DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Jack Harlow, Palaye Royale, and other music artists are using blockchain to connect with fans — and build profitable online communities
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Diana Umana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Jack Harlow, Mac Ayres, Palaye Royale, and Disclosure are among the artists leaning into blockchain. To make blockchain more accessible to and approachable for artists and fans, Mith and Medallion have adopted a hybrid model, blending elements of Web2 and Web3 . “So with Medallion, artists have a space for their fans to gather. The choice of blockchain tech, its alignment with specific requirements, and the overall impact on user experience are crucial aspects. Mith's and Medallion's success lies in using blockchain tech that’s seamless and engaging for the end user.

Persons: Jack Harlow, Mac Ayres, Palaye, —, ” Jack Harlow, “, Kamira Roberson, ”, Roberson, Web3, Web2, Taylor Swift’s, Mith, Halle Berry, Emilia Clarke, Harlow, Michelle Sanchez, Sydney Jackson, ” Sanchez, Joe Pitts, ” Pitts, ” Joe Pitts, Jason Cevera, Galantis, Pitts, Emerson Barrett, we’ve, ” Barrett, blockchain, Sanchez Organizations: Service, Twitter, Las Vegas ., Garden, Artists, Jack Harlow Foundation, ”, blockchain, Royal Council, “ Locations: Harlow, Las Vegas, Lexington , Kentucky, Louisville, Kentucky, Palaye Royale, ”

☆ Why oil prices aren’t soaring despite Middle East uncertainty
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Oil prices spiked last month following US-led strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to repeated attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. One factor that could be keeping the cap on oil prices is waning demand. “Global oil demand growth is losing momentum,” said the agency in its February report. While global oil demand growth is slowing, supply has stayed relatively strong, potentially putting further downward pressure on oil prices. “Higher global oil supply this year, led by the United States, Brazil, Guyana and Canada, should more than eclipse the expected rise in world oil demand,” said the report.

Persons: Bell, ”, Donald Trump, Matt Egan, —, Trump, Jay Ritter, Read, Anna Bahney, Freddie Mac, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, Khater, Bob Broeksmit Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New, New York CNN, West Texas, Brent, International Energy Agency, “, shuttering, Federal, US, United Arab Emirates, White, Wall, Trump, Truth Social, Trump Media & Technology Group, Securities and Exchange, Trump Media, SEC, University of Florida, Mortgage Bankers Association Locations: New York, Russia, Ukraine, Yemen, Red, United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Iraq, United States, Brazil, Guyana, Canada

☆ Mortgage rates rise for the second week, reaching 6.77%
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Washington, DC CNN —After treading water for months, US mortgage rates jumped higher Thursday following a string of strong employment and inflation reports. “On the heels of consumer prices rising more than expected, mortgage rates increased this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. The average mortgage rate is based on mortgage applications that Freddie Mac receives from thousands of lenders across the country. The addition of needed inventory and the prospect of lower mortgage rates this year may spur buyers to jump into the market. “This spring, buyers are likely to see lower mortgage rates than in the fall of 2023, which may mean more eager buyers in the market,” Jones said.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s, Khater, Bob Broeksmit, Broeksmit, Jerome Powell, Hanna Jones, who’ve, Lisa Sturtevant, Jones, Alicia Huey, ” Jones Organizations: DC CNN, “, Mortgage Bankers Association, Labor Department, Federal Reserve, Realtor.com, National Association of Home Builders Locations: Washington, ”

Tuesday's CPI report suggests we may need to wait at least a few more months before we see rates start to fall. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage Refinance Rates TodayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThis week's average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.64%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates inched down to 5.90% last week, according to Freddie Mac data.

Persons: you'll, Freddie Mac, it's, they've Organizations: of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, Zillow Locations: Chevron

LOS ANGELES (AP) — 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% from 6.64% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also rose this week, pushing the average rate to 6.12% from 5.90% last week. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage remains sharply higher than just two years ago, when it was 3.92%. The cost of financing a home has come down from its most recent peak in late October, when the average rate on a 30-year mortgage hit 7.79%, the highest level since late 2000.

