THE WEEKLY STEEP
Some dates are more than numbers. They are intersections of sky and spirit, of bonds that outlast distance, of traditions that keep finding their way back to us. ☕ Remember: to pause, honor the ties that hold you, and pass them on.
WHAT’S BREWING
Global
Trump-Putin Summit Nears: Russia confirmed that a “useful and constructive” three‑hour meeting between Putin and Trump’s envoy Witkoff has paved the way for a U.S.-Russia summit, possibly in the UAE. Read more
Israel Approves Gaza City Takeover: Security cabinet greenlights plan to seize Gaza’s last major city from Hamas, sparking global backlash and warnings of mass civilian displacement ahead of an October 7 deadline. Read more
Dishoom Gets the LVMH Glow-Up: LVMH-backed L Catterton just bought a stake in Dishoom, valuing it at £300M. The move spices up LVMH’s lifestyle play and helps Dishoom go global, starting with NYC in 2026. Read more
Kapil Sharma’s Surrey Café Hit by Gunfire Again: Second shooting in a month leaves Kap’s Café damaged but no injuries, with police probing gang threats tied to Salman Khan links. Read more
U.S.
U.S., Armenia, Azerbaijan Sign Breakthrough Peace Deal: Trump hosts leaders to seal a first-ever pact ending hostilities, granting the U.S. exclusive rights to a new “Trump Route” transit corridor across Armenia. Read more
OpenAI Drops GPT‑5: Smarter, Faster, Live Now: GPT‑5 has officially landed, available to all users. “PhD‑level” smarts in your pocket. Read more
More States Boot Soda: USDA okays bans on sugary drinks and snacks in TX, FL, CO, WV, LA & OK. SNAP restrictions now live in 12 states. Read more
RFK Jr. Cuts $500M in Vaccine Research: mRNA projects scrapped as critics warn of weakened pandemic defenses. Read more
Dior Unveils NYC Flagship with First U.S. Dior Spa: The new four-story Madison Avenue boutique blends modern design with Dior heritage, debuting luxury spa services alongside fashion. Read more
South Asia
Modi, Putin Set for Landmark Visits: Back-to-back trips by India’s PM to China and Russia’s President to India signal renewed diplomacy on trade, defence, and border issues amid shifting global power balances.
U.S. Tariffs Barely Nick GDP But Slam Jewelry, Shrimp & Sarees: Just 1.9% of exports are hit, says PHDCCI, but leather, gems, seafood, and textiles face brutal 50-60% duties. Read more
MONEY MOVES
401(k)s Open to Alternatives: Order paves way for private equity, real estate, and crypto in retirement plans. Read more
U.S. Slaps 39% Tariff on Gold Bars: Surprise duty on 1kg and 100oz bullion rattles markets, sending futures to record highs and disrupting Swiss-U.S. gold flows. Read more
Miran Tapped for Fed Seat: CEA chair nominated to succeed Lisa Cook’s departing colleague Adriana Kugler on the Federal Reserve Board. Read more
Trump Ousts IRS Chief After 6 Weeks: Billy Long out, Scott Bessent in as acting commissioner; no reason given. Read more
Earnings Chai: U.S. Q2 earnings are outpacing expectations, with 81% of S&P 500 companies beating EPS and growth tracking +10% y/y, led by Tech, Financials, and Communication Services.
$PLTR ( ▲ 2.61% ) hit record highs as AI infrastructure demand soared.
$AMD ( ▲ 0.21% ) gained on strong chip and data-center sales.
$DIS ( ▼ 0.4% )’s streaming and parks growth eased macro worries.
$UBER ( ▼ 3.36% ) outperformed as ride-hailing and delivery volumes rose.
$META ( ▲ 0.98% ) and $MSFT ( ▲ 0.23% ) rallied on robust ad revenue and cloud strength.
Market data via Stocktwits. Consult a financial advisor before investing.
PLAY BY PLAY
12th World Games (China): Chengdu dazzled on August 7 with a water-lit cauldron and “Tree of Friendship” fireworks, as athletes from 110+ nations paraded into 10 days of non-Olympic competition across 27 world-class venues in Sichuan’s capital.
Cricket: India’s 6‑run Oval win tied a legendary 2‑2 Test series packed with 7,000+ runs, 21 centuries, Jadeja and Gill records, and edge of your-seat Day 5 finishes in every match.
Soccer: Champions League winners Paris Saint‑Germain will face Europa League champs Tottenham Hotspur in Udine on Aug 13. Super Cup showdown set to begin the new European season.
RAISING ROOTS: Of Stars and Strings
Lion’s Gate invites us to look up. Sirius rising with the Sun in Leo, a moment tied to courage and fresh starts. Rakhi asks us to look around, to honor bonds of love and loyalty with family, cousins, and chosen siblings. Infinity Day nudges us to look beyond, reminding us that some ideas, like connection and compassion, travel endlessly through time. Whether kids tie rakhis on Zoom, spot Sirius at dawn, or see infinity on a classroom wall, the meaning endures. Read more
LIVING WELL: Threads of Love
From palace courts to apartment Zoom calls, Rakhi has always been about connection. This year, whether you’re tying a thread in person, mailing one across oceans, or sending a Venmo “shagun,” the tradition adapts, but the promise stays.
It’s a yearly pause to remember who’s in your corner, wherever in the world you celebrate. Read More
This Rakhi, here’s to threads that travel across hallways, cities, and time zones our wish for you, in one joyful reel.
Love The Weekly Chai? Share it with one friend today, let’s make their day warmer.
p.s.: If someone sent this to you, hey hi! You can subscribe for free, because chai (and good stories) are always better shared. 📤
COSMIC CHAI: Weekly Horoscope (Aug 8-15)
Mood: Visionary. Tested. Ready to level up. The mid‑August sky doesn’t just stir the pot, it sets the table. This week’s energy is a mix of high‑impact opportunities and reality checks, designed to move you from vision into action.
Cosmic Weather:
Aug 8: Lion’s Gate Portal: Manifestation, clarity, and courage peaks. A good day for intention‑setting and bold visioning.
Aug 9: Full Moon in Aquarius: Shared visions and collective truths.
Aug 11: Mercury direct in Leo: Stalled conversations gain momentum.
Aug 12: Venus‑Jupiter in Cancer: Love and money expand.
Vibe Check: Freedom meets accountability. The key is using newly clarified skies to turn bold ideas into sustainable wins. Full Horoscopes
⛰️ Earth Signs: Steady, visible, and strategically positioned.
🌊 Water Signs: Magnetic, generous, and ready to stretch.
🔥 Fire Signs: Driven, strategic, and learning the art of pacing.
🌬 Air Signs: Activated and on display.
EDITOR'S PICK: Modi Toys
Avani and Viral Modi
Founded by siblings Avani and Viral Modi in New Jersey, Modi Toys grew out of a simple wish, toys that carry culture home. From plush Hanuman to Durga Devi who sings, they turn South Asian legends into cuddly, musical companions your kids will actually keep close. Perfect for Rakhi gifting. Explore Modi Toys →
OUR MERCH STORE IS OPEN. 3 Collections, All 🤍
Shop All: shop.theweeklychai.com
Collection 02: 🧢 Locals Only
UPCOMING WEEK
Aug 9: Rakhi
Aug 14: Pakistan Independence Day
Aug 15: India Independence Day
Aug 15-16: Krishna Janmashtami