Markets rise but fear gauge ticks up as Congress fights over SNAP and travelers pack power banks

Sunday’s United States brief: Chase Freedom Flex drops foreign swipe fees, the IRS warns about QR tax texts, volatility climbs despite a green Friday, Senate SNAP talks stall, smoked seafood is recalled, and FAA battery rules bite holiday flyers.

Morning Briefing

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U.S. readers head into a bank-earnings and inflation week with indexes near records, new card and scam rules to check, and food and travel safety actions that land before Thanksgiving.

Chase Freedom Flex ended its 3% foreign transaction fee on Sept. 21 but removed cell phone protection the same week.
IRS Dirty Dozen 2026 puts QR-code smishing at the top of the seasonal threat list—forward suspicious texts to phishing@irs.gov.
The VIX closed at 14.84 Friday even as the Dow and Nasdaq gained ahead of JPMorgan earnings Tuesday.
Senate Agriculture leaders remain split over how long to delay new SNAP state cost-share rules before the Nov. 3 midterms.
Starfish cold-smoked seafood trio lot D139149161-153 is recalled in six states after Listeria tests in New York.
FAA PackSafe keeps lithium power banks in the cabin and bars recalled packs until the battery is removed.

Wide shot of an empty U.S. stock exchange gallery with dim overhead lights reflecting off railings and a distant electronic quote board showing un readable numbers, no logos or faces

Stocks

VIX Climbs to 14.84 Friday Even as Dow and Nasdaq Post Gains

The Cboe Volatility Index rose to 14.84 on Friday even as the Dow and Nasdaq advanced, a split that sets up a bank-earnings and inflation week for U.S. holders.

Nina Okonkwo Oct 11, 2026