Persons: Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Organizations: ANGELES, Treasury, Federal Reserve, U.S Locations: U.S

This helped push mortgage rates and other consumer rates up. Now, the Fed is expected to start cutting rates this year, which should allow mortgage rates to go down. This means mortgage rates might not come down in time for the spring homebuying season, but they may be lower for summer buyers. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. Once the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Persons: January's, Jerome Powell, you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow Locations: Chevron

She's the player with the best 3-point contest performance in NBA or WNBA history. Ionescu talked to Curry's girls that night and neither they, nor their dad, forgot that act of kindness. This is what sports is about.”Here's how we got here: Ionescu put on a shooting show for all-time in the WNBA's 3-point contest last summer. She had just scored 37 shootout points; Curry's best in the NBA version of the 3-point contest is 31. It is already sounding like this one will be the matchup maybe everyone wants to see on the All-Star stage.

Persons: He's, who's, Sabrina Ionescu, Stephen Curry, She's, Steph, Sabrina, “ It's, ” Ionescu, “, Ionescu, they've, Curry, ” Curry, you’ve, ”, Brandin Podziemski, I’ve, Podziemski, there's Mac McClung, there's Victor Wembanyama, “ We're, ” Dallas, Irving, she's, It's, Kevin Durant, ” Durant, Ionescu’s SI20, I’m Organizations: NBA, WNBA, New York Liberty, Golden State Warriors, Warriors, Cal, Sacramento, Ionescu’s, State Farm, NBA Foundation Locations: Indianapolis, Oregon, ”

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesThe average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.64% last week, according to Freddie Mac. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 5.90% last week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is a four-basis-point decrease from the previous week. Now that the Fed has paused hiking rates, mortgage rates have come down a bit. Once the Fed starts cutting rates, which is likely to happen this year, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Persons: Freddie Mac Organizations: Federal Reserve, Zillow, Fed Locations: Chevron

Low-income mortgage borrowers could get a $2,500 homebuyer credit through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Major mortgage investors Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are temporarily offering a $2,500 credit to very low-income homebuyers to help offset their down payment and closing costs. The Fannie Mae credit is available through the company's HomeReady program, while people can get the Freddie Mac credit through its Home Possible program. Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have tools that let you see the area median income in a given location. How the $2,500 credit worksIf you qualify for this credit, you'll get the $2,500 through your lender, which Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac later reimburses the lender when your loan is sold.

Persons: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, —, Freddie, Fannie Mae's, Freddie Mac's, it's, you'll, Fannie, Eileen Tu, Cyndi Danko, You'll Organizations: Service, Rocket Mortgage, National Council of State, Agencies

☆ These Apple Vision Pro buyers are returning their headsets — and this is why
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewWhen the Apple Vision Pro hit the market on February 2nd, would-be fans lined up at the break of dawn to test the mixed-reality headset at their local Apple Stores. One major reason Vision Pro customers say they want a refund: its seemingly clunky design. Some Redditors who claim to be returning the Vision Pro also referenced how uncomfortable it is to wear the headset. Disappointment in the headset's vision quality is another gripe expressed by Vision Pro customers. AdvertisementThat is, if the Vision Pro ever gets cheaper.

Persons: —, they're, Farzad Mesbahi, Mesbahi, Collin Michael, he's, Michael, Apple, Kane Sutter, Matt Schneider, Apple didn't, Sutter Organizations: Service, Apple Vision, Apple Stores, Business, Twitter, Apple, Vision, Vision Pro, YouTube, Pro

WASHINGTON (AP) — Just a quarter of business economists and analysts expect the United States to fall into recession this year. But respondents to a National Association of Business Economics survey released Monday still expect year-over-year inflation to exceed 2.5% -- above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target – through 2024. But the economy unexpectedly kept growing and employers kept hiring and resisting layoffs despite higher borrowing costs. The Fed has stopped raising rates and has signaled that it expects to reduce rates three times this year. Another 85% are worried about political instability in the United States before or after the Nov. 5 presidential election.

