US inflation hit 3.8% in April, the highest since May 2023, pushing prices higher faster than paychecks can grow. Real wages fell for the first time in three years as gasoline surged 28.4% and rent inflation accelerated. Middle-class families are now paying more for essentials like groceries, fuel, electricity, and housing—turning inflation into a daily affordability shock.
A proposed US student loan bill would change how forgiveness is calculated for borrowers who lose jobs. It could count months with no payments toward debt relief, potentially helping middle-class workers avoid long delays. Many on income-based repayment plans may benefit, while the bill also outlines faster relief steps. However, it is not final and still needs government approval.
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Home sales are expected to improve each quarter in 2021 compared with 2020, supported by a revival in the affordable segment led by middle-class buyers. While a second wave of Covid-19 could temporarily hit transactions, industry players believe affordability demand can recover to prior levels or higher. However, rising resale flat supply may soften the longer-term outlook.
Research by Jacob N. Shapiro suggests support for extremist groups in Pakistan is strongest among the middle class. The study argues that while poorer people are more visible among perpetrators of terrorism, middle-class households can better buffer themselves from its negative effects. As a result, they may provide more financial and social backing to extremist networks.
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