September 17, 2026
Good Morning. The Fed raised rates for the first time since 2023, and your credit card bill may notice before you do. Plus, Canada's EU invitation, DIY Halloween decor, and 100 best pizza shops in the world (first time here? Join 523,000 Betterists ).
Yesterday’s most clicked link : Most popular cereal by state
TOP STORY TODAY
Fed Hikes Rates
The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate a quarter point yesterday to a range of 3.75% to 4% , its first hike since July 2023. The vote under new Chair Kevin Warsh was unanimous, 12-0.
Inflation ( definition ) has run above the Fed's 2% goal for more than five years, worsened this year by Iran war energy costs. Most officials expect another hike before year-end. One daily index put 30-year mortgage rates at 7.19%.
The most central fact for your wallet: most credit cards track the prime rate, which rises with the Fed, and calling an issuer to request a lower rate is the quickest fix. The average savings account pays 0.38%, while most high-yield accounts pay about 3%.
The move: move idle cash to high-yield savings and call your card issuer | What the hike costs the average card balance
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Europe Courts Canada
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed making Canada the EU's first associate member , a status that has never existed. Prime Minister Mark Carney's office welcomed the idea.
Carney received a standing ovation in the European Parliament chamber. Canada sends about 70% of its exports to the U.S. and is not seeking full membership, but Ottawa would seek visa-free living and working in Europe for its citizens.
President Trump said he would impose heavy tariffs on Europe if he views the move as hostile, and signed an order limiting federal purchases of Canadian goods. Details could emerge at a Canada-EU summit in October. The case for middle powers .
The Eye-Heart Link
Signs of atrial fibrillation ( aFib ), the most common heart rhythm disorder, showed up in eye scans an average of four years before diagnosis , researchers in London reported this week. The study analyzed retinal images from more than 90,000 people.
People who later developed the condition had a thinner layer of nerve cells at the back of the eye. One patient learned he had it mid-cataract surgery, when doctors paused the operation to run a heart test.
The condition raises stroke risk and often goes undetected because it comes and goes, slipping past standard heart tests. Researchers say eye scans won't replace those tests but could flag who needs one. The researchers' own release on the findings .
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The Army's Forgotten Rucking Manual
Long before rucking became a fitness trend ( see Jon Bernthal’s workout ), the Army wrote the rulebook. It's called Foot Marches , a 1990 field manual that's now out of print but free online.
4 rules worth stealing:
- Take breaks on a schedule. Rest 15 minutes after the first 45, then 10 minutes every hour after that. At each stop, loosen your gear and lie down with your feet up.
- Cap the weight. Soldiers carry under 72 pounds on long marches and under 48 when they need to move fast.
- Respect the math. For every 10 pounds over 40, you'll cover about a mile less in six hours.
- Drink before you're thirsty. Small sips, often, starting before you step off.
Halloween Decor Ideas that Look Expensive (But Aren't)
The best Halloween houses on the block aren't built with store-bought decor. They're built with dollar-store supplies and a free Saturday. Here are a few DIY projects worth stealing this year:
- Kraken fireplace from $1 pool noodles
- Witch hat with twinkle lights
- Jack-o'-lantern fireplace
- The Hocus Pocus spell book
- Backlit headless horseman and more
If you make any of these, give us a shout to be featured in our Halloween edition!
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Fun Links
From the makers of Coraline [ Trailer ]
How NYT lost a defamation trial [ Blog ]
100 best pizzerias in the world [ List ]
Guy Pearce as Rupert Murdoch [ Movie ]
Siri AI is getting online praise [ Blog ]
2026 Toy Hall of Fame finalists [ Photos ]
The true story of fake Oreo-gate [ Blog ]
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