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Chinese officials voice faith in economy and keep interest rates steady as forecasts darken

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:41 GMT

Leading Chinese planners voiced confidence on Wednesday in the outlook for the world’s second-largest economy, holding key interest rates steady amid signs of improvement in some areas such as services. The upbeat tone of officials speaking at a news conference in Beijing was in contrast to forecasts by the Asian Development Bank and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which say weakness in the Chinese economy are expected to further dent global and regional growth. Cong Liang, vice chairman of China’s chief planning agency, the National Development and Reform Commission, told reporters that the country’s resilience during past crises was grounds for confidence and that improved factory output and tourism figures show the economy is on the mend. He and the other senior economic officials did not present significant new data. They acknowledged daunting challenges in reviving growth, but were united in predicting that the ruling Communist Party will ensure that ...

UK inflation in surprise fall in August, though Bank of England still set to raise rates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:41 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Inflation in Britain fell unexpectedly in August to its lowest level since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led to sharp rises in energy and food costs.The Office for National Statistics said Wednesday that inflation, as measured by the consumer prices index was 6.7% in the year August, down from 6.8% in July. The decline took inflation to its lowest level since February 2022.It said that lower hotel and air fare costs and a moderation in food price rises. They helped offset an increase in energy prices on the back of higher crude oil prices.The decline was unexpected. Most analysts had expected an increase to around 7%.Though the surprise decline was encouraging, inflation remains way above the Bank of England’s target rate of 2% and most economists think it will raise its main borrowing rate once again on Thursday by a quarter of a percentage point to a near 16-year high of 5.5%. Like other central banks around the world, the Bank of Engla...

Pope goes to Marseille to talk migration, but will Europe listen as it scrambles to stem an influx?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:41 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Ten years after Pope Francis made a landmark visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa to show solidarity with migrants, he is joining Catholic bishops from the Mediterranean this weekend in France to make the call more united. The question is whether anyone in European corridors of power will listen, as they scramble to stem a new tide of would-be refugees setting off from Africa.Francis’ overnight visit Friday to the French port city of Marseille to close out a meeting of Mediterranean bishops was scheduled months ago. But it comes as Europe’s migrant problem is once again making headlines, given the nearly 7,000 migrants who came ashore on Lampedusa within a day last week, briefly outnumbering the resident population.The drama has sparked another round of hand-wringing and pledges of solidarity from European capitals, with even talk of a naval blockade to prevent departures. It’s a policy Francis has long condemned given that an EU-funded operation to ret...

France is rolling out the red carpet for King Charles III’s three-day state visit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:41 GMT

PARIS (AP) — King Charles III of the United Kingdom starts a three-day state visit to France on Wednesday meant to highlight with great pomp both nations’ friendship, after the trip was postponed in March amid widespread demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension changes.Charles and Queen Camilla will be greeted by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne at Paris-Orly airport, before heading to the city center for a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in the presence of Macron and his wife, Brigitte. The visit shows “the deep historical ties that unite our two countries. It is also an opportunity to showcase France’s cultural, artistic and gastronomic excellence,” the French presidency said. At the Arc de Triomphe, both nations’ hymns will be played before a review of French troops and a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to “mark the shared sacrifices of the past and an enduring legacy of cooperation,” according to Buckingham Palace.The jet fighters of the Pa...

Prosecutors set to lay out case against officers in death of unarmed Black man in Denver suburb

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:41 GMT

BRIGHTON, Colo. (AP) — Prosecutors are expected to present opening statements after jury selection wraps up Wednesday in the trial of two police officers charged in the 2019 death of an unarmed Black man who was forcibly detained while walking on a Denver suburb. In the first of several trials stemming from the death of Elijah McClain, lawyers for the two sides are expected to paint contrasting pictures of the deadly struggle between the officers and the 23-year-old man, who was stopped by police as he walked home from a convenience store. One question jurors could be asked to decide is whether it was lawful for officers Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt to detain and use force against McClain, who a 911 caller had reported as being suspicious. If prosecutors can convince jurors the stop was unjustified, that would undermine any argument that McClain’s injuries were a result of the officers just doing their jobs.Roedema and Rosenblatt are both charged with criminally negligent homi...

