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US inflation is believed to have slowed sharply in June in a further sign of easing price pressures

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:53 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. inflation is expected to post its lowest level in more than two years in a highly anticipated report being released Wednesday — a slowdown that, if sustained, could lead the Federal Reserve to halt its interest rate hikes later this year. The monthly report from the government will probably show that consumer prices rose just 3.1% in June from 12 months earlier, according to a survey of economists by the data provider FactSet. A figure that low would mark the mildest year-over-year increase since March 2021, when the current bout of painfully high inflation began as the economy roared out of the pandemic recession. And it would signal a sharp slowdown from the 4% annual rise in May. On a month-to-month basis, though, economists have estimated that prices rose 0.3% from May to June, up from 0.1% the previous month. Gas prices are expected to have risen, with grocery prices unchanged. Economists have predicted that used-car prices fell from May to June after two...

6 people have been killed and 4 wounded in a mass shooting in South Africa. Police search for gunmen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:53 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A mass shooting in South Africa left six people dead and four wounded when three men entered the yard of a home and opened fire, police said Wednesday.The shootings happened Tuesday night in the township of Kwanobuhle near the town of Kariega in the Eastern Cape province. The suspects have not been arrested and a search was underway, police said.South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and at least 2,629 people were killed with a firearm in the first three months of this year, according to official crime statistics. That’s a rate of 30 people a day.Police said five men and a woman were killed in Tuesday’s shooting and a woman was among the wounded.“It is alleged that … three unknown males entered the yard and opened fire at people who were in the property or nearby to the house,” said police spokesperson Col. Priscilla Naidu. “Two females were shot at the gate. One female succumbed to her injuries while the other sustained...

European Union lawmakers back a major bill to protect nature and fight climate change

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:53 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s parliament on Wednesday approved in a cliffhanger vote a major bill to protect nature and fight climate change.In a test of the EU’s global climate credentials, the legislature supported the European Commission plan in a razor-thin 324-312 vote with 12 abstentions.The Associated Press

Few US adults support full abortion bans, even in states that have them, an AP-NORC poll finds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:53 GMT

The majority of U.S. adults, including those living in states with the deepest limits on abortion, want it to be legal at least through the initial stages of pregnancy, a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds.The poll was conducted in late June, one year after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, undoing a nationwide right to abortion that had been in place for nearly 50 years. While the laws have changed over the past year, the poll found that opinions on abortion remain much as they were a year ago: complex, with most people believing abortion should be allowed in some circumstances and not in others. Overall, about two-thirds of Americans say abortion should generally be legal, but only about a quarter say it should always be legal and only about 1 in 10 say it should always be illegal.By 24 weeks of pregnancy, most Americans think their state should generally not allow abortions.That’s true for 34-year-old Jaleesha Thoma...

Baseball players are staying mindful on the diamond with barefoot walks in the grass

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:53 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Shoes off and dropped near the visitor’s dugout in San Francisco, Christian Walker begins his barefoot stroll through the perfectly manicured grass and makes his way into right field, where he plops down for a much-needed dose of Vitamin D on a sunny, summer Bay Area day. It’s a welcome chance for a good stretch and fresh air following a cross-country flight from Washington.It also provides a little bit of quiet time, all to himself, before the structured baseball activity of warmups and batting practice begins.For nearly a decade, Walker has counted on this time before each game to connect his mind and body. And on this occasion, he even made a barehanded catch while sitting with his legs out, somehow corralling a two-hopper from Nick Ahmed during Diamondbacks early hitting — a first for Walker utilizing his Gold Glove defensive skills since beginning his routine of “earthing.”The intent of barefoot walking is wide-ranging: give the feet opportunity to mo...

