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Stock market today: Asia dips ahead of US inflation report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:43 GMT

By YURI KAGEYAMA (AP Business Writer)TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares declined in muted trading Wednesday as investors awaited an upcoming report on inflation in the United States, an important indicator for where interest rates and global growth might go in the coming months. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 lost 0.5% in morning trading to 29,105.27. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 inched down nearly 0.1% to 7,257.60. South Korea’s Kospi slipped nearly 0.1% to 2,508.04. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dipped 0.6% to 19,746.67, while the Shanghai Composite shed 0.9% to 3,326.31. Market watchers are also worried about any signs of economic woes in China after recent data showed imports were lagging, even as exports continued to grow, although at a slower pace than before. Focus remains on what the U.S. Federal Reserve might do on interest rates. Although the general consensus is that hikes are over for now, that view could quickly change.“Market reaction is expected to be...

Tuesday’s high school roundup/scores: Tommy Falasca shines on the hill for St. Mary’s

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:43 GMT

BASEBALLTommy Falasca went the distance while striking out nine and allowing four hits and Tad Giardina blasted a 3-run triple as St. Mary’s of Lynn defeated Catholic Central opponent Cardinal Spellman 6-1. … Costa Beechin hit two doubles and drove in three runs, and Carter McFadden knocked in two runs himself as Bishop Fenwick rolled to a 13-1 win over Cardinal Spellman.In Patriot League action, Gabe Rushing scattered four hits in a complete-game effort while Aidan Sullivan recorded a pair of doubles to power Pembroke to a 7-1 victory over Plymouth South. … Owen Kennedy scattered three hits and struck out 13 as Hanover blanked Quincy, 12-0. … Alex McGowan sparked a six-run sixth inning with a three-run double for Hingham (6-7) in a 9-7 win over Silver Lake.Cameron Leary pitched well enough to earn the win on the mound and hit an RBI single at the plate as Westport (9-2) took down Avon 14-4 in five innings in the Mayflower Athletic Conference.Tyler Kropis punched out 10, surrenderin...

3 takeaways from the Chicago Cubs’ 6-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, including Christopher Morel’s energy infusion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:43 GMT

The St. Louis Cardinals aren’t providing the slump-busting opportunity the Chicago Cubs offense was looking for coming into the three-game series.The Cardinals brought the National League’s worst record to Wrigley Field and secured a series victory with Tuesday’s 6-4 win over the Cubs (17-19), who have lost nine of 12.Here are three takeaways from Tuesday’s game.1. Nico Hoerner and the Cubs are hopeful he can avoid the injured list.Hoerner watched the ball rocket down the third-base line, ricochet off the wall and carom into left field with one thought on his mind.Score.As Hoerner went from first to third on Dansby Swanson’s double in the bottom of the fifth inning of the Cubs’ 3-1 loss Monday to the Cardinals, he felt a grabbing sensation in his left hamstring midway around second, forcing him to pull up into third. He immediately exited the game but received encouraging news Tuesday.An MRI on Tuesday morning showed a mild strain. He remains day ...

India’s ruling Hindu nationalists challenged in state vote

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:43 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — People in the southern Indian state of Karnataka were voting Wednesday in an election where pre-poll surveys showed the opposition Congress party favored over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governing Hindu nationalist party.The votes for 224 state legislature seats will be counted May 13 and the outcome is likely to be an indicator of voter sentiment ahead of national elections expected by May next year.Bengaluru, the state capital, is India’s information technology hub and the area is a sought-after workplace for young professionals. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party is battling to retain the only southern state where it has ever won power. BJP strongholds are in northern, central and western India, while opposition parties rule the other southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The BJP is battling to limit its losses due to anti-incumbency, inflation, allegations of corruption and poor infrastructure development in the state.A. Narayana, a ...

Days after Texas bus stop crash, little info on the victims

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:43 GMT

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Two days after eight people were killed when an SUV slammed into a crowd waiting at a Brownsville bus stop, information on the victims remains scarce, leaving relatives of missing people scrambling to locate loved ones and pleading for information.Authorities say the driver, 34-year-old George Alvarez of Brownsville, lost control after running a red light Sunday morning but have not ruled out that he may have intentionally plowed into the stop outside the Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center, a shelter and hub for migrants who cross into the country from nearby Mexico. Eighteen people were hit, and 10 critically injured.Fingerprints were collected from the victims. All were male and several were from Venezuela, according to Brownsville police, but so far none of their identities have been released. Police said Tuesday that the department has a list of over 120 names of people who want to know if their relatives are among the victims. They include dozens o...

