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Is the housing market about to crash? What the experts are saying

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:54 GMT

Jeff Ostrowski | Bankrate.com (TNS)After a record-breaking run that saw mortgage rates plunge to all-time lows and home prices soar to new highs, the U.S. housing market finally started slowing in late 2022. Mortgage companies engaged in mass layoffs, real estate economists lamented a “housing recession” and home prices seemed poised for a correction.But a strange thing happened on the way to the housing crash: Home values started rising again. In fact, housing prices have increased for four months in a row, according to the latest Case-Shiller home price index. In another reflection of ongoing price increases, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says more than half of U.S. metro areas registered home price gains in the second quarter of 2023.While NAR reports that median sale prices of existing homes have declined year-over-year for five consecutive months through June, that comes with an asterisk. Home prices in June 2023 were down slightly compared to June 2022 — but this ...

Combining morning-after pill with another common drug makes it more effective

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:54 GMT

Madison Muller | (TNS) Bloomberg NewsEmergency contraceptive pills like Plan B are more effective when taken together with a common anti-inflammatory drug called piroxicam, a new study finds.Combining piroxicam, typically used to treat arthritis, with levonorgestrel prevented roughly 30% more pregnancies than the emergency contraceptive taken by itself, according to research from the University of Hong Kong. The study was published Wednesday in The Lancet.Studies indicate that levonorgestrel alone lowers the chances of pregnancy by as much as 89% when taken within three days of unprotected sex, but its real-world effectiveness is likely much lower. Experts are hopeful that the findings could help prevent more unwanted pregnancies.“I’m really excited about this,” Kelly Cleland, the executive director of the American Society for Emergency Contraception, said in an interview. “I think there’s a lot of potential for this to help provide a more effective emergency contraceptive option, w...

How to invest in the space industry: A beginner’s guide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:54 GMT

Editorial Disclaimer: All investors are advised to conduct their own independent research into investment strategies before making an investment decision. In addition, investors are advised that past investment product performance is no guarantee of future price appreciation.By Giovanny Moreano, Bankrate.comThe race to access space has opened a new frontier of investment opportunities that could bring cosmic returns. Although it is difficult to imagine, the rapid pace of innovation and high public and private interest could make fields like space tourism and hypersonic intercontinental travel a near-term reality.By 2040, Morgan Stanley estimates the potential revenue from the global space industry could surpass $1 trillion, from $350 billion in 2020, an increase of 186 percent. In addition, possible breakthroughs in aerospace and defense, satellite-broadband internet, telecom, and high-speed cargo delivery may propel the industry to new highs.We’ve put together this handy beginner’s...

Younger Americans say they’d do anything from downsizing to buying a fixer-upper just to afford a home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:54 GMT

By Sarah Foster, BankrateBuying a home in an era where borrowing costs are high, inventory is low and housing prices are expensive isn’t a goal for the faint of heart.But the perennial underdogs of home buying — the younger Americans who’ve consistently struggled — are indicating they’re up for the challenge, even if it requires giving something up.The majority of Generation Z and millennials who do not own a home say they’re willing to make a sacrifice to find more affordable housing (at 82% for those between the ages of 18 and 42), according to Bankrate’s housing affordability survey published in April. That compares with 61% of non-homeowner Generation Xers and baby boomers (those between the ages of 43 and 77). They’re also more inclined to take action than Americans overall, including homeowners and non-homeowners alike (64%).To become homeowners, those younger generations say they’d be willing to do anything from buy a fixer-upper (29%) or move out of state (29%), to take on r...

Pot smell and safety concerns ignite disputes over public smoking

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:54 GMT

By Kevin Hardy, Stateline.orgCarl Sack is no fan of marijuana.He tried smoking once in high school and hasn’t touched it since. And he doesn’t just dislike the clouds of pot smoke he encounters around Duluth, Minnesota — he hates them.“I can’t stand to be around the stuff,” he said.But he’s still adamantly opposed to local efforts to ban the public consumption of marijuana, which became legal for recreational use on Aug. 1. Sack is among several residents asking the Duluth City Council to reject a proposed ban on marijuana consumption in city parks.“At a time when we’re finally getting rid of the racist war on drugs at the state level, the city of Duluth shouldn’t be the one to take up the mantle of this shameful and failed public policy,” he told the City Council last month.Many Minnesotans were surprised to learn the state’s legalization law didn’t outright ban public consumption. While existing tobacco rules already prohibit indoor smoking in most places, state law allows smoking...

Radar: Tracking Hilary

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:54 GMT

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SoCal in 'probable path' of Hurricane Hilary; When was the last time a tropical storm hit California?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:54 GMT

When conversations about tropical storms and hurricanes arise, California is rarely included. A tropical storm forming off the Pacific coast of Mexico, however, could impact the Golden State.Tropical Storm Hilary, which is expected to grow into a hurricane by Thursday, is slated to make its way toward the Baja California peninsula later this week, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical storm causes heat warnings and high surf in San Diego While the Hilary is expected to weaken as it approaches the peninsula, the remnants could still bring several inches of rain and potential flooding to the area, according to the Washington Post. Southern California is currently in the storm's "probable path."Tropical Storm Hilary's potential path. Aug. 16, 2023. (NOAA)“Confidence continues to increase on a heavy rainfall, potentially high impact, event unfolding across parts of the Southwest and California Saturday to Monday,” the National Weather Service said Wednesday.While it is ...

Worker dead after fall at construction site: TPS

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:54 GMT

A male worker has died after falling roughly 100 feet at a South Riverdale construction site.Toronto police tell CityNews 680 they were called to a site in the Leslie Street and Commissioner Street area around 11 a.m. on Thursday.A police spokesperson said a male construction worker fell and died a short time later. The Ministry of Labour will take over the investigation.No other details were immediately provided.

Minneapolis advances measure for minimum wage to Uber and Lyft drivers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:54 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis City Council members narrowly passed a measure on Thursday that would establish a minimum wage for drivers of Uber, Lyft and other ride-share companies in the city.Many of the drivers are African immigrants who have been pushing for higher wages at the state and city levels for several months. Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, can still veto the city’s measure. Seattle and New York City have passed similar policies in recent years.If the Minneapolis ordinance goes into effect, drivers would be paid at least $1.40 per mile and $0.51 per minute, or $5, whichever is greater. The rule would only apply for the portion of the ride within the city.Council members voted 7-5 to pass it. The council consists of 12 Democrats and one person who ran as an independent and identifies as a democratic socialist.Supporters of the measure said they want to increase drivers’ wages as soon as possible so the drivers can afford their lives. Members also said they ar...

The Gaza Strip gets its first cat cafe, a cozy refuge from life under blockade

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:54 GMT

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — The global cat cafe trend, where people pay to have coffee and hang out with cats, has finally come to the besieged Gaza Strip.In the impoverished Palestinian enclave run by the Hamas militant group and crippled by a 17-year blockade, residents seeking to escape the territory’s troubles flocked on Thursday to the new Meow Cafe — Gaza City’s answer to the quirky concept tried successfully around the world.The cafe’s founder, 52-year-old Naema Mabed, said she envisioned the spot as a unique escape from the pressures of life in Gaza — with its lack of recreational options, a youth unemployment rate of over 60% and frequent rounds of conflict with Israel since Hamas violently seized control of the strip in 2007. At the cozy hang-out, Mabed offers a modest drink service and encourages guests to head straight to the cat corner to pet and play with furry friends. The rules of entry are simple: Visitors must cover their shoes with plastic and w...