Persons: –, ’ ’, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac Organizations: WASHINGTON, National Association of Business Economics, Fed Locations: United States, China, U.S, Taiwan

☆ 10 Valentine's Day date-night meals you can make in a slow cooker
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Erin Mcdowell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Valentine's Day often calls for dinner out, but cooking in can be just as romantic. From pasta dishes to short ribs, these slow-cooker dinners are sure to impress. AdvertisementValentine's Day is right around the corner, and using a slow cooker is a great way to put a romantic dinner on the table with minimal effort. From creamy mac and cheese to short ribs and brisket, these slow-cooker meals are equal parts comforting and impressive. Here are 10 date-night meals you can make in a slow cooker.

Persons: — Organizations: Service

☆ 6 easy cooking hacks the busy Kansas City Chiefs dietitian uses to make meals instantly healthier
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Rachel Hosie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

NFL dietitian Leslie Bonci creates meals for the Kansas City Chiefs. Bonci is busy, so uses many of the same tricks for making easy, healthy meals at home. Leslie Bonci has been an NFL dietitian for 34 years, and has worked with the Kansas City Chiefs since 2015. Bonci shared 6 cooking hacks for sneaking nutrients into meals below. So boom, boom, boom.”Bonci sometimes freezes canned pumpkin in an ice cube tray so she can use as much or as little as she needs for each meal.

Persons: Leslie Bonci, —, Bonci, it’s, ” Bonci, I've, “ That's, ” Organizations: NFL, Kansas City Chiefs, Service Locations: San Francisco

☆ Here's how to create a diversified bond portfolio with up to 6% yield, according to the pros
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

But in recent months, many have called for investors to return to bonds as prices are expected to recover soon. Falling yields may prompt investors to wonder which corners of the fixed income market still offer higher yields of up to 6%. He prefers developed market bonds — especially the U.S. — to emerging market bonds, of longer durations exceeding seven years. Emerging market debt can also offer high yield because of the very high real rates in many such economies, Olu-Pitan says, with Latin America debt offering "easily" above 7%. In investment-grade bonds, investors can get above 6% in U.S. financials, she added.

Persons: Brandon Huang, Huang, financials, Remi Olu, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Treasury, LGT Private Banking Asia, CNBC Pro, Agency MBS, U.S ., MBS Locations: U.S, Australia

☆ Spring home buying season is near. Real estate pros say this year's rush could push prices up 5% after a weak 2023.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The housing market will see a stronger, prolonged spring homebuying rush this year, real estate pros say. Buyers and sellers are slowly wading back into the market as mortgage rates edge lower. That's not what economists had originally expected for the housing market this year. "Until we see mortgage rates really improve, we don't expect owners to come back very, very quickly." Affordability conditions have been steadily improving after a bad year for the housing market.

Persons: —, Redfin, Daryl Fairweather, Fairweather, Skylar Olsen, Olsen, Zillow, " Fairweather, Freddie Mac, That's, –, aren't Organizations: Service, National Association of Realtors Locations: Zillow

☆ 40 Years Ago, This Ad Changed the Super Bowl Forever
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Saul Austerlitz | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Four decades ago, the Super Bowl became the Super Bowl. It wasn’t because of anything that happened in the game itself: On Jan. 22, 1984, the Los Angeles Raiders defeated Washington 38-9 in Super Bowl XVIII, a contest that was mostly over before halftime. Conceived by the Chiat/Day ad agency and directed by Ridley Scott, then fresh off making the seminal science-fiction noir “Blade Runner,” the Apple commercial “1984,” which was intended to introduce the new Macintosh computer, would become one of the most acclaimed commercials ever made. It also helped to kick off — pun partially intended — the Super Bowl tradition of the big game serving as an annual showcase for gilt-edged ads from Fortune 500 companies. It all began with the Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’s desire to take the battle with the company’s rivals to a splashy television broadcast he knew nothing about.

