Episode #164: 20 September 2025

Across 26 posts, the episode tracks fast shifts in policy, security, tech, and culture. In Washington, reports point to a possible higher Social Security retirement age, while a signed plan sets a $100,000 annual H-1B sponsor fee and a high-price Gold Card fast track, drawing praise from protectionists and concern in tech and immigration circles. Abroad and security: Hungary announced plans to designate Antifa a terrorist organization, an immigration judge ordered Mahmoud Khalil deported over misstatements, the FBI reported a guilty plea by an unregistered Chinese agent, and X says it disrupted a bribery ring tied to crypto scams. The Ukraine war is squeezing Russia's fuel supply, with analysts expecting refinery outages near or above 30% for months. Tech and space milestones include xAI's gigawatt-scale training cluster and a 24-satellite Starlink launch. Culture and media flashpoints span debate over Jimmy Kimmel and censorship claims, Cardinal Dolan's praise of Charlie Kirk, backlash toward an artist's tribute, and Lex Fridman's WWII drugs discussion. Humanitarian and civic notes include Gaza press risks and UK rankings that knocked Oxford and Cambridge out of the top three.