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This Week in Business: retail sales, Target results, existing home sales

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:56 GMT

RETAIL RECEIPTSThe Commerce Department on Tuesday releases retail sales data for April.Analysts expect that sales improved last month, rising 0.8% from March to April. In March, Americans cut their spending at retail stores for the second straight month, a sign consumers are becoming more cautious after a burst of spending in January. Retail sales fell 0.6% in March from February. Retail sales, monthly percent change, seasonally adjusted:Oct.: 1.1Nov.: -1.3Dec.: -0.7Jan.: 2.8Feb.: -0.7March: -0.6Source: U.S. Department of CommerceTARGET RESULTSRetailer Target reports its latest quarterly financial results on Wednesday.Wall Street analysts expect Minneapolis-based Target made $1.77 in the period on sales of $25.3 billion. In the same period last year, Target missed profit projections, posting earnings of $2.19 per share. In February, Target announced plans to invest as much as $5 billion this year expanding services for customers, including a drive up service for returns, store renov...

The U.S. is undergoing its worst bird flu outbreak ever. Is a poultry vaccine the answer?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:56 GMT

While bird flu likely poses little health danger to humans, it’s contributed to spikes in U.S. egg prices and decimated poultry flocks. (USDA photo by Lance Cheung/Flickr)This content was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.The deadliest outbreak of bird flu in U.S. history is prompting growing concern in Congress, and Department of Agriculture researchers are awaiting the preliminary results of four trials of vaccines for poultry.Some lawmakers are warming to the idea of a vaccination campaign, long considered a fringe idea due to the cost and potential consequences. Trade groups warn that vaccinated poultry would not be accepted in many overseas markets, disrupting exports.While bird flu likely poses little health danger to humans, it’s contributed to spikes in U.S. egg prices and decimated poultry flocks. Among the domestic poultry affected are chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, d...

UK promises more arms for Ukraine as Zelenskyy meets Sunak on European tour

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:56 GMT

LONDON (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Britain Monday on his whirlwind European tour, as the staunch ally of Kyiv promised to give Ukraine hundreds more missiles and attack drones in an effort to change the course of the war.Zelenskyy landed by helicopter at Chequers, the British leader’s official country retreat, and was greeted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. It’s Zelenskyy’s second trip to the U.K. since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.This is the fourth European country Zelenskky has visited in the past few days. He is seeking more aid as Ukraine prepares a long-anticipated spring offensive to retake territory seized by Russia.Ukraine’s leader made an unannounced visit to Paris on Sunday evening to meet French President Emmanuel Macron, after trips to Germany and Italy, where he met those countries’ leaders and Pope Francis.A message posted Monday on Zelenskyy’s official Telegram Channel said: “Today — London. The UK is leading th...

Stock market today: World markets mostly higher; Turkey, Thailand slip after elections

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:56 GMT

World shares were mostly higher Monday after a weak start in Asia, while benchmarks fell in Turkey and Thailand following weekend election upsets for their ruling parties. Oil prices recovered from initial losses and U.S. futures were higher. The Borsa Istanbul 100 index was down 4.2% after dropping as much as 6% early Monday. Turkey’s presidential elections appeared to be heading toward a second-round runoff. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has ruled the country with a firm grip for 20 years, was leading over his chief challenger, but falling short of the votes needed for an outright win.Shares in Thailand fell 0.9% after the country’s main opposition parties easily bested other contenders in an election result that fulfilled many voters’ hopes in a chance for change after nine years under a former coup-leading general. Elsewhere, Germany’s DAX added 0.2% to 15,945.24 and the CAC 40 in Paris gained 0.5% to 7,451.20. Britain’s FTSE 100 was up 0.3% at 7,775.47. On Wal...

Israeli forces shoot, kill Palestinian man in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian officials say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:56 GMT

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man in the occupied West Bank on Monday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, the latest death in a spiral of violence that has rocked the region.The Health Ministry said 22-year-old Saleh Sabra was killed after being shot in the chest in the flashpoint West Bank city of Nablus, a frequent site of Israeli operations. The Israeli military said that troops preparing to demolish the home of a Palestinian attacker came under fire and shot back. Israel demolishes the homes of attackers in an attempt to deter others, a tactic critics say amounts to collective punishment. The death comes after more than a year of relentless violence in the West Bank, where the Israeli military has been conducting near-nightly raids in response to Palestinian attacks against Israelis. It also follows a deadly five-day burst of fighting between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip.More than 250 Palestinians have been killed since Isra...

