FIVE MINUTE DAILY

Trading options can be highly profitable; it can also be highly unprofitable. The problem is that trading options is tough:

Liquid allows anyone to trade perpetual futures, or “perps”. Perps are options without an expiration date.

This means you don’t need to worry about Greeks, simply

Getting started is simple too; start to finish in less than 10 minutes:

Trading volatility doesn’t need to be harder than absolutely necessary.

Start trading perps now

NASA's X-59 experimental aircraft is entering the final stages of flight testing and is expected to attempt its first supersonic flight later this month. The aircraft is the centerpiece of NASA's Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate that faster-than-sound flight can be achieved with far less noise than traditional supersonic aircraft.

Engineers designed the X-59's unusually long, narrow shape to reduce the shock waves that create a sonic boom. If testing succeeds, the data could help regulators evaluate whether future commercial supersonic aircraft can operate over land under updated noise standards.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said there is currently "no point" in meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, responding to calls for direct talks between the two leaders. His remarks came as Russia and Ukraine continued military operations and exchanged long-range strikes.

Putin said any meeting should take place only if it would lead to concrete agreements, while Zelensky has continued to advocate for direct negotiations. The comments underscore that the two sides remain divided on how any future talks should proceed.

President Trump signed an executive order converting roughly 8,000 senior federal employees — GS-15 level, including policy chiefs, public affairs officers, and grant managers — to at-will status under a new classification called Schedule Policy/Career. Affected workers can now be fired without cause, stripping 140 years of civil service protections in a single action.

OPM Director Scott Kupor framed the move as restoring "accountability" to government, but critics warned it hands political appointees sweeping control over career officials who implement law. Labor advocates said the order removes all appeal rights for a class of workers previously shielded from political dismissal.

The House passed a war powers resolution directing Trump to halt military action against Iran, with four Republicans joining Democrats in a 215–208 vote. Trump called the defectors "unpatriotic" on social media, and aides privately acknowledged mounting pressure to define an endgame.

Hezbollah rejected a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon hours after it was announced, with leader Naim Kassem calling the terms a "roadmap to annihilate" the Lebanese people. An Iranian drone hit Kuwait's airport overnight, killing one and injuring 60 — a signal that the conflict is spilling beyond its original geography.

The Trump administration and OpenAI have discussed the possibility of the U.S. government taking a stake in the artificial intelligence company. The discussions stem from an idea OpenAI CEO Sam Altman previously raised about giving Americans a broader share in the economic benefits created by AI.

No agreement has been announced, and discussions remain ongoing. The proposal would represent an unusual relationship between the federal government and one of the world's leading AI companies.

England, Scotland, and the United States are preparing for international friendlies as attention begins to turn toward the 2026 World Cup. The matches offer another opportunity for players to represent their national teams ahead of a tournament that will be hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

U.S. health officials warned that the ongoing Ebola outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda could grow to a scale comparable to the 2014–16 West Africa epidemic without a stronger international response. New projections suggest the virus could spread significantly in the coming months if containment efforts fall short.

Pope Leo is beginning a weeklong visit to Spain that will place him at the center of debates over migration, political polarization, artificial intelligence, and the Catholic Church's response to clergy abuse. The trip marks the first papal visit to Spain in 15 years and includes meetings with political leaders, migrants, and abuse survivors.

FINANCE BUZZ

Retirement doesn't mean your money has to feel stretched thin.

A few smart adjustments could go a long way — and many of them are easier than you think.

We put together a list of simple cutbacks that can free up more of your budget for the things that actually matter.

Check out these offers from our partners below to get started

_{Please support our sponsors!}

This week showed how much of 2026 is being shaped by institutions under pressure.

NASA’s X-59 points to a future where old limits on travel and technology may be reconsidered. At the same time, the OpenAI talks show governments are no longer treating artificial intelligence as just a private-sector race.

Politics and war remain the sharper edges. The Ukraine conflict, the Iran escalation, and the civil service order all show leaders testing the boundaries of power, accountability, and negotiation.

The week ahead adds another layer: public health risks, diplomacy, religion, and global sports are all moving back into focus. The bigger pattern is clear: technology is accelerating, conflicts are widening, and governments are being forced to respond faster than their systems were built to move.

GOLD GUIDE

Thinking about moving retirement funds into gold?

Before you do, make sure your account is eligible.

The free Retirement Metals Readiness Report can help you understand key rollover considerations, potential tax implications, and whether your account may qualify—all in about two minutes.

Get the information you need before making a move.

TAKE THE FREE 2-MINUTE ELIGIBILITY CHECK

_{Please support our sponsors!}

Thanks for reading Five Minute Daily. From global conflicts to technological breakthroughs, we'll keep tracking the stories shaping the world so you can stay informed in just a few minutes.

—The Five Minute Daily Team