Latest news with #Unlock
Business Recorder
28-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Developing states' debt service tops $921bn: UN
UNITED NATIONS: Debt service payments by developing countries soared by $74 billion in 2024, ie, from $847 billion to $921, according to a new UN report, which points out that two-thirds of the low income nations are either in debt distress or at a high risk of it. The report, 'Confronting the Debt Crisis: 11 Actions to Unlock Sustainable Financing,' was launched on Friday by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. Mohammed was joined by experts Mahmoud Mohieldin and Paolo Gentiloni, along with Rebeca Grynspan, Head of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Debt and climate — I 'Borrowing is critical for development,' Ms Mohammed said, but today, 'borrowing is not working for many developing countries, over two-thirds of our low income countries are either in debt distress or at a high risk of it.' The report showed a 'silent crisis' of surging debt service payments in low-income countries and charted the path out of the debt crisis threatening global development. Ms Mohammed regretted that a decade after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), development was facing serious headwinds. On her part, Grynspan warned that the crisis was accelerating. The report showed more than 3.4 billion people now live in countries that spend more on interest payments than on health or education, 100 million more than previous year. 'The nature of this crisis is mostly connected to the increase of debt servicing costs,' Gentiloni explained. 'Practically, the debt services costs doubled in the last 10 years.' Prepared by the UN Secretary-General's Expert Group on Debt, the report reinforced the commitments put forward in the 'Compromiso de Sevilla', which is the outcome document of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development – taking place in Sevilla, Spain, next week. The report outlines 11 actions that are both technically feasible and politically viable. Mohieldin explained that the recommendations fall under two key goals: providing meaningful debt relief and preventing future crises. It identified three levels of action including repurpose and replenish funds to inject liquidity into the system, with targeted support for low-income countries at the multilateral level. The other is establishing a platform for borrowers and creditors to engage directly at the international level: At the national level, the report recommended strengthening institutional capacity, improving policy coordination, managing interest rates and bolstering risk management. 'These are 11 proposals that are doable and that only need the political will of all the actors to be able to make them real,' Grynspan stressed.
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
AI courses for free: Check out 5 free courses by SWAYAM on AI
By Papri Chanda Published Jun 10, 2025 Hindustan Times Education Photo Credit: Unsplash Unlock Now
Tom's Guide
08-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
5 Android settings you need to turn off right now because they're a huge security risk
One of the main reasons that people choose an Android smartphone over an iOS one, is the ability to customize and adjust every aspect of their device. From personalizing themes and icons to modifying aspects of the software, Android provides a vastly different landscape in which to play. So why then are so many of the security settings left on risky default modes? There are plenty of ways you can adjust and toggle your device, but one of the first ways you should familiarize yourself with your Android phone is to know how to lock down all the security features so that you can make sure that you are best protected. From checking out some of the best Android antivirus apps to knowing which settings need to be immediately shut off, it's up to you to make sure you're practicing good cybersecurity hygiene. Ideally, you're checking what permissions each app is asking for when you downloading them to see if it's reasonable and safe. After all, there's no reason for a Scrabble app to need access to your photos, or for a word processing app to require all your call logs, your location and your contact information. With the number of data breaches that occur, handing out more personal information than is necessary to apps is just waiting for identity theft to happen. To manage the permission of the apps that are on your phone, head over to Settings, then tap on Privacy, next Permission Manager. Select a permission type, tap an application then tap 'Don't allow' if you would like to remove the permission from the app. However, if you just don't want it to collect unnecessary data when the app is closed, you can choose 'Allow only while using the app.' Extend Unlock (formerly called Smart Lock) is a feature that allows you to keep your device unlocked when at home or near to a trusted device, which is convenient. However, it's also risky since it means it could also allow unauthorized access to your device if someone else were to pick up your phone. Turning this feature off doesn't (usually) add a huge amount of hassle to your experience, and it could make it harder for another member of your household to make an unapproved purchase on your device. Just go to Settings, then Security & Privacy, then select More Security & Privacy and tap Extend Unlock. Turn off three features: On Body Detected, Trusted Places and Trusted Devices. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. While seeing notifications on the lock screen can be handy, it can also be a huge security risk if those notifications reveal personal information like banking details, medical appointments, emails or sensitive work details that shouldn't be shared. Fortunately, those notifications can all be toggled off at any time, for any app. Simply head back to the Settings menu, then Notifications, choose Notifications on Lock Screen, then 'Hide silent conversations and notifications.' Then you can select 'Do not show any notifications' for any apps that you don't want to see alerts for. Of all the permissions, the one to be most strict about will be your location and personalized location. That's because your phone is always using your location and tracking your current position in order to provide that data to the apps that need it (maps or delivery services are good examples). However, because your phone also keeps a log about everywhere you go, you should make sure that apps that don't need that data (Duolingo or Pinterest perhaps), don't have access to it. Turn off location for apps that don't need it, and if an app does need it, only turn it on when using the app. Go to Settings, Location, Location Services, Tap on Google Locations History and then turn it off or you can opt to have it auto delete after a set period of time. Unless you're one of the very rare people who are thinking "you know what I need in my life? More ads!" then it's probably safe to assume that you are ready to turn off or block some of the ads on your phone. You don't need them personalized, you need them gone. Open Settings, then go to Google, next click on Ads and tap your Google Account. From there, you should be able to click through to Data and Privacy, then Ad Settings and Ad Personalization where you can opt out. You don't need to make their job easier — trust me, ads will find you.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I was running out of cash and needed to make ends meet. My home equity agreement saved me.