Persons: George Orwell, Ridley Scott, Steve Jobs’s, — Scott, John Sculley, Steve Hayden, Fred Goldberg, Anya Rajah, JOHN SCULLEY, we’re, “ Organizations: Super Bowl, Los Angeles Raiders, Washington, XVIII, CBS, Apple, Fortune, Chiat, Businessweek, IBM Locations: Steve

BOSTON (AP) — Bill O’Brien will be the new head coach at Boston College, opting to return to his hometown for a top job instead of taking the offensive coordinator position at Ohio State he accepted just last month, a person with direct knowledge of the move told The Associated Press on Friday. The Boston native, who was the New England Patriots offensive coordinator last season, replaces Jeff Hafley, who left Chestnut Hill to be defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. Since then, he has worked for Alabama and the Patriots as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The Patriots went 4-13 last season and fired Bill Belichick, replacing him with Jerod Mayo. When the Eagles opened this season 1-3, Hafley’s job was in jeopardy; five straight wins earned them another bowl berth.

Persons: Bill O’Brien, Jeff Hafley, Hafley, O’Brien, Mac Jones, he’d, Bill Belichick, Jerod Mayo, Hafley’s, Jimmy Golen Organizations: BOSTON, Boston College, Ohio State, Associated Press, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Eagles, Buckeyes, Houston Texans, Patriots, Alabama, The Patriots, AP Locations: Boston, Chestnut, Alabama, New England, Chestnut Hill, Heights

In spite of some fluctuations from day to day or week to week, mortgage rates have overall been holding relatively steady since mid-December. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 30-year Fixed Mortgage RatesThe average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.63% last week, according to Freddie Mac. 15-year Fixed Mortgage RatesLast week, average 15-year mortgage rates were 5.94%, a two-basis-point decrease from the previous week, according to Freddie Mac data. Once the Fed cuts rates, mortgage rates should fall even further.

Persons: Adriana Kugler, Kugler, you'll, Freddie Mac, it's Organizations: Brookings Institution, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

Hot economic data pushed mortgage rates back up at the end of last week, and they've inched even higher this week. Mortgage rates aren't directly impacted by Fed rate changes, but investor expectations of how Fed policy decisions will impact the overall economy can push mortgage rates up or down. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage CalculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates will affect your monthly and long-term payments. 15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesAverage 15-year mortgage rates were 5.94% last week, according to Freddie Mac data, which is a two-basis-point decrease from the previous week. Now that the Fed has paused hiking rates, mortgage rates have come down a bit.

Persons: they've, Jerome Powell, Powell, Freddie Mac Organizations: of Labor Statistics, Fed, Zillow, Federal Reserve Locations: Chevron

☆ Most parenting advice today comes from experts who are strangers rather than from family members. That may not be good.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Christine Carrig | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

To this day, those two rules might be the best parenting advice I have ever received, delivered to me by a 5-year-old, passed down through at least three generations of her family. While not "expert," advice from family or friends offers something intangible and underestimated: it naturally comes from a place of vested interest in both parent and child. AdvertisementFor instance, when a parenting expert posts a reel detailing how to de-escalate a tantrum, she may be sitting in a cheerfully lit, clean space with no background noise. Whereas family members or close friends may try to ease FUD, parenting experts may try to capitalize on it. With this in mind we may do well to take expert parenting advice the way we should take all advice, with a grain of salt and a healthy dose of skepticism about the motivations of the person doling it out.

