Month: June 2022

‘5 More Years of Zero-COVID,’ Says Beijing Official; FCC Wants TikTok Banned

This week, Beijing declared “five more years” of zero-COVID. To everyone’s surprise, they backtracked and claimed it was an “error” and a “mistake” on the part of the reporter. So do we expect China to go with hard lockdowns and mass testing for the next five years? Or is this all just political? And what…


Surf City Preps for 4th of July Parade and Fireworks

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.—After two years of modified July 4 celebrations, the Surf City’s traditional Fourth of July celebration is back. The weekend full of events kicks off June 30 with a Main Street Block Party from 5 to 9 p.m. Presented in partnership with the Huntington Beach Downtown Business Improvement District, there will be a…


Consumer Spending Weakens In May, Another Red Flag for US Economy

U.S. consumer spending in May was lower than anticipated, while rising prices reduced consumer spending, according to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics’ personal consumption expenditures index (PCE) released on June 30. Consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity. The PCE index happens to be lower than the Consumer Price Index (PCI), which…


Australia’s Largest Bank Surprises Lending Market With Massive Fixed Rate Rises

Australia’s largest bank has suddenly raised its fixed interest rates for homeowners and investors by a massive 1.4 percent on June 30, a move that has surprised the lending market. According to an analysis by the financial comparison website RateCity, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) lifted its one-year fixed rates for owner-occupiers to 4.99…


Is ‘Learn Now, Pay Later’ Just Another Student Debt Trap

The “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNLP) transaction is simple: Shoppers are offered an installment loan at the point of purchase, spreading the cost of the product across several payments. They’re often available without a credit check. BNLP financing has become a go-to payment method at most major retailers for everything from clothing and cosmetics to…


UCLA, USC Announce Move to Big Ten Conference

LOS ANGELES—The University of Californiain–LA (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC) confirmed leaving the Pac-12 Conference in 2024, and announcing June 30 they will join the Big Ten Conference in a move that sent shock waves across the world of collegiate athletics. The leaders of the Big Ten Conference voted Thursday to accept…


UCLA, USC Move to Big Ten Conference?

LOS ANGELES—The future of the Pac-12 Conference was thrown into doubt Thursday amid reports that two of its premiere athletic programs—University of California–LA and University of Southern California—could be eying a move to the Big Ten Conference as early as 2024. The San Jose Mercury-News first reported the possible moves, which have not been finalized…


Ketanji Brown Jackson Sworn In as Supreme Court Justice; Disney Adds Trans Character in New Show | NTD Evening News

Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as a Supreme Court justice on June 30. The Disney corporation has embroiled itself into another controversy involving LGBT content. This time, Disney appears to normalize the transgender lifestyle in a new show called “Baymax!” * Click the “Save” button below the video to access it later on “My List.”…


LIVE NOW: Ketanji Brown Jackson Sworn In as Supreme Court Justice; Disney Adds Trans Character in New Show | NTD Evening News

Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as a Supreme Court justice on June 30. The Disney corporation has embroiled itself into another controversy involving LGBT content. This time, Disney appears to normalize the transgender lifestyle in a new show called “Baymax!” * Click the “Save” button below the video to access it later on “My List.”…


Why the Majority of Californians Don’t Vote and What’s the Impact | Craig Keshishian

The turnout for this year’s California primary election was roughly 33 percent, as of June 27—the lowest it’s been in eight years. Are people too busy? Do they think their vote doesn’t matter? Or are they fearful of voting for the wrong candidate? I sat down with political and polling expert Craig Keshishian to discuss…