Kennedy Expressway construction: What you should know about adjusting to the delays

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:43 GMT

CHICAGO — While some people have started to adjust to the longer commutes and delays on the Kennedy Expressway due to the construction, some people have found different ways to commute as the years-long project gets started.Greg Maruquz said his old 45-minute commute from Elgin to Bucktown has skyrocketed since the Kennedy Expressway construction started in March."We're looking at a good hour and 20, hour and 10... an hour and 30 on a bad day, like if it rains," Marquez said. Looking to avoid the Kennedy Expressway construction? Here’s what you should know He leaves home a half hour earlier and is even trying side streets to beat the traffic."In the last six weeks or so, I've taken any number of strange routes that I didn't even know existed to my office," he said. "At the end of the day has it made any difference? Maybe a little because everyone's doing the same thing."Unfortunately for him and other drivers, it's not a short-term inconvenience. Ahead lies three years of lane cl...

Warmer, increasingly more humid atmosphere to bring renewed chances for scattered showers/thunderstorms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:43 GMT

TUESDAY’S 70° HIGH TEMPERATUREMarks the 14th time in 2023 the mercury has reached 70° or warmer!Greatest number of 70s to date: 23 in 1955Average number of 70s through May 9: nine2022 through May 9: sevenMeteorological Spring updateMarch 1 through May 9: 46.7°24th warmest of past 152 yearsAmong mildest: 16% since 1872SUMMER-LIKE WARMTH RETURNS FOR INLAND LOCATIONS WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAYLake Breezes keep lakeshore communities noticeably coolerTEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION OUTLOOKSACTIVE THUNDERSTORM CLUSTERS ARE LIKELY TO ERUPT WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY ACROSS SECTIONS OF THE PLAINS STATESA development which could shift east into the Chicago area on FridayFORECAST RAINFALLThrough 7 PM SundayUnsettled weather brings multiple chances for showers and thunderstormsFORECAST CHICAGO AREA DEW POINTSAtmospheric moistureHumid air returns late week increasing the chances for showers and thunderstorms—when the dew point reaches 60 degrees or higher, it lends a more humid feel to the air and also l...

Christmas Tree Shops closing 10 stores across multiple states after bankruptcy filing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:43 GMT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Christmas Tree Shops, best known for selling a variety of seasonal items and home décor, is preparing to close 10 of its stores after filing for bankruptcy protection last week.“This is strictly a financial restructuring,” Christmas Tree Shops chairman Marc Salkovitz said in a statement Friday. “Our operations are sound. By increasing our financial flexibility, we will be able to focus on continuing to delight our loyal customers with a wide selection of unique goods at affordable prices.” RELATED: Christmas Tree Shops files for bankruptcy "We continue to believe that given its storied history and strong customer loyalty, Christmas Tree Shops has tremendous potential, and we remain committed to the long-term success of the business," he added.Christmas Tree Shops has over 80 stores across 20 states but is planning to shutter 10 of those stores in seven states. Per bankruptcy filings, stores set to close are:11470 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, Florida845 Ern...

Man rammed police vehicle during law enforcement chase in south Austin, APD says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:43 GMT

The video above is from the 9 p.m. newscast before KXAN learned additional detailsAUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person was arrested after leading law enforcement on a chase in south Austin Tuesday, according to the Austin Police Department.At approximately 7:22 p.m., 911 dispatch received a report of a drunk driver, according to police. Officers attempted to stop the the driver shortly before 7:40 p.m., but the driver drove off, police said.The Texas Department of Public Safety assisted APD in the chase. Police said a pit maneuver was attempted during the chase, and multiple spike strips were also deployed.Then, at approximately 8:08 p.m., law enforcement was able to box in the vehicle, according to police.However, the driver, who was not identified Tuesday, would not comply with law enforcement, was tased and later taken to the hospital. Police said the chase came to an end in the 4700 block of Milburn Lane. In addition to other charges, the driver was charged with aggravated assault on a p...

Longhorns smash 3 HRs in 10-5 win over UT Arlington

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:23:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas smacked six extra-base hits including three home runs to top UT Arlington 10-5 in nonconference baseball action Wednesday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.Peyton Powell, Jared Thomas and Porter Brown all hit homers for the Longhorns and Dylan Campbell extended his school-record hitting streak to 27 games. Projections: Texas baseball could be on the road to start NCAA tournament Powell put the Longhorns on the board in the first inning with a solo blast on a full count over the right-field wall to give Texas n early 1-0 lead. By the time Thomas launched a 2-run homer in the fifth, Texas pulled in front 8-2 after a 4-run inning. Brown provided another 2-run round-tripper with an opposite-field shot over the left-field wall in the eighth inning. Brown finished the game 3-for-4 with a double in addition to the home run.Campbell added to his hitting streak with a 2-run single in the second inning. Garret Guillemette went 2-for-4 with two doubles, Eric Kennedy finished 2-f...