Latest news with #Watson
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Waiting for Mortgage Rates To Drop? That's Just Wishful Thinking
With average weekly mortgage rates near 7%, many potential homebuyers are sitting on the sidelines waiting — and hoping — for rates to come down in the near future. You might be one of them, thinking that if you just hold out a bit longer that 30-year mortgage will be more affordable. Read Next: Find Out: Unfortunately, there's good reason — a lot of them, actually — to think that's not going to happen. Of course, it might help to remember that, historically, today's mortgage rates are not crazy high. They just feel that way because a mere four and five years ago they were less than half what they are now. But anyone who remembers the early 1980s, when rates hit an unimaginable 16.64%, will tell you 7% isn't too bad. Still, lower is better, so let's explore the reasons better mortgage rates might not be on the horizon anytime soon. It's no secret that President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell have been at odds over the past several months. Trump wants the Fed to lower interest rates. And while it's true that this might have the effect of lowering mortgage rates, it's not a guarantee. In fact, the Fed has no direct effect on mortgage rates, only an indirect one through influencing investor expectations, said Patricia Watson, a professor in the Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business at American Public University who focuses on real estate. And as of June 16, CME Group's FedWatch gave the chances of the Fed keeping rates the same in this week's meeting at 99.08%. Not great odds for homebuyers. If you want to see where interest rates might be heading, a better place to check is the 10-year U.S. Treasury Note, said Watson. This is considered a standard for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. 'When the yield on the 10-year Treasury note rises, mortgage rates usually follow. In July 2020, the yield for this bond was just under one percent. Now it's just under 4.5 percent, a large increase,' Watson said. So mortgage rates are higher too. In May, Moody's Ratings downgraded the US ratings from Aaa to Aa1. This might not sound like a big deal, but it is. At least in global financial markets and, therefore, in mortgage rates, said Watson. This ties back to the Treasury Notes. Because this signals to the world that lending to the U.S. government — through those Treasury Notes — is considered a bit riskier, investors want higher yields. That drives up the 10-year Treasury Note rate and keeps mortgage rates high, explained Watson. These all feed into an uncertainty about the future of the American economy, and that can keep mortgage rates unchanged, Watson said. For instance, one of the ways the Fed combats inflation is through raising interest rates, making borrowing more expensive and therefore, cooling major purchases. This lowers spending, demand and, ideally, slows inflation. But if inflationary policies, such as tariffs, are implemented, the Fed becomes hesitant to lower rates, especially since lowering rates can itself be inflationary. In a time of economic uncertainty, one thing is certain, said Watson: Don't expect mortgage rates to be as low as they were in 2020 to 2022 for a very long time, if ever in our lifetime. But it's equally true that, while home prices might fluctuate some in the short-term, they go up in the long-term. So, while you might need to more carefully weigh whether you can afford a home, it's still considered by most to be one of the best wealth-building investments you can make. More From GOBankingRates 9 Downsizing Tips for the Middle Class To Save on Monthly Expenses This article originally appeared on Waiting for Mortgage Rates To Drop? That's Just Wishful Thinking Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
India Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Gavaskar, Sachin, Dravid or Kohli: Who's India's best? Sherlock Holmes investigates
