News Above the Noise—March 26, 2023
1. Here’s What the Federal Reserve’s Latest Rate Hike Means for Your Money
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve raised the target federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage points, which marked the ninth consecutive increase in one year. This monetary policy tightening has been tied to inflation (which hit a 40-year high) and the recent weeks of turmoil in the financial industry. Yet what does this most recent hike mean for you? This CNBC article has the information you need on what it might mean for your credit card interest rate; home, auto and student loans; savings accounts and CDs, and more.
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2. The U.N. Released a New Climate Report. What Can You Do to Make an Impact?
This week, the U.N. released a new report on the state of global warming, and the news wasn’t good. More than a century of burning fossil fuels (as well as unsustainable energy and land use) have led to global warming, resulting in more frequent and more intense extreme weather events. Yet while it’s tempting to feel pessimistic about this unsettling news, there are multiple, feasible, and effective ways all of us can do our part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change. This Vox article does an excellent job presenting a framework for bringing about the kind of societal changes that’ll drive positive change.
3. Does Your Marriage Need an Audit? 12 Questions to Ask Each Other
As anyone who’s been in a romantic relationship for a long time will tell you, it can be easy to get into a bit of a rut. While there may still be a whole lot of love, intimate moments may be fewer and farther between. That’s why these questions—think prompts like, “Is sex still fun?” and “Do you still hold hands?”—can be an important check-in. In this article, relationship therapist Jean-Claude Chalmet shares the 12 questions every long-term couple would benefit from asking each other.
4. What to Know About the Eyedrop Recall Linked to Deaths and Vision Loss
The CDC is investigating a drug-resistant strain of bacteria that’s caused severe injuries, including three deaths, across the U.S.—and has been linked to eyedrops. The outbreak has also been connected to reports of vision loss and even the surgical removal of an eyeball. Which eyedrops have been recalled? What are the symptoms of an eye infection to watch out for? And what exactly is this bacterium causing problems? This Washington Post article has answers to these questions and more.
5. These Breathing Exercises Can Boost Mood and Nix Anxiety
If meditation is on your list of to-dos but you just can’t seem to make it happen every day, you might consider starting a breathing practice instead. New research shows that just 5 minutes of breathwork each day for about a month can improve mood and reduce anxiety—and these benefits may be even more powerful than practicing mindfulness meditation for the same amount of time. For more details on this study and how to practice the specific type of breathing the scientists studied, click here.
Editor's Note: Every week, The Sunday Paper's team of journalists sift through the news to find what Rises Above the Noise, makes sense of what's happening in the world, and provides hope for your week to come. While we do our best to provide our own informative summary of each piece, some publications require their own subscriptions beyond our control.
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