Credit Scores Drop Nationwide

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BUSINESS & ECONOMY

📈 Home prices surged 2.4x faster than inflation since 1960s implications for homebuyers

A Clever report reveals the U.S. median home price would be $177,511 if it kept pace with inflation since 1963, but it's $412,778. Factors include high demand, slow supply growth, and zoning regulations. Matt Brannon from Clever emphasized, "Today, it’s harder for adults to buy homes than it was for their parent’s generation." President Biden proposed measures like tax credits for homebuyers to address affordability.

📉 Credit scores fall for the first time in a decade as Americans struggle to keep up with payments

FICO reports a decade-low in credit scores due to missed payments and rising debt levels. According to FICO's vice president, Ethan Dornhelm, decreased savings rates and reduced government assistance post-pandemic contributed to this decline. A study by Assurance IQ reveals that 66% of Americans, especially lower-income households, relied on borrowing or credit cards to cover expenses amid financial challenges.

🌟 Congressional leaders reach an agreement on government funding

Congressional leaders agreed on a funding deal to prevent a government shutdown, with Speaker Mike Johnson pushing for a Friday vote, potentially bypassing the 72-hour review rule. The deal, crucial amid border security debates, includes Department of Homeland Security funding. President Biden and Senate leaders are optimistic about a swift passage, emphasizing the need to fund government operations and meet taxpayer needs.

WORLD

📜 Hong Kong enacted a second national security law, expanding crackdown powers and aligning with mainland China

Hong Kong's parliament passed a new security law, adding 39 new crimes, threatening life sentences for treason and other offences, amid criticism of eroding civil liberties. Amnesty International called it a "crushing blow to human rights." The UK Foreign Secretary highlighted its "far-reaching implications" on freedoms. Activists fear increased oppression, contrasting Beijing's promise of autonomy post the 1997 handover. The law, effective from 23 March, continues the crackdown following the 2019 protests.

🌍 Asia dominates with 83 out of 100 worst polluted cities worldwide

IQAir's report reveals that 83 of the world's 100 most polluted cities are in Asia, predominantly in India, a consequence of the intensifying climate crisis. CEO Frank Hammes underscored the alarming health hazards and urged significant transformations in energy and agricultural practices, emphasizing that "there is so much hidden air pollution still on the planet." The report also shed light on inadequate air quality monitoring in certain regions, stressing the imperative for global intervention.

🚫 Gambia Parliament Moves to End Female Genital Cutting Ban

Gambia's National Assembly is pushing to revoke the ban on female genital cutting, despite survivor testimonies highlighting its harms. Lawmakers argue for cultural and religious rights, but activists fear global repercussions. The UN warns of severe physical consequences from the practice, and experts stress its lack of medical benefits. Revoking the ban could undo years of anti-FGM progress, impacting women's rights and bodily autonomy.

SCIENCE & TECH

📜 Meta, Snap, and TikTok Approve New Election Integrity Rules

Tech giants Meta, Snap, TikTok, Google, and Microsoft have signed IFES' Voluntary Election Integrity Guidelines to advance election security and trust. The guidelines foster collaboration between tech firms and election authorities, ensuring transparency and quality information. Announced at the Seoul Summit for Democracy, this initiative supports universal election integrity, crucial for the upcoming U.S. Presidential election.

🌟 Google DeepMind Co-founder Becomes Microsoft's New AI Division CEO

Microsoft hired Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind, as CEO of its new consumer AI team, overseeing products like Copilot and Bing. Suleyman, previously with Google and later Inflection AI, joins Microsoft's senior leadership. The move signifies Microsoft's AI expansion, with CEO Satya Nadella stating the aim to "build technology that was once thought impossible" and advance AI globally and responsibly.

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

📰 Jonathan Majors Faces Accusations of Strangling Ex-Girlfriend and Defamation in Lawsuit

Grace Jabbari filed a lawsuit against Jonathan Majors, alleging assault, defamation, and battery, stemming from their tumultuous relationship. She recounts a September 2022 incident of brutal abuse, underpinning her claims with Majors' prior December 2023 conviction for assault and harassment. Jabbari's vivid account includes being forcefully silenced: "Majors... put his hand over her mouth to prevent someone from hearing her cries for help."

📰 Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez finalize divorce

The divorce of Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez, lasting almost three years, was finalized in a Los Angeles court, where Grande consented to pay Gomez $1.25 million and divide their home's sale profits, following a prenuptial agreement. Their discreet 2021 wedding concluded amicably, with no children or legal conflicts. Grande's career moves forward with a role in the upcoming movie "Wicked."

OTHER NEWS

🌍 U.S. Drops Below Top 20 in Global Happiness Ranking for First Time

For the first time, the U.S. ranked 23rd in the World Happiness Report, notably dropping out of the top 20 due to a significant decline in happiness among Americans under 30. Highlighting a global generational divide in well-being, the report underscores a "loneliness epidemic" in the U.S., stressing the need for "immediate policy action" to address these disparities. Meanwhile, Finland topped for the seventh year.

🚫US Warns of Cyberattacks Against Water Systems Throughout Nation

The Biden administration warns states of cyberattacks on water systems by Iran and China-linked hackers, emphasizing the vulnerability of U.S. infrastructure. The EPA and National Security Advisor highlight threats to the critical water sector, citing attacks by Iranian and Chinese groups that compromise safety and operations. They stress the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect this essential resource.

THIS DAY THAT YEAR

On 20th March, 1999, as they floated past longitude 9°27′ W above Mauretania, Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones became the first aviators to circumnavigate the globe nonstop by balloon; they landed the following day in Egypt.

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