How To Improve Focus, Find Calm This Labor Day Weekend

Written By Guest User

Plus: 30+ Countries Stop Shipping To U.S. As Tariffs Begin For Items Under $800

Good afternoon,

Before we get to today’s headlines, here’s a glimpse of what’s ahead for all of us this long weekend in our weekly ‘Cheers to the Freakin’ Weekend’ section:

What We’re Watching:

What We’re Reading:

What We’re Eating:

  • Mosh: Raf’s ~SoHo, NYC

  • Jill: Cake 🎂 for her husband Michael’s birthday (Happy birthday, Michael!)

  • Lauren: Yellow Cafe ~D.C.

  • Sari: Summer watermelon 🍉 🤤

Have a great weekend!

Love Mo News? Support our news coverage and join Premium — where we post over the weekend to a private Instagram with the latest headlines and analysis.

And welcome to our new intern, Claire Lazerwitz!

🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING

30+ Countries Stop Shipping To U.S. As Tariffs Begin For Items Under $800

More than 30 countries have paused shipments to the U.S. for packages worth less than $800, in response to new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

  • By the numbers: Shipments under $800 make up 92% of U.S. cargo — up to 4 million packages per day – and were previously exempt from tariffs under the "de minimus" agreement.

    • In July, the Trump administration announced an end to this exemption, which could cost small and mid-sized businesses up to $71 billion in fees.

President Trump argued the loophole fueled fentanyl smuggling and gave foreign businesses an edge over U.S. companies. He ended the loophole for China and Hong Kong in May.

BIGGER PICTURE
The U.S. has since collected more than $500 million from duties on packages from China and Hong Kong, where most low-cost shipments to the U.S. are sent from, according to a Trump official.

  • Starting Friday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection began charging a flat duty of $80–$200 on all global parcel imports.

  • Experts say many foreign postal systems are not set up to collect these fees — leading dozens of countries to suspend shipments to the U.S.

The impact: Many Americans are already getting notices about smaller products they ordered on Etsy, eBay, and other sites being delayed or canceled due to supply chain disruptions or unmanageable shipping costs.

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🚨 ONE THING WE ❤️

Brain Hacks for Busy Minds: 10 Ways to Reset & Refocus

Did you know that the average person makes 35,000 decisions each day? And that’s using brains that haven’t evolved much since humans first came into existence hundreds of thousands of years ago.

Dominique Ashby – a neuroscientist, brain-based change specialist, and longtime Mo News community member – gave the Mo News Premium audience practical skills on how to reduce decision and information overload in a first-of-its kind Premium Workshop last week.

  • Dominique is the founder of neuro@work, which helps individuals and organizations create brain-friendly work environments.

  • For our workshop, tailored especially for the engaged and online Mo News audience, she introduced a 10-point toolkit designed to help you unlock your brain for better productivity, greater focus, and a deeper sense of calm and control in today’s fast-paced world.

SOCIAL MEDIA OVERLOAD
Dominique explained how constant notifications, algorithmic social-media feeds, and our “always-on” culture overwhelm our cognitive systems and leave us feeling drained. She said that can lead us to become “less resistant to stress and emotions.”

  • Dominique added that part of the problem is that our brains are “survival-prediction machines” that crave information to feel safe. When we receive new or novel information, our bodies release dopamine, which is why our social media feeds have become so addictive, adding that it’s important to take breaks from the noise.

  • She also noted that social media algorithms feed into our craving for validation by trapping us in echo chambers and reducing our ability to handle disagreement. “It is pronouncing and making it more pronounced our division,” she said, warning that AI might make this phenomenon worse.

10-PIECE TOOLKIT:
Dominique offered a 10-point toolkit with science-backed ways to take back control of your brain, your time, and your mood. Below are a few, and you can get the rest by joining the Mo News Premium community at mo.news/premium – where you’ll get access to the full replay of this workshop in video and podcast form, plus replays of all our previous workshops.

  • ✍🏻 Write things down to free your working memory — it can only hold about five items at a time.

  • ✅ Prioritize your to-do list the night before, to give your brain “the gift of certainty.”

  • ☀️ Conjure up a positive memory – a proven way to inspire creativity.

  • 🧘 Practice mindfulness in small moments. Dominique likes focusing on the sounds, sights, and aromas while making an afternoon cup of tea.

This was our first Mo News workshop led by a community member, and it was a great reminder of the expertise and generosity within our audience. If you have a specialty you think the Mo News community would benefit from, feel free to reach out to us at info@mo.news.

Not a Premium member yet? Join today at mo.news/premium for access to all our monthly workshops, exclusive Q&As, weekend coverage, and more. Plus, we’re launching a new podcast especially for our Premium audience in September. Lots of new stuff to get excited about!

⏳ THE SPEED READ

🚨NATION

  • Trump cancels Kamala Harris’ Secret Service protection (MO NEWS)

  • White House moves to cancel nearly $5B in foreign aid (POLITICO)

  • Florida may lose $218M on empty ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ as judge orders shutdown (AP)

  • Three officers ordered to have new trials in death of Tyre Nichols (NBC)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

  • Israel recovers body of hostage and remains of another, as Gaza City declared a ‘dangerous combat zone’ (CNN) Israeli strike on Yemen said to kill Houthi prime minister, other top officials (TIMES OF ISRAEL)

  • Outraged over Russian strike on Kyiv, European defense leaders pledge pressure to end the war (AP)

  • Asylum seekers can stay at United Kingdom hotel after government wins appeal (BBC)

  • Thai court dismisses prime minister over compromising phone call with Cambodian leader (NPR)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

  • Fate of Fed Gov. Lisa Cook still up in the air after court hearing on Trump firing bid (CNBC)

  • Fed's go-to inflation gauge creeps higher as trade war ramps up (AXIOS)

  • Microsoft AI launches its first in-house models to compete with OpenAI’s GPT-5 (THE VERGE)

  • Contaminated oysters spread fatal flesh-eating bacteria in two states (FOX)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

  • Julia Roberts’ ‘After the Hunt’ stirs #MeToo debate at Venice Film Festival (AP)

  • Heidi Gardner exits ‘SNL’ after eight seasons, joining other cast members not returning for season 51 (VARIETY)

  • Taylor Townsend said she was proud of how she handled U.S. Open confrontation (ESPN)

  • The Twilight Saga to return to theaters in October (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)

ICYMI FROM THE 📲

In case you missed it… Mo News sat down with NerdWallet travel expert and Smart Travel podcast co-host Sally French to share the best tips for booking smarter this holiday season and beyond.

  • She says airline and hotel elite status isn’t worth chasing for most travelers. Unless you’re booking high-end flights and hotels regularly, the perks rarely outweigh the cost.

    • Airline or hotel credit cards, as well as AMEX and Chase Saphire cards can deliver many of the same benefits, like free checked bags, hotel dining credits, and early or late checkout.

🎧 Hear more of French’s financial advice on the Mo News podcast, available on Apple, Spotify, and all platforms. (This episode features a paid guest appearance by NerdWallet.)

Guest User
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