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ECB presses pause after record tightening

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:58 GMT

The European Central Bank left its interest rates unchanged for the first time in 15 months, taking a breather as the fastest tightening cycle in its history exerts an increasing drag on the economy.The decision had been widely expected after ECB President Christine Lagarde signaled a likely pause following last month’s rate hike. Economic activity and inflation have continued to slow since then.That means the key deposit rate stays at a record-high 4 percent, with the main refinancing and marginal lending rates staying at 4.50 percent and 4.75 percent, respectively.According to the ECB’s statement, inflation is still expected to stay too high for too long, and domestic price pressures remain strong. But at the same time, inflation dropped markedly in September.Looking ahead, the central bank left the door for further rate hikes open, saying it “will ensure that its policy rates will be set at sufficiently restrictive levels for as long as necessary.” However, most analysts th...

Vermont police find 2 bodies off rural road as they investigate disappearance of 2 Massachusetts men

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:58 GMT

MORRISTOWN, Vt. (AP) — Vermont State Police on Wednesday found two bodies in a wooded area off a rural road in Eden as they investigate the disappearance of two 21-year-old Massachusetts men, police said.“Right now we’re not able to make any identifications or any assumptions,” Maj. Dan Trudeau, commander of the Vermont State Police’s criminal division, said during an afternoon press conference. No arrests have been made, he said.“We are treating it as a homicide,” he said. Police expect to get a cause and manner of the deaths as well as identities of the victims on Thursday, after the medical examiner processes the bodies, Trudeau said.Jahim Solomon of Pittsfield and Eric White of Chicopee disappeared under “suspicious circumstances” while traveling through several communities, state police said Saturday. They were reported missing on Oct. 15 after falling out of touch with their families for several days, authorities said. They’d previously been in Burlington, Lowell, Morris...

ACLU argues Trump gag order in federal election subversion case is unconstitutional

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:58 GMT

(CNN) — The American Civil Liberties Union and its Washington, DC, chapter filed an amicus brief in support of Donald Trump on Wednesday, arguing that the gag order against the former president in his federal election subversion case is unconstitutional.The brief contends that the order issued by Judge Tanya Chutkan earlier this month, which limits what Trump can say about special counsel Jack Smith’s prosecution of his alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 election results, violates the 2024 GOP front-runner’s First Amendment rights.The ACLU, which often challenged his administration’s policy, acknowledged that many of the things Trump “has said has been patently false and has caused great harm to countless individuals, as well as to the Republic itself.” Still, it argued, the former president “retains a First Amendment right to speak, and the rest of us retain a right to hear what he has to say.”Trump has appealed the order. Chutkan temporarily froze&n...

A ‘new turning point’: Patients could soon have a new shot to protect them from deadly meningitis

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:58 GMT

(CNN) — Patti Wukovits still thinks about how she had to bury her daughter in her prom dress.In June 2012, 17-year-old Kimberly Coffey had a fever and body aches. She told her mom it felt like her ankles were bleeding. When Wukovits looked, she noticed a purple rash.Wukovits, a nurse from Long Island, rushed Kimberly to the emergency room where doctors diagnosed her with meningitis. Her kidneys and heart were failing. They could do little to help her.Kimberly died days before her high school graduation.“Our whole world changed,” Wukovits said. “There’s not one day, one hour that goes by that I really don’t think about her. She’s always on top of my mind.”Wukovits was confused about how Kimberly could have meningitis. She had followed the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations and made sure her daughter had been vaccinated.Doctors explained that while Kimberly had protection with the MenACWY vaccine, a shot that the CDC recommends adolescents get wh...

