Author: TheWireHub.net

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations. The rate on a 30-year fixed refinance dropped to 6.28% today, according to the Mortgage Research Center. The average rate on a 15-year mortgage refinance is 5.34%. On a 20-year mortgage refinance, the average rate is 6.07%. Related: Compare Current Refinance Rates 30-Year Fixed Refinance Interest Rates Drop 2.51% The current 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage refinance average rate stands at 6.28%, versus 6.45% last week. The annual percentage rate (APR) on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage is 6.31%, lower than last week’s 6.47%. The APR is the all-in cost of a…

Sterling Heights — Sterling Heights leaders have tweaked a proposed ordinance to regulate cyrptocurrency machines in the city, one of the few municipal policies of its kind in Metro Detroit, adding …

New research suggests that smartphone ownership among preteens can hurt their mental and physical health in significant ways.Kids who own a smartphone by age 12 have higher rates of depression, obesity, and poor sleep when compared with their peers who don’t have a smartphone. That’s the conclusion of a new study published in the journal Pediatrics, which focuses specifically on smartphone use, not the effects of general screen time.Depression and poor sleep can hurt adolescents’ ability to learn in school, said Ran Barzilay, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the study’s lead author. The study…

This paper discusses the current economic issues that challenge investors, including slow economic growth with persistent price increases. The analysis reviews how these conditions impact traditional investment vehicles and explains why diversified strategies may offer relief. The Economic Setting and Emerging Challenges The economy has shown signs of weakening while prices have steadily risen over several months. This situation, where inflation persists despite a slow economy, has alerted many investors. In this environment, businesses face lower profits, and consumers spend less. The overall result is uneven growth and market uncertainty. Recent data indicates that stock values dropped by 7% over…

In a financial landscape long dominated by rigid legacy institutions, the definition of a “bank account” is undergoing a radical transformation. For decades, consumers have been tethered to local branches, burdened by maintenance fees, and restricted by geographical borders. However, a new wave of European fintech is dismantling these barriers, offering a streamlined alternative that prioritizes accessibility and flexibility.Leading this charge is Blackcatcard, a neobanking platform issued by the Malta-based Electronic Money Institution (EMI), Papaya Ltd. By combining the security of a regulated European IBAN with the agility of a mobile-first application, Blackcatcard has positioned itself as a robust solution…

Rivian has just shared details of its latest over-the-air software update 2025.46, which includes some of the new features announced during its recent AI and Autonomy event last week. The update features a new digital key function for Gen 2 R1 owners, “flavorful” drive styles, kick turns, tuning, and, of course, Rivian’s new Universal Hands-Free driving capabilities. There’s a lot to unfold with the 2025.46 software update, so we’ll provide a quick recap of our visit to Rivian’s Palo Alto facilities last week for its inaugural AI and Autonomy Day. During the exclusive event, Rivian executives, like founder and CEO…

We like to think there’s a lesson in every technological misadventure. But when technology becomes dependent on power, sometimes the takeaway is simpler: it would have been better to stay away. That was a conclusion Elon Musk drew from his sojourn as instigator of DOGE, the insurgent cost-cutting initiative that took a chainsaw to federal agencies. The public protested. Teslas were set alight, and drivers of his hyped Cybertruck discovered that instead of a thumbs-up, they were getting the middle finger. On reflection, Musk said he wouldn’t do it again. “Instead of doing DOGE, I would have, basically … worked…

Welcome to our annual list of the worst, least successful, and simply dumbest technologies of the year.We like to think there’s a lesson in every technological misadventure. But when technology becomes dependent on power, sometimes the takeaway is simpler: it would have been better to stay away.Regrets—2025 had a few. Here are some of the more notable ones.—Antonio Regalado A brief history of Sam Altman’s hype Each time you’ve heard a borderline outlandish idea of what AI will be capable of, it often turns out that Sam Altman was, if not the first to articulate it, at least the most…

