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German factory orders up strongly, add to promising signals

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:47:48 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Factory orders in Germany surged in February, posting their third successive increase in another promising sign for Europe’s biggest economy, official figures showed Wednesday.Orders were up 4.8% compared with January, the biggest rise since mid-2021, the Economy Ministry said. That followed gains of 1.9% in December and 0.5% in January, and was supported primarily by rises in demand from Germany itself and other countries in the 20-nation eurozone.The figures came on top of data Tuesday that showed exports rising 4% on the month in February, while imports were up 4.6%.Last week, a closely watched monthly survey of managers by the Ifo institute showed German business confidence rising for the fifth consecutive month to its highest since February 2022, the month Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine — though it remained some way short of that pre-war level.Germany’s economy has generally held up well, despite pressure from high inflation and fears last yea...

Buyers return to Toronto housing market as prices climb after sluggish period: TRREB

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:47:48 GMT

TORONTO — The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board says competition between buyers returned to the market last month as the average home price in the area ticked above the average list price for the first time since May 2022.The Ontario board found Wednesday that the average price of a home hit $1,108,606 last month compared with $1,096,519 the month before.However, the average price was still down almost 15 per cent from $1,298,666 last March, when bidding wars kept the market moving at a frenzied pace.The board took last month’s numbers to mean the market is tightening after several months spent in a sluggish state, where sales paled in comparison to typical years and prices started to drop as interest and mortgage rates soared.“As we moved through the first quarter, Toronto Regional Real Estate Board members were increasingly reporting that competition between buyers was heating up in many GTA neighbourhoods,”Paul Baron, the organization’s president, said in...

North Adams man faces 10 to life for attempting to coerce minor

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:47:48 GMT

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. (NEWS10) -- A North Adams man pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. In doing so, James Macko, 23, faces at least 10 years up to life in prison when he is sentenced. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Macko admitted that between November 16, 2022, and December 9, 2022, he texted an undercover cop posing as an 11-year-old trying to coerce the assumed child into sexual contact with him. The DOJ says Macko planned to meet the assumed child in a state park in Western Massachusetts, where he intended to perform sexual acts on the child in a cave. The DOJ says that on December 9, 2022, Macko left his North Adams home to meet the assumed child and was arrested shortly after. He allegedly was carrying candy, liquor, and rope.Macko will be sentenced on July 28. On top of a prison sentence, he faces a maximum fine of $250,000 and a term of post-im...

Niskayuna boys lax shows out at Shen for massive, 16-7 win

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:47:48 GMT

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Tuesday's Sec. II boys lacrosse slate featured an early-season premier matchup between a pair of perennial powerhouses: Niskayuna and Shenendehowa - two squads coming off sectional titles a season ago. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Plainsmen claimed last year's regular season meeting, but the Silver Warriors enacted their revenge Tuesday night in Clifton Park, dominating the final three quarters to emerge with a 16-7 victory.Shen got off to a hot start that was fueled by junior attacker Mason Carroll, whose first-quarter hat trick provided the Plainsmen with a 3-2 edge after the first 12 minutes of action.But the final three quarters belonged to Nisky. Nearly midway through the second frame, junior midfielder Tanner Williams rifled a shot from the perimeter to tie the game at three. The Silver Warriors tacked on another five unanswered goals from there, and maintained an 8-4 lead at half...

Shaker girls lax rolls past Columbia in home opener

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:47:48 GMT

LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Section II lacrosse season is underway. The Shaker girls hosted 2-0 Columbia for the Blue Bison's home opener on Tuesday night. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Shaker jumped out to a 4-1 lead, before the Blue Devils cut it to 4-2. The Blue Bison ran away from there, extending their lead to 11-4 at the half. They shut out Columbia in the second half, on their way to a 17-4 win.

Tornado Watch for counties south of the St. Louis area

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:47:48 GMT

Tornado WatchST. LOUIS -- Early Wednesday morning thunderstorms are right on track. Some will be strong to severe, with threