Financial experts recommend different strategies depending on how quickly you want to double your money. For short-term goals, higher-risk investments like cryptocurrency or trading can work but come with big risks. For long-term goals, a mix of safer investments like stocks, real estate, and retirement accounts is better.
Key Facts
The "Rule of 72" helps estimate how many years it takes to double money by dividing 72 by the annual return rate.
A 6% return doubles money in about 12 years; a 12% return doubles money in about 6 years.
Traditional savings accounts offer very low returns (around 0.42% APY) and are not effective for doubling money quickly.
Higher-risk investments, including cryptocurrency and day trading, can double money faster but can also cause total losses.
Long-term strategies include maxing out employer 401(k) matches, investing in stocks, CDs, money markets, and real estate.
Diversifying investments reduces risk and helps grow money steadily over time.
Financial experts generally advise a balanced approach for long-term financial growth instead of seeking quick gains.
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Interest rates have risen as the Federal Reserve works to reduce inflation, making borrowing more expensive but also increasing the returns on some savings options. High-yield savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and money market accounts now offer higher interest rates, helping savers earn more on their savings with relatively low risk.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates over 17 months to fight inflation.
Higher interest rates increase the cost of loans like credit cards, personal loans, and mortgages.
High-yield savings accounts offer annual yields around 4.30% to 5.50%, much higher than the average savings account rate of 0.42%.
These high-yield accounts are often offered by online banks with fewer overhead costs.
Certificates of deposit (CDs) pay fixed interest rates for a set term, usually from one month to five years.
Withdrawing money early from a CD usually triggers fees, often losing some or all interest earned.
Money market accounts combine savings and checking features, often with higher interest rates and easier access to funds than CDs.
Money market accounts may require higher minimum balances, or you could choose a high-yield savings account instead.
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Andy Burnham has appointed three members of Labour’s Socialist Campaign Group as parliamentary private secretaries (PPSs) for the first time. The new chief whip, Anneliese Midgley, said PPSs will have bigger roles, including media work and helping shape government policy. Burnham aims to unify different parts of the Labour Party by including both leftwing and centrist members in government roles.
Key Facts
Three Socialist Campaign Group members were appointed as PPSs: Olivia Blake (local government), Mary Kelly Foy (housing), and Steve Witherden (energy).
PPS is the lowest government role, often given to rising MPs to help connect government and backbenchers.
Appointments were made with input from cabinet ministers.
Burnham wants to reduce divisions in the Labour Party and build a team from different political views.
PPSs will have more chances to do media appearances and participate in parliamentary work.
Burnham’s own PPS is veteran MP Sir Nic Dakin, who helps with key tasks like preparing for prime minister’s questions.
Some MPs expressed disappointment over many new MPs losing their PPS positions, including Abena Oppong-Asare, the first Black woman PPS to a prime minister.
Midgley called for creating a culture of “one Labour team” to support the prime minister’s agenda.
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A New York school district paused its plan to introduce a humanoid robot in a high school after facing criticism from teachers and the community. The district is now working on stronger student privacy rules and talking with local people before moving forward.
Key Facts
The Salamanca City Central school district planned to use a robot named Sally at its high school.
Sally is a $58,000 humanoid robot made by Realbotix, meant to interact with students using natural conversations and facial expressions.
Realbotix previously bought a company that makes sex dolls, which caused concern among teachers.
The New York State United Teachers union opposed the plan, saying students need real human teachers, not robots.
Teachers worried about data privacy and how the robot’s software would handle student information.
Some community members criticized the choice to test the robot in a school with a large Native American population due to historical trauma.
The school district said it will pause the project while updating privacy agreements and involving the community more.
Realbotix’s CEO said they want the robot program to be safe, approved by the district, and helpful to teachers and students.
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President Donald Trump warned that the US will return to strong military action against Iran if current talks fail to end the crisis quickly. Iran denies direct talks with the US, while Oman and Iran try to agree on managing the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid regional tension.
Key Facts
President Trump said diplomatic talks with Iran must succeed quickly or military action will resume.
