THE WEEKLY STEEP
They say “laughter is the best medicine,”
but have you tried Vicks, a long nap, and your mom’s ginger-adrak tea (served with unsolicited life advice)?
☕ Reminder: Healing comes in many forms. This week, let laughter be one of them.
BIG NEWS COMING IN HOT
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WHAT’S BREWING
Global
EU Tariff Talks: Trump’s threatened 50% tariff on EU goods, originally set for June, was delayed to July 9 and is now pushed to August 1. Read more
Japan on Edge: JGB yields dip, yen nears ¥150, and markets brace for July 20 election and BoJ uncertainty. Read more
Russia-Ukraine: Russia rejects Trump’s ceasefire ultimatum. U.S. to send advanced weapons via NATO. EU rolls out tough new sanctions. Wartime chaos fuels a rise in organized crime across Ukraine.
U.S.
Congress Approves $9B Spending Cuts: Congress backed Trump’s $9B rollback, slashing funds for public broadcasting, foreign aid, and Medicaid. Supporters call it efficient; critics call it a power grab. Read more
Powell Under Fire: Amid $2.5B Fed HQ renovation backlash, Trump allies push for Powell’s removal. But legal precedent shields him, making this a key test of central bank independence. Read more
Trump-Epstein Scandal: WSJ says Trump sent Epstein a risqué 2003 letter; Trump denies it and vows to sue. He’s asked AG Pam Bondi to seek release of grand jury transcripts, but legal hurdles remain high. Read more
CBS to End 'Late Show' in 2026: CBS confirmed The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026, closing a 32-year run. The timing, just after settling Trump’s lawsuit, has sparked controversy. Read more
Emmys 2025: Apple TV+ Leads the Pack: with a record 81 nominations, led by Severance (27) and breakout comedy The Studio (23). The streamer’s dominance signals a major shift in TV’s power players. Read more
South Asia
EU Sanctions Hit Indian Refinery Nayara Energy: from exporting fuel to Europe (partly owned by Russia’s Rosneft). India pushed back, calling the move a threat to its energy security. Read more
Air India Crash: Black Box Reveals Pilot Dispute: New reports say the captain shut off fuel switches after takeoff, prompting panic from the first officer. Intent remains unclear. Read more
MONEY MOVES
Money and Markets
Crypto Rally as GENIUS Act Passes: Congress approved the first U.S. law regulating stablecoins, sparking a crypto market surge and signaling a major step toward regulatory clarity and mainstream adoption.
Dollar Drops: The U.S. dollar is down 10.7% YTD, its worst first-half performance since 1973. DXY Index: Sits at 96.9, down over 10% YTD.
Gold Surges: Gold hit $3,352/oz on July 18, up 40% YoY. JPMorgan forecasts it will average $3,000/oz through 2025 amid ongoing geopolitical risks.
Netflix Beats Q2: $11.1B revenue, raised forecast, and 44% YTD gains for $NFLX ( ▼ 0.73% ). No subscriber numbers disclosed.
Chevron Seals $53B Hess Deal: $CVX ( ▲ 0.88% ) finalizes its $53B acquisition of $HES ( ▲ 0.96% ) after an arbitration win over Exxon’s challenge.
Market data via Stocktwits. Consult a financial advisor before investing.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cricket: India vs England: Series at Boiling Point: England leads 2-1 after a narrow win at Lord’s. India must take the 4th Test at Old Trafford (July 23-27) to stay alive. Gill, Rahul, and Duckett are lighting up the series.
MLC: Full Toss, Full Stop: The season wrapped on July 13 with MI New York edging past Washington Freedom by just 5 runs in a nail-biting final.
Tennis: Wimbledon 2025: Crowned and Unstoppable: Jannik Sinner dethroned Alcaraz to claim Italy’s first Wimbledon title, while Iga Świątek made history with a flawless 6-0, 6-0 win, Wimbledon’s first double bagel final.
Golf: The Open 2025: Drama at Royal Portrush (July 17-20): Brian Harman leads at -5/-6 after a bogey-free 65 on Friday. Haotong Li sits close behind at -4/-5, while World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is at -3/-4. Challenging weather conditions with rain and 20mph winds are affecting scoring.
Farewell to a Legend: ⚾ Betsy "Sockum" Jochum, the last original A League of Their Own player, has died at 104. A pioneer of women’s baseball, she passed peacefully in South Bend. Read more
RAISING ROOTS: Peters vs. Minhaj
What South Asian Comedy Teaches Us About Parenting.
Russell Peters made our parents laugh. Hasan Minhaj made us feel seen. Together, they offer more than stand-up, they’re a lens into discipline, dialogue, and how two generations define love.
Whether you're raising kids or rethinking how you were raised, their stories hold up a mirror and maybe even a map. What we can learn as parents, children, and storytellers. Read more
LIVING WELL: Funny Side Up
Laughter isn’t just relief, it’s resistance, resilience, and real connection. From auntie jokes to identity mic drops, South Asian American comics are reshaping stand-up, one perfectly timed punchline at a time. Zarna Garg, Hasan Minhaj, and a whole new wave of voices aren’t just funny, they’re expanding what it means to be seen. Keep laughter close. Comedy is community. Read, Laugh, and Share
COSMIC CHAI: Weekly Horoscope (July 18-25)
Mood: Reset, then rise.
This week starts soft and reflective, but by Tuesday night, the dial turns up. The Sun exits nurturing Cancer and enters bold Leo on July 22, signaling a shift from inner work to outer glow. Mars in Virgo keeps us productive, Venus in Gemini adds curiosity and connection, and Uranus stirs the pot with fresh insight. The vibe? Handle your to-do list, but don’t skip the dance break. Full Horoscopes
⛰️ Earth Signs: Focused but fun-curious
🌊 Water Signs: Rested, then ready
🔥 Fire Signs: From simmer to spotlight
🌬 Air Signs: Energized, expressive, and mentally three tabs ahead
Cosmic Dates to Know:
July 21: Perfect for finishing projects, errands, and wellness goals
July 22: Sun enters Leo. Confidence, creativity, and connection spike
July 24-25: High-vibe days for connection, visibility, and celebration
EDITOR'S PICK: South Asian Stand-Up
Two comedy powerhouses. One big release day. July 18.
👑 Zarna Garg: Practical People Win (Hulu): From immigrant mom to mic-drop queen, sharp, soulful, and laugh-out-loud relatable.
🌀 Vir Das: Fool Volume (Netflix): Fresh off his world tour, Vir’s back with a new hour that bends reality, identity, and absurdity, all with signature swagger.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Zarna Garg
Rooted in Authenticity, Powered by Truth. She’s not just telling jokes, she’s telling our story. Zarna Garg brings heart, humor, and unapologetic authenticity to every stage she steps on. From sarees to sold-out shows, her comedy doesn’t explain our culture, it elevates it. And we’re raising a cup to her. Read her story and prepare to feel proud.
UPCOMING WEEK
July 20: World Chess Day: Watch the Queen’s Gambit and cheer on for Gukesh.
July 22: Hammock Day. Permission to do nothing. Nap like you mean it.
July 23: Gorgeous Grandma Day. Call your Grandma or channel her glamour.
July 24: International Self-Care Day. Finally schedule that massage.
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