Erebor Bank’s deposit insurance application has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Erebor received approval for a bank charter in October, the first de novo national bank charter issued under the current administration. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the bank was founded by top VCs/entrepreneurs.  This includes Peter Thiel, Joe Lonsdale, and Palmer Lucky. Diogo Mónica, founder of Anchorage Digital, is a member of its Board of Directors. Owen Rapaport is the bank’s CEO. The FDIC notes that Erebor Bank’s proposed business model will focus on providing deposit and lending products to businesses and individuals…

Dapper Labs, a renowned blockchain company recognized in the global non-fungible token market for creating viral non-fungible token projects such as CryptoKitties and NBA Top Shot, has launched a new non-fungible token collection on its blockchain network, Flow. This NFT series, presented as digital pins, is meant to celebrate 55 years of Aristocats. In this article, we shall explore more about this highly anticipated NFT collection. Dapper Labs Drops A New NFT Collection In a December 16 site publication, Dapper Labs confirmed plans to launch a new non-fungible token collection on Flow, a scalable blockchain network for digital collectibles and…

I’ve seen things. I’ve seen TVs, wearables, smart home gear, small appliances, computer accessories, office furniture, and all the other gadgets that a consumer-tech journalist might have encountered over some 30 years of product testing. Well, now it’s December 2025, and I’m ready to go on the record and make some holiday gift suggestions. Buy these for some GenX dude in your life. Or buy them for yourself. I don’t care. Why are we still talking? Read my list. Ryobi 18V Hand Vacuum Jon Phillips/Foundry When I fired up my Ryobi hand vac the very first time, I was surprised…

Wall Street is optimistic about the first six months of 2026.AFP via Getty ImagesWith the S&P 500 rising about 16% this year as of mid-December, 2025 has been good for investors. Though Wall Street isn’t expecting a repeat, it’s optimistic about the first six months of 2026, forecasting an 11% increase in the S&P 500 for the year.Interest rates are expected to drop because the labor market is shaky even as inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Corporate earnings are expected to push up stocks. Capital flowing into artificial intelligence will drive growth, particularly among builders of AI…

Whether returning to work after a health-related pause or looking to advance an established career, setting clear goals for 2026 can foster both professional growth and financial stability. For individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), this planning process is especially critical, as it may involve unique considerations around income, health and benefit protections.iStock.com/damircudic.As 2025 winds down, many individuals are already reflecting on their progress and setting intentions for the coming year. Whether returning to work after a health-related pause or looking to advance an established career, setting clear goals for 2026 can foster both professional growth and financial stability.…

A comprehensive look at local, multi-state and national news events provided by the ABC 6 News Team including updates on sports and weather conditions and traffic.(ABC 6 News) – Every December, Apple highlights the apps that made the biggest impact on users. This year’s App of the Year is Tiimo, a simple but powerful planning tool that has become a favorite for people who want an easier way to stay on schedule.Tiimo originally gained popularity among people with ADHD and others who struggle with executive functioning. Apple pointed out that Tiimo succeeds because it breaks routines into small, doable steps…

TALLAHASSEE — After a ruling last week allowed Florida to begin enforcing a 2024 law designed to prevent children from having access to certain social-media sites, tech industry groups Wednesday asked a federal appeals court to quickly hear arguments about whether the law violates First Amendment rights. The groups NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association filed a motion requesting that the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals “expedite” oral arguments and a decision on the constitutional issue. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in June issued a preliminary injunction to block the law (HB 3), agreeing with the industry…

A learner who knows how to use artificial intelligence to get “unstuck” when they encounter a challenge or need feedback.A problem solver who can use AI to brainstorm possibilities.A researcher who can use AI to independently verify information and find areas of widespread agreement.Those are some of the key attributes of an “AI-ready” high school graduate as described by ISTE+ASCD, a professional development organization, in a profile unveiled earlier this year. The nonprofit was inspired by a widespread trend among districts and states to define which skills a student should leave high school with, such as the ability to communicate…