At least 6 Palestinians are killed in latest fighting with Israel, Palestinian health officials say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:41 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank and unrest in the Gaza Strip have killed six Palestinians, Palestinian health officials said Wednesday, the latest spike in a wave of violence that has roiled the region for more than a year.The death toll from the most recent flare-up stood at four late Tuesday. But on Wednesday the Palestinian Health Ministry raised it, saying an Israeli raid into the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank killed four people and wounded some 30 others, while a raid in a separate refugee camp killed another Palestinian. A sixth Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire in unrest in the Gaza Strip, officials said.The deadly violence between Israel and the Palestinians over the last year and a half has surged to levels unseen in the West Bank in some two decades. Israel has stepped up its raids on Palestinian areas and Palestinian attacks against Israelis have been mounting. Tensions also appear to be spreading to Gaza.T...

Tornado kills 5 people in eastern China

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:41 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — A tornado killed five people and seriously injured four others in eastern China, state media said Wednesday. The tornado hit parts of Suqian city in Jiangsu province about 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday, state broadcaster CCTV said. It destroyed 137 homes and damaged crop land and pig farms. Videos posted online showed cars that had been tossed about, including at least one flipped onto its side, and debris swirling in the air above a several-story-high building. CCTV said that power and road service had been restored in the area. Tornadoes are rare in China but have caused deaths in Jiangsu in recent years. One person in the province was killed in a tornado last year and four died in 2021. Another tornado killed eight people in the city of Wuhan the same day.The Associated Press

Reduce demand and protect people in prostitution, say MEPs 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:41 GMT

Parliament called on last week for EU measures to tackle prostitution and policies that eliminate poverty, Plenary session, FEMM.The report on prostitution in the EU, its cross-border implications and impact on gender equality and women’s rights was adopted by MEPs with 234 votes in favour, 175 against and 122 abstentions. It underlines that the asymmetry between national rules on prostitution within the EU, given its cross-border nature, leads to more victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation and makes for fertile operating ground for organised crime. Member states should assess existing legislation to avoid any loopholes that allow criminals to act with impunity, while the Commission should develop common EU guidelines guaranteeing the fundamental rights of people in prostitution.Measures to cut demand and online advertisementProstitution and trafficking for sexual exploitation exist because there is a demand for them, MEPs note. Reducing demand is therefore key to prevent an...

Demonstrators shut down 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:41 GMT

Demonstrators shut down the 101 Freeway near downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday night. Attendees were highlighting the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that some fear could escalate into a war.Reports of the incident came in around 10:30 p.m.A large group of demonstrators were seen waving Armenian flags along with a large sign that read, "Joe Biden Don't Ignore Us."Sky5 video showed the crowd stopped outside on the freeway while their vehicles were parked in a cluster. Traffic was backed up for miles as California Highway Patrol officers directed drivers.Demonstrators shut down the 101 Freeway calling attention to the ongoing crisis between Armenia and Azerbaijan on Sept. 19, 2023. (KTLA)Demonstrators shut down the 101 Freeway calling attention to the ongoing crisis between Armenia and Azerbaijan on Sept. 19, 2023. (KTLA)Demonstrators shut down the 101 Freeway calling attention to the ongoing crisis between Armenia and Azerbaijan on Sept. 19, 2023. (KTLA)Demonstrators sh...

Senate confirms first Chinese-American woman to serve as a lifetime judge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:41 GMT

(FOX40.COM) --The Senate confirmed Tuesday that Judge Rita Lin will serve the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California as the first Chinese-American woman to serve at a lifetime capacity.Lin spent the last five years as an associate judge on the San Francisco County Superior Court and she previously served as an assistant U.S. attorney. Lin became a national name when she advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality by working pro bono as co-counsel against the Defense of Marriage Act, according to civilrights.org. Why Gavin Newsom says he’s not running for president in 2024 Lin was confirmed Tuesday with a 52-45 vote. According to multiple reports, she was voted in by every Democrat in attendance and three Republicans; Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska).Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) did not vote.