Iran’s foreign ministry stated there are no direct negotiations with the US at this time.
Oman and Iran met recently to discuss managing the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route.
Iran wants ships passing through the strait to pay a transit fee, which Oman opposes unless it is voluntary and follows international law.
The US paused attacks on Iran for about two weeks due to progress in talks and concerns about munitions and regional retaliation.
The US military leader in the Middle East recommended stopping bombings near the strait as they have limited effect.
Iran claims the southern shipping route overseen by the US violates a ceasefire agreement.
Oman suggests a model like the Strait of Malacca, where countries voluntarily contribute fees for shipping safety and environmental care.
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This article explains four ways to earn higher interest on your savings in today’s economy. It highlights options like high-yield savings accounts, certificates of deposit, online banks, and money market accounts as safer ways to grow your money more than regular savings accounts.
Key Facts
The typical savings account currently pays about 0.42% interest yearly.
High-yield savings accounts now offer about 4.5% interest, the highest since 2008.
The Federal Reserve has raised short-term interest rates 11 times since March 2022, helping boost savings rates.
Certificates of deposit (CDs) pay higher interest if you agree to leave your money untouched for a set time.
Online banks often pay 4 to 5 times higher interest rates than traditional brick-and-mortar banks because they have lower costs.
Money market accounts usually offer higher interest than regular savings and allow check writing.
These higher rates may stay the same or increase until the Federal Reserve decides to lower rates.
Locking in a higher interest rate through CDs can protect your earnings if rates drop later.
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A measles outbreak in the United States has raised concerns about low vaccination rates. Experts say misinformation about vaccines is a major reason why fewer people are getting vaccinated, which helps the disease spread.
Key Facts
Measles cases are increasing in the U.S. due to low vaccination rates.
Vaccine misinformation is causing some people to avoid getting vaccinated.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be prevented with vaccines.
Public health officials warn that outbreaks can grow if vaccination rates stay low.
Experts encourage people to trust science and get vaccines to stop the spread.
The outbreak highlights the importance of strong immunization programs.
Preventing measles requires widespread vaccination to protect the whole community.
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A California man named Kai Sato was lost at sea for nearly a month after his sailboat was damaged. He was found alive drifting near Hawaii by a cargo ship, which helped him recover.
Key Facts
Kai Sato, 39, left the Catalina Islands on June 7 for a solo Pacific trip.
About two weeks in, his boat’s mast broke, and he ran out of fuel, leaving him unable to steer or call for help.
His phone stopped working after getting wet, cutting off communication.
Sato survived by eating leftover oatmeal and sea creatures and collected water using a homemade system from buckets and plastic bags.
He made repairs using PVC pipes and kayak paddles to stabilize his boat, slowly moving toward busy shipping routes.
A container ship from Pasha Hawaii spotted him and helped by giving food, water, clothes, and a place to rest.
Maritime law encourages ships to rescue people in danger at sea and offers rewards to rescuers.
Sato is now recovering in Hawaii and plans to try another long trip on a larger boat.
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OpenAI’s ChatGPT has started refusing to copy the exact writing style of famous authors. Instead, it creates text that captures the general feeling of those authors’ work but uses its own distinct voice. This change may help OpenAI avoid legal issues related to copyright infringement lawsuits from authors.
Key Facts
ChatGPT no longer directly mimics the exact style of famous living or deceased authors when asked.
Instead, it offers text that reflects broad qualities or feelings similar to those authors.
This approach differs from earlier models that copied styles more closely, especially for deceased authors.
Authors and legal experts say copying a writer’s unique style can lead to copyright or unfair competition issues.
OpenAI is facing multiple copyright lawsuits claiming its AI copies protected authors’ work.
The Authors Guild advises writers not to use AI to copy other authors’ styles to avoid legal and ethical problems.
Other AI models, like Google’s Gemini, may still copy authors’ styles more directly.
OpenAI’s image generator DALL·E 3 already blocks requests to imitate the styles of living artists.
