Over a $1T In Car Loan Debt

🤳14th August 2023 | 56% face choice: student loans or groceries, North Korea ramps up missile production, Antarctica faces extreme events, and more!

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Heartbreak in Paradise. Hawaii is mourning as the Maui wildfires, now the deadliest in U.S. history, claim 96 lives, with numbers set to rise! In the midst of power outages and warning failures, survivors stand resilient, uniting in the face of devastation. This tragedy urges us to reflect on how global warming amplifies nature's fury, reminding us of the importance of collective action and preparedness.

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Inflation intensifies financial strain on U.S. households, Source- Fox News

📈 Inflation raises monthly expenses by $709 for Americans compared to 2 years ago

Moody's Analytics revealed Americans spend $709 more monthly on everyday goods compared to two years ago. Mark Zandi, Moody's chief economist, stated on X that, "The high inflation of the past 2+ years has done lots of economic damage," while some prices, like used cars, have decreased, oil prices are a concern. Inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target, despite 11 interest rate hikes in 16 months.

🎓 56% face choice: student loans or groceries when payments restart

Starting in October, federal student loan payments resume after three years. A Credit Karma survey indicates 56% of borrowers might have to choose between loan payments and essentials like rent. Surprisingly, both lower and higher-income groups feel the pinch, with 45% predicting loan default. While the Biden administration offers a 12-month grace period for reporting defaults.

🚗 U.S. Car Loan Debt reaches $1.56 Trillion Peak

U.S. auto debt hits a record $1.56 trillion, driven by inflation, rising interest rates, and pricier cars. Monthly payments now average $725 for new cars and $516 for used ones, with some exceeding $1,000. Auto loan delinquencies rose to 7.3% in Q2, up from 6.9% in Q1, surpassing pre-COVID figures. Moody's predicts delinquencies peaking at 9-10% in 2024.

Sukra Okan cargo ship sails in Istanbul, Turkey, on August 13, 2023 Source- Reuters

🚢 Russian warship shoots warning at Black Sea cargo vessel

A Russian warship intercepted and boarded the Palau-flagged Sukra Okan in the Black Sea, alleging it was headed for Ukraine. This action follows Russia's withdrawal from a Black Sea grain transport deal in July. Despite Russia's claims, marine data suggests the ship was bound for Romania. In response to maritime tensions, Ukraine is initiating a humanitarian corridor for ships, emphasizing the need for food security and maritime safety amidst ongoing Russian threats.

🚀 North Korea ramps up missile production ahead of US-South Korea drills

Kim Jong Un orders increased missile production as the U.S. and South Korea prep for major defense drills. Amidst this, U.S. officials suspect Russia-North Korea talks on weapon sales for the Ukraine conflict. The upcoming U.S.-South Korean exercises will be the largest in years for which Kim emphasized the need for North Korea to have "an overwhelming military force" to "surely annihilate" adversaries. Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence suggests North Korea may support Russia in the Ukraine war, a claim North Korea refutes.

Curiosity rover reveals hexagonal mud cracks in ancient Martian lake crater, Source- PHYSORG

🔭 Mars once had a climate suitable for life

NASA's Curiosity rover discovered hexagonal salt patterns in Mars' Gale crater, indicating the red planet once had a climate with alternating wet and dry seasons. This "first tangible proof of a cyclical climate" suggests conditions that might have supported microbial life. While Earth's tectonic activity erases ancient terrains, Mars retains these clues, potentially offering insights into life's origins on Earth. As NASA's Vasavada remarked, the findings hint not just at Mars' ability to support life but also at the conditions promoting life's origin

🌍 Antarctica faces extreme events due to global warming

Extreme weather in Antarctica, intensified by ongoing fossil fuel consumption, risks breaching the Antarctic Treaty signed by 12 nations in 1959 to protect the continent's environment. A recent study in "Frontiers in Environmental Science" highlights an alarming Antarctic ice recovery pattern and warns of more frequent extreme weather events. Martin Siegert, at the University of Exeter, emphasized, "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero is our best hope of preserving Antarctica...and this must matter to every country-and individual-on the planet."

Tom Jones, Source- Getty Images

🎭 Tom Jones, 'The Fantasticks' musical creator, passes away at 95

Tom Jones, renowned lyricist and director of "The Fantasticks," the longest-running musical in history, passed away at 95 due to cancer. Jones, inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1998, collaborated with composer Harvey Schmidt on several Broadway hits. "The Fantasticks," lauded for its timeless appeal, ran for an astounding 21,552 performances. Reflecting on its success, Jones once remarked, "I’m grateful for it and I’m astonished by it."

⚽ Neymar seals 2-year contract with Al-Hilal from PSG

Neymar, the PSG and Brazil soccer superstar, is reportedly set to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal on a two-year deal worth 160 million euros ($175 million) for which the future transfer fee remains undisclosed. Currently under contract with PSG until 2025, Neymar's potential exit from PSG comes amid rumors of Kylian Mbappe's move to Real Madrid next season. Mbappe returned to PSG training after "constructive and positive talks", amidst a transfer standoff.

Source- The Hill

📌 Trump's team linked to Georgia voting breach

Georgia prosecutors have linked Trump's legal team to a 2021 voting system breach, with CNN reports indicating the involvement of key allies like Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is set to present this evidence to a grand jury, potentially resulting in Trump's fourth indictment in five months. Republican Will Hurd responded, “This is about a president trying to overturn an election... it’s an indication of how fragile our election system is... why Donald Trump is running for president, is because he’s trying to stay out of jail.”

🚀 Musk likens himself to 'Bruce Lee', taunts Zuckerberg in leaked chats

Elon Musk shared alleged texts with Mark Zuckerberg, in which he taunted him about their difference in physical stature and the prospect of a cage match. Zuckerberg responded, "If you still want to do a real MMA fight... you should either decide you're going to do this and do it soon, or we should move on." While Musk hints at injuries and shoulder surgery, Zuckerberg refutes claims of a match in "ancient Rome," stating, "Until then, please assume anything he says has not been agreed on." Both representatives from Meta and X have yet to comment.

🚫 US Lawmaker Criticizes Fed's Consideration of 'Orwellian' Payment System

U.S. Congressman Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio has voiced concerns on the social media platform X, suggesting the Federal Reserve is covertly planning a central bank digital currency (CBDC) likening it to "building the financial equivalent of the Death Star". While the Fed highlights potential advantages of a CBDC, such as enhanced payments and broader financial inclusion, critics like Davidson fear implications for personal privacy and increased government oversight.

Usain Bolt, Source-Los Angeles Times

On August 14, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Usain Bolt made history by becoming the first athlete to clinch gold in the 100-meters for three consecutive Olympics. He further solidified his legacy by also securing his third straight gold in the 200-meters.

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