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Stock market today: Asian shares mixed after interest rates-driven sell-off on Wall Street

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:17 GMT

NEW YORK — Asian shares were mixed on Friday after another slump on Wall Street driven by expectations that U.S. interest rates will stay high well into next year. Hong Kong and Shanghai advanced while Tokyo, Seoul and Sydney declined. U.S. futures edged higher and oil prices rose.Japan’s central bank kept its benchmark interest rate at minus 0.1%, as expected, but pledged flexibility in its policies. “Japan’s economy is likely to continue recovering moderately for the time being, supported by factors such as the materialization of pent-up demand” after the pandemic, the Bank of Japan said in a policy statement.It forecast that even though inflation has surpassed its 2% target, it is likely to subside. That suggests the central bank is still wary of falling back into deflation, or chronically falling prices that can sap economic growth. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.9% to 32,287.46. In Seoul, the Kospi shed 0.4% to 2,506.05.Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.7% to 17,773.4...

Brazil’s firefighters battle wildfires raging during rare late-winter heat wave

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:17 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Firefighters on Thursday were battling flames in Brazil’s northeastern Bahia state, fanned by strong winds and abnormally high temperatures for the season, authorities said.While it is still technically winter in Brazil, with spring due to start in a couple days, a heat wave prompting record temperatures has swept across much of the country since the beginning of the week.Faced with a growing number of hot spots caused by high temperatures, Bahia’s association of forestry-based companies this week launched a campaign to prevent — and combat — wildfires.State authorities said they have mobilized over 150 military firefighters to put out fires in different areas across the state, as well as in Chapada Diamantina, a national park known for its panoramic views.The Instagram account of Bahia’s secretary for public security showed images of firefighters making their way through parched forests, equipped in high-visibility orange gear and helmets, attempti...

Indigenous people in Brazil shed tears of joy as the Supreme Court enshrines their land rights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:17 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Indigenous people celebrated Thursday after Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled to enshrine their land rights, removing the imminent threat those protections could be rolled back.The justices had been evaluating a lawsuit brought by Santa Catarina state, backed by farmers, seeking to block an Indigenous group from expanding the size of its territorial claim. Nearly all of the high court’s justices voted to support the Indigenous group, which has far-reaching implications for territories nationwide.Dozens of Indigenous people in traditional yellow feather headdresses and body paint danced, sang and jumped around in front of a multitude of flashing cameras in the capital of Brasilia after the decisive vote was cast. Some wiped away tears of joy.“I’m shaking. It took a while, but we did it. It’s a very beautiful and strong feeling. Our ancestors are present — no doubt about it,” said Jéssica Nghe Mum Priprá, who is from the Xokleng-Laklano Indigenous group.In...

Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers win 13th straight in the regular season, beat the Giants 30-12

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:17 GMT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Christian McCaffrey scored a touchdown in his 12th straight game, Brock Purdy threw two TD passes and the San Francisco 49ers won their 13th straight regular season game, 30-12 over the New York Giants on Thursday night.The Niners weren’t particularly sharp on offense in their home opener but got enough from McCaffrey and on big runs after the catch by Deebo Samuel and George Kittle to earn their second 3-0 start in 25 seasons.The defense did the rest against the short-handed Giants (1-2), who fell behind by double digits at the half for the third time in three games this season.With the running game hampered by the absence of injured star Saquon Barkley and the offensive line overmatched without left tackle Andrew Thomas and left guard Ben Bredeson, the Giants struggled to move the ball and finished with 150 yards of offense.They managed two field goals in the first half and scored on Matt Breida’s 8-yard run on a third-quarter drive that need...