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Police in Toronto are investigating a shooting at the US consulate, the second such event this year. No one was hurt, but a white car without a licence plate fled the scene, and police briefly chased it before stopping for safety reasons.
Key Facts
A single gunshot was fired early Monday morning at the US consulate in Toronto.
An officer outside the consulate heard the shot and saw a white car fleeing without a licence plate.
Police started a high-speed chase but ended it to avoid danger; no injuries were reported.
This is the second shooting at the consulate in Toronto this year; the first happened in March.
Police have linked the March shooting to a larger network of gun-for-hire criminals.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and international partners are assisting in the investigation.
The consulate is heavily fortified, and those inside likely did not hear the gunshot.
Police are looking for suspects and have asked officers across Toronto to be alert.
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Lawyers for Andrew and Tristan Tate will meet with federal prosecutors in Miami to arrange dates for their fight against extradition to the U.K., where they face charges of rape and sex trafficking. The Tate brothers deny wrongdoing and are currently held in federal detention.
Key Facts
Andrew and Tristan Tate are social media influencers with dual U.S. and U.K. citizenship.
They are accused in the U.K. of rape, assault, human trafficking, and related offenses spanning from 2010 to 2017.
New charges involve four additional accusers beyond earlier allegations.
The brothers were arrested in July 2023 in the U.S., shortly after moving from Romania.
Their lawyers say the extradition attempt is politically motivated and claim innocence.
The Tates have millions of social media followers and are known for promoting controversial views on gender and society.
The White House has stated it will not intervene in the extradition process.
Previous legal actions against the brothers in Romania have stalled due to procedural issues.
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The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill called the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent, keeping clocks an hour ahead all year. Some religious groups, especially Orthodox Jews, are concerned this change would delay sunrise in winter and disrupt their morning prayers and routines.
Key Facts
The Sunshine Protection Act aims to stop changing clocks twice a year and keep daylight saving time year-round.
The House voted 308-117 in favor, and the bill is now before the Senate.
Permanent daylight saving time would give more daylight in the afternoon and evening during winter.
Orthodox Jews pray three times daily, with morning prayers needing to be done after sunrise but usually before work or school.
Making daylight saving time permanent would push sunrise an hour later in winter, making it harder for Orthodox Jews to pray in the morning on time.
Some locations like Indiana and Michigan would be more affected, with sunrise after 8 a.m. on many days in winter.
Christian groups are mostly unaffected since most do not have fixed daily prayer times around sunrise.
Religious organizations representing Orthodox Jews have expressed concern that the change could discourage synagogue attendance and disrupt religious rituals.
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The Democratic National Committee (DNC) owes $2 million. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s super PAC has $400 million. The Republican National Committee (RNC) has nearly $130 million available.
Key Facts
The DNC is $2 million in debt.
President Trump controls a super PAC with $400 million.
The RNC has close to $130 million in cash ready to spend.
The figures highlight the financial difference between the parties.
These amounts affect political campaign resources and spending.
The news was reported by The New York Times.
Super PACs are independent groups that raise money to support candidates.
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A man in Michigan killed his wife and six children before taking his own life. Their bodies were found after a fire was set in their home, which is still under investigation.
Key Facts
The incident happened in Grand Haven Township, Michigan.
The family included a man, his wife, and six children aged 5 to 15.
All family members died from gunshot wounds.
The man, Kristopher Karolkiewicz, killed his family and then himself.
A fire was set in multiple parts of the home after the killings.
The family pets also died in the fire.
Amanda Karolkiewicz, the wife, was known to be a substitute teacher praised for her care toward students.
Officials continue to investigate how the fire began.
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A circus performer was accidentally shot in the neck with an arrow during a show at the Orange County Fair in Middletown, New York. The injured performer was taken to a hospital, treated, and released the next day in stable condition.
Key Facts
The accident happened during a crossbow sharpshooting act on Friday night.
Performer Ana Daza Tavera accidentally shot her partner, Edwin Cuervo Rangel, in the neck while he held a foam target.
Cuervo Rangel was airlifted to a hospital and was in stable condition.
The arrow struck a soft tissue area without hitting major blood vessels.
