Fed & Rates: The U.S. Federal Reserve held rates steady in Kevin Warsh’s first meeting, but its hawkish tone is already pushing markets to expect tighter policy pressure—an outlook that’s also weighing on the Bank of Korea’s next move. AI Power Crunch: Federal regulators backed a plan to let large energy users, including AI data centers, connect to the grid faster, a move aimed at keeping U.S. competitiveness while grid operators and clean-energy groups warn it could weaken state control. U.S.-Iran Deal & Energy Prices: The U.S. and Iran signed an interim peace framework that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease supply fears; analysts caution normalization will take months to years, even as gas prices fall and oil trades react. Housing Affordability: A new data look finds many states still require more income than median households earn to buy a median-priced home, though affordability gaps are narrowing in some markets. Banking & Growth: Vantage Bank named Alejandro “Alex” Martinez as Brownsville market president, signaling continued focus on commercial lending and treasury services in the Texas border economy. Education Budget Pressure: Thousands of public-school staff nationwide face layoff warnings as districts absorb enrollment declines, rising costs, and the end of pandemic-era aid. Corporate/Market Watch: Apple and Intel partnership talk on U.S.-made chips lifted Intel shares, while GameStop faces a shareholder fight over a massive executive pay package amid a stalled takeover effort.