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Retail sales rose solidly last month in a sign that consumers are still spending freely

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:11:58 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans increased their purchases at retailers last month – for clothing, dining out, online goods and other areas – in a sign that solid consumer spending is still powering a resilient U.S. economy.Retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.7% in July from June, according to the Commerce Department’s report Tuesday. The gain followed a revised 0.3% gain the previous month, the government said.Analysts noted that spending on Amazon Prime Day, the online juggernaut’s big two-day sales event that took place earlier last month, also helped boost online sales.Excluding autos and gas, sales rose a solid 1%. A closely watched category of retail sales that excludes auto dealers, gas stations and building materials and feeds into the gross domestic product jumped 1% last month compared to the prior month, the biggest move in six months, analysts said.“Maybe it’s a one-off, but Americans put aside their penny-pinching ways and spent big on food and fun in July,&...

Widespread blackout leaves parts of Brazil without electricity

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:11:58 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A blackout left large parts of Brazil’s north and northeast regions without any electricity Tuesday, and power disruptions were detected in the rest of the country, the National System Operator said.At least 19 of Brazil’s states were affected, according to a tally by online news site G1.The outage affected public transportation. Passengers had to evacuate subway lines in major cities, including Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Salvador. Traffic lights were out in other cities. The blackout happened at 8:31 a.m. local time, government authorities said. Power was restored in some parts of the country by 10:00 a.m., the National System Operator said in a statement, but many areas remained without electricity.The cause of the blackout was under investigation.The Associated Press

Spice up your after-school snacks with uncommon ingredients

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:11:58 GMT

Afterschool snacks can cater to more than just the kids. A few simple, sophisticated tweaks to classic treats — popcorn and peanut butter cookies — creates snacks everyone will enjoy.Peanut butter cookies are tasty, but can be one-dimensional and too sweet. Looking for a bit of balance, we were inspired by the wildly popular peanut butter cookies from Falco Bakery in Melbourne, Australia. Their surprise ingredient is brown rice miso, which combats the sweetness of a normal peanut butter cookie and heightens the nuttiness.Our adaptation substitutes white miso, which is easier to find and adds interesting depth to make the cookies taste full and complex. A sprinkle of turbinado or raw sugar adds a little crunch to the chewy texture for a savory but balanced treat.Because sodium content varies greatly among brands of miso, look for one with about 300 milligrams per 12 grams of miso (check the nutrition facts on the label). And don’t use natural peanut butter. Differences in fat and sug...

Stock market today: Wall Street falls with markets worldwide after weak economic data from China

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:11:58 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks worldwide are falling as China’s faltering recovery raises worries for the rest of the global economy. The S&P 500 was 0.4% lower at the open of Tuesday’s trading after data showed a deepening slump for the world’s second-largest economy. The Dow was down 133 points, and the Nasdaq was 0.3% lower. A separate report on the U.S. economy was more encouraging, showing sales at retailers accelerated by more last month than expected. That raises hopes the U.S. economy can avoid a recession, but it also raises the threat that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates high for longer to snuff out inflation.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.Wall Street is sliding before Tuesday’s opening bell following yet more troublesome economic signals from China.Futures for the benchmark S&P 500 index and for the Dow Jones Industrial Average were each down 0.6% before the bell Tuesday.China’s economic slump deepened in July and...

July home sales little changed from June, see largest annual rise in two years: CREA

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:11:58 GMT

OTTAWA — The Canadian Real Estate Association says July’s home sales were little changed from June but saw the largest year-over-year increase in more than two years.The association says seasonally-adjusted sales amounted to 40,028, a 0.7 per cent drop from June.On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, sales edged up 8.7 per cent from the prior July to 41,186.The average home price was $668,754, up 6.3 per cent from a year earlier.On a seasonally-adjusted basis, the average was $690,867, a two per cent slide from June.New listings ticked down 0.2 per cent from last year to 73,215 and rose 5.6 per cent on a seasonally-adjusted basis to 67,636.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2023.The Canadian Press

