[Fox News] Trump urges Biden to follow through with debate promise: ‘I’m ready to go anywhere’
Former President Donald Trump is demanding President Biden coordinate a presidential debate after both 2024 candidates have expressed enthusiasm for the idea. Trump wrote a...
[Fox News] China launches lunar probe to take samples from far side of the moon
China on Friday launched a lunar probe to land on the far side of the moon and return with samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side.
It is the latest advance in China’s increasingly sophisticated space exploration program, which is now competing with the U.S., still the leader in space.
China also has a three-member crew on its own orbiting space station and aims to put astronauts on the moon by 2030. Three Chinese lunar probe missions are planned over the next four years.
Free from exposure to Earth and other interference, the moon’s somewhat mysterious far side is ideal for radio astronomy and other scientific work. Because the far side never faces Earth, a relay satellite is needed to maintain communications.
The rocket carrying the Chang’e-6 lunar probe — named after the Chinese mythical moon goddess — lifted off Friday at 5:27 p.m. as planned from the Wenchang launch center on the island province of Hainan. About 35 minutes later it separated entirely from the massive Long March-5 rocket — China’s largest — that had slung it into space, as technicians monitoring the launch from ground control smiled and applauded.
Shortly afterward, launch mission commander Zhang Zuosheng took to a podium at the front of the room and said the launch had gone off exactly as planned and the spacecraft was on its set trajectory. “I declare this launch mission a complete success,” Zhang said to further applause.
The Philippine Space Agency issued a statement saying expected debris from the rocket launch was “projected to have fallen within the identified drop zones.”
China in 2021 was forced to defend its handling of a rocket booster that burned up over the Indian Ocean after the administrator of the American space agency and others accused Beijing of acting recklessly by allowing its rocket to fall to Earth seemingly uncontrolled after the mission.
Huge numbers of people crowded Hainan’s beaches to view the launch, which comes in the middle of China’s five-day May Day holiday. As with previous recent launches, the event was televised live by state broadcaster CCTV.
After orbiting the moon to reduce speed, the lander will separate from the spacecraft and within 48 hours of setting down it will begin drilling into the lunar surface and scooping up samples with its robotic arm. With the samples sealed in a container, it will then reconnect with the returner for the trip back to Earth. The entire mission is set to last 53 days.
China in 2020 returned samples from the moon’s near side, the first time anyone has done so since the U.S. Apollo program that ended in the 1970s. Analysis of the samples found they contained water in tiny beads embedded in lunar dirt.
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Also in the past week, three Chinese astronauts returned home from a six-month mission on the country’s orbiting space station after the arrival of its replacement crew.
China built its own space station after being excluded from the International Space Station, largely because of U.S. concerns over the Chinese military’s total control of the space program amid a sharpening competition in technology between the two geopolitical rivals. U.S. law bars almost all cooperation between the U.S. and Chinese space programs without explicit congressional approval.
Faced with such limitations, China has expanded cooperation with other countries and agencies. The latest mission carries scientific instruments from France, Italy and the European Space Agency in cooperation with Sweden. A small Pakistani satellite is also on board.
China’s ambitious space program aims to put astronauts on the moon by 2030, as well as bring back samples from Mars around the same year and launch three lunar probe missions over the next four years. The next is scheduled for 2027.
Longer-term plans call for a permanent crewed base on the lunar surface, although those appear to remain in the conceptual phase.
China conducted its first crewed space mission in 2003, becoming the third country after the former Soviet Union and the U.S. to put a person into space using its own resources.
The three-module Tiangong, much smaller than the ISS, was launched in 2021 and completed 18 months later. It can accommodate up to six astronauts at a time and is mainly dedicated to scientific research. The crew will also install space debris protection equipment, carry out payload experiments, and beam science classes to students on Earth.
China has also said that it eventually plans to offer access to its space station to foreign astronauts and space tourists. With the ISS nearing the end of its useful life, China could eventually be the only country or corporation to maintain a crewed station in orbit.
The U.S. space program is believed to still hold a significant edge over China’s due to its spending, supply chains and capabilities.
The U.S. aims to put a crew back on the lunar surface by the end of 2025 as part of a renewed commitment to crewed missions, aided by private sector players such as SpaceX and Blue Origin. They plan to land on the moon’s south pole where permanently shadowed craters are believed to be packed with frozen water.
