ECONOMIC POLICY

Jan 16 2026FINANCE

Unlocking 401(k) Funds for Home Buyers: A New Strategy?

The cost of buying a home has gone up a lot. The money needed for a down payment has almost doubled. A top economic advisor, Kevin Hassett, shared a new idea. He said people might be able to use their 401(k) savings for a down payment. This idea is part of a bigger plan to make housing more affordab

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Jan 16 2026BUSINESS

Mexico's Trade Pact: A Test of Resilience

Mexico's economy minister, Marcelo Ebrard, is confident that the USMCA trade deal will stay strong, despite Trump's doubts. He said they are in the review phase and must finish by July 1. Ebrard believes they have made good progress on all points. Trump, however, thinks the deal is not beneficial.

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Jan 15 2026POLITICS

Spain's Money Mess: Why Regional Leaders Are Furious

Spain is in a political pickle. The country's finance minister recently suggested a new way to share money with its regions. But guess what? Regional leaders are not happy. They think the central government is playing favorites. The deal gives Catalonia a special advantage. It gets back exactly what

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Jan 15 2026POLITICS

Iowa's Democrats Push for Change: Health Care Over School Vouchers

Iowa's Democrats have a bold plan. They want to use money from education savings accounts (ESAs) to help with health care. Right now, 41, 044 students use these accounts to pay for private school. That costs the state $327. 9 million. Democrats say they could use some of that money to help over 100,

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Jan 15 2026POLITICS

Europe Needs to Stand Strong in a Changing World

Europe is at a crossroads. The world is changing fast, and Europe needs to adapt or risk being left behind. Lars Klingbeil, Germany's Finance Minister, has a clear message: Europe must stand up for itself. For decades, Europe has relied on the United States for support. But times are changing. The

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Jan 14 2026POLITICS

Standing Up for Independence: The Fed Chair's Bold Move

In a bold move, Jerome Powell, the head of the Federal Reserve, refused to back down when faced with pressure from the Trump administration. He called out the Justice Department's investigation into him as a clear attempt to influence the Federal Reserve's decisions. This is not just about Powell; i

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Jan 14 2026BUSINESS

Big Names Weigh in on Fed's Independence

A major banker has spoken up about the recent fuss around the Federal Reserve's boss. He thinks it's a bad idea to mess with the Fed's freedom to make decisions. The Fed's leader recently said some big shots in the government are giving them a hard time. They're saying he didn't tell the whole trut

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Jan 14 2026BUSINESS

India's Interest Rate: What's Next?

India's central bank is taking a wait-and-see approach. The governor, Sanjay Malhotra, recently shared that the country's interest rates are in a neutral zone. This means they're not too high or too low. The bank's next move will depend on how the economy grows and how prices change. In a chat with

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Jan 14 2026POLITICS

Trump's Affordability Plans: A Critical Look

Trump has been sharing his plans to make things cheaper for regular Americans. He wants to lower mortgage rates and cap credit card interest rates. But not everyone thinks these ideas will work well. He suggested buying $200 billion in mortgage bonds to bring down mortgage rates. He also wants to l

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Jan 13 2026POLITICS

Economic Crossroads: Fed's Independence Under Fire

The economic landscape is at a critical juncture, with the Federal Reserve's independence facing unprecedented challenges. The central bank's mandate to maintain stable inflation and a robust labor market is being tested like never before. Inflation has been hovering around 2. 7%, a figure that mig

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