Labor unions say they will end strike actions at Chevron’s three LNG plants in Australia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:17 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Labor unions said Friday they will end disruptive strike actions at Chevron Corp.’s three liquefied natural gas plants in Australia that provide more than 5% of global LNG supplies.Chevron Australia and the Offshore Alliance said they had accepted an arbitrator’s recommendation for resolving a dispute over pay and working conditions. The alliance is a partnership of the Australian Workers’ Union and the Maritime Union of Australia, which represents workers in the offshore oil and gas industry.Neither side gave any details on the proposed contract terms. The strike actions involve 500 unionized staff who have yet to accept updated employment contracts at the U.S. energy giant’s three facilities in the Pilbara region of Western Australia state: Gorgon, Wheatstone Platform and Wheatstone Downstream.The plants account for between 5% and 7% of global LNG supply and union unrest since Sept. 8 has affected global gas prices.“The Offshore Alliance will now w...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives in Ottawa for first visit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:17 GMT

OTTAWA — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in the national capital for his first official visit to Canada since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. He is planning to meet with top Canadian officials and members of the Ukrainian Canadian community. Zelenskyy is also set to address Parliament on Friday — his first in-person address since the war began.He and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are expected to sign an agreement to continue strengthening economic ties between the two countries.The Ukrainian leader spoke at the UN General Assembly in New York City this week, where Trudeau appealed to other nations to support Ukraine’s war effort and called on Russia to withdraw its troops.Canada has provided more than $4.95 billion in financial support and $1.8 billion in military aid for Ukraine. That includes ammunition, weapons, protective equipment, armoured vehicles and tanks — along with providing training for Ukrainian soldiers in the U.K. and...

A 13-year-old boy found shot in the woods was a victim of Sweden’s gang violence, prosecutor says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:17 GMT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A 13-year-old boy found dead in woods near his home in the suburbs of Stockholm earlier this month was the latest victim of a deadly gang war in Sweden, a prosecutor said Thursday.Milo, who was only identified by his first name, had been shot in the head in a chilling example of “gross and completely reckless gang violence,” prosecutor Lisa dos Santos said. He is believed to have been shot in Haninge, south of Stockholm. She declined to give further details due to the ongoing investigation.Swedish media, which have published photos of Milo with the permission of his family, said the body had been moved to the woods after the boy — who was not known to the police — was killed. He was reported missing on Sept. 8 and his body was found by a passerby three days later.Criminal gangs have become a growing problem in Sweden, with an increasing number of drive-by shootings, bombings and grenade attacks. Most of the violence is in Sweden’s three largest citie...

Latina music composer inspires students, wins 'Women in Music' award

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:17 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago-area music conductor is breaking boundaries becoming one of few Latinas in Illinois to lead a music program.Daniella Valdez was recently honored by the ‘Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra’ with the ‘Women In Music’ Award. Valdez teaches music at Maine West High School and serves as a conductor for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.Her love of music started early on.  She was in elementary school when she caught the tunes of a school orchestra and never looked back. Valdez says, “I remember hearing them in the hallway …and I came home saying that I wanted to play the violin….that’s what I wanted to do.” More from Lourdes: What’s preventing Latino businesses from growing? It’s estimated that less than ten percent of conductors are Latinos but fewer are Latinas. Valdez says, that’s changing…we also now see more Latino composers.  It’s exciting!”Valdez continues her work with different organizations on Diversity Equity and Inclusion progra...

CPD launches search for 12-year-old missing from Austin neighborhood

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:17 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department is looking for the public's help in finding a 12-year-old boy who went missing from the Austin neighborhood Thursday.Missing 12-year-old Kaden Fox.Police said Kaden Fox went missing from the 5200 block of West North Avenue and was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and blue joggers.Kaden is around 5-foot-2-inches tall and weighs 120 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.Police also said Fox is autistic and suffers from Schizophrenia.Those with information that can help CPD find Kaden are encouraged to reach out to Area Five detectives at 312-746-6554.

One dead after car crashes into pole in southeast Austin, ATCEMS says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead after a vehicle crashed into a pole in southeast Austin on Thursday, Austin-Travis County EMS said on social media.Shortly after 7:30 p.m., medics responded to 1504 E. 51st St. for the crash. Medics pronounced one adult person dead on the scene.Austin-Travis County EMS said one person is dead after a car crashed into a pole in east Austin. | Kate Winkle KXAN NewsDrivers should expect extended traffic delays around the scene and use alternate routes, medics said.No other information was available Thursday.