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Stock market today: Global stocks up as traders await Fed conference for interest rate update

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:22 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Global stocks were higher Monday as traders looked ahead to the Federal Reserve’s summer conference for signs of whether the U.S. central bank thinks inflation is under control or more interest rate hikes are needed to cool inflation.London, Tokyo, Paris and Wall Street futures advanced. Shanghai declined. Oil prices rose.Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index declined Friday ahead of this week’s closely watched Jackson Hole, Wyoming, conference. Fed officials have used the event in previous years to indicate changes in policy direction.There “may be rude hawkish surprises” for investors who assume rate hikes are finished, said Tan Boon Heng of Mizuho Bank in a report. Chair Jerome Powell “may allude to structurally higher (and potentially more volatile) inflation being the new norm.”In early trading, the FTSE 100 in London rose 0.3% to 7,281.64. The CAC 40 in Paris gained 1% to 7,237.32 and the DAX in Frankfurt advanced 0.6% to 15,672.15.On Wall Street...

Biden administration announces more new funding for rural broadband infrastructure

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:22 GMT

The Biden administration on Monday continued its push toward internet-for-all by 2030, announcing about $667 million in new grants and loans to build more broadband infrastructure in the rural U.S.“With this investment, we’re getting funding to communities in every corner of the country because we believe that no kid should have to sit in the back of a mama’s car in a McDonald’s parking lot in order to do homework,” said Mitch Landrieu, the White House’s infrastructure coordinator, in a call with reporters.The 37 new recipients represent the fourth round of funding under the program, dubbed ReConnect by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Another 37 projects received $771.4 million in grants and loans announced in April and June. The money flowing through federal broadband programs, including what was announced Monday and the $42.5 billion infrastructure program detailed earlier this summer, will lead to a new variation on “the electrification of rural America,” Landrieu said, repea...

Looking for a new car under $20,000? Good luck. Your choice has dwindled to just one vehicle

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:22 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Just five years ago, a price-conscious auto shopper in the United States could choose from among a dozen new small cars selling for under $20,000. Now, there’s just one: The Mitsubishi Mirage. And even the Mirage appears headed for the scrap yard.At a time when Americans increasingly want pricey SUVs and trucks rather than small cars, the Mirage remains the lone new vehicle whose average sale price is under 20 grand — a figure that once marked a kind of unofficial threshold of affordability. With prices — new and used — having soared since the pandemic, $20,000 is no longer much of a starting point for a new car.This current version of the Mirage, which reached U.S. dealerships a decade ago, sold for an average of $19,205 last month, according to data from Cox Automotive. (Though a few other new models have starting prices under $20,000, their actual purchase prices, with options and shipping, exceed that figure.)The Mirage, with hatchback and sedan versions, costs le...

Potential abounds for UAlbany women's field hockey in 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:22 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Field Hockey season is fast approaching, and the UAlbany women's team is ready to make another run at a championship season. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Last year the Dane experienced a lot of success. They won the America East Conference championship last November after beating Stanford 2-1. As a result, they made an NCAA tournament appearance knocking off then-No. 4 Michigan before falling to Penn State in the second round.Despite the sting of that loss, head coach Phil Sykes believes his team has a lot of upside as the Great Danes prepare for the start of the 2023 season."I think there is an incredible amount of potential," Sykes said. "You know injuries can be a part of that you never know how behaviors are, but I think so far we have such a nice group, and they're very supportive of one another, and if we keep growing one day at a time in practice, and have that patience and realize it's a proc...

Physicians and physiotherapists in the EU: How many?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:22 GMT

In 2021, the EU had an estimated 1.82 million practising physicians. The highest number of practising physicians was recorded in the largest EU countries: Germany (377,000, equivalent to 21% of the EU total), followed at some distance by Italy (243,000), France (216,000) and Spain (213,000).Among the EU countries, Greece (629.2) and Portugal (562.0) recorded the highest numbers of physicians (physicians licensed to practise) per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Austria (540.9). By contrast, the lowest ratios were registered in France (318.3), Belgium (324.8) and Hungary (329.8). Source dataset: hlth_rs_prs2611,000 physiotherapists working in the EU in 2021In 2021, 611 000 physiotherapists were working in the EU, the equivalent of an average of 136.7 physiotherapists per 100 000 inhabitants. The relative distribution of physiotherapists across EU countries ranged from 234.4 per 100 000 inhabitants in Germany and 215.9 in Belgium down to 12.7 in Romania. Source dataset:...