Cuervo Rangel was released from the hospital on Saturday after the arrow was removed and stitches were applied.
He is expected to need time to heal before performing again.
The circus canceled the remaining shows for Friday night but resumed other acts on Saturday without the crossbow act.
The incident occurred at the Orange County Fair in Middletown, northwest of New York City.
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Senator Mitch McConnell is still in a rehabilitation center undergoing physical therapy and has not been cleared by doctors to leave. He will miss Kentucky’s annual Fancy Farm picnic but plans to return to the Senate and finish his term.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell, age 84, is currently in rehab receiving physical therapy.
He was hospitalized on June 14 due to a fall.
McConnell had polio as a child, which affects his mobility.
The Office of Attending Physician says he is not yet well enough to leave rehab.
McConnell will miss the Fancy Farm picnic, a key political event in Kentucky.
He is not running for re-election but plans to complete his current Senate term.
McConnell expressed gratitude for the support he has received.
His therapy includes multiple sessions daily to regain strength and prevent future falls.
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James Comey, former FBI Director, asked a judge to dismiss federal charges against him related to a photo he posted on social media. The photo showed seashells arranged to represent "86 47," which prosecutors say was a threat against President Donald Trump, but Comey’s lawyers say it was protected political speech.
Key Facts
James Comey is charged with making a threat against President Donald Trump through a social media photo.
The photo showed seashells arranged to mean "86 47," a phrase commonly used to mean "get rid of" or "eject."
Comey’s lawyers say the photo is political speech protected by the First Amendment (freedom of speech).
The government must prove that Comey intended the photo as a real threat, but no clear evidence of intent has been shown.
Comey was previously investigated and charged but had another case dismissed due to issues with the prosecutor’s appointment.
President Trump fired Comey in 2017 and has publicly criticized him since then.
The case is seen by some as part of a wider effort by the Trump administration’s Justice Department to target its critics.
The acting Attorney General said they plan to prove intent with witnesses and documents.
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Federal prosecutors have asked to drop the charge against David Huerta, a California labor union leader who was arrested while protesting immigration enforcement. Huerta was charged with interfering with a federal search but has complied with bond terms, and the case is expected to end soon.
Key Facts
David Huerta is president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California.
He was arrested in June 2025 during a protest against immigration actions in Los Angeles.
Prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss charges against Huerta on June 9, 2025.
The original felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor in October 2025.
Huerta was charged with interfering with a judicial search warrant.
Prosecutors said they do not arrest people for peaceful protests.
Huerta has followed all pretrial release conditions and is expected to have charges fully dismissed soon.
SEIU California has over 750,000 members including janitors and security officers.
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President Donald Trump asked Senate Majority Leader John Thune to cancel the Senate’s August break until the Senate passes a voting bill called the SAVE America Act. Thune said Republicans don’t have enough votes to pass the bill or to change Senate rules to pass it more easily.
Key Facts
President Trump demands the Senate stop its August recess until it passes the SAVE America Act, a voting law bill.
The SAVE America Act requires proof of citizenship to vote.
Senate Republicans hold a 53-47 majority but need 60 votes to overcome the filibuster, a rule that slows legislation.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune says the GOP lacks enough votes to pass the bill or change filibuster rules.
House Republicans passed a budget framework with $10 billion for voting changes tied to the SAVE Act, hoping to use budget rules to pass the bill with a simple majority.
Thune also says Republicans don’t have the votes to pass the bill through budget reconciliation.
Some Republican senators, like Mike Lee, want the bill passed and warn it could affect GOP leadership and midterm election results.
The Senate’s August break is important for senators to campaign before the midterm elections.
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New information has come out about the person suspected in the deadly car attack at Berlin Pride. Reports focus on the timeline of events and details about the suspect.
Key Facts
A car ramming attack happened at Berlin Pride, causing deaths.
Authorities have identified a suspect in the incident.
Details about when and how the attack happened are still emerging.
The investigation is ongoing to understand the suspect’s background and motive.
News outlets are reporting updated information as it becomes available.
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