Eileen Perry, 57, was unemployed and struggling to buy groceries and pay her bills. She turned to a company that gives homeowners cash in exchange for a share of the home's future sale price. Perry will owe thousands when she sells her home, but says the relief she has now makes it worth it. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eileen Perry, a 57-year-old from North Carolina. Perry entered a home equity agreement with the financial services company Unlock to access her home equity. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. I'm originally from New Jersey, where I lived with my husband and my son. In 2023, my husband passed away suddenly from pancreatic cancer. He left me well-off enough that I was able to buy a home in North Carolina for $260,000 outright, in cash. Unfortunately, timing is everything. I had an on-the-job injury; I broke my back, and I'm still suffering from back issues. I'm currently waiting for my permanent disability Social Security, so I have no income. My son, who lives with me — he's 27 — is also disabled and unable to work right now. So the two of us have no income. We've been in North Carolina for almost two years, and my sister has supported us. But I didn't want to keep relying on her. I knew I owned 100% of my home's equity and thought, "Maybe there's something I can do with this." I tried to get a home equity loan, or a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). But because I have no income, and had fallen behind on all my credit cards and bills, my credit score took a major dive. I couldn't qualify. I even tried to get a loan with a cosigner, but my application was denied. It felt like everyone was closing a door in my face, but I still thought, "There has to be someone out there who can help me." I was scouring the internet when a home equity company, Unlock, popped up. I started researching home equity agreements and thought it could be a perfect fit for me. Unlock's home equity agreement (HEA) is different from a loan, HELOC, or reverse mortgage, which typically has an age requirement. Instead of owning the deed or title to a home, they place a lien on the property. Homeowners access their equity by receiving an investment payment from Unlock. In exchange, the company receives a percentage of the home's value. There are no monthly payments, and homeowners can buy out their agreement at any point within 10 years, either with partial payments or all at once. For many homeowners, the equity buy-back happens when they sell their home. To qualify for an agreement, I needed a valid ID, proof of ownership of my home, and a credit score of at least 500, which was great for me. I also needed current and up-to-date homeowner's insurance. My $45,000 home equity agreement became effective in September 2024. After paying $2,205 to Unlock for an origination fee, $340 for the home's appraisal, and $720 for settlement costs, I received $41,735 in October for my first HEA. In May 2025, I needed more funds for day-to-day expenses, so I canceled the original HEA balance and replaced it with a new HEA agreement totaling $93,500. My funds have paid off outstanding property taxes and other bills I wouldn't have been able to cover. They also helped us afford everyday expenses like groceries and gas. I finally have peace of mind and can sleep at night. It's been almost two years since my husband passed away. There were days when I didn't know how my son and I were going to eat, whether we would be sitting in the dark, or where we were going to live. Having a home equity agreement has truly been a gift — call it divine intervention. I'm now selling my house to move back to New Jersey. Of course, certain things are required to put your home on the market or pass inspection, like having an air conditioning system and bathrooms with good plumbing. In February, the plumbing in my house went out completely. I had no shower or toilet for almost two months. The bathrooms had to be completely remodeled because of severe water damage. The influx of money helped me pay for a new line when my homeowner's insurance wouldn't cover it. That line alone cost nearly $6,000, just for the plumbing. Without the money from the home equity agreement, I doubt I'd be able to sell my home. In May, my home was appraised at $290,000. Since I received a $93,500 investment — about 32.24% of the home's value — if I sell this month, I'd owe about $94,000 of my home's equity. Initially, my friends and family were hesitant about me taking on a home equity agreement because they feared I might get a much higher interest rate, or they were concerned about how I was going to pay the money back. But I knew I wasn't going to be staying in North Carolina forever, and putting my house on the market was going to be the next option. I didn't think getting an HEA agreement would be a problem because I would have a profit left over after I sold my home. This experience has been life-changing. Unlock was not involved in the writing of this story. The views contained within represent the author's personal views. Read the original article on Business Insider Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Insider