Biden plan cuts student loan payments for millions to $0. Will it be the next court fight?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:53 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration calls it a “student loan safety net.” Opponents call it a backdoor attempt to make college free. And it could be the next battleground in the legal fight over student loan relief.Starting this summer, millions of Americans with student loans will be able to enroll in a new repayment plan that offers some of the most lenient terms ever. Interest won’t pile up as long as borrowers make regular payments. Millions of people will have monthly payments reduced to $0. And in as little as 10 years, any remaining debt will be canceled.It's known as the SAVE Plan, and although it was announced last year, it has mostly been overshadowed by President Joe Biden’s proposal for mass student loan cancellation. But now, after the Supreme Court struck down Biden’s forgiveness plan, the repayment option is taking center stage. Tuberville’s white nationalism comments trigger GOP uproar Since the ruling Biden has proposed an alternate approach to c...

Farmers to end home, auto coverage in Florida, pull back in California over natural disaster costs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:53 GMT

(The Hill) - Farmers Insurance will end its home, auto and umbrella coverage in Florida and curtail coverage offerings in California due to ongoing risks from environmental disaster, the insurer announced Tuesday.In a statement shared with The Hill, Farmers confirmed it will discontinue those forms of coverage in the Sunshine State, saying “this business decision was necessary to effectively manage risk exposure.” The insurer will also curtail new homeowners' insurance policies in California, due to “record-breaking inflation, severe weather events, and reconstruction costs,” Farmers said.A spokesperson for Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) told The Hill that it is reviewing the notice, but added that it was marked as trade secret, restricting how much the office can discuss it. In the meantime, the spokesperson pointed to a state law that requires all insurers to give the OIR 90 days’ notice before discontinuing lines of insurance in Florida. Customers are entitled to ...

Regulators probe complaints that Ford Escape doors can open while being driven

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:53 GMT

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — U.S. auto safety regulators are investigating complaints that the doors on some Ford Escapes can open while the SUVs are being driven.The investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covers 346,000 Escapes from the 2020 and 2021 model years.The agency says in documents posted Tuesday on its website that it has 118 complaints that spot welds in a door assembly bracket can fail. Investigators contacted some of the owners and found 25 reports of minor injuries. Honda recalls nearly 1.2M vehicles Many reported a popping noise when they opened the door as a bracket begins to separate. The agency says continued use could dislodge the door, and it could fail to latch when closed.Ford says it's working with the agency to support the investigation.NHTSA says the probe will determine whether the problem creates an unreasonable risk to highway safety. The agency could seek a recall.

Deadly auto-pedestrian crash shuts down I-35 southbound in far north Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Travis County Sheriff's deputies shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 35 in far-north Austin after a person was hit by a vehicle early Wednesday morning.TCSO tweeted the crash was in the southbound lanes of the interstate just south of the Grand Avenue Parkway exit. According to the Department of Public Safety, a person was hit and killed in the area. REAL TIME TRAFFIC UPDATES Southbound drivers are being asked to take the Grand Avenue exit and re-enter the interstate at the entrance ramp south of Howard Lane. Authorities did not give a time on when the highway would reopen. The Department of Public Safety will investigate the crash. This is a breaking story. Stay with KXAN.com and KXAN News Today for the latest traffic information.

Rain-free and dangerously hot weather continues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As we suffer through our third hottest start to July on record, unfortunately, no change in pattern looks to bring relief anytime soon.Heat alerts have been expanded and extended through Thursday 9 p.m. An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for most of the area due to temperatures hovering near 105° and heat index values up to 114°. A Heat Advisory is in effect for Gillespie and Blanco County for temperatures near 103°.Heat alerts remain in place through 9 p.m. ThursdayCentral Texas will remain on the eastern side of a strong ridge of high pressure, currently centered over the Desert Southwest. This feature will allow the ridiculously hot temperatures and high humidity to continue through the weekend (and beyond).There is no measurable rain expected in Central Texas over the next 1-2 weeks. NEW BLOG: How this summer’s heat compares to last year in Austin Summer Fan DriveOur Summer Fan Drive is underway! Please click here to find out how you can make an online don...