Axios

Americans are facing a rising tab as a multi-decade borrowing binge collides with a spike in energy prices caused by the Iran war.

The big picture: Long-term interest rates are surging, as are consumer prices.

• It's a toxic mix of near-term inflation pressures and years of fiscal imbalance.

America is shedding its status as the default choice for foreign governments to park money, buy weapons and send students.

Why it matters: Even modest shifts away from the U.S. could chip away at advantages that have helped sustain American economic and geopolitical power for decades.

Antisemitic threats have pushed the nationwide cost of protecting Jewish synagogues, schools and community centers past $1 billion a year, new estimates reveal as congregations prepare for big crowds during the High Holy Days, which began Friday with Rosh Hashanah.

Why it matters: Enhanced security has become a growing expense for Jewish communities, congregation leaders say, often taking up money that could pay for teachers, summer camps, elder care and other programs.

Suicide death rates among 10- to 14-year-old girls and boys nearly evened out from 2018 to 2024, according to new research published this week.

Why it matters: The research found that suicide death rates between boys and girls nearly evened out during the years analyzed, bucking previous data showing boys had higher suicide death rates, though girls think about and attempt suicide more often.

A widow of a 9/11 victim used the annual reading of the names of those killed to plead with the Trump administration about Saudi Arabian officials' alleged ties to the terror attack, which the kingdom has dismissed.

The big picture: During the New York City ceremony for 9/11's 25th anniversary, Terry Strada slammed Saudi Arabia, which Axios' Barak Ravid reports is actively urging President Trump to assist them with U.S. military action.

An Afghan national who was the first-ever case before the federal Alien Terrorist Removal Court has been deported, the Justice Department announced Friday.

The big picture: The DOJ win before the previously dormant court could give the administration a path to remove people it links to terrorism while keeping much of its evidence secret, Axios previously reported.

A letter is circulating among House members urging Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to bring back the House "immediately" and keep it in session until Congress passes AI safeguards, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Such drastic action has been proposed by members of both parties this week after current and former Anthropic researchers went public with warnings that AI could kill off humanity in the next decade.

The contractor hired to renovate the Reflecting Pool says its repair work caused the pool's liner to peel and bubble, according to documents first reviewed by The New York Times.

Why it matters: President Trump has repeatedly blamed vandals for the pool's damage and has pushed to prosecute some of them, even after U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro dropped the cases.

Republicans are outspending Democrats in almost every battleground Senate race this month as Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) looks to the GOP's cash advantage to help hold his majority.

Why it matters: The post-Labor Day rush is here, with $390 million (and climbing) of Senate campaign ads headed for voters' TVs, tablets and phone screens.

Sen. Rick Scott said Friday he is "absolutely not" committing to backing John Thune for another term as Senate GOP leader.

Why it matters: It's a sharp change in tune for Scott (R-Fla.), who has repeatedly and publicly said he supports Thune (R-S.D.) and will not run for leader a third time.