The week in picks

Earbud fit is 90% of the sound: a bad seal robs bass and ANC no matter how good the buds are.

If you're gearing up for the holiday season and already planning a big purchase or travel, the Chase Freedom Flex could be your go-to card. Its quarterly 5x earning categories can maximize rewards at crucial times.

Rotating high-earning categories make it easy to hit big savings when you need them most.

Get ready to purr over Cats: The Jellicle Ball this July 6th at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City. With its iconic songs and breathtaking costumes, it's a true Broadway classic that promises to captivate even the most jaded theatergoers. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterful creation live on stage.

I've found Arboretum to be a delightful and tense experience when played with just two players. On our last play night, my partner and I faced off over the bird cards, each trying to outsmart the other by laying down the right tree paths. The game's light weight makes it easy to pick up and start, perfect for those quiet evenings where you want a quick, strategic challenge.

However, Arboretum might not be ideal for larger groups; four players can sometimes feel like too many hands are in the pot, diluting the focused tension that two-player games offer. If you're looking for a date-night activity that won’t take up your entire evening, Arboretum is a strong choice.

For two players on a quiet night, Arboretum is where it's at.

For teachers preparing to celebrate new life, consider the Jabra Elite 7 Pro Earbuds. These earbuds offer seamless noise cancellation and voice assistance, perfect for when you need a quiet moment during chaotic days. They stand out from typical tech gifts by providing essential functionality beyond just entertainment.

However, they might not be ideal if the recipient already has multiple sets of high-end headphones.

Stay ahead with the Jabra Elite 7 Pros, aligning your gift with today's technology trends and practical needs.

The OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b model excels in handling large-scale text generation tasks with its extensive context length of 131072 tokens. This makes it particularly suitable for applications requiring deep contextual understanding, such as complex dialogue systems or long-form content creation.

However, one key trade-off is the potential increase in input and output costs associated with using a model of this size. While its capabilities are robust, users should carefully consider these expenses against their budget constraints. For those prioritizing cost over absolute performance, smaller models might be more practical.

It’s best suited for tasks needing extensive context understanding but may be too expensive for general-purpose text generation projects.

The markets for weather predictions on Kalshi are buzzing with interest and edge-taking, particularly around tomorrow’s forecast for New York City. The high temperature market has a significant edge for those betting that it will stay cool, with the "Will the high temp in NYC be <75° on Jul 6, 2026" market offering an 88¢ payout at $12,284 volume and a NOAA model prediction of 80%. This suggests that despite the higher temperature possibilities, weather enthusiasts are betting on cooler conditions.

This high-volume, high-edge bet is reflective of broader trends in the prediction markets. While sports and political events dominate by volume, niche weather predictions can still attract substantial interest from traders looking for specific edge opportunities. The sheer volume of $12 million invested in this single market underscores how significant even a small edge can be in drawing investor attention.

Keep an eye on the high temperature bets for tomorrow’s forecast.

The US housing market continues to present a mixed picture, as evident from the tracked metros by Zillow Research. While San Jose and Santa Cruz in California are showing significant price reductions-San Jose has experienced a 20.4% cut in prices despite a small year-over-year decrease of 1.4%, while Santa Cruz has seen even more aggressive cuts at 21.4% along with a slight increase of 2.9% YoY-the story is different in the Midwest and South.

In contrast, Rockford, Illinois, and Utica, New York, are experiencing robust growth, with Rockford leading the pack with an impressive 9.1% year-over-year gain despite a modest 15.9% decrease in prices. This suggests that these metros may be attracting buyers who are willing to pay more for stable markets. Meanwhile, Austin, Texas, is seeing a significant decline of 6.0% YoY and 26.2% price cuts, indicating potential oversupply or economic headwinds.

The data points toward continued regional variations.

What the market suggests for next month is a close watch on metros like Phoenix and Raleigh, which have the highest number of price cuts despite their overall value declines. These cities could see further adjustments as buyers continue to test the market's bottom.

In July, when the greens are at their most lush and abundant, it’s hard to resist a hearty recipe that celebrates the season. Sukuma Wiki, a Kenyan staple made with kale, stands out not just for its simple elegance but also for its versatility. The key lies in how red onions and double cream transform this humble leafy green into something extraordinary. The technique of sautéing the onions until they caramelize brings depth to the dish, while the addition of double cream at the end lends a rich, velvety texture that perfectly complements the earthiness of the kale.

Pair it with steamed basmati rice for a satisfying meal.

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