Staff picks for Week 8 of 2023 NFL season: Jaguars vs. Steelers, Browns vs. Seahawks, Bengals vs. 49ers and more

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:58 GMT

Baltimore Sun staff writers pick every game of the NFL season. Here’s who they have winning in Week 8:Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills (Thursday, 8:15 p.m.)Brian Wacker (58-48 season; 5-8 last week): BillsChilds Walker (66-40 season; 6-7 last week): BillsMike Preston (57-49 season; 5-8 last week): BillsC.J. Doon (67-39 season; 5-8 last week): BillsTim Schwartz (64-42 season; 4-9 last week): BillsHouston Texans at Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m.)Wacker: TexansWalker: TexansPreston: TexansDoon: TexansSchwartz: TexansLos Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, 1 p.m.)Wacker: CowboysWalker: CowboysPreston: CowboysDoon: CowboysSchwartz: CowboysMinnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 1 p.m.)Wacker: VikingsWalker: PackersPreston: VikingsDoon: VikingsSchwartz: VikingsNew Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m.)Wacker: ColtsWalker: ColtsPreston: ColtsDoon: SaintsSchwartz: ColtsNew England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m.)Wacker: DolphinsWalker: Dol...

Source: Patriots signing former 1st-round WR to active roster

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:58 GMT

The Patriots are signing wide receiver Jalen Reagor from their practice squad to their active roster, per source.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Callahan: The Patriots can’t take Demario Douglas off the field anymore New England Patriots | Patriots-Dolphins injury report: Tyreek Hill sits out Wednesday, Bill Belichick lists 12 injured New England Patriots | Source: Patriots re-signing Malik Cunningham to practice squad New England Patriots | Celtics’ Jayson Tatum discusses relationship with Tom Brady: ‘Tom is the best’ New England Patriots | Patriots receive encouraging news at Wednesday practice before Dolphins game Reagor fills the open roster spot created when the team released quarterback Malik Cunningham on Tuesday. The Pats have since re-signed Cunningham to their practice squad.Reagor, 24, originally signed to the Patriots’ practice in late August. He has been ...

5 found shot to death at southeast North Carolina home, sheriff says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:58 GMT

CLINTON, N.C. (AP) — Five people were found fatally shot at a southeast North Carolina home early Thursday, according to the local sheriff.Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said deputies were called to the home off Garland Highway outside Clinton shortly before 1 a.m. for a report of a homicide found five people dead with gunshot wounds, news outlets reported.The emergency call came from someone who knows the homeowner, Thornton said. Investigators don’t have any information about a suspect and don’t know how the people who were killed knew each other, he said.The Associated Press

North York health clinic employee charged with sexual assault

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:58 GMT

A North York health clinic employee has been charged with the alleged sexual assault of a volunteer.Toronto police were called to the Yonge Street and Finch Avenue West area at around 10:30 a.m. on October 20 for reports of a sexual assault. Investigators said the victim was volunteering at the health clinic when the accused sexually assaulted them as he was assisting the individual with exercises.The employee was identified as 55-year-old Hassan Zanjanchi Nikoo of Toronto. He’s been charged with sexual assault.The accused is scheduled to appear in court on December 8, 2023. Police did not provide a photo of the man.

Suspects attack homeowner, forcing their way into North York home during robbery: police

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:58 GMT

Toronto police are searching for four suspects who allegedly attacked a person outside their home during a robbery in North York.Police responded to a home invasion call in the area of Leslie Street and York Mills Road around 1 p.m. on Tuesday.Investigators say four male suspects attacked the homeowner outside their residence and then entered the home, stealing items before fleeing the scene.According to police, the suspects drove off in a white, four-door Honda (shown below).The homeowner suffered minor injuries.Police describe the suspects as:Suspect #1: 20 to 25-years old, five feet nine inches tall, medium build, and brown eyes, wearing a black hooded jacket with a white stripe, dark-colored pants, and black face maskSuspect #2: 20 to 25-years old, six feel tall, and thin build, wearing a black hooded sweater, black pants, and black face maskSuspect #3: 20 to 25-years old, six feet tall, and thin build, wearing a blue hooded jacket, grey sweatpants, and black running sneakersSus...

CP NewsAlert: Trudeau to nominate Alberta judge Mary Moreau to Supreme Court: source

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:58 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to announce today that Mary Moreau, chief justice of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, will be named to the Supreme Court of Canada, a senior government source confirms.The source spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss matters not yet made public.More Coming. The Canadian Press