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Fitch flags US credit rating on debt-limit impasse

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:56 GMT

The tension around the U.S. debt-limit negotiations ratcheted up after Fitch Ratings warned the nation’s AAA rating was under threat from a political standoff that’s preventing a deal.Fitch may downgrade its assessment to reflect the increased partisanship that is hindering a resolution despite the fast-approaching so-called X date, it said in a statement, referring to the point at which Washington runs out of cash. It moved the U.S. to “rating watch negative” under its classification.Markets have been showing increasing nervousness over the standoff, with Treasury-bill yields slated to mature early next month surging past 7%, while the S&P 500 Index has declined for two days. Economists project a U.S. default could trigger a recession, with widespread job losses and a surge in borrowing costs.Fitch’s warning “underscores the need for swift bipartisan action by Congress to raise or suspend the debt limit and avoid a manufactured crisis for our economy,” said Lily Adams, a spokes...

Heat PG Gabe Vincent ruled out for Game 5 against Celtics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:56 GMT

The Celtics caught a major break Thursday morning ahead of their elimination Game 5 against the Heat, with Miami point guard Gabe Vincent being ruled out with an ankle injury.Related ArticlesBoston Celtics | Celtics produce ‘best’ defensive game to avoid being swept by Heat: ‘That’s what we have to do’ Boston Celtics | How Celtics stuck together after a humiliating Game 3 loss to keep their season alive Boston Celtics | Celtics live to see another day, pull away from Heat for Game 4 victory Boston Celtics | Marcus Smart denies report that Celtics still impacted by Ime Udoka’s dismissal Boston Celtics | Malcolm Brogdon: Celtics still searching to find identity with season on brink of elimination Vincent turned his ankle after taking a jump shot in the fourth quarter of Boston’s Game 4 win Tuesday night. He left the game for three minutes before returning to the fl...

Patriots reportedly signing veteran TE, Harvard alum

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:56 GMT

The Patriots and veteran tight end Anthony Firkser have reached terms on a free-agent deal, according to ESPN.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots lose two OTA practices after violating league rules, per report New England Patriots | Patriots announce new jersey numbers for JuJu-Smith Schuster, Mike Gesicki and other vets New England Patriots | Former Patriots captain Devin McCourty lands primetime NFL analyst job New England Patriots | Patriots-Steelers regular-season game could change after new NFL rule New England Patriots | Jim Brown, all-time NFL great and social activist, dead at 87 Last year, Firkser caught nine passes for 100 yards over 11 games with the Falcons. He made one start in his first and only season with Atlanta, which followed a four-year stint with the Titans. Tennessee signed Firkser as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2018, and he quickly established himself as a quality...

1 shot in East County; suspect barricading himself inside home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:56 GMT

Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect the location of the suspect is the on the 8000 block of Longdale Drive.LEMON GROVE, Calif. -- One person was shot in East County Thursday, the San Diego Sheriff's Department confirmed to FOX 5.The shooting occurred on the 8000 block of Longdale Drive in Lemon Grove and authorities say the victim has been transported to a local hospital. The nature of the individual's injuries has not been determined at this time.Meanwhile, the sheriff's department says the suspect is barricading himself inside a home in the area. FOX 5 is headed to the scene to gather more information.Police are advising the public to avoid the area if possible. This is a developing story. Please check back later for updates.

This is the most popular dog breed in San Diego, according to a study

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:56 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- America's Finest City is home to many four-legged friends, but one particular breed of dog has continually found itself entered into search bars throughout San Diego.A new study conducted by pet financial assistance site MyPetChild has revealed the most searched dog breeds in the most populated cities in the nation. Rescued loggerhead sea turtle thriving after 3D-printed shell brace When determining which pooches were most popular, MyPetChild analyzed a list of 284 dog breeds that are recognized by The American Kennel Club. Each breed was then entered into Google Keyword Planner to find the number of monthly searches for each breed in 328 major US cities.The results are in and these breeds are the top three searched in San Diego, according to this study:#3 -- French Bulldog#2 -- Australian Shepherd#1 -- Cane CorsoThe Cane Corso is the not only the most searched breed in San Diego, but MyPetChild analysis shows this breed is the most popular dog breed in 67 out o...