Trudeau to make first official visit to South Korea : In The News for May 15

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:56 GMT

In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what’s on the radar of our editors for the morning of May 15 …What we are watching in Canada …Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to leave Monday for a weeklong trip to Asia, where he will make his first official visit to South Korea and attend the G7 leaders’ summit in Japan. The trip comes at a time when the world is collectively facing security threats and economic uncertainty magnified by climate change. The prime minister is expected to be in Seoul between May 16 and May 18, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to Ottawa last fall. Since then, both countries have released their Indo-Pacific strategies, plans that aim to counterbalance Chinese influence by increasing economic and military ties in the region.Trudeau is also scheduled to attend the G7 leaders’ summit in Hiroshima, Japan, between May 19 and 21. —Also this ̷...

What lies ahead for Thailand after dramatic opposition election win?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:56 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s opposition racked up a stunning majority of the 500 seats at stake in the race for the House of Representatives, dealing a major blow to the establishment parties and the former general who has led the Southeast Asian country since seizing power in a 2014 coup.The results of Sunday’s general election are a strong repudiation of the country’s conservatives and reflect the disenchantment in particular of young voters who want to limit the influence of the military in politics and reform the monarchy. But the exact shape of the new government is less clear as post-election coalition talks and behind-the-scene negotiations take center stage.THE RESULTSWith almost all votes counted Monday, the Move Forward Party emerged as the big winner. It captured a projected 151 seats in the lower House by winning over 24% of the popular vote for 400 constituency seats, and more than 36% of the 100 seats allocated by proportional representation.Tailing a close second i...

Global, economic security top priorities as Trudeau heads to South Korea, G7 summit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:56 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to leave Monday for a weeklong trip to Asia, where he will make his first official visit to South Korea and attend the G7 leaders’ summit in Japan. The trip comes at a time when the world is collectively facing security threats and economic uncertainty magnified by climate change. The prime minister is expected to be in Seoul between May 16 and May 18, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to Ottawa last fall. Since then, both countries have released their Indo-Pacific strategies, plans that aim to counterbalance Chinese influence by increasing economic and military ties in the region.Trudeau is also scheduled to attend the G7 leaders’ summit in Hiroshima, Japan, between May 19 and 21. As G7 host, Japan says it chose to have the summit in Hiroshima to symbolize its “commitment to peace” during a time of growing risk of weapons of mass destruction and an ongoing war in Ukraine. The United States ...

Advocates urge provinces to follow Quebec’s lead in crackdown on illegal Airbnbs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:56 GMT

More provinces should follow Quebec’s lead in seeking to hold short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb accountable for uncertified listings, advocates say.The Quebec government tabled a bill last Tuesday that would require short-term rental companies to ensure their online listings are certified by the province.If passed, such companies would face fines of up to $100,000 for each illegal rental listing.The proposed rules would mark a first for a Canadian jurisdiction, said David Wachsmuth, the Canada Research Chair in Urban Governance at McGill University, noting Quebec and some cities across the country have previously only targeted hosts with unregistered listings.He said Quebec already had “the best provincial approach to short-term rentals” through its registration system but the problem was that many Airbnb hosts were still skirting those requirements.“The thing that was missing from Quebec’s approach was something that was going to actually make...

Daily horoscope for May 15, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:45:56 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Aries.Happy Birthday for Monday, May 15, 2024:You are energetic, proud and independent. You drive yourself hard (sometimes too much so). This is the last year of a nine-year cycle, which means it’s time to let go of people, places and things that might be holding you back. Commune with nature this year.ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★If you find it hard to follow through on your plans and goals today, cut yourself some slack. You really do want to make some improvements, especially to your appearance and physical health. However, it’s hard to summon the energy and follow-through to do anything. Tonight: Patience.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★When I was young and I put too much food on my plate, my dad used to say, “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach.” Today you might feel this way about many things. Privately, you’re gung-ho to make some sweeping changes, but who h...