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Inflation in UK unchanged at 6.7% in September, still way more than Bank of England’s target of 2%

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:25 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Inflation in the U.K. held steady at 6.7% in September as easing food and drink price rises were offset by higher prices at the pump for motorists, official figures showed Wednesday.The flat reading reported by the Office for National Statistics was disappointing as most economists had predicted another, albeit modest, fall.It means that the U.K.’s inflation rate remains more than three times higher than the Bank of England’s target rate of 2%. The bank, though, is not expected to raise interest rates at its next policy meeting in early November, opting instead to keep its main borrowing rate unchanged at the 15-year high of 5.25%. Last month, the bank brought an end to nearly two years of interest rate rises as inflation fell from multi-decade highs above 11%.Most economists expect a sizeable decline in inflation next month.“Progress on falling inflation has stalled, for one month at least,” said James Smith, research director at the Resolution Found...

China says US moves to limit access to advanced computer chips hurt supply chains, cause huge losses

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:25 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China vigorously protested Wednesday the U.S. Commerce Department’s latest update of export controls to prevent exports to China of advanced computer chips and the equipment to make them. The revisions to the U.S. rules were announced Tuesday, roughly a year after the export controls were first launched to counter the use of the chips for military applications that include the development of hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence.China’s Commerce Ministry said the controls were “improper” and urged that Washington lift them as soon as possible. It said that since the semiconductor industry is highly globalized, the restrictions on chips used for artificial intelligence and other advanced applications were hindering normal trade and economic activities. They violate international trade rules and “seriously threaten the stability of industrial supply chains,” it said according to a transcript of a briefing on the ministry’s website. “U.S. semiconductor co...

A Berlin synagogue is attacked with firebombs while antisemitic incidents rise in Germany

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:25 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — A Berlin synagogue was attacked with Molotov cocktails early Wednesday as antisemitic incidents in the German capital have been rising following the violent escalation in the Middle East.The Kahal Adass Jisroel community said its synagogue in the city’s Mitte neighborhood was attacked with two incendiary devices. Police confirmed the incident.“Unknown persons threw two Molotov cocktails from the street,” the community wrote on X, formerly Twitter. It also posted video footage of police officers investigating the scene in front of the synagogue that was cordoned off.The building complex of the Kahal Adass Jisroel community in the center of Berlin houses a synagogue, a kindergarten and a community center.Police also said there were riots overnight between Muslim immigrants and police in the city’s Neukoelln and Kreuzberg neighborhoods and at Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate in which several officers were injured. Following Hamas’ brutal attack o...

Gaza’s doctors struggle to save hospital blast survivors as Middle East rage grows

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:25 GMT

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Doctors in Gaza City faced with dwindling medical supplies performed surgery on hospital floors, often without anesthesia, in a desperate bid to save badly wounded victims of a massive blast that killed hundreds of Palestinians sheltering in a nearby hospital amid Israeli bombings and a blockade of the territory.The Hamas militant group blamed the blast on an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military blamed a rocket misfired by other Palestinian militants. At least 500 people were killed, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said.Rage at the hospital carnage spread through the Middle East as U.S. President Joe Biden headed to the region in hopes of stopping a spread of the war, which started after Hamas militants attacked towns and cities across southern Israel last week.Jordan’s foreign minister said his country canceled a meeting there between Biden, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Si...

Former Austrian chancellor to go on trial over alleged false statements to parliamentary inquiry

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:25 GMT

VIENNA (AP) — Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is set to go on trial Wednesday on a charge of having allegedly made false statements to a parliamentary inquiry into alleged corruption in his first government.The charges center on his testimony to the inquiry that focused on the coalition he led from 2017, when his conservative People’s Party formed a government with the far-right Freedom Party, until its collapse in 2019. Kurz pulled the plug on that government after a video surfaced that showed the vice chancellor and Freedom Party leader at the time, Heinz-Christian Strache, appearing to offer favors to a purported Russian investor.Kurz is accused of giving false evidence in June 2020 regarding his role in setting up and appointing the leadership of a holding company, OeBAG, that administers the state’s role in some companies. The charge of giving false evidence carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison.Kurz has denied any wrongdoing.A few months after his first ...

