PACT

Mar 13 2026FINANCE

Inflation Bounces Back as Economy Slows, Pre‑War Shock Looms

The first month of 2026 saw a modest rise in consumer prices, according to the Federal Reserve’s favored measure. Prices went up by 0. 3 percent from December, and when compared to last year the jump was 2. 8 percent. Even after removing food and energy, core inflation hit 0. 4 percent monthly and 3

reading time less than a minute
Mar 13 2026TECHNOLOGY

New Code, New Challenges: How AI Changed a CS Grad’s Job Hunt

Kiran Maya Sheikh, who earned her computer science degree from UC Irvine with a strong GPA, thought the path to a stable tech career would be straightforward. She imagined landing a role at a major company and earning a comfortable salary, just as many of her peers did. When ChatGPT launched in l

reading time less than a minute
Mar 13 2026CELEBRITIES

Conan O’Brien Talks About the Reiner Murders and Public Attention

Conan O’Brien has finally spoken about the sudden deaths of his friends Rob and Michele Reiner, a story that has made headlines worldwide. The former late‑night host kept quiet for months, but after a brief mention on a podcast, he agreed to talk with The Hollywood Reporter before the Oscars. He

reading time less than a minute
Mar 13 2026BUSINESS

Dubai Workers Face Income Crunch as War Hits Tourism

The war in the Middle East has turned Dubai’s once‑bustling tourism scene into a quiet ghost town, leaving thousands of low‑wage workers scrambling to make ends meet. On the Jumeirah Beach Residence, sun‑towels and restaurant patios now sit empty, while vendors on the waterfront wait for a trickle o

reading time less than a minute
Mar 11 2026FINANCE

JPMorgan Cuts Loans to Private Credit Funds Over Software Risk

JPMorgan has tightened its lending rules for private credit groups, trimming the value of certain loans that these funds use as collateral. The bank’s move signals growing caution among traditional lenders toward the fast‑growing private credit market, especially when backing software companies that

reading time less than a minute
Mar 11 2026HEALTH

Vaccines After COVID: What Low‑Income Nations Learned

The coronavirus crisis pushed many kids in poorer countries out of routine shots, a sharp drop that worried health experts. But how the pandemic shaped people’s trust in vaccines beyond COVID‑19 is still a puzzle. Researchers gathered all the evidence they could find to see if fear of COVID or

reading time less than a minute
Mar 07 2026POLITICS

Rising Gas Costs Spark Debate Over Energy Policy

The price of gasoline in the United States climbed once more, marking a new peak for a gallon that has risen by 34 cents—about an 11 percent jump—since the onset of military tensions between the U. S. and Iran. Gasoline averaged $3. 32 per gallon, its highest level since September last year, acco

reading time less than a minute
Mar 03 2026CRYPTO

Bitcoin’s Roller‑Coaster: A Real‑World Test of 24‑Hour Trading

Bitcoin’s image as a nonstop barometer for global risk has been shaken. When the U. S. announced airstrikes on Iran, the price plunged sharply, only to wobble wildly before climbing again. By Monday it was trading above the pre‑attack level, leaving no clear sign of lasting panic or a mass sel

reading time less than a minute
Feb 28 2026CRYPTO

New Rules Could Shake Up Stablecoin Rewards

The Treasury Department has drafted a set of rules under the GENIUS Act that may limit how stablecoins can offer returns to holders. The proposal, released by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, spans 376 pages and will be open for public comment for 60 days. It specifically targets

reading time less than a minute
Feb 27 2026EDUCATION

School Plan Sparks Debate: One Elementary School to Close

Southington’s school board has set a new course for the town’s education system, choosing to close one elementary school as part of a larger construction project. The decision came after a detailed presentation at the board’s February meeting, where experts outlined options for building updates and

reading time less than a minute