
Good morning!
There’s something deeply unsettling about today’s lead story: a banker who raised questions about Howard Lutnick’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein posted a chilling message about retaliation, then took his own life months later. Then there’s a researcher at a plague laboratory who died from an “unknown” infection. I’m also keeping a close eye on the buzz building around a powerful new AI model that could shake up the tech race.
Lots to dig into today.
– Josh
TOP STORY
Banker Who Exposed Lutnick-Epstein Ties Made Chilling Claim in Last Post Before Suicide

🌎 ECONOMY & WORLD
⭐ Josh’s Pick: Researcher at Plague Laboratory Dies of "Unknown" Infection (➜)
Western populations are about to hit a tipping point—and the year it arrives is already set, with public finances on the line for decades. (➜)
"First time in history": Iran is set to hit its most dire economic milestone yet. (➜)
A key Iranian minister just resigned. (➜)
U.S. B-1 bombers evacuated from UK base. (➜)
Flávio Bolsonaro surged past Lula, setting up a bitter election runoff in Brazil. (➜)
A new report reveals the hijacker’s terror plans were far more sinister than previously known—and could have dwarfed October 7. (➜)
The mighty American consumer is powering through inflation and driving growth. (➜)
The Euro hit a 17-month low. (➜)
This radical Democrat candidate has a disgusting habit of farting in public. (➜)
Shocking sleazy new details surface about this red state Democrat candidate: "Shhhh... it was our secret." (➜)
Shock footage: Teen arrested after being caught on video blasting fire in a woman’s face during France’s student riots. (➜)
An unlikely Republican senator floated a 2028 White House bid if "a bunch of goobers run." (➜)
Ted Cruz fired back at Vance over claims Texas senator is running for president in 2028. (➜)
Justice Samuel Alito thinks he knows who leaked the landmark Dobbs opinion. (➜)
China just shut hundreds of banks as Beijing moves to shore up its financial system. (➜)
This Trump-hating celebrity just endorsed Republican Bruce Blakeman for New York governor. (➜)
Trump warned South Korea to sign on to Alaska LNG deal or "I’ll just charge them more." (➜)
America's best small cities ranked: Charming rural enclaves that beat New York and Miami on affordability and quality of life. (➜)

🏢 INDUSTRY
⭐ Josh’s Pick: Joy Behar’s Frightening Backstage Accident Sparks “Serious Conversations” at The View (➜)
Tom Cruise’s big-budget “Digger” bombed big at the box office. (➜)
Karoline Leavitt landed a sweet new job. (➜)
A California realtor busted at LAX on Chinese espionage charges as creepy texts to Beijing handlers revealed. (➜)
Bourbon scion is sensationally ousted as CEO after family members say he filmed them having sex at castle. (➜)
The wild story of how a business guru lost her diet empire to one troll, and the six-year fight for justice. (➜)
The college football stars who banked millions—and completely flopped. (➜)
Polymarket’s Alpha traders revealed: inside a secret chat, elite bettors turn elections, wars and disasters into “free money on the floor.” (➜)
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner finally get into ultra-exclusive Country Club that Bezos is desperate to join. (➜)
Horrifying new video shows high-speed crash that killed Nobu Malibu chef sleeping in his car. (➜)
Desperate restaurant chain gambles on a massive U.S. expansion after years of brutal closures and a devastating bankruptcy filing left it clinging to life. (➜)
Popular frozen berries sold at major grocery chains were just recalled. Here’s what you need to know. (➜)
📈 HOT STOCKS
⭐ Josh’s Pick: Under-the-Radar Supplier Could Be Nvidia’s Secret Weapon by Solving AI Infrastructure’s Biggest Bottleneck (➜)
The ultimate dividend growth stock to buy right now. (➜)
This nearly 16%-yielding dividend machine has paid out $16 billion since 2008. (➜)
2 millionaire-maker quantum computing stocks to buy hand over fist. (➜)
2 high-octane cannabis stocks to scoop up in October for aggressive investors. (➜)

💰 PERSONAL FINANCE & DEALS
⭐ Josh’s Pick: Amazon’s Secret Outlet Is Hiding Early Prime Day Deals, Starting at Just 35 Cents Apiece (➜)
Social Security's Trump bump-led 2027 COLA will be one of the largest in 35 years—but there could be a serious catch. (➜)
If you've saved this much for retirement by age 60, you're ahead of the game. (➜)
Trader Joe’s 5 best new products under $5 this October. (➜)
This cordless vacuum that sucks up “everything on the first pass” converted even “loyal Dyson” customers—and it's half off right now. (➜)
You won’t believe how awake these under-eye patches will make you look — and they’re super cheap. (➜)

🧠 AI
⭐ Josh’s Pick: Buzz Builds as Powerful Model Is Set to Shake Up AI Race (➜)
Trump just announced his new Super Intelligence Force—this is its first order of business. (➜)
Sam Altman blasted the idea of treating AI like a religion after this AI giant held chilling secret meetings with religious leaders. (➜)
Elon Musk teased that he will rename one of his companies following Trump's push to replace "artificial" intelligence with "super." (➜)
8 things that don’t add up about Anthropic’s IPO. (➜)
In a first-of-its-kind pilot, this red state will test whether AI can help you zap your zits without a doctor. (➜)
🚀 SPACE, DEFENSE & ROBOTS
⭐ Josh’s Pick: “F***king Insane”: UFO Guest Stuns Joe Rogan with Claim About Alien Warfare Above America (➜)
A new U.S. assessment warns drug cartels are making “alarming” drone advances that American and Mexican authorities aren’t ready for. (➜)
Inside America's daring $66 billion bet to beat China's shipbuilding empire. (➜)
The humanoid robot future has arrived at a South Korean park. Sort of. (➜)
Does this mysterious hole on the Moon open into a giant cave? (➜)
That's a wrap! You're officially caught up on all things tech, markets and freedom.
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DISCLAIMER: The CAPITAL newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The CAPITAL newsletter and its owner and operator, Josh Caplan, are not liable for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on this information. The CAPITAL newsletter is solely owned and independently operated by Josh Caplan, separate from any employer affiliations.