Teens arrested for shooting BB gun at people from moving vehicle in Whitby

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:56 GMT

Police in Durham Region have arrested a group of teens for allegedly shooting at people with a BB gun.Officers responded to the area of Thickson Road and Dundas Street around 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday after getting reports of an armed suspect shooting at people from a moving vehicle.Police were able to track down the vehicle and arrested four male suspects. Two 17-year-olds and two 18-year-olds are now facing charges.The investigation is ongoing.Police are asking anyone who may have additional information, including anyone who may cellphone video or dashcam footage of the incident, to contact Durham Regional Police Service.

Companies are finding it’s not so simple to leave Russia. Some are quietly staying put

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:56 GMT

When Russia invaded Ukraine, global companies were quick to respond, some announcing they would get out of Russia immediately, others curtailing imports or new investment. Billions of dollars’ worth of factories, energy holdings and power plants were written off or put up for sale, accompanied by fierce condemnation of the war and expressions of solidarity with Ukraine.More than a year later, it’s clear: Leaving Russia was not as simple as the first announcements might have made it seem.Increasingly, Russia has put hurdles in the way of companies that want out, requiring approval by a government commission and in some cases from President Vladimir Putin himself, while imposing painful discounts and taxes on sale prices.Though companies’ stories vary, a common theme is having to thread an obstacle course between Western sanctions and outraged public opinion on one side and Russia’s efforts to discourage and penalize departures on the other. Some international brands such as Cok...

Debt default ‘X-date’ calculations aim to figure out when the US may run short of cash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:56 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — For all the concern over just when the government might run short of money to pay its bills, it turns out that no one, not even the U.S. treasury secretary, can be absolutely sure exactly when the country faces a potential default — what officials are calling the “X-date.”Calculating when the country is going to run out of money requires monitoring major fluctuations in cash flowing into and out of the Treasury and factoring in the timing and size of big payments coming due, among other factors. Now, with only a few days left for the White House and congressional leaders to negotiate a deal that would allow the government to borrow more money before the U.S. hits the statutory debt ceiling, knowing the drop-dead date is crucial.And amid all the squabbling over the debt, the X-date itself has inevitably become a subject of political rancor. WHAT IS THI “X-DATE”?The X-date arrives when the government no longer has enough of a financial cushion to pay all its bills, h...

Delaware woman pleads guilty to killing 3-year-old daughter, dumping remains on softball field

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:56 GMT

DOVER, Del. (AP) — A Delaware woman is facing decades in prison after pleading guilty to killing her 3-year-old daughter and dumping her burned remains on a softball field.Kristie Haas, 31, pleaded guilty Thursday to murder by abuse or neglect, abuse of a corpse, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors are recommending a sentence of 50 years in prison on the murder charge, suspended for non-custodial supervision after 30 years behind bars. The murder charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Prosecutors are recommending probation for the other counts and will drop several other felony and misdemeanor charges.“Yes, your honor,” Haas repeatedly intoned softly as Superior Court Judge Noel Primos asked whether she understood the nature of the charges and the consequences of entering a guilty plea.At the request of attorneys, Primos, who is not bound by the sentencing recommendation, deferred sentencing until July 10, the date on which a trial for H...

S&P/TSX composite down more than 150 points, U.S. stock markets mixed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:56 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s main stock index was down more than 150 points in late-morning trading, weighed down by losses in the energy, telecom and financial sectors, while U.S. stock markets were mixed.The S&P/TSX composite index was down 156.60 points at 19,771.09.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 119.48 points at 32,680.44. The S&P 500 index was up 25.84 points at 4,141.08, while the Nasdaq composite was up 198.40 points at 12,682.56.The Canadian dollar traded for 73.37 cents US compared with 73.63 cents US on Wednesday.The July crude contract was down US$1.73 at US$72.61 per barrel and the July natural gas contract was down nine cents at US$2.48 per mmBTU.The June gold contract was down US$19.20 at US$1,945.40 an ounce and the July copper contract was up four cents at US$3.60 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD=X)The Canadian Press