06-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
I was running out of cash and needed to make ends meet. My home equity agreement saved me.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eileen Perry, a 57-year-old from North Carolina. Perry entered a home equity agreement with the financial services company Unlock to access her home equity. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. I'm originally from New Jersey, where I lived with my husband and my son. In 2023, my husband passed away suddenly from pancreatic cancer. He left me well-off enough that I was able to buy a home in North Carolina for $260,000 outright, in cash. Unfortunately, timing is everything. I had an on-the-job injury; I broke my back, and I'm still suffering from back issues. I'm currently waiting for my permanent disability Social Security, so I have no income. My son, who lives with me — he's 27 — is also disabled and unable to work right now. So the two of us have no income. We've been in North Carolina for almost two years, and my sister has supported us. But I didn't want to keep relying on her. I knew I owned 100% of my home's equity and thought, "Maybe there's something I can do with this." I tried to get a home equity loan, or a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). But because I have no income, and had fallen behind on all my credit cards and bills, my credit score took a major dive. I couldn't qualify. I even tried to get a loan with a cosigner, but my application was denied. It felt like everyone was closing a door in my face, but I still thought, "There has to be someone out there who can help me." An HEA was the right solution for me I was scouring the internet when a home equity company, Unlock, popped up. I started researching home equity agreements and thought it could be a perfect fit for me. Unlock's home equity agreement (HEA) is different from a loan, HELOC, or reverse mortgage, which typically has an age requirement. Instead of owning the deed or title to a home, they place a lien on the property. Homeowners access their equity by receiving an investment payment from Unlock. In exchange, the company receives a percentage of the home's value. There are no monthly payments, and homeowners can buy out their agreement at any point within 10 years, either with partial payments or all at once. For many homeowners, the equity buy-back happens when they sell their home. To qualify for an agreement, I needed a valid ID, proof of ownership of my home, and a credit score of at least 500, which was great for me. I also needed current and up-to-date homeowner's insurance. My $45,000 home equity agreement became effective in September 2024. After paying $2,205 to Unlock for an origination fee, $340 for the home's appraisal, and $720 for settlement costs, I received $41,735 in October for my first HEA. In May 2025, I needed more funds for day-to-day expenses, so I canceled the original HEA balance and replaced it with a new HEA agreement totaling $93,500. My funds have paid off outstanding property taxes and other bills I wouldn't have been able to cover. They also helped us afford everyday expenses like groceries and gas. I finally have peace of mind and can sleep at night. An HEA has changed my life for the better It's been almost two years since my husband passed away. There were days when I didn't know how my son and I were going to eat, whether we would be sitting in the dark, or where we were going to live. Having a home equity agreement has truly been a gift — call it divine intervention. I'm now selling my house to move back to New Jersey. Of course, certain things are required to put your home on the market or pass inspection, like having an air conditioning system and bathrooms with good plumbing. In February, the plumbing in my house went out completely. I had no shower or toilet for almost two months. The bathrooms had to be completely remodeled because of severe water damage. The influx of money helped me pay for a new line when my homeowner's insurance wouldn't cover it. That line alone cost nearly $6,000, just for the plumbing. Without the money from the home equity agreement, I doubt I'd be able to sell my home. In May, my home was appraised at $290,000. Since I received a $93,500 investment — about 32.24% of the home's value — if I sell this month, I'd owe about $94,000 of my home's equity. Initially, my friends and family were hesitant about me taking on a home equity agreement because they feared I might get a much higher interest rate, or they were concerned about how I was going to pay the money back. But I knew I wasn't going to be staying in North Carolina forever, and putting my house on the market was going to be the next option. I didn't think getting an HEA agreement would be a problem because I would have a profit left over after I sold my home. This experience has been life-changing.
