the friday brief

10/10/2025

3 Things That Matter

1. Israel & Hamas agree to a cease-fire, signaling a pause in a two-year conflict as hostages are released and Israel begins troop withdrawals.

2. federal spending jumps in FY 2025 vs. FY 2024, rising by ~$301 billion (≈ +4 %) driven largely by social security, medicare, and VA cost pressures.

3. the government shutdown continues on, with federal workers receiving partial pay, data releases delayed, and congress deadlocked over a continuing resolution.

1 Thing to Know

• with Congress stalled on comprehensive AI regulation, state legislatures have taken matters into their own hands — introducing more than 1,000 AI-related bills this year, though fewer than 120 have become law (RILA, 2025). from data-privacy frameworks in California to bias audits in New York, the rules now depend on your ZIP code — a patchwork future for a technology moving faster than its referees.

1 thing to try

• made with regenerative A2 dairy and olive oil, Alec’s is indulgence with intention. etna rosso’s minerality and lift keep it grounded — a pairing that’s elegant, clean, and restorative.