Persons: it's, I've, parroting, Katy Hill, we've

☆ The internet became obsessed with this mac and cheese. I tried the recipe, and it's a must-have at your Super Bowl party.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Anneta Konstantinides | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I recently made the viral mac and cheese by "Next Level Chef" star Tineke "Tini" Younger. Her mac and cheese has racked up over 90 million views on TikTok. I loved her twists on the recipe and think this dish is perfect for Super Bowl Sunday. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . But a new viral dish recently gripped the nation after "Next Level Chef" star Tineke "Tini" Younger shared her mac-and-cheese recipe .

Persons: Tini, Younger, —, Ina Garten's Organizations: Super Bowl, Service Locations: TikTok

☆ My family of 4 spent $460 on dinner at The Capital Grille. The upscale steak-house chain is now one of our favorites.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Terri Peters | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But our recent visit to the upscale steak-house chain The Capital Grille blew us away. AdvertisementThe Capital Grille's menu features classic steak-house appetizers and entreésThe Capital Grille is known for its dry-aged steaks and comfortable but elegant atmosphere. Terri PetersThe Capital Grille operates more than 60 restaurants in the US, including 10 in Florida, where I live. The Capital Grille serves appetizers like jumbo lump-crab cocktail and oysters on the half shell, plus salads, soups, entrées, classic steak-house sides, and desserts. We shared a top-notch wedge salad, tooTerri PetersAt The Capital Grille, the iceberg wedge salad is served with blue-cheese dressing and smoked bacon.

Persons: —, We've, Chris, Olive, Terri Peters, It's, We'd, I'd, mignon, mignon Terri Peters, crème Organizations: Service, LongHorn, Business, The, Capital Locations: Florida, Orlando, New York

☆ 'Desperate Housewives' star Felicity Huffman says her 'old life died' after the college admissions scandal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"Desperate Housewives" star Felicity Huffman says her "old life died" after the college admissions scandal. The 61-year-old actor spoke to The Guardian about how her life has changed since the scandal. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Advertisement"Desperate Housewives" star Felicity Huffman says her "old life died" after the 2019 college admissions scandal. Sort of like your old life died and you died with it," Huffman, 61, said.

Persons: Felicity Huffman, proctor, —, Huffman, It's, William Singer, Huffman hasn't, Taylor Mac's, Paige Organizations: Guardian, Service, ABC Locations: London

☆ Americans are feeling the most optimistic about the mortgage market since the Fed started hiking rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Aruni Soni | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A Fannie Mae survey released Wednesday found that optimism around mortgage rates has hit a two-year high. "Mortgage rate optimism increased markedly again in January, with a survey-high percentage of consumers anticipating mortgage rate declines over the next year," Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae's chief economist, said. The slide arrives as the Fed mulls cutting interest rates in 2024 as inflation continues to decline. A previous report showed that Fannie Mae now expects mortgage rates to dip below 6% this year, a revision of their earlier forecast. According to Fannie Mae, 82% of consumers indicated in January that they are not concerned about losing their job in the next year, up from 75% last month.

Persons: —, Fannie Mae, Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae's, Freddie Mac, it's, Duncan, Fannie Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve, Business Locations: Fannie Mae's

☆ ‘Bark of Millions’ Review: Children of the Revolution
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Laura Collins-Hughes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Somewhere close to the four-hour mark in “Bark of Millions,” the polychromatic cavalcade of splendor that is Taylor Mac and Matt Ray’s new rock opera, I finally realized why the woman in front of me had been reading on her phone throughout the performance. The words on her phone were excerpts from the show’s lyrics, a free digital version of the printed fan deck on sale at concessions. More than 50 songs in, she was grasping at that text in an attempt to follow along. Because the great frustration of “Bark of Millions,” which continues through Saturday at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Harvey Theater, is that there are far too many songs in which the music drowns out the lyrics, making the meaning a bafflement. If “Bark of Millions” were aiming to succeed on aural gorgeousness and visual spectacle alone, there would be no cause to quibble.

Persons: Taylor Mac, Matt Ray’s, Brendan Aanes, Mac Organizations: Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Locations: Versailles, Vegas

Search resuls for: "MAC"

25 mentions found