Opera Philadelphia head to retire, and postpone 2023-24 production to save money

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:11:58 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — David Devan will retire next spring as head of Opera Philadelphia following 13 years as general director and has postponed one of this season’s productions to balance the company’s budget.In addition, music director Corrado Rovaris was given a three-year contract extension through 2026-27.Opera Philadelphia made the announcements Tuesday ahead of its 2023-24 opening night on Sept. 21, the pandemic-delayed world premiere of Rene Orth’s “10 Days in a Madhouse.”Devan, who turned 60 in January, has been with the company since 2006 and headed it since 2011. His contract expires May 31 and he felt “the need to allow new leadership to come up with the answers.”“A bunch of 60-, 70-year-olds figuring out the future is probably not the most robust way of doing it as a leader,” he said in a telephone interview.“The Anonymous Lover,” a 1780 work by Joseph Bologne who is believed to be the first Black classical composer, was postponed to 2024-25, resulting in $750,000 in sa...

Russia’s ruble has tumbled. What does it mean for the wartime economy?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:11:58 GMT

Russia’s ruble has fallen a long way in recent months, and the country’s central bank has stepped in to try to halt the slide. Until now, the government stood aside as the declining ruble helped its budget. But a weaker currency also poses the threat of higher prices for everyday people in Russia — and the government has finally moved to halt the drop.Here are key things to know about the ruble:WHY IS THE RUBLE FALLING?Economic fundamentals play a role, though they aren’t the whole story. Russia is selling less abroad — mainly reflected in falling revenue from oil and natural gas — and it’s importing more. When goods are imported to Russia, people or companies have to sell rubles for foreign currency such as dollars or euros. That tends to lower the ruble’s exchange rate. Russia’s trade surplus — meaning it sells more goods to other countries than what it buys — has shrunk. Trade surpluses typically support a country’s currency. Previously, Russia...

Man charged with murder after 50-year-old stabbed to death in Glenview

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:11:58 GMT

GLENVIEW, Ill. — A 20-year-old man has been charged with murder after he allegedly stabbed another man to death in what police described as a domestic-related incident in Glenview.On Monday just after 6:30 a.m., Glenview police responded to a home in the 1100 block of Arbor Lane on the report of a stabbing.Authorities discovered a 50-year-old man, later identified as Perron Thurston, who was stabbed. He was pronounced dead at Lutheran General. Search underway in Winnetka for missing swimmer in Lake Michigan Isaac Thurston, 20, of the same address, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.Police have not said the exact relationship between the two.

Wendy's adding new breakfast item to menu

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:11:58 GMT

(WXIN) - Fans of Wendy’s breakfast will soon have some new options for the morning.The fast-food chain will launch a pair of English muffin breakfast sandwiches next week.The new offerings include a “one-of-a-kind savory buttery spread.” They’re topped with a fresh-cracked egg, melted cheese and your choice of Applewood smoked bacon or a grilled sausage patty.(Photo via The Wendy's Company)The new English muffins hit restaurants nationwide starting Aug. 22 during breakfast hours. Wendy’s said it tested 60 variations of the breakfast sandwich before landing on the right combination. Wendy’s launches Frosty-inspired cold brew coffee To celebrate the new menu additions, Wendy’s is offering $2 off any breakfast combo in its app from Aug. 22 through Sept. 3. You’ll find it in the “Offers” section in the Rewards Store on the app or website.

Looking for Pumpkin Spice? Find it now at this coffee chain

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:11:58 GMT

(WJW) – The first day of fall isn't until Sept. 23, but already, pumpkin spice lovers are on the hunt for their favorite coffee flavor pick-me-up.Starbucks and Dunkin' are perhaps the most popular chain coffee places to promote the beloved flavor each year. But, according to online menus at both Starbucks and Dunkin', Pumpkin Spice season isn't here yet.There is, though, one growing coffee chain that is already in the spirit. What is bed rotting? Pumpkin Spice fans can currently get their fix at the Human Bean. According to the company's website, the chain's "Festival of Spice" has arrived with featured drinks such as Fireside Chai, Pumpkin Snowy, and Cinnamon Toast Snow.If you're eager to get your hands on one, Human Bean has around 150 locations across the country. Do I drink too much coffee? As for Starbucks and Dunkin', there has been no official word yet on when their seasonal flavors will launch. Dunkin' has teased on social media that "the wait for pumpkin season is shor...