a restructure.