Labor Market Watch: U.S. employers cut 23,000 jobs in July and revised May/June payrolls down by 103,000, while unemployment slipped to 4.1%, adding pressure on the Fed as investors weigh slower growth against still-high inflation. Markets & Rates: Stocks finished a strong week after the weak jobs report pushed Treasury yields lower; S&P 500 rose 3.6% for the week, with gold up and oil slightly down. Hiring & Costs: Separate reporting highlights that hiring is cooling and job openings have softened, with healthcare still adding jobs while retail and financial activities lag. Policy & Regulation: The U.S. Senate voted to delay a hemp THC ban until December, buying time for rules instead of an outright cutoff. Justice Department: Todd Blanche was confirmed as attorney general in a 50-49 vote after a contentious fight over DOJ independence and related tax/“anti-weaponization” arrangements. Tech & Business: Streaming’s rise is forcing sports fans to pay more to watch teams as rights fragment across platforms. Energy & Defense: The Pentagon is pushing defense firms to submit plans in about three weeks to dramatically speed weapons production, citing unacceptable years-long development cycles. Trade Impact: Oregon reported $2.89B in tariff costs (March–Dec 2025) and a $442M tax revenue loss amid export declines. Consumer/Industry: Hong Kong expects 1.85M visitors from mega-events in H2, signaling continued spending momentum tied to major business gatherings.