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Bank turmoil casts shadow over Europe interest rate decision

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:46:37 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said last week that a big interest rate increase was “very likely” at Thursday’s meeting. That was before Silicon Valley Bank collapsed in the U.S. and European bank shares plunged as fears spread of more widespread troubles at a time when banks are adjusting to rapidly rising interest rates.Markets are watching to see if the ECB will stick to its path of steep rate increases aimed at fighting inflation or dial back to a quarter-point hike.Lagarde and the ECB have not made a public statement on the recent banking upheaval, including a stock plunge from major Swiss lender Credit Suisse and its move for financing from the Swiss central bank this week. ECB officials typically observe a silent period a week before a rate decision to avoid excessive market swings and speculation based on officials’ comments. European finance ministers have said that their banking system has no direct exposure to the f...

Taiwan chip pioneer warns US plans will boost costs

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:46:37 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — U.S. government efforts to shift production of processor chips from Asia to the United States will double their cost and slow the spread of their use in phones, cars and other products, the billionaire founder of the global industry’s biggest manufacturer warned Thursday.Morris Chang of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. said he supports U.S. efforts to slow China’s development of chip technology on security grounds. But Chang said he can’t understand why Washington wants to move so much manufacturing from efficient Asian sites to the United States.The Biden administration is promising tens of billions of dollars to support construction of U.S. chip foundries and reduce reliance on Asian suppliers, which Washington sees as a security weakness. TSMC is building an Arizona facility and plans a second for a total investment of $40 billion.TSMC has estimated chip costs in Arizona at 50% above its flagship production line in Taiwan, but the real level looks cl...

Freight train carrying hazardous material derails in Arizona

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:46:37 GMT

TOPOCK, Arizona (AP) — A freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in western Arizona, near the state’s border with California and Nevada, on Wednesday evening, an official said.The train derailed near the town of Topock, Anita Mortensen, a spokeswoman for the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office said, adding that she was not aware of any spills or leaks.The derailment occurred near milepost 9 of Interstate 40, Mortensen said, which is a rural, non-residential area about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Lake Havasu City.Mortensen said she had no details about how many cars were on the train, or what materials it had been carrying when it derailed. No injuries have been reported.The sheriff’s office had notified the National Transportation Safety Board and the railroad company BNSF, the two entities that she said would be responding to the accident, she said.Neither replied immediately to requests for comment on Wednesday night.This incident comes weeks after a freight train der...

Canadian Tire, Costco, but no Loblaws: Poll reveals Canada’s most respected retail stores

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:46:37 GMT

Canadian Tire, Costco, and Staples have been deemed Canada’s top three most respected general merchandise retail stores in 2023, with results coming from a survey conducted by Maru Public Opinion.The three companies top the list for the second consecutive time, first reported in Dec. 2021. This year’s data collection window was larger than the previous year due to previous COVID-19 pandemic restrictions that limited shoppers in 2021.“As a genuinely Canadian icon, Canadian Tire has a built-in legacy brand bonus. While other Canadian retail chains have been bought out or failed, the franchise model of Canadian Tire has both dug deep roots into the community-based retail landscape and continued to evolve to compete toe-to-toe with others,” said John Wright, executive vice president of Maru Public Opinion.“They have a loyal following that is to be envied and which has aided them through the toughest of economic times. How many others can boast of having had...

Spotty rain ahead of line of strong storms tonight

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:46:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two rounds of showers and storms are expected today, one likely to be stronger than the other.Spotty to scattered light rain is possible through the early afternoon hours ahead of a brief clearing late afternoon. The main storm event is still slated for tonight. Today will be the warmest day of the next 7 with afternoon highs returning to the low 80s and noticeable humidity, courtesy of a warm southerly wind.A late-evening cold front brings an increased risk of strong to severe storms. While hail and wind damage are possible, widespread storm damage is not currently expected.Line of storms moves through late tonight into early Friday morning2 out of 5 risk for scattered severe storms tonightDownload our KXAN Weather App for GPS-based warnings and alerts as dangerous weather threatens. Strong winds and uncomfortably cold temperatures will settle in behind the front. Afternoon highs are likely to get stuck in the 50s Friday through Monday afternoon with overnight lows...

