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Biden is welcoming far-right Italian Premier Meloni for White House talks

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:47:45 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set for talks with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni on Thursday, welcoming the far-right leader who has won praise from the U.S. administration for her strong backing of the U.S.-led effort to assist Ukraine as it tries to fend off Russia’s invasion.The warm reception comes after initial trepidation in the Biden administration about Meloni, who rose to power last year as the head of Italy’s first far-right-led government since the end of World War II. Biden administration concerns about her ideology have been eased by her support for Ukraine and her seeming openness to pull back from Italy’s participation in China’s infrastructure-building Belt and Road Initiative. Her visit comes as Italy prepares to take up the presidency next year of the Group of Seven industrialized nations.White House officials said that in addition to discussing Ukraine and China, the two leaders were expected to discuss migration from North Africa to Eu...

Sweden, Finland and Switzerland are considering security links with US National Guard, general says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:47:45 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Switzerland, Finland and Sweden are considering joining the U.S. National Guard’s security partnership program in a further expansion of American military ties across Europe after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The chief of the National Guard, Gen. Dan Hokanson, was expected to announce the discussions with each country, which have not previously been reported, in remarks at the National Press Club on Thursday. The Associated Press obtained an advance copy of Hokanson’s speech. Interest by the three countries in the program is the latest indication of how Russia’s war has led each of those nations to take steps that consider ending long-standing policies of military nonalignment. Finland and Sweden were the most recent countries to seek NATO membership; Finland joined in April and Sweden is waiting for approval. Longtime-neutral Switzerland began considering easing export controls on sending weapons to active war zones earlier this year. The Nation...

Oshoala seals Nigeria’s upset win over co-host Australia at the Women’s World Cup

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:47:45 GMT

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala came on as a second-half substitute and inspired Nigeria’s 3-2 upset win over co-host Australia on Thursday with her extra edge in attack and a goal that sealed the victory and sparked a jersey-shedding celebration.The win moved Nigeria into a share of first place in Group B with Canada, both with four points.It means Australia, struggling with injuries in attack with striker Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler missing the game in Brisbane, needs to beat Olympic champion Canada in Melbourne on Monday to control its own fate for a spot in the round of 16.Oshoala swooped on a defensive mixup in the 72nd minute and beat three Australians to the ball, sneaking a right-foot inside the near post from a tight angle. She peeled off her jersey and ran to the sideline to celebrate, getting a yellow card in the process.The Australians had more shots on goal (28-10) and more on target (8-5) but missed the clinical finish of its world-class strike...

European Central Bank raises interest rates by a quarter-point to fight inflation, its ninth straight hike

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:47:45 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — European Central Bank raises interest rates by a quarter-point to fight inflation, its ninth straight hike.Source

Nigeria 3, Australia 2

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:47:45 GMT

Nigeria12—3Australia11—2First Half_1, Australia, Van Egmond, (Foord), 45th+1 minute; 2, Nigeria, Kanu, 45th+6.Second Half_3, Nigeria, Ohale, 65th; 4, Nigeria, Oshoala, 72nd; 5, Australia, Kennedy, (Cooney-Cross), 90th+10.Goalies_Nigeria, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi, Yewande Balogun; Australia, Mackenzie Arnold, Lydia Williams, Teagan Micah.Yellow Cards_Alozie, Nigeria, 21st; Foord, Australia, 45th+3; Oshoala, Nigeria, 73rd.Referee_Esther Staubli. Assistant Referees_Katrin Rafalski, Susanne Kueng, Marco Fritz. 4th Official_Lina Lehtovaara.A_6,645.___Source

W.W. Grainger: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:47:45 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — W.W. Grainger Inc. (GWW) on Thursday reported second-quarter earnings of $470 million.On a per-share basis, the Lake Forest, Illinois-based company said it had net income of $9.28.The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of eight analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $8.96 per share.The seller of maintenance and other supplies posted revenue of $4.18 billion in the period, which missed Street forecasts. Eight analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $4.2 billion.W.W. Grainger expects full-year earnings to be $35 to $36.75 per share, with revenue in the range of $16.4 billion to $16.8 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on GWW at https://www.zacks.com/ap/GWWSource

In Japan, which bans dual custody, a table tennis star refuses to hand back her son to her ex

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:47:45 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s once beloved table tennis star Ai Fukuhara is at the center of a child custody feud following the break-up of her marriage to a Taiwanese player who was also a star in the sport in his country.On Thursday, her former husband Chiang Hung-chieh and his lawyers demanded Fukuhara return their younger child she took to Japan last year and has since refused to send back in alleged breach of joint custody agreement. Unlike many other countries, Japan does not allow dual custody of children for their divorced parents. Only one parent can take the children, though the other parent can gain visitation rights. In some cases, the parent with custody blocks contact with the other one. There have been some high-profile cases of custody disputes brought up by foreign husbands divorced from Japanese women accusing them of child abduction. The couple were legally divorced under Taiwanese law in July 2021 after five years of marriage. They agreed to share custody of their two chi...

Patrick Industries: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:47:45 GMT

ELKHART, Ind. (AP) — ELKHART, Ind. (AP) — Patrick Industries Inc. (PATK) on Thursday reported second-quarter profit of $42.4 million.The Elkhart, Indiana-based company said it had profit of $1.94 per share.The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.89 per share.The building products manufacturer posted revenue of $920.7 million in the period, which missed Street forecasts. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $979.4 million._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on PATK at https://www.zacks.com/ap/PATKSource

Lakeland Bancorp: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:47:45 GMT

OAK RIDGE, N.J. (AP) — OAK RIDGE, N.J. (AP) — Lakeland Bancorp Inc. (LBAI) on Thursday reported net income of $22.6 million in its second quarter.The bank, based in Oak Ridge, New Jersey, said it had earnings of 34 cents per share.The bank holding company posted revenue of $127.4 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $78.2 million, falling short of Street forecasts._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on LBAI at https://www.zacks.com/ap/LBAISource

Integer: Q2 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:47:45 GMT

PLANO, Texas (AP) — PLANO, Texas (AP) — Integer Holdings Corp. (ITGR) on Thursday reported second-quarter profit of $24 million.On a per-share basis, the Plano, Texas-based company said it had profit of 71 cents. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to $1.14 per share.The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 99 cents per share.The medical device outsource manufacturer posted revenue of $400 million in the period, also topping Street forecasts. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $367.1 million.Integer expects full-year earnings in the range of $4.23 to $4.43 per share, with revenue in the range of $1.53 billion to $1.55 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on ITGR at https://www.zacks.com/ap/ITGRSource