Revision of EU long-term budget: Why Parliament wants improvements 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:25 GMT

The war in Ukraine and inflation have depleted the reserves in the EU's long-term budget. The EU needs more funds so that it can react to crises, say MEPs, EU affairs.What is the EU long-term budget?The EU long-term budget, also known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF.), is the seven-year financial plan that determines how much money the EU can invest in different priorities, such as supporting farmers, regions, businesses, students or researchers.The long-term budget sets limits for the EU’s annual spending. The current framework covers the period 2021-2027. As it spans so many years, it is subject to a mid-term review in 2023 to see if changes are needed.Find out more about the EU long-term budget.Why changes in the EU long-term budget are neededMany unforeseen developments have taken place since the EU adopted its current long-term budget at the end of 2020.The war in Ukraine has dramatically changed the geopolitical situation on the continent. The EU has committed to s...

Single-family residence in San Jose sells for $2 million

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:25 GMT

5454 Muir Drive – Google Street ViewA 1,876-square-foot house built in 1959 has changed hands. The property located in the 5400 block of Muir Drive in San Jose was sold on Sept. 25, 2023. The $1,950,000 purchase price works out to $1,039 per square foot. This single-story home presents a roomy floor plan, featuring four bedrooms and two baths. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. In addition, the home includes a two-car garage, ensuring ample room for parking and storage.These nearby houses have also recently been sold:On Milligan Drive, San Jose, in June 2023, a 1,448-square-foot home was sold for $1,900,000, a price per square foot of $1,312. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 1,598-square-foot home on the 1700 block of Myra Drive in San Jose sold in August 2022, for $1,910,000, a price per square foot of $1,195. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In December 2022, a 1,868-square-foot home on Alan Avenue in San Jose sold for $1,999,000, a price...

San Jose Sharks’ Quinn blasts ‘soft, slow’ play after latest home loss

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:25 GMT

SAN JOSE – David Quinn and the San Jose Sharks know they need to be a much harder team to play against this season to have any chance of improving over last year.While the Sharks had moments to that effect in the first two games of the season, Tuesday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes easily represented a step in the wrong direction.After seeing his team play some of its best hockey of the season through the first five minutes of the third period, Quinn witnessed his team revert to some unfortunate habits the rest of the way in a 6-3 loss to the Hurricanes at SAP Center.A one-goal Sharks lead with 11 minutes left in the third period turned into a three-goal deficit in a matter of six minutes thanks to two penalties and an unwillingness to skate and engage. As a result, the Sharks fell to 0-2-1 with the Boston Bruins coming to San Jose on Thursday.“I didn’t like the way we played for most of the night,” Quinn said. “I didn’t think we skated the way we had been, I didn’t th...

Marchessault breaks tie in shootout, unbeaten Golden Knights beat Stars 3-2

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:25 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jonathan Marchessault broke a shootout tie in the Vegas Golden Knights’ 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night in a Western Conference final rematch.Marchessault gave Vegas (4-0) a 2-1 edge in the shootout after teammate Shea Theodore and Dallas’ Matt Duchene traded goals. Dallas had a chance to extend the shootout, but Roope Hintz’s shot hit the crossbar.“I don’t know that I’ve ever won a shootout without making a save,” Knights goalie Adin Hill said.Kaedan Korczak and William Karlsson each had a goal and an assist for the Knights, and Hill stopped 24 shots. Craig Smith and Joe Pavelski scored for Dallas, and Jake Oettinger made 32 savess.This was the first meeting since the Knights eliminated Dallas in six games to advance to the Stanley Cup Final, where Vegas won the championship. They traded goals and plenty of punches in the second period in which each team received two fighting majors. It was the first time since March...

Seth Jarvis scores 2 power-play goals, Hurricanes beat Sharks 6-3

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:47:25 GMT

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Seth Jarvis scored two power-play goals and the Carolina Hurricanes scored four times in the third period to beat the San Jose Sharks 6-3 on Tuesday night.Martin Necas and Stefan Noesen each had a goal and an assist as Carolina improved to 2-1 on a six-game trip. Brett Pesce and Jaccob Slavin also scored.Jarvis broke a tie with 8:09 remaining to help the Hurricanes to their fourth consecutive victory against the Sharks.“We were playing solid all game,” Slavin said. “We had chance after chance. We knew we just had to stick with it.”Added Noesen: “I thought we played really well all night and some calls didn’t go our way. But we battled through it and found a way to capitalize in a big third.”Fabian Zetterlund, Filip Zadina and William Eklund scored for the Sharks. They were outshot 42-16.“I didn’t like the way we played for most of the night,” San Jose coach David Quinn said. “I don’t think we skated the way we have been. I don’t think we were physical e...