Some Republicans Join Democrats in Unease Over White House Budget Cuts

If you're in the market for a home loan, there's some good news—mortgage rates have dipped again. As of June 26, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage sits at 6.77%, marking the fifth straight week of declines. That's a small but meaningful break for buyers grappling with high housing costs.

Editor’s Note: Even a slight drop in mortgage rates can make a difference in monthly payments, giving hopeful homebuyers a bit more breathing room. While rates are still higher than the rock-bottom levels of a few years ago, this steady decline suggests lenders might be responding to economic shifts—or at least offering a little relief in a tough market. For anyone house hunting or refinancing, it’s worth keeping an eye on the trend.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing early challenges at home—think policy disputes or public discontent—just as he’s trying to make his mark on the global stage at a major summit. The timing couldn’t be worse: domestic headaches are stealing the spotlight from his diplomatic efforts, raising questions about how firmly he’s in control of his agenda.

Editor’s Note: Starmer’s team probably hoped his first big international moment would showcase steady leadership, but instead, it’s turning into a test of whether he can juggle crises at home while projecting authority abroad. For voters and allies alike, it’s a early signal of whether his government can walk and chew gum—or if internal struggles will keep tripping him up.

UK businesses are pushing back against further tax hikes, with Shell notably denying rumors of a bid for BP. Meanwhile, a new report from the Resolution Foundation paints a grim picture for living standards, predicting that disposable incomes will barely grow—just 1% over the next few years, amounting to a measly £300 increase for the average household. The report blames a mix of pandemic fallout and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis for the stagnation.

Senate Republicans are scrambling to iron out key disagreements on taxes and healthcare as they push to finalize President Trump’s tax overhaul bill. The clock is ticking—they want to pass it before year-end—but internal divisions, especially over how to handle Obamacare’s individual mandate, could slow things down.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about taxes—it’s a high-stakes political sprint with real consequences. If Republicans can’t hash out their differences, the bill might stall, delaying potential tax cuts for businesses and individuals. And with healthcare tangled up in the debate, the outcome could ripple beyond wallets to affect insurance markets. Basically, it’s a messy but pivotal moment for GOP lawmakers trying to deliver on a major campaign promise.

The US Supreme Court has ruled in favor of South Carolina’s decision to cut Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, effectively allowing states to exclude the organization from receiving taxpayer dollars for non-abortion health services. The decision reinforces conservative efforts to restrict funding to abortion providers, even for unrelated care like cancer screenings and contraception.

Editor’s Note: This ruling isn’t just about abortion—it’s about access to basic healthcare for low-income patients. Planned Parenthood provides services like STD testing and birth control to thousands, and defunding them could leave many without affordable care. The decision also signals a broader trend of courts siding with states on reproductive health restrictions, which could embolden similar moves elsewhere. If you care about who gets healthcare and who doesn’t, this matters.