[Fox News] Scientists discover thick atmosphere enveloping rocky so-called ‘super Earth’ planet
A thick atmosphere has been detected around a planet that’s twice as big as Earth in a nearby solar system, researchers reported Wednesday.
The so-called super Earth — known as 55 Cancri e — is among the few rocky planets outside our solar system with a significant atmosphere, wrapped a blanket of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. The exact amounts are unclear. Earth’s atmosphere is a blend of nitrogen, oxygen, argon and other gases.
“It’s probably the firmest evidence yet that this planet has an atmosphere,” said Ian Crossfield, an astronomer at the University of Kansas who studies exoplanets and was not involved with the research.
ASTRONOMERS DISCOVER SOLAR SYSTEM WITH 6 PLANETS IN PERFECT SYNC
The research was published in the journal Nature.
Super Earth refers to a planet’s size — bigger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. The boiling temperatures on this planet — which can reach as hot as 4,200 degrees Fahrenheit – mean that it is unlikely to host life.
Instead, scientists say the discovery is a promising sign that other such rocky planets with thick atmospheres could exist that may be more hospitable.
The exoplanet 41 light years away is eight times heavier than Earth and circles its star Copernicus so closely that it has permanent day and night sides. A light-year is nearly 6 trillion miles. Its surface is encrusted with magma oceans.
To identify the makeup of its atmosphere, researchers studied Webb Space Telescope observations before and after the planet passed behind its star.
They separated the light emitted from the planet versus its star and used the data to calculate the planet’s temperature. There’s evidence the planet’s heat was being distributed more evenly across its surface – a party trick atmospheres are known for.
Gases from its magma oceans may play a key role in holding its atmosphere steady. Exploring this super Earth may also yield clues to how Earth and Mars might have evolved first with magma oceans that have since cooled, scientists say.
“It’s a rare window,” said Renyu Hu, a planetary scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who was part of the research. “We can look into this early phase of planet evolution.”
[Fox Business] Today’s 15- and 30-year mortgage rates rise | May 10, 2024
The interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 7.000% as of May 10, which is 0.010 percentage points higher than yesterday. Additionally, the interest rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage is 6.375%, which is 0.125 percentage points higher than yesterday.
With mortgage rates changing daily, it’s a good idea to check today’s rate before applying for a loan. It’s also important to compare different lenders’ current interest rates, terms, and fees to ensure you get the best deal.
Rates last updated on May 10, 2024. Rates are based on the assumptions shown here. Actual rates may vary. Credible, a personal finance marketplace, has 5,000 Trustpilot reviews with an average star rating of 4.7 (out of a possible 5.0).
When you take out a mortgage loan to purchase a home, you’re borrowing money from a lender. In order for that lender to make a profit and reduce risk to itself, it will charge interest on the principal — that is, the amount you borrowed.
Expressed as a percentage, a mortgage interest rate is essentially the cost of borrowing money. It can vary based on several factors, such as your credit score, debt-to-income ratio (DTI), down payment, loan amount and repayment term.
After getting a mortgage, you’ll typically receive an amortization schedule, which shows your payment schedule over the life of the loan. It also indicates how much of each payment goes toward the principal balance versus the interest.
Near the beginning of the loan term, you’ll spend more money on interest and less on the principal balance. As you approach the end of the repayment term, you’ll pay more toward the principal and less toward interest.
Your mortgage interest rate can be either fixed or adjustable. With a fixed-rate mortgage, the rate will be consistent for the duration of the loan. With an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), the interest rate can fluctuate with the market.
Keep in mind that a mortgage’s interest rate is not the same as its annual percentage rate (APR). This is because an APR includes both the interest rate and any other lender fees or charges.
Mortgage rates change frequently — sometimes on a daily basis. Inflation plays a significant role in these fluctuations. Interest rates tend to rise in periods of high inflation, whereas they tend to drop or remain roughly the same in times of low inflation. Other factors, like the economic climate, demand, and inventory can also impact the current average mortgage rates.
To find great mortgage rates, start by using Credible’s secured website, which can show you current mortgage rates from multiple lenders without affecting your credit score. You can also use Credible’s mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly mortgage payments.
Mortgage lenders typically determine the interest rate on a case-by-case basis. Generally, they reserve the lowest rates for low-risk borrowers — that is, those with a higher credit score, income, and down payment amount. Here are some other personal factors that may determine your mortgage rate:
Other indirect factors that may determine the mortgage rate include:
Along with certain economic and personal factors, the lender you choose can also affect your mortgage rate. Some lenders have higher average mortgage rates than others, regardless of your credit or financial situation. That’s why it’s important to compare lenders and loan offers.
