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Fitch warns it could still cut US debt rating even after deal

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:29:58 GMT

Fitch Ratings on Friday warned that it could still downgrade the U.S.’s credit rating even after Congress passed a bill that averts an unprecedented default on government debt.While the deal to raise the debt ceiling and cut spending are “positive considerations,” Fitch said “repeated political standoffs” over the federal government’s borrowing limit “lowers confidence in governance on fiscal and debt matters.”Fitch issued its negative credit watch for U.S. debt last week. The company said it intends to “resolve” its negative watch by the end of September.President Joe Biden is expected to sign the legislation later today.Treasury securities are the lifeblood of financial markets and a benchmark for how everything from municipal debt to credit card rates are priced. A downgrade, which would mark only the second time a ratings service has knocked U.S. bonds from top-tier status, could drive up borrowing costs for consumers, businesses and governments — tightening credit con...

Plastic pollution: Key step toward landmark treaty to end plastic waste

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:29:58 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Global negotiators have agreed to craft an initial draft treaty to end plastic pollution, a preliminary but crucial step toward tackling one of the most lasting sources of human waste.Environmental advocates cautiously welcomed the outcome of five days of U.N. talks in Paris on plastic pollution, but expressed concern that the petroleum industry and some governments would water down the eventual treaty. Most plastic is made from fossil fuels.Delegates at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for Plastics agreed Friday evening to produce an initial draft before their next meeting in Kenya in November, participants said. The committee is charged with developing the first international, legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, on land and at sea.A coalition of “high-ambition” governments led by Norway and Rwanda, along with environmental groups, want to end plastic pollution altogether by 2040 by slashing production and limiting some chemicals used in making plas...

Activists in Canada aim to carry torch for Hong Kong’s silenced Tiananmen vigil

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:29:58 GMT

VANCOUVER — Some members of Canada’s Chinese diaspora are feeling the pressure to carry the torch as Hong Kong’s renowned vigil commemorating the June 4, 1989, massacre in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square falls silent.Sunday marks the 34th anniversary of China’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, in which tanks rolled into the heart of Beijing and hundreds, and possibly thousands, of people were killed.Hong Kong’s Victoria Park had for decades been the only place on Chinese soil where large numbers gathered annually to commemorate those killed.But on Sunday, Victoria Park will instead be occupied by a carnival organized by pro-Beijing groups to celebrate Hong Kong’s handover to Chinese rule in 1997.The Hong Kong vigil organizers’ vote to disband in 2021 — spurred by enforcement of the Chinese government’s law that suppresses public displays of opposition — has driven many overseas Chinese communities to step up their own efforts, including here in C...

Rain could bring relief to firefighters battling Halifax-area wildfires

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:29:58 GMT

HALIFAX — There are hopes that heavy rain in the forecast could bring relief to Nova Scotia firefighters, who are struggling to bring a major Halifax-area wildfire under control.Halifax Deputy Fire Chief David Meldrum said that Friday was a “pretty good day” for the fire effort near the city, as higher humidity and cooler temperatures allowed crews to make some advances.The improved conditions also meant some 8,000 Halifax-area residents were able to return to their homes as of late Friday afternoon, after evacuation orders were lifted for some areas undamaged by fire.The wildfire that broke out Sunday in the Halifax area raced through a number of subdivisions, consuming about 200 structures — including 151 homes — and forcing the evacuation of more than 16,000 people.While some residents received good news about returning home on Friday, scores of others whose homes were destroyed by fire were taken by bus to get a firsthand look at what little remains of wh...

Daily horoscope for June 3, 2023

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:29:58 GMT

Moon Alert: After 1:30 a.m. EDT today, there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The Full Moon in Sagittarius peaks at 11:42 p.m. EDT today (8:42 p.m. PDT).Happy Birthday for Saturday, June 3, 2023:You are courageous and resilient. You are also sharp-witted, clever and multitalented. (Lucky you.) This is an excellent year to take up further studies or explore anything you want to learn, especially exploring your inner world and higher consciousness. This year gets more exciting as it progresses.ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★★You have strong opinions about politics and religion today, even if authority figures might try to thwart your efforts to state your opinions. These opinions also might deal with the rights of children. Or they might defend your romantic relationship with someone. Tonight: Be agreeable.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★★Money squabbles or disputes about how to divide or share something with a friend or a group might occur today. Regardless of what happe...

Harriette Cole: I don’t want to falsely accuse them but I can’t shake this bad feeling

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:29:58 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I had a friend over for dinner who brought along a friend of their own. While I was in the kitchen preparing food, the friend of a friend had free range of the house.After they left, I realized that a valuable item was missing, and I can’t shake the feeling that it was this friend of a friend who took it. The problem is I have no concrete proof.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: I found out there are lies about me in this book Advice | Harriette Cole: I drink a lot. My life is fine. End of story? Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m uncomfortable with what my boyfriend does for work Advice | Harriette Cole: This young man’s question made me realize the truth about my marriage Advice | Harriette Cole: My dad’s job is in DEI, but you should hear what he says when he’s stressed I don’t want to falsely accuse someone or cause unnecessary drama in my friend gr...

Miss Manners: I made the mistake of sharing my manuscript with this colleague

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:29:58 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m the author of three published books. I came to writing late in life but enjoy excellent reviews and decent sales. I have managed to secure an agent, an editor and a publishing contract.I met a slightly older writer at a conference a few years ago. My colleague has more books to their name, and their success seems to have come earlier in their career.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: How can I make a guest commit to her RSVP? Advice | Miss Manners: How am I supposed to plan a shower with all these gay friends? Advice | Miss Manners: We are stung that the ‘cool’ neighbors didn’t clue us in Advice | Miss Manners: Her sheepish greeting always makes me feel awkward Advice | Miss Manners: Must I order sheep’s brains if I don’t want to share my food? As we got to know each other better, I was surprised by several rather forceful requests that I rea...

Dear Abby: I was shocked to see this behavior at a funeral

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:29:58 GMT

DEAR ABBY: When our mom died, one of her siblings took selfie photos with her in the casket. They did it the whole time at the funeral.We were taught by our mom and grandma never to take photos of someone in their casket. Several family members were beyond shocked, as were we.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: He learned things in kindergarten that made him cry Advice | Dear Abby: My husband is upset that I find his new look mortifying Advice | Dear Abby: I have news about my co-worker that his girlfriend should know Advice | Dear Abby: What the bridesmaid told me sent my wedding stress off the charts Advice | Dear Abby: I walked into the bedroom and I can’t forget what I saw Is there a polite way to keep people from taking photos of the deceased? Should you make it clear that no cameras of any kind will be permitted, and that failure to comply will have you removed? And should the family have to ...

Cubs meet the Padres with 1-0 series lead

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:29:58 GMT

Chicago Cubs (25-31, fourth in the NL Central) vs. San Diego Padres (26-31, fourth in the NL West)San Diego; Saturday, 10:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Drew Smyly (5-2, 3.45 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 53 strikeouts); Padres: Yu Darvish (3-4, 4.61 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 59 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -115, Cubs -105; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs meet the San Diego Padres with a 1-0 series lead.San Diego is 12-16 at home and 26-31 overall. The Padres have a 13-23 record in games when they have allowed a home run.Chicago is 25-31 overall and 10-15 on the road. The Cubs have the second-ranked team on-base percentage in the NL at .331.Saturday’s game is the fifth time these teams square off this season. The Cubs are up 3-1 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Juan Soto leads the Padres with 10 home runs while slugging .484. Rougned Odor is 11-for-35 with four doubles, three home runs and 14 RBI over the last 10 games.Nico Hoerner has eight doubles, ...

Pirates face the Cardinals leading series 1-0

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:29:58 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (25-33, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (29-27, second in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Saturday, 4:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Jordan Montgomery (2-6, 4.48 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 55 strikeouts); Pirates: Luis Ortiz (1-2, 4.35 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, 14 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -141, Pirates +121; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates lead 1-0 in a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals.Pittsburgh has a 29-27 record overall and a 13-13 record in home games. The Pirates have a 19-2 record in games when they scored at least five runs.St. Louis has a 25-33 record overall and a 13-17 record in road games. The Cardinals have hit 78 total home runs to rank sixth in MLB play.The teams meet Saturday for the sixth time this season. The Pirates lead the season series 3-2.TOP PERFORMERS: Andrew McCutchen has a .278 batting average to lead the Pirates, and has seven doubles and eight home runs. Ji-Hwan Bae is...