Welcome to Monday, May 9th, flora and fauna...

The Federal Reserve announced the largest hike to U.S. interest rates in over two decades in an effort to tame inflation in the economy.

The Federal Reserve will raise its benchmark interest rate, known as the federal funds rate, by half a percentage point (0.50% or 50 basis points) ― which is the largest hike since 2000. That will bring the federal funds rate to a range of 0.75% to 1%. 

Chairman Jerome Powell signaled that further hikes of that size are expected to be considered in the months ahead as the Fed tries to mitigate inflation, which has surged to a 40-year high.

Do you think the interest rate hikes will help reduce inflation?

Heatwave in South Asia – Scientists Warn of What’s to Come

South Asia is experiencing an early heatwave this month with record-breaking temperatures, reaching past 120 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas. This follows extreme heat in March and April, which already had higher temperatures than India has seen in those months for more than a century.

Researchers say South Asia is on the front lines of climate change. Experts believe life may become unbearable in the region before the end of the century. 

Are you concerned about the record-breaking heatwave in South Asia?

U.S. Economy Added 428K Jobs in April, Leaving Workforce 1.2M Jobs Below Pre-Pandemic Level

The Bureau of Labor Statistics April 2022 jobs report found that the U.S. economy added 428,000 jobs and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.6%. The report exceeds the Dow Jones forecast of 400,000 jobs, although the forecast had projected the unemployment rate to decline to 3.5%.

With April’s gains, overall employment in the U.S. economy is down 1.2 million jobs from its pre-pandemic level in February 2020.

How do you feel about the state of the job market?

Dems to Hold Procedural Vote on Codifying Abortion Rights

Senate Democrats are expected to hold a procedural vote this week on a bill to codify elective abortion rights through all nine months of pregnancy and prohibit state-level laws related to abortion. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is expected to file a motion on Monday that will set up a procedural vote for Wednesday on Democrats’ abortion rights codification bill. 

The bill would prohibit all restrictions on abortion prior to viability, permit abortions after fetal viability if a healthcare provider determines the pregnancy would pose a risk to the mother, remove nearly all state abortion laws, and instruct courts to interpret its text “liberally” when undergoing judicial review. 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said in an interview that a national abortion ban is “possible” if Roe v. Wade gets overturned this summer.

How do you feel about this week’s congressional schedule?

#WomenInPeacekeeping

Peace is on everyone’s mind, now more than ever. Stronger Together: #WomenInPeacekeeping is a campaign to promote and empower women at the forefront of peace operations.

As part of WinTogether x Boss Beauties’ #WomenInPeacekeeping campaign, we're highlighting each of the four NFTs you can win. The first is The Soldier. 

Donate now to support women in peacekeeping, and you’ll be entered to win one of five exclusive NFTs. 

All the Memes Fit to Post

And, In The End...

Today marks National Women's Checkup Day, focusing on the importance of regular health screenings and self-care.

—Jamie Epstein

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