Here are some of the best ways to compare mortgage rates and ensure you get the best one:
One other way to compare mortgage rates is with a mortgage calculator. Use a calculator to determine your monthly payment amount and the total cost of the loan. Just remember, certain fees like homeowners insurance or taxes might not be included in the calculations.
Here’s a simple example of what a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage might look like versus a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage:
If you’re thinking about taking out a mortgage, here are some benefits to consider:
And here are some of the biggest downsides of getting a mortgage:
Requirements vary by lender, but here are the typical steps to qualify for a mortgage:
Here are the basic steps to apply for a mortgage, and what you can typically expect during the process:
Refinancing your mortgage lets you trade your current loan for a new one. It does not mean taking out a second loan. You will also still be responsible for making payments on the refinanced loan.
You might want to refinance your mortgage if you:
The refinancing process is similar to the process you follow for the original loan. Here are the basic steps:
If you need to tap into your home’s equity to pay off debt, fund a renovation, or cover an emergency expense, there are two popular options to choose from: a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Both a home equity loan and a HELOC allow you to borrow against your home’s equity but a home equity loan comes in the form of a lump sum payment and a HELOC is a revolving line of credit.
These two loan types have some other key similarities and differences in how they work:
Interest rates on mortgages fluctuate all the time, but a rate lock allows you to lock in your current rate for a set amount of time. This ensures you get the rate you want as you complete the homebuying process.
Mortgage points are a type of prepaid interest that you can pay upfront — often as part of your closing costs — for a lower overall interest rate. This can lower your APR and monthly payments.
Closing costs are the fees you, as the buyer, need to pay before getting a loan. Common fees include attorney fees, home appraisal fees, origination fees, and application fees.
If you’re trying to find the right mortgage rate, consider using Credible. You can use Credible’s free online tool to easily compare multiple lenders and see prequalified rates in just a few minutes.
[Fox Business] ‘National security concerns’ raised as German group purchases influential US advisory firm
FIRST ON FOX: Two House Republican lawmakers are demanding the Biden administration investigate a German company’s acquisition of a major global advisory firm, raising concerns about foreign influence being used to promote a radical green energy agenda in the U.S.
“We write to draw your attention to national security concerns arising from the Deutsche Börse Group’s (“Deutsche Börse”) acquisition of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc,” Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., and House Administration Committee Chair Bryan Steil, R-Wis., wrote to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
They pointed out that the Deutsche Börse press release on its purchase of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc (ISS) also highlighted the company’s commitment to ESG — which stands for environmental, social, and governance — and is a progressive metric for firms to use when weighing investment strategies.
ISS is the largest proxy advisory firm both in the U.S. and abroad, according to a 2018 Harvard Law School report. Along with another company, Glass Lewis, they make up over 90% of the proxy advisory market, the lawmakers’ letter said.
SENATE KILLS BIDEN ESG INVESTMENT RULE IN STUNNING REBUKE
Consumers’ Research Executive Director Will Hild explained, “Glass Lewis and ISS’s advice weighs heavily on the makeup of boards of directors, C-suite hiring, and even capital investments within public companies. To give just one example, their push for absurd targets like Net Zero increases the cost of gasoline and shuts down critical electrical grid capacity in our nation.”
Barr and Steil wrote to Yellen, “Since the acquisition, ISS has persistently used its substantial market power to push American companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in line with the ‘net zero’ goals of the Paris Agreement. Net zero pathways require shutting down America’s existing natural gas and coal plants and replacing them with net-zero-aligned technologies for which China controls 70%–80% of the supply chain.”
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They said ISS’ progressive commitment “threatens to undermine our nation’s energy independence, make our critical infrastructure dependent on China, weaken our national defense, and jeopardize our food security.”
The letter cited a November 2020 press release by Deutsche Börse declaring that its acquisition of ISS “is a logical step in our ESG growth strategy” and would “strengthen” its focus “on sustainable investing.”
“ISS’s ESG-aligned climate policies threaten the national security of the United States. They weaken our nation’s energy independence and make our critical infrastructure and energy supply dependent on foreign adversaries—especially China,” they wrote. “The United States is the world’s number one producer of oil and natural gas. Yet ISS’s policies force America’s largest companies—including power and energy companies—to abandon our nation’s own bountiful resources and instead switch to ‘green’ technologies that produce lower GHG emissions in line with the net-zero agenda.”
