Mortgage rates drop to lowest since mid-December, but demand still falls short

New Zealand dominated the first day of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, dismissing the hosts for 125 and reaching 1-174 in response, led by Devon Conway's unbeaten 79. Matt Henry took 5-40, while Brendan Taylor, returning after a ban, top-scored for Zimbabwe with 44, highlighting his personal struggles in an emotional pre-match interview. Want More Context? 🔎

President Donald Trump is set to sign a directive requiring universities to submit admissions data to demonstrate compliance with non-affirmative action policies, following recent settlements with Ivy League schools mandating the disclosure of applicant race. This directive follows the Supreme Court's ruling against affirmative action, which has sparked significant debate over academic freedom and diversity in education. Want More Context? 🔎

Rushanara Ali, the homelessness minister, faces backlash for raising the rent on her Bow property by £700 after ending tenants' leases, which has been labeled hypocritical given her advocacy against rental exploitation. Critics argue her actions contradict the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Bill, prompting calls for her resignation and questioning the appropriateness of MPs as landlords in their constituencies. Want More Context? 🔎

Nine players from treble-winning Paris Saint-Germain, including Ousmane Dembele and Gianluigi Donnarumma, have been nominated for the men's Ballon d'Or, alongside coach Luis Enrique. Notable nominees also include Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Manchester City's Erling Haaland, while five England players feature in the women's nominations after their Euros success. Want More Context? 🔎

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel plans to take military control of all of Gaza, aiming to establish a security perimeter without governing it directly. He emphasized that the intention is to eventually transfer control to properly governing armed forces. Want More Context? 🔎

Maryland State Police charged 19-year-old Jayden Ballard with impersonating an officer and unlawfully taking a vehicle after he allegedly made fake traffic stops while in a police uniform and driving a marked cruiser. Investigators are looking into how he accessed the uniform and vehicle, and are urging anyone who interacted with him to come forward; his trial is set for September 24. Want More Context? 🔎