April 27, 2024
Funds

Australia resumes funding for UNRWA and pledges more Gaza aid

SYDNEY (AP) — Australia will restore funding to the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians, weeks after the agency lost hundreds of millions of dollars in support following Israeli allegations that some of its Gaza-based staff participated in the Oct. 7 attack. The Australian government also pledged Friday to increase aid for the besieged enclave,

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Mortgage

Average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose this week to 6.77%, highest level in 10 weeks | News

LOS ANGELES — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose this week to its highest level in 10 weeks, a setback for prospective homebuyers ahead of the spring homebuying season. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose to 6.77 percent from 6.64 percent last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago,

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Mortgage

Average long-term U.S. mortgage rate edged higher this week, but remain in the mid-6% range | News

LOS ANGELES — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate edged higher this week, reflecting a recent uptick in the 10-year Treasury yield. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose to 6.64 percent from 6.63 percent last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.12 percent. “Mortgage rates remain

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Loans

States expand low-interest loan programs for farms, businesses and new housing

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — On the first business day of the new year, Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek began accepting applications for about $120 million of state-subsidized, low-interest loans to small businesses, farmers and affordable housing developers. Within six hours, Malek had so many requests for the money that he had to cut off applications.

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Finance

Resilient economy energizes investors, as financial markets end 2023 up 24%

NEW YORK (AP) — The S&P 500 closed out 2023 with a gain of more than 24% and the Dow finished near a record high, as easing inflation, a resilient economy and the prospect of lower interest rates buoyed investors, particularly in the last two months of the year. Stocks closed Friday with modest losses.

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