Leander starts rainwater harvesting program in an effort to conserve water

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:46:37 GMT

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) -- In an effort to conserve water, the city of Leander is starting a rainwater harvesting program that provides the community a discounted price on collection barrels for their homes. The 50 gallon rain barrels are designed to collect rainwater that flows off the roof of a home that can then be used for different applications, such as watering home gardens and washing vehicles. Water system struggling to keep upThe city of Leander is currently in a moderate drought. The city has experienced 4.28" of rain since the start of the year, according to KXAN's meteorologist team. As the city continues to grow in size and population, it is trying to find ways to conserve water. The city hired a water conservation program coordinator last summer to bring new ideas and education to the community. "We've had a lot of growth. It was very rapid, and our water system has struggled to keep up," Bill Teeter, Leander's conservation coordinator, explained. The city is no stranger...

First look: Eat Street Crossing is a delicious playground by two Twin Cities food power couples

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:46:37 GMT

Eat Street Crossing, a new food hall in Minneapolis from the teams behind Zen Box Izakaya and Bebe Zito, is now open — and they can count me a fan.Named for the stretch of Nicollet Avenue known for plenty of global restaurants, Eat Street Crossing is in a gorgeous brick building once home to the Twin City Scenic Company, a notable theater art studio founded in the 1890s. Pioneer Press Eat editor Jess Fleming and I were able to check out the space on a preview night before its official opening last weekend.The bar is front and central at Eat Street Crossing on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)With super-tall vaulted ceilings and well-worn brickwork, the space has a fun vibe that’s both industrial and eclectic. There’s a good amount of seating; in exchange, though, navigating the space on a busy day could be tough. And unlike other new markets with spacious parking lots, like Malcolm Yards, you’ll likely have to whip out your parallel parking skills on the...

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: How Do I Get My Boss To Leave Me Alone at the Gym?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:46:37 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Today's 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Angela and it's about working out. Here's her email: Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Hi Jaime. I have a real problem and I don't know what to do. I'm hoping you can help with the dilemma. I work out at the gym across the street from my place of business. It makes life easy. I go to work and at the end of the day, I walk across the street, throw on my gym clothes and work out for an hour. Well, recently, my boss joined the same gym. I didn't think anything of it, but now, almost every time I'm there, he comes over to me and wants to talk about work while I'm trying to just focus on what I'm doing. Plus, my work day is over, gym time is me time. How do I get it to stop without insulting him, and therefore putting my job in jeopardy? I hope you and your listeners can help. Thanks so muchAngelaThat is tough, and I admit, I'm not great at being forward about ...

Six Flags Great Escape Resort hiring for 1,500 openings

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:46:37 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Six Flags Great Escape Resort will be hosting an annual job fair on Saturday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Six Flags Great Escape Human Resources building at 33 Round Pond Road in Queensbury. The fair will look to fill 1,500 positions for the upcoming 2023 season. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Anyone interested in applying early can do so online. Applicants at the fair must bring two forms of I.D. to prove identity and eligibility to work in the U.S., minors should bring working papers, and account info to assist with setting up direct deposit. Positions start at $15.00 per hour, with no previous experience required. Pay is competitive, and team members will also enjoy benefits such as free park admission, paid training, flexible hours, and exclusive team member events. Both the theme park and lodge are hiring for admissions, parking, housekeeping, food, beverage, ride operator...

Ask Amy: Struggling business stretched by “asks”

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:46:37 GMT

Dear Amy: I’m a business owner with a small retail store located in an affluent community.We rent our space and our staff includes family members who work for free so that we can keep the doors open.The shop is a labor of love, and it is a gathering place for community members.That said, business is very slow and we are struggling.The COVID years saw our complete shutdown (according to state mandates), and business at a complete standstill. The tourists who used to be our main guests/buyers have not returned since COVID.We are constantly being approached by local businesses and nonprofits looking for donations and sponsorships.These include schools asking for donations to raffles; museums asking for three-figure donations to their fundraisers; nonprofits raising money for good causes; local theaters and newspapers asking us to purchase ads (“for only $275 a week”), and more.We have always supported them when we could, including giving gift certificates to our shop,...