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

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:46 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 19:17:46 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 19:17:46 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 19:17:46 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 19:17:46 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 19:17:46 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 19:17:46 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...

Harriette Cole: My girlfriend canceled our vacation because of what her father said

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:46 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am at my wit’s end with my girlfriend.We’re both in our late 20s, but sometimes she still won’t do certain things without her parents’ permission. If her parents express any disapproval, she listens to them without question.We were planning a monthlong trip to another country, and when her father said it was too dangerous, she immediately agreed to cancel.I feel like she needs to grow up and learn to make her own decisions. I can’t be in a relationship with someone who can’t think for herself.How do I tell her that she needs to make her own decisions?Grow UpRelated ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: Should I keep quiet about my friend’s teen daughter? Advice | Harriette Cole: Years ago, he threw dirt on my name. I haven’t forgotten. Advice | Harriette Cole: He said I could be his intern, but there’s something I didn’t tell him Advice | Harriette Cole...

Dear Abby: I’ve retired from cheating. Why does my wife still have me on a tight leash?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:46 GMT

DEAR ABBY: Every time I leave the house, my wife needs a play-by-play as to where I am going, how long I’ll be away, etc.Years ago, I used to be a player, but age has caught up with me. Advice?GETTING FRUSTRATED IN MASSACHUSETTSDEAR GETTING FRUSTRATED: I find it disappointing that you imply you have stopped cheating only because time, and not your conscience, finally caught up with you.Tell your wife what she needs to know. It’s the price you are paying to regain your credibility and her trust.DEAR ABBY: I’m 42 and my guy friend is 59. I’ve known him for about a year. He’s a wonderful person and a great provider, but he seems a bit controlling.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My husband’s mandatory family events cut into my hobby time Advice | Dear Abby: The wedding invitation has a coded message I find tasteless Advice | Dear Abby: I heard that she was gossiping about me. Was my response excessive? ...

Europe’s outlook for economic growth brightens — a little

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:17:46 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Union’s executive body raised its economic growth forecast, saying Europe had dodged a winter recession that was feared amid an energy crisis but warning that stubbornly high inflation is likely to keep hurting the economy by sapping people’s ability to spend. The outlook for the 20 countries using the euro currency improved to growth of 1.1% this year from 0.9% in the previous predictions in February, the European Commission said in its spring forecast Monday.The European economy “is holding up remarkably well in the face of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” said commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis in a statement.Europe had faced expectations of a winter energy catastrophe after Russia cut off most supplies of natural gas to the continent amid the war in Ukraine. Prices surged to record highs for gas needed to heat homes, generate electricity and power factories — spurring painful spikes in consumer pri...