BLACKROCK ADMITS ESG ADVOCACY COULD PROVE BAD FOR BUSINESS
They argued it also harmed the U.S.’ defense posture on the world stage by “driving our military’s critical energy supply away from the United States and into the hands of our most powerful adversary.”
Barr and Steil demanded that the Treasury’s Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States investigate the acquisition.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Treasury, Deutsche Börse and ISS for comment.
[Fox Business] Apple forced to apologize after new iPad Pro ad sparks controversy online: ‘We missed the mark. We’re sorry’
Apple has apologized after a new iPad Pro ad was met with wide and sharp criticism.
The ad, titled “Crush!,” debuted earlier this week. It shows a hydraulic press crushing instruments like a piano and a guitar, as well as media devices like a television and cameras.
The short ad shows the press completely destroying the objects and lifts to show a single device: the new, slim iPad Pro.
“Creativity is in our DNA at Apple, and it’s incredibly important to us to design products that empower creatives all over the world,” Apple’s Marketing Communications VP Tor Myhren said in a statement to Ad Age. “Our goal is to always celebrate the myriad of ways users express themselves and bring their ideas to life through iPad. We missed the mark with this video, and we’re sorry.”
APPLE ANNOUNCES NEW IPAD PRO, AIR TABLETS
The ad faced overwhelmingly negative attention, with many people responding that it was offensive or disrespectful.
FOX Business reached out to Apple but did not immediately receive a response.
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It was first shared on Tuesday by Apple CEO Tim Cook in a post on X, calling it “the most advanced display we’ve ever produced.”
“Meet the new iPad Pro: the thinnest product we’ve ever created, the most advanced display we’ve ever produced, with the incredible power of the M4 chip. Just imagine all the things it’ll be used to create,” Cook wrote.
Several people commented critically — and the ad has since been widely shared and has faced similar knocks.
“I’m not sure ‘wanton destruction of all the good and beautiful things is this world’ was really the vibe you were trying for,” one user wrote.
“I can’t relate to this video at all. It lacks any respect for creative equipment and mocks the creators,” another added.
“Crushing symbols of human creativity and cultural achievements to appeal to pro creators, nice,” yet another user wrote.
One user wrote: “I felt sad when I saw creative tools such as musical instruments and cameras being destroyed. I don’t think the creators will like this video.”
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And, “The symbolism of indiscriminately crushing beautiful creative tools is an interesting choice,” another said. A different response read: “You destroyed all the creative tools and effort of humans. Worst. Commercial. Ever.”
Another echoed: “It is a heartbreaking, uncomfortable, and egotistic advertisement. When I see this result, I’m ashamed to buy Apple products since nineteen years.”
The ad remains posted on Cook’s account and Apple’s YouTube account. Other ads for the new device showcase its processor and graphic capabilities.
The iPad Pro starts at $999. It will be available on May 15.
[NewYorkPost] California restaurants to lift menu prices further thanks to state’s junk-fee ban taking effect July 1
California restaurants are poised to further hike prices after a junk-fee ban in the state mandated that restaurants and bars fold mandatory fees into listed...
[Fox Business] Planet Fitness to increase membership fee for first time in nearly 30 years
Planet Fitness’ classic gym membership will get more expensive for the first time in 26 years.
The cost of the classic membership will increase by $5 to $15 a month for new members, Planet Fitness executives said Thursday as they discussed the company’s first-quarter results. The increase will go into effect in the summertime.
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The fitness center chain has charged a monthly $10 fee for the tier for nearly three decades.
“Only new members who joined after it goes into effect will pay $15 for a monthly membership fee,” CFO Thomas Fitzgerald said. “Current Classic Card members will continue to pay $10 for the duration of their membership.”
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He said Planet Fitness is seeking to “further enhance the average unit volumes for our stores” with the membership price increase.
[Fox News] What to know about the CDC’s new rules for traveling with your dog
If you are bringing a dog into the U.S. — whether you are returning from a trip overseas with Rover, visiting the U.S., or adopting...
[NewYorkPost] Bill Ackman confronted over his DEI criticisms behind closed doors at Milken conference: report
Ackman held court during a series of discussions devoted to DEI at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills on Monday. Read More