Ask Amy: This man deserves to be snubbed, but his wife is asking for my help

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:22 GMT

Dear Amy: My husband has gone skiing with seven of his male peers for 17 years.One of these friends, “Patrick,” is an alcoholic whose out-of-control behavior during previous ski trips has been difficult for them to tolerate.Last year, Patrick was so offensive and unruly during a ski trip that it was the last straw, so the guys will not be inviting him to join them again.My husband has blocked him on his phone.Although all agreed that this shunning was justified, the loss of this friend caused my husband great emotional pain.I am from a family who has suffered from generations of alcoholism. I have a low tolerance for the pain caused by that sad addiction. As a result, the shunning is not a problem for me.However, I am friends with Patrick’s wife, who knows he has been banned from the ski group for his frightening behaviors.She is choosing to continue to support him and his painful, risky lifestyle, trusting that he will recover.Although none of us share her trust in him, she is aski...

Harriette Cole: Will I be able to convince my fiance we should have babies?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:22 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been a nanny for the past decade, and I’ve cherished every moment of it because I love children.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: This disagreement over my luxury car might break our engagement Advice | Harriette Cole: We went on one date, and he’s so gross every time I see him Advice | Harriette Cole: I learned that my new friend used to badmouth me. What should I do? Advice | Harriette Cole: Was it rash to choose this job over my boyfriend’s objections? Advice | Harriette Cole: What does it mean that my boyfriend’s sister called me by this name? I have been patiently waiting to have my own some day because I wanted to find the right partner to have them with. I recently got engaged to a man I love dearly, but he is adamant that he doesn’t want children.He is turning 50 soon and doesn’t want to have to raise babies now that he’s old...

Kenyan runner Faith Kipyegon is focused on defending her 1,500 world title in a record-breaking year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:22 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The first world record, Faith Kipyegon pointed at her time in disbelief. The second, she covered her mouth in astonishment. The third, just a quick point toward the clock and a look of pure satisfaction.No doubt, the decorated Kenyan runner has had plenty of practice perfecting her record-breaking reactions this year.Over a 50-day stretch, the 29-year-old Kipyegon — who began her international career running barefoot — made toppling records look like a walk in the park as she erased top marks in the 1,500 meters (3 minutes, 49.11 seconds on June 2), 5,000 (14:05.20 on June 9), and the mile (4:07.64 on July 21).She’s altering her focus this week at the world championships, focusing more on medals (but never discount records falling with her in a race). The two-time Olympic champion will defend her 1,500 world title in Budapest, while also incorporating another event, the 5,000, into her repertoire. If all goes well, it could be a double she attempts at next y...

Nationals Notebook: Big win on the Little League Stage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:22 GMT

Washington Nationals' Stone Garrett reacts after hitting a fly out to Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)(AP/Stephanie Scarbrough) Washington Nationals' Stone Garrett reacts after hitting a fly out to Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)(AP/Stephanie Scarbrough) It’s always nice to return to one’s roots.The Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies wrapped up their series with a Sunday night showdown in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the si...

Montana baby receives rare lifesaving heart surgery at Children's Hospital Colorado

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:22 GMT

AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) -- A Montana baby is alive thanks to a rare lifesaving surgery that was performed at Children's Hospital Colorado last year.One phone call from a Children’s Hospital Colorado physician changed Rachel and Sean Haderlie’s plans from funeral arrangements to recovery. DPS cancels Taste of the South Festival due to lack of security On Feb. 2, 2022, Rachel Haderlie went in for her 32-week scan. Something wasn’t right, and their joy quickly turned to fear. This was a high-risk pregnancy, so they chose Children’s Hospital Colorado and met with a fetal cardiologist who discovered that her baby had a very complex heart defect and that it could be deadly.At 36 weeks, Rachel went into labor in Bozeman, Montana, and had their baby, Drew, via emergency C-section. The Haderlies knew it was likely that their time with baby Drew would be short. "We started making funeral plans and we were coordinating our other son up there to meet his brother, and we had family members who we...