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British economy recovers slightly in April but strikes set to keep a lid on growth

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:33 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The British economy bounced back in April amid strong sales at bars and pubs as well as a rebound in car purchases, according to official figures.The Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday that the economy grew by 0.2% during the month. The increase was in line with expectations but failed to fully recoup the 0.3% contraction in March. However, on a longer-term horizon, the British economy is barely growing, hobbled by higher interest rates as well as strike action across an array of sectors, including in health, education and transportation.Samuel Tombs, chief U.K. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said he expects second-quarter growth to be unchanged from the first as the strikes “rumble on.” He also predicted that the extra public holiday in May for King Charles III’s coronation to weigh on economic activity.Further out, he expects lower energy prices for households to boost growth in the second half of the year.“A slow but steady recovery should...

Draining of Ukraine's Kakhovka reservoir offers a reminder of past conflicts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:33 GMT

The draining of one of Europe's largest reservoirs as a result of the destruction of the Kakhovka dam has revealed submerged military objects that offer a reminder of wars past and present on Ukrainian soil.On a drizzly morning near the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, a team of divers and underwater demining experts from Ukraine's State Emergency service grappled on Monday with the steering element of a S-300 missile. It had fallen in the water since Russia's full-scale invasion and was caked in algae and soil.The missile fragment had been spotted in shallow water on Saturday by a local resident taking a stroll on the newly formed beach. The demining team's leader, Oleksandr Chechko, said the water level at the location had fallen by around four metres.He said the amount of explosive or dangerous items the unit had been called out to deal with had grown several times since the Kakhovka dam was destroyed last Monday.Ukraine's environment minister said the Kakhovka reservoir, which was...

Single family residence sells for $2.6 million in Danville

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:33 GMT

220 Crestridge Drive – Google Street ViewThe spacious property located in the 200 block of Crestridge Drive in Danville was sold on May 24, 2023. The $2,550,000 purchase price works out to $692 per square foot. The house, built in 1992, has an interior space of 3,687 square feet. The property features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, an attached garage, and two parking spaces. It sits on a 0.3-acre lot.These nearby houses have also recently been purchased:In October 2022, a 2,556-square-foot home on Wrangler Road in San Ramon sold for $1,720,000, a price per square foot of $673. The home has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Northview Court, Danville, in April 2023, a 2,854-square-foot home was sold for $2,650,000, a price per square foot of $929. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 2,961-square-foot home on the 400 block of Kingston Drive in Danville sold in July 2022, for $2,100,000, a price per square foot of $709. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. 

Connecticut and Atlanta square off in conference showdown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:33 GMT

Atlanta Dream (2-5, 2-3 Eastern Conference) at Connecticut Sun (8-2, 5-1 Eastern Conference)Uncasville, Connecticut; Thursday, 7 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Eastern Conference foes Connecticut and Atlanta face off on Thursday.Connecticut went 25-11 overall and 11-7 in Eastern Conference play a season ago. The Sun averaged 21.1 assists per game on 31.9 made field goals last season.Atlanta finished 5-13 in Eastern Conference play and 14-22 overall during the 2022-23 season. The Dream averaged 78.5 points per game while allowing opponents to score 81.5 last season.INJURIES: Sun: None listed.Dream: Aari McDonald: out (torn labrum), Danielle Robinson: out (knee).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Indiana visits Chicago after Boston’s 23-point game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:33 GMT

Indiana Fever (3-6, 2-4 Eastern Conference) at Chicago Sky (5-5, 2-3 Eastern Conference)Chicago; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Indiana visits the Chicago Sky after Aliyah Boston scored 23 points in the Fever’s 87-66 victory over the Washington Mystics.Chicago finished 14-4 at home and 15-3 in Eastern Conference action during the 2022-23 season. The Sky averaged 15.2 points off of turnovers, 9.3 second chance points and 22.6 bench points last season.Indiana went 5-31 overall last season while going 2-16 in Eastern Conference action. The Fever averaged 78.0 points per game last season, 14.4 on free throws and 20.4 from 3-point range.INJURIES: Sky: Ruthy Hebard: out (personal), Isabelle Harrison: out (knee), Rebekah Gardner: out (foot), Morgan Bertsch: out (ankle).Fever: None listed.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Reportan raro avistamiento de orcas frente a la costa de Nueva Inglaterra

