Scientists Warn , Invasive Feral Pigs , Pose a Threat to the US.
'Quartz' reports that wild hogs
from Canada are on the verge
of invading the United States. .
According to recent research, invasive wild pigs
have a "high potential" of crossing the Canadian
border and establishing new populations.
With no natural predators in states like
North Dakota or Montana, the animals
are able to quickly increase in numbers. .
This rapid population growth can cause voracious
consumption of native vegetation, small wildlife
and farmed crops in the region.
Feral pigs are also known to carry a number
of potentially dangerous germs capable of
jumping to pets or even the occasional human.
'Quartz' reports that the feral pigs that have invaded
parts of the southern U.S. are typically a combination
of escaped domestic pigs and wild boars from Eurasia. .
In the 1980s and 90s, Canadian hunters
deliberately introduced wild boars to be
used as livestock and controlled game. .
Pigs that were released, or escaped, were able
to mate with domestic pigs, producing what
scientists often refer to as "super" pigs. .
These "super" swine are larger, hardier
and more resistant to the cold. .
We went from having a general
concern about pigs crossing the
U.S./Canada border to having very
detailed maps showing where they’re
most likely to move and establish
populations. This can be used
to target control efforts, Ryan Brook, study author and professor
at the University of Saskatchewan, to 'Quartz'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Biden Celebrates Latest , Jobs Report , and Economic Gains .
'The Independent' reports that the United States economy
surpassed expectations in May while adding 272,000 jobs,
giving President Joe Biden a boost ahead of the 2024 election.
'The Independent' reports that the United States economy
surpassed expectations in May while adding 272,000 jobs,
giving President Joe Biden a boost ahead of the 2024 election.
The great American
comeback continues,
but we still have to
make more progress, Joe Biden, President of the United States, via 'The Independent'.
On my watch, 15.6 million
more Americans have
the dignity and respect
that comes with a job. , Joe Biden, President of the United States, via 'The Independent'.
Unemployment has been
at or below 4% for 30 months—
the longest stretch in 50 years. , Joe Biden, President of the United States, via 'The Independent'.
And a record high
share of working-age
women have jobs, Joe Biden, President of the United States, via 'The Independent'.
Despite Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing
a change of only 4%, the unemployment
rate exceeded economists' expectations. .
The greatest increase was seen in the health care
sector, which added 68,000 jobs in May,
while the government added another 43,000.
The greatest increase was seen in the health care
sector, which added 68,000 jobs in May,
while the government added another 43,000.
The month of May also saw wages go
up by 0.4%, contributing to a 4.1%
increase since the same time in 2023.
'The Independent' reports that the increase
in wages means that workers' earnings
have now outpaced inflation.
According to BLS data,
the consumer price index
increased by 3.4% in the past year
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Naples, Florida, Ranked Number One, Place to Live in the US.
'Naples Daily News' is proud to report that the Florida
city ranks as the number one Best Place to Live in the
United States, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The annual Best Places to Live in the U.S. list
often features the Southwestern Florida city for
its weather and overall quality of life.
In the past ten years, Naples has also emerged as
the Pickleball Capital of the World, hosting the very
first championships for the popular sport in 2016.
Naples, Florida, takes
the top spot due to its
strong desirability and job
market scores, and moderately
high quality-of-life score, U.S. News report, via 'Naples Daily News'.
Other Florida cities to make the list
were Sarasota at number 11 followed
by Pensacola at number 31.
Other Florida cities to make the list
were Sarasota at number 11 followed
by Pensacola at number 31.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the list is , "designed to help readers make the most informed
decision when choosing where to settle down.".
To craft the methodology,
U.S. News asked thousands
of people to tell us what
factors are important to them
when choosing a place to live, U.S. News statemet, via 'Naples Daily News'.
Data used in the report comes from the U.S. Census Bureau,
FBI, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sharecare, the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Data used in the report comes from the U.S. Census Bureau,
FBI, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sharecare, the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
According to U.S. News, cities are
ranked according to four indexes: , the Quality of Life Index, Value Index,
Job Market Index and Desirability Index.
Meanwhile, another Southwest Florida city, Fort Meyers, ranked
as the number one "Fastest Growing Places" list for the U.S.,
along with three other Florida cities ranking among the top 5.
Meanwhile, another Southwest Florida city, Fort Meyers, ranked
as the number one "Fastest Growing Places" list for the U.S.,
along with three other Florida cities ranking among the top 5
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
GameStop Rally , Continues Following Return of, 'Roaring Kitty' .
On June 3, meme stock GameStop rallied on rumors that
Keith Gill, the inspiration for the stock's 2021 short squeeze,
may be holding a significant share of the company. .
NBC reports that Gill, otherwise known as Roaring Kitty on YouTube
and X, posted a screenshot of what is believed to be his
extensive GameStop portfolio of common shares and call options. .
NBC reports that Gill, otherwise known as Roaring Kitty on YouTube
and X, posted a screenshot of what is believed to be his
extensive GameStop portfolio of common shares and call options. .
According to the image shared on Reddit's
r/SuperStonk forum, Gill is holding 5 million shares
of GameStop with an estimated worth of $115.7 million. .
According to the image shared on Reddit's
r/SuperStonk forum, Gill is holding 5 million shares
of GameStop with an estimated worth of $115.7 million. .
The post also showed 120,000 call
options with a strike price of $20. .
On May 31, GameStop
shares closed at $23.14.
As a result of Roaring Kitty's post,
shares in GameStop were up almost 84%,
reaching $42.55 in premarket trading.
NBC reports that around the same time as
the Reddit post, Gill also made a cryptic post
on X of a 'Reverse' card from the game 'Uno.'.
NBC reports that around the same time as
the Reddit post, Gill also made a cryptic post
on X of a 'Reverse' card from the game 'Uno.'.
Three weeks ago, Gill's first return to social media
led to an initial rally for GameStop that saw
shares more than double for the month of May.
Three weeks ago, Gill's first return to social media
led to an initial rally for GameStop that saw
shares more than double for the month of May.
In response to the May rally,
GameStop capitalized by raising
over $900 million in a stock sale.
The rally comes as GameStop continues to struggle
amid the transition away from brick-and-mortar
video game stores and towards online gaming. .
The rally comes as GameStop continues to struggle
amid the transition away from brick-and-mortar
video game stores and towards online gaming.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
New US Home Construction , Sinks to Slowest Pace in 4 Years.
Government data released on June 20 indicates that new home construction in America dropped in May to the slowest pace since June 2020, Yahoo Finance reports. .
Housing starts dropped 5.5%,
and building permits dipped 3.8%.
Home completions also fell to the lowest amount since September 2022.
High interest rates, set by the Fed to help tame inflation, have resulted in high mortgage rates.
But recent data has suggested that inflation has started to cool, which may give the Fed the confidence it needs to lower rates.
The weakest U.S. housing starts
since the pandemic-led shutdowns
are fairly convincing evidence of
restrictive monetary policy. , Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, via note.
While a growing population and
workforce are providing some support,
US home builders won’t become
busier until borrowing costs fall, Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, via note.
Meanwhile, other data released on June 20 showed that first-time applications for unemployment benefits dropped last week.
However, continuing claims rose
for a seventh consecutive week
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Mortgage Rates Continue , to Fall, Raising Hopes of the , Fed Cutting Rates.
ABC reports that borrowing costs for
home loans continued to ease this week,
with the average rate on a 30-year mortgage
falling to its lowest level since April.
According to mortgage buyer
Freddie Mac, the rate fell from
6.95% to 6.87% last week. .
That figure is still significantly higher than
what the rate was during the same time last year,
which was at an average of 6.67%. .
15-year fixed-rate mortgages
also eased, falling from
6.17% last week to 6.13%. .
During the same time last year,
the average rate was at 6.03%.
Those higher rates can add hundreds of dollars
to monthly costs for borrowers, which limits the
purchasing options of potential homebuyers.
Mortgage rates fell for
the third straight week
following signs of cooling
inflation and market
expectations of a
future Fed rate cut, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, via ABC.
ABC reports that rates are influenced by a number
of factors, including the Federal Reserve's interest
rate policy and the 10-year Treasury yield.
ABC reports that rates are influenced by a number
of factors, including the Federal Reserve's interest
rate policy and the 10-year Treasury yield.
Due to yields also beginning to ease, the Federal
Reserve could start to drop its main interest rate
after hiking it up to the highest level in over 20 years.
Last week, Fed officials suggested that they would make
just one cut to their benchmark interest rate in 2024,
down from previous projections of three cuts for the year.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Surge of New Applications for , Unemployment Benefits , May Signal Cooling Job Market.
Last week, the number of people in the
United States filing for unemployment benefits
reached the highest level in ten months last week. .
ABC reports that the news comes as a potential
sign that the U.S. labor market may be slowing
under the burden of high interest rates. .
The week ending June 8 saw
applications for jobless benefits
rise by 13,000 to reach 242,000. .
According to Labor Department
data, that is up from 229,000 new
applications the week before.
The number also represents the highest
number of new applications since August
of 2023, while also being significantly higher
than the 225,000 new claims forecast.
ABC reports that weekly unemployment claims have
lingered at historically low levels since millions of
jobs disappeared with the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABC reports that weekly unemployment claims have
lingered at historically low levels since millions of
jobs disappeared with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since March of 2022, the Federal Reserve has raised
benchmark rates 11 times in an attempt to reign in
inflation which has risen to a four-decade high.
While the latest data suggests that consumer
inflation cooled in May, the Federal Reserve
has decided to leave rates at a 23-year high.
According to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, officials
are waiting for more evidence that prices
are reaching their target of two percent.
ABC reports that a total of 1.82 million
Americans were collecting unemployment
benefits in the week ending June 1. .
ABC reports that a total of 1.82 million
Americans were collecting unemployment
benefits in the week ending June 1.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Fed Holds Steady , With Interest Rates at , 2-Decade High.
On June 12, the Federal Reserve chose to hold
interest rates at a two-decade high while it
waits to see more signs of inflation going down.
'The Guardian' reports that officials at the United States
central bank expect to make a single rate cut
in 2024, according to the latest projections.
In previous projections,
policymakers expected the Fed
to make three cuts in 2024. .
At the latest meeting, the Fed chose to
keep rates at the same place they've been
for nearly a year, between 5.25% and 5.5%.
Despite recent data suggesting that inflation
may be easing, the Fed clearly doesn't see it moving
at a pace that would lead it to start cutting rates.
In May, inflation cooled slightly across the U.S.,
according to the latest consumer price index, however
consumers remain frustrated over skyrocketing prices.
In May, inflation cooled slightly across the U.S.,
according to the latest consumer price index, however
consumers remain frustrated over skyrocketing prices.
'The Guardian' reports that price growth has
slowed significantly since surging over 9%
in 2022, its highest level in a generation.
'The Guardian' reports that price growth has
slowed significantly since surging over 9%
in 2022, its highest level in a generation.
May saw prices for air fare and fuel go
down, inflation for grocery prices remained
flat, and shelter costs continued to rise.
May saw prices for air fare and fuel go
down, inflation for grocery prices remained
flat, and shelter costs continued to rise.
Overall, prices remained unchanged on a month-to-month
basis as the Fed emphasized that it would wait for
inflation to hit its previously-stated target of 2%.
The committee does not expect
it will be appropriate to reduce
the target range until it has
gained greater confidence
that inflation is moving
sustainably toward 2%, Federal Reserve statement, via Fox News
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
European Central Bank , Cuts Interest Rates.
The action was confirmed on June 6 at
the central bank's meeting, CNBC reports. .
The European Central Bank's (ECB) key
rate will go from 4% down to 3.75%.
The ECB Governing Council issued a statement.
Based on an updated assessment of
the inflation outlook, the dynamics of
underlying inflation and the strength
of monetary policy transmission, , ECB Governing Council, via statement.
... it is now appropriate to
moderate the degree of monetary
policy restriction after nine months
of holding rates steady, ECB Governing Council, via statement.
This is the first time that interest rates
have been cut since September 2019. .
Updated macroeconomic projections indicate that 2024's "annual average headline inflation outlook" has been increased from 2.3% to 2.5%, CNBC reports.
For 2025, it was raised from 2% to 2.2%.
The projection for 2026 stayed at 1.9%.
The ECB's next meeting is in July, where another rate cut is unlikely, experts say.
The slight upgrade to the inflation forecast
was to be expected, inflation has been printing
a little bit hotter than markets were expecting,
but in terms of the timing of the next cut
I’d still be looking to September, Dean Turner, chief euro zone economist at
UBS Global Wealth Management, to CNBC.
Canada also cut interest rates on June 5, while Sweden and Switzerland cut rates earlier this year.
Canada also cut interest rates on June 5, while Sweden and Switzerland cut rates earlier this year.
Canada also cut interest rates on June 5, while Sweden and Switzerland cut rates earlier this year.
The U.S. Federal Reserve continues
to battle America's rate of inflation.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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