The sun rose over 221B Baker Street, embracing the morning air with warmth. Inside, the faint aroma of burnt toast and strong coffee battled with the smell of tobacco from Sherlock Holmes' John Watson, bleary-eyed from a late night in a Soho disc, stumbled into the sitting room. He found Sherlock Holmes buried deep in the day's edition of the Times. Design Credit: ITGD Editorial Design advertisement'Morning,' Watson muttered, stretching his torso to shake off the stiffness of a night spent chasing whisky and women. Holmes didn't look up. Watson, curiosity roused, sidled up behind him, peering over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of what held the detective's attention. 'The great Sherlock Holmes,' Watson chuckled, 'reading about the Indian cricket team? Now who would've thought the old chap had a drop of cricket in him?'Holmes set the paper aside and leaned back in his leather lounge chair. Reaching for his violin, he plucked a single, resonant note. It was F-minor, a subtle message.'Come on, mate,' Watson pressed, grinning. You can't duck my questions like a Bumrah bouncer. "What's with the sudden interest in Indian cricket?'advertisementSherlock set the violin beside a polished human skull on the desk. 'Elementary, my dear Watson. I am unravelling the case of the fabulous four.'Watson raised an eyebrow. 'The fab four? What's that, old chap?'Holmes' lips twitched into a smirk. 'The question gripping journalists from Mumbai to Manchester: who is the greatest Indian Test batsman amongst the big four: Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Dravid, or Kohli? I intend to solve this puzzle.' Watson's eyes lit up. 'Who do you reckon it is?'Holmes reached for his pipe. 'It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. You risk twisting facts to suit theories, rather than theories to suit facts. Make a cappuccino, Watson, and we'll examine the evidence.'Watson smiled, heading for the kitchen. 'Tricky business. Fans will cry bias, whatever you conclude.' He paused, scribbling a note for his voice was stern. 'There is no 'truth' in cricket, Watson. Only facts. Those who let emotions cloud judgment are fans. Those who weigh facts dispassionately are pundits. No pundit fears a fan's ire.'advertisementWatson's smile froze. Holmes' icy gaze reminded him: when the detective's mind whirred, best not to a cappuccino beside Holmes, Watson settled for a mystery to rival their greatest cases. SHERLOCK HOLMES INVESTIGATES 'Who do you rank as the best?' Holmes sipped the cappuccino.'Never saw Gavaskar bat. I'm fond of Virat Kohli.''Recency bias,' Holmes smirked. 'A common error of the short-sighted. Look at the data.'Watson chuckled heartily. 'Data is like a bird—it'll sing the tune you fancy''We shall see.' Holmes rose and activated a digital projector. A chart flashed on the sitting room's screen, comparing the fab four's Test batting averages. 'Observe, Watson. Kohli's 46.85 trails Tendulkar's 53.79, Dravid's 52.31, and Gavaskar's 51.12.'Watson's brow creased. "Kohli played the least number of Tests, and was the earliest to retire, despite fitness and modern equipment. He has the lowest average among the fab four.'advertisement'Indeed. Now consider SENA–South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia—where pitches favor pace and swing, testing a batsman's mettle.'Another slide appeared, showing SENA averages. Watson frowned. 'Kohli's lowest outside Asia. News to me.''I omitted the West Indies, Watson. In Kohli's era, their Test side was less formidable than in Gavaskar's day.''Hold on. I'm curious about the Caribbean. Let's see those figures.'The projector shifted, revealing Kohli's average in 11 West Indies Tests. Watson's jaw dropped. 'Kohli's at the bottom again.' 'I am impressed, Watson,' Sherlock clapped slowly. 'There is one more piece of evidence–their batting in the five years before retirement. Guess what?'Watson sighed. 'Bottom again.' advertisement'Precisely. What does this suggest?' Holmes tapped tobacco into his pipe.'Fading reflexes? Declining motivation, waning drive to succeed?' Watson muttered.'Yes, and a slump. Post-Covid–damn that virus–Kohli faltered, nicked off-stump deliveries, and fell to spinners like Nathan Lyon.''You have a point, Holmes.''The power of facts. Deduction's law,' Holmes smiled. 'Kohli's Test record—low average, lesser longevity, final years' dip—places him fourth. I'd consider Vengsarkar or Sehwag, but let's keep our suspects to four.''So, Kohli isn't the greatest?''Figures don't lie. Eliminate the impossible, and what remains, however improbable, is truth,' Holmes replied, his voice low. 'He is a modern titan, with a hunger for big scores. But not the greatest.''Another cappuccino?' Watson asked, stirring his coffee.'No, a double espresso. This calls for a shot of nostalgia,' Holmes said, lifting his violin. Watson sipped in silence. The chase for truth had begun. The game was afoot. Holmes was playing his favourite game: deduction by data placed Kohli below the triumvirate—the saviour (Gavaskar), the destroyer (Tendulkar), and the protector (Dravid).But Watson wasn't done. 'Holmes, let's test the public. I'll post a poll on my blog about Kohli's legacy, then we'll tackle the other three.'Holmes raised an eyebrow. 'A public vote? Sentiment may cloud judgment, but proceed.'Watson posted at once:In a few hours, India's Test cricket will see a generational all eyes are on the future team, Virat Kohli's retirement has ignited a # would you place Kohli in the list of Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Dravid and himself?Vote here:— India Today Sports (@ITGDsports) June 19, 2025Share your vote! #FabFourDebate and stay tuned for Part 2 of this Sharma, our guest author, likes to write on cricket, cinema, music and politics. He believes they are InMust Watch
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Flossmoor Juneteenth celebration continues to grow in fifth year
Richton Park's Destiny Watson is a person who likes to look ahead. Watson, 27, is the founder and CEO of You Matter 2 and one of the goals is to make the future better for youths in the Southland with programs and initiatives. But on Thursday morning, she had a chance to look back both figuratively and literally. You Matter 2 is the group that does the heavy lifting for the Juneteenth celebration in Flossmoor. Watson and You Matter 2 held its fifth celebration overall and fourth parade through the village. It was a chance for people to look back as Juneteenth celebrated June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, announcing the end of the Civil War and reading the Emancipation Proclamation that President Abraham Lincoln signed two years earlier. Watson appreciates looking back on the history but as she marched at the front with the You Matter 2 group, she couldn't help but feel good about looking back and seeing 19 more groups and 450 people behind her as more than 1,000 people lined Flossmoor Road to cheer them on. 'To look back and see the line and groups of people — it was huge,' Watson said. 'The parade keeps growing every year. This was definitely our biggest one.' The parade stepped off at the Western Avenue Elementary School and went along Flossmoor Road until it reached Parker Middle School, where a block party continued the celebration. The parade featured dancers, cheerleaders and drums as well as groups coming out to celebrate and distribute candy to the younger parade watchers. Toward the end of the route, Calumet City's Deneen Holmes held a sign celebrating the holiday. 'It's a happy thing,' Holmes said. 'I love being Black and it's a celebration of freedom and a celebration of culture and we love that we can have this in the south suburbs for everyone to support and celebrate.' Holmes said she came last year with her family and loved the parade and the dancers. 'I love seeing the kids dance and the younger people get involved. It was a pleasure to watch,' she said. One of the groups marching was the Alpha Phi Alpha Theta Mu Lambda organization. Its members didn't dance or cheer, but it has been a presence in the south suburbs. Like You Matter 2, Alpha Phi Alpha promotes academic excellence and service in the area. Andre Sutton, the corresponding secretary for the chapter, sits on the executive board and said it benefits young people from Homewood, Flossmoor, Harvey, South Holland and other areas. 'We develop leaders and have a mentorship program where we mentor young African American men,' he said. 'We have members as young as 18 to members who are in their 60s and 70s.' Sutton said the Flossmoor Juneteenth celebration keeps growing. 'It's good to see families and it's good to see local people out here,' he said. 'It's great to see children out here having a great time and doing something positive in the community.' Watson helped get the ball rolling in 2021 with a festival in the parking lot at Homewood-Flossmoor High School days after Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared June 19 a state holiday and then-President Joe Biden signed legislation to make it a national holiday. 'It started with a vision, honestly, to bring our community together and celebrate Juneteenth,' Watson said. 'To see it grow every year and to see the turnout, it's a good feeling to see that people still want to come out and support it.' Watson, Kalyn Victor, Matthew Hill and Nicholas Amuh are the four running the show for You Matter 2 and put in a lot of work with the celebration. Watson said it's worth it to make people aware of the past plight of African Americans. 'I think there is more learning but with us having this presence, it gives people a chance to ask questions and learn more,' she said. 'And it gives us a bigger platform to reach the community.' Holmes said progress is being made with the holiday. 'I definitely think that it's more widespread,' Holmes said. 'A lot of Black culture is not necessarily celebrated nationally, but it's celebrated within our homes and within our families. 'So, it's nice to see that we can come and connect with the community.'
Leader Live
a day ago
- Leader Live
Boyfriend of woman who died asked driver to stop speeding car, inquest hears
Kitchen designer Lillie Clack, 21, of Morden, south London, was injured and died days after the crash in the early hours of December 25 2021. On Thursday, the inquest into the death heard that drink driver Charlie Hilton, 25, was chased by police before his Mercedes hit a tree, flipped over and burst into flames. Residents in Beeches Avenue, Carshalton, south London, grabbed fire extinguishers and rushed to help. Miss Clack's boyfriend Jack Watson and best friend Delia Casey were among those who were badly hurt. The car was overcrowded, with six people squeezed inside, South London Coroner's Court sitting at Croydon Town Hall heard. The friends had been enjoying a Winter Wonderland attraction in the West End and visited a pub in Morden before accepting a lift home from Hilton. In a statement Mr Watson, who was in the back seat wearing a seatbelt, said he was 'shocked and I remember thinking why is he going so fast' when the car sped away so quickly. Mr Watson later recalled: 'I think I might have said 'Charlie what are you doing, why are you going so fast'. I think the girls were in shock.' He remembered seeing police blue lights and sirens and described Hilton's driving as 'dangerous and quick'. During the journey, he said: 'I thought Charlie could easily lose control. I did not want to be in the car. I felt scared because I had been in a crash before on my bike.' Mr Watson said 'it felt too fast' and he wanted to get out saying 'it just felt unsafe'. He remembered saying 'Charlie, slow down. What are you doing? Let me and Lillie out.' He recalled Hilton telling him to shut up. Mr Watson cannot recall all the details of the chase, the inquest heard, but he remembered Hilton running a red light at some point before the crash. Hilton did an illegal U-turn and was undertaking and overtaking vehicles. Mr Watson added: 'I do not remember hitting a tree. The only memory I have is being pulled out on a stretcher and bleeding from my lip.' He added: 'I remember asking 'where's Lillie?'. I remember being in an ambulance and blood on my jacket but I do not know where the blood came from. 'My clothing was cut off from me – and I knew then that it was bad.' The passengers have gaps in their recall of the crash but remember feeling 'shocked' as the car raced away, continuing to build speed, it was said. Hilton was told by his passengers that a police vehicle had turned its blue lights on behind them and was indicating for him to stop. Instead, he sped up and was driving so fast that the passengers bumped their head on the roof of the car as they were chased by police, the inquest heard. In a statement, Miss Casey who was sitting on the front seat said: 'Everyone was shouting inside the car. There was a lot going on and I was just feeling very fearful for everyone in the car. The speed we were going at made me feel terrified. 'It feels like I was only in there for a few seconds. It feels like a blur. 'Even after I visited Lillie's tree, I still have no memory of the accident.' Miss Casey said she 'was not my usual self' but was not drunk when she got into the car and was not wearing a seatbelt. She added that 'at no point did Charlie appear drunk to me. He did not seem to be drunk as he was not talking loud and he was not stumbling'. Miss Casey was among a group of friends who had been to the pub and had accepted a lift from Hilton to drop them off at her home a few minutes away. Her boyfriend had won a 6ft inflatable banana at Winter Wonderland earlier that day which blocked the view of the friends who got in to the back seat. Nadia Avent, who was in an taxi when she saw the car explode in the early hours, said: 'The car overtook a taxi at great speed. It looked like a video game because of the speed he went past us.' She added that she saw 'the car exploding in front of us' and then dialled 999 to inform the emergency services. The court heard that at some point Hilton was thought to have been driving at over 100mph and was pulling away from police who called off the chase after losing sight of the Mercedes. At one point in the chase Sergeant Alexander Gill said his police car was doing 90mph in a 40mph zone and Hilton's Mercedes was 'greatly getting away'. He did not have a record of Hilton's speed but accepted an observation from that the Assistant Coroner for London South Sebastian Naughton that 'when you are driving at 100mph and you think he was going upwards of 100mph.' In February 2023, Hilton was jailed at the Old Bailey for 10 years and six months after pleading guilty to causing Ms Clack's death by dangerous driving, three counts of causing serious injury, failing to stop when directed and driving above the alcohol limit. He was also disqualified from driving for five years after his release from prison.
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- South Wales Guardian
Boyfriend of woman who died asked driver to stop speeding car, inquest hears
Kitchen designer Lillie Clack, 21, of Morden, south London, was injured and died days after the crash in the early hours of December 25 2021. On Thursday, the inquest into the death heard that drink driver Charlie Hilton, 25, was chased by police before his Mercedes hit a tree, flipped over and burst into flames. Residents in Beeches Avenue, Carshalton, south London, grabbed fire extinguishers and rushed to help. Miss Clack's boyfriend Jack Watson and best friend Delia Casey were among those who were badly hurt. The car was overcrowded, with six people squeezed inside, South London Coroner's Court sitting at Croydon Town Hall heard. The friends had been enjoying a Winter Wonderland attraction in the West End and visited a pub in Morden before accepting a lift home from Hilton. In a statement Mr Watson, who was in the back seat wearing a seatbelt, said he was 'shocked and I remember thinking why is he going so fast' when the car sped away so quickly. Mr Watson later recalled: 'I think I might have said 'Charlie what are you doing, why are you going so fast'. I think the girls were in shock.' He remembered seeing police blue lights and sirens and described Hilton's driving as 'dangerous and quick'. During the journey, he said: 'I thought Charlie could easily lose control. I did not want to be in the car. I felt scared because I had been in a crash before on my bike.' Mr Watson said 'it felt too fast' and he wanted to get out saying 'it just felt unsafe'. He remembered saying 'Charlie, slow down. What are you doing? Let me and Lillie out.' He recalled Hilton telling him to shut up. Mr Watson cannot recall all the details of the chase, the inquest heard, but he remembered Hilton running a red light at some point before the crash. Hilton did an illegal U-turn and was undertaking and overtaking vehicles. Mr Watson added: 'I do not remember hitting a tree. The only memory I have is being pulled out on a stretcher and bleeding from my lip.' He added: 'I remember asking 'where's Lillie?'. I remember being in an ambulance and blood on my jacket but I do not know where the blood came from. 'My clothing was cut off from me – and I knew then that it was bad.' The passengers have gaps in their recall of the crash but remember feeling 'shocked' as the car raced away, continuing to build speed, it was said. Hilton was told by his passengers that a police vehicle had turned its blue lights on behind them and was indicating for him to stop. Instead, he sped up and was driving so fast that the passengers bumped their head on the roof of the car as they were chased by police, the inquest heard. In a statement, Miss Casey who was sitting on the front seat said: 'Everyone was shouting inside the car. There was a lot going on and I was just feeling very fearful for everyone in the car. The speed we were going at made me feel terrified. 'It feels like I was only in there for a few seconds. It feels like a blur. 'Even after I visited Lillie's tree, I still have no memory of the accident.' Miss Casey said she 'was not my usual self' but was not drunk when she got into the car and was not wearing a seatbelt. She added that 'at no point did Charlie appear drunk to me. He did not seem to be drunk as he was not talking loud and he was not stumbling'. Miss Casey was among a group of friends who had been to the pub and had accepted a lift from Hilton to drop them off at her home a few minutes away. Her boyfriend had won a 6ft inflatable banana at Winter Wonderland earlier that day which blocked the view of the friends who got in to the back seat. Nadia Avent, who was in an taxi when she saw the car explode in the early hours, said: 'The car overtook a taxi at great speed. It looked like a video game because of the speed he went past us.' She added that she saw 'the car exploding in front of us' and then dialled 999 to inform the emergency services. The court heard that at some point Hilton was thought to have been driving at over 100mph and was pulling away from police who called off the chase after losing sight of the Mercedes. At one point in the chase Sergeant Alexander Gill said his police car was doing 90mph in a 40mph zone and Hilton's Mercedes was 'greatly getting away'. He did not have a record of Hilton's speed but accepted an observation from that the Assistant Coroner for London South Sebastian Naughton that 'when you are driving at 100mph and you think he was going upwards of 100mph.' In February 2023, Hilton was jailed at the Old Bailey for 10 years and six months after pleading guilty to causing Ms Clack's death by dangerous driving, three counts of causing serious injury, failing to stop when directed and driving above the alcohol limit. He was also disqualified from driving for five years after his release from prison.