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:33 GMT

(CNN) — Investigadores del Acuario de Nueva Inglaterra observaron algo inusual este domingo por la tarde durante un reconocimiento aéreo: un grupo de cuatro orcas nadando a sólo 64 kilómetros al sur de Nantucket, Massachusetts.Según la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica, las orcas son más comunes en las zonas que rodean el Ártico y el Caribe. El último avistamiento de una orca en aguas de Massachusetts fue en mayo de 2022.Katherine McKenna, investigadora científica adjunta del Acuario de Nueva Inglaterra, en Boston, fue la primera en avistar el grupo.“Al principio sólo pude ver dos salpicaduras delante del avión”, dijo McKenna en un comunicado de prensa. “Mientras rodeábamos la zona, dos ballenas salieron a la superficie demasiado rápido para saber de qué se trataba. En la tercera salida a la superficie, pudimos echar un buen vistazo y ver la coloración reveladora antes de que las grandes aletas dorsales rompieran la superficie”.Katherine Mc...

German government to present 1st national security strategy to address growing threats

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:33 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Germany is unveiling its first comprehensive national security strategy Wednesday in Berlin as part of an effort to address what it views as growing military, economic and social threats to the country.Chancellor Olaf Scholz and four of his top ministers are due to present the new strategy, which has been months in the making. It is seen as a centerpiece of his three-party governing coalition.Russia’s attack on Ukraine has heightened anxiety in Germany about the preparedness of its own armed forces, prompting Scholz to announce a “turning point” on military spending.Resilience against cyberattacks and the dangers posed by climate change will also be part of the new security strategy. Plans to create a national security council, akin to those found in the United States and Britain, have been shelved, however.The Associated Press

UK police hunt motive in Nottingham attack as friends mourn student athlete victims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:33 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Police worked Wednesday to piece together details of a knife and van attack that killed two 19-year-old students and another man in the English city of Nottingham, as friends and family remembered the two younger victims as talented athletes with a passion for life.Nottingham University students Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar were stabbed to death in a street near student housing before dawn on Tuesday.Police say a 31-year-old suspect also killed a man in his 50s more than a mile (1.6 kilometers) away, stole his van and ran down a group of pedestrians. Three people were hurt, one critically, in the hit-and-run.Police subdued the suspect with a stun gun nearby and detained him on suspicion of murder. Police said they believe the attacker acted alone and were working with counterterrorism officers to try to establish a motive. The attack has not been labeled terrorism by the authorities, and police are investigating issues including the suspect’s mental health.The ...

Greece reports 17 migrants dead, more than 100 rescued after fishing vessel capsizes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:33 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A fishing boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized and sank off the southern coast of Greece early Wednesday, killing at least 17 people.A large search and rescue operation was launched in the area. Authorities said 104 people have been rescued so far following the nighttime incident some 75 kilometers (46 miles) southwest of Greece’s southern Peloponnese region. Four of the survivors were hospitalized with symptoms of hypothermia. It was unclear how many passengers might remain missing at sea after 17 bodies were recovered, the Greek coast guard said.Six coast guard vessels, a navy frigate, a military transport plan, an air force helicopter, several private vessels and a drone from the European Union border protection agency, Frontex were taking part in the ongoing search.The Italy-bound boat is believed to have sailed from the Tobruk area in eastern Libya. The Italian coast guard first alerted Greek authorities and Frontex about the approaching vessel on Tue...

South Korea sues rival North Korea for blowing up joint liaison office in 2020

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:33 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea filed a 44.7 billion won ($35 million) damage suit against North Korea on Wednesday for blowing up a joint liaison office just north of their border in 2020, which highlighted a revival of tensions between the rivals following the collapse of larger nuclear talks between the U.S. and North Korea.The symbolic lawsuit filed with the Seoul Central District Court comes amid a prolonged freeze in diplomacy and growing concerns over North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs. South Korea had until this Friday to claim damages, when a three-year statute of limitations over the incident would expire.Koo Byoungsam, spokesperson for Seoul’s Unification Ministry, which handles relations with North Korea, described the North’s detonation of the building as an unlawful and violent act that breached previous agreements between the countries and “fundamentally damaged the foundation of mutual respect and trust.”There’s no clear way for Sout...