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The average long-term US mortgage rate surges to 7.63%, holding at highest level since 2000 10/19/2023 01:59pm • LOS ANGELES (AP) — The cost of financing a home surged again this week with the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate at its highest level since December 2000. The average rate on the benchmark 30-year home loan rose to 7.63% from 7.57% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ag What to consider when choosing a mortgage lender (Psst: Don’t count out credit unions) 10/19/2023 01:34pm • Over the past year, homebuyers have watched interest rates on home loans continue to rise. Even though rates are still considered historically low on average, it’s stressful for people looking to buy homes or refinance existing mortgages. Jeff Bentley, president and CEO of Northwest Federal Home sales fell again in September as surging mortgage rates, rising prices discouraged homebuyers 10/19/2023 12:43pm • LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes in September fell for the fourth month in a row, grinding to their slowest pace in more than a decade as prospective homebuyers grapple with surging mortgage rates and a near historic-low level of properties on the market. Existing home sa The government secures a $9 million settlement with Ameris Bank over alleged redlining in Florida 10/19/2023 12:18pm • WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has secured a $9 million settlement with Ameris Bank over allegations that it avoided underwriting mortgages in predominately Black and Latino communities in Jacksonville, Florida, and discouraged people there from getting home loans. The bank denied violat Ben Earl shows value of perseverance to become England's unlikely star at Rugby World Cup 10/19/2023 07:01am • England’s best player at the Rugby World Cup hadn’t started a match for his country until a month before the tournament. In fact, before the World Cup warmup games in August, Ben Earl was far from assured of being in the squad for France at all. Earl, who was voted as the best player in the Engl The pope's absolute power, and the problems it can cause, are on display in 2 Vatican trials 10/19/2023 12:03am • VATICAN CITY (AP) — Two Vatican trials are coming to a head this week and posing uncomfortable questions for the Holy See, given they both underscore Pope Francis’ power as an absolute monarch and the legal, financial and reputational problems that can arise when he wields it. On Wednesday, the Payday Loan Consolidation: What You Need to Know 10/18/2023 08:00pm • Payday loans are designed to be short-term loans for modest amounts to bridge the gap from today until payday. While they can quickly get you the cash you need, those fast funds come with a price. While some states cap the interest rate, others allow lenders to charge annual percentage rates in exce Woman arrested after trying to get close to Trump at New York trial; she says she's a supporter 10/18/2023 06:30pm • NEW YORK (AP) — A spectator at Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial was arrested Wednesday after standing up in the middle of testimony and walking toward the front of the courtroom where the former president sat. The woman expressed a desire to aid Trump, and the court system said that neither he n Four easy ways to help make home efficiency upgrades more affordable 10/18/2023 05:20pm • This content is provided by Washington Gas. Upgrading your home to be more energy-efficient can be costly. In fact, furnaces and water heaters can be some of the most expensive equipment homeowners can buy. While high-efficiency water heating and furnace equipment can be costly up-front, choosing In Euro 2024 qualifying, Bellingham and Mbappé thrill on the field as war impacts games 10/18/2023 03:27pm • GENEVA (AP) — Eight teams advanced to the 2024 European Championship in a week when qualifying games were disrupted by war in the Middle East and violence on the streets of Brussels. Belgium and Sweden did not complete their game Monday so as to ensure the safety of visiting fans, and Israel could China's Xi promises open markets and billions in new investments for 'Belt and Road' projects 10/18/2023 09:04am • BEIJING (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping promised foreign companies greater access to China’s huge market and more than $100 billion in new financing for other developing economies as he opened a forum Wednesday on his signature Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. Xi's initiative has bu Italy's far-right Premier Meloni defies fears of harming democracy and clashing with the EU 10/18/2023 12:15am • ROME (AP) — When Giorgia Meloni took office a year ago as the first far-right premier in Italy’s post-war history, many in Europe worried about the prospect of the country's democratic backsliding and resistance to European Union rules. The European Commission president issued a decidedly undipl Colleges Work to Make Financial Aid Award Letters Clearer 10/17/2023 08:00pm • Against a backdrop of rising college costs and student borrowing rates, more than 400 colleges and universities have committed to following standards of clarity in financial aid offer letters, which have become confusing and -- in some cases -- deceptive. Most universities don't tell students the ne How to Cash a Check 10/17/2023 08:00pm • Not that long ago, Americans had one primary way to cash checks -- at their bank or credit union. Today, we enjoy many check-cashing options, including mobile apps and retail stores. Trying to decide where to cash a check? Read this guide on how to cash a check, including information about the fees Retail sales rise solid 0.7% in September, reflecting US shoppers' resilience despite higher prices 10/17/2023 05:45pm • NEW YORK (AP) — Americans showed their steadfast resilience and kept spending online, at restaurants and other outlets in September even as they grappled with higher prices, rising interest rates and a host of other headwinds piling up. Retail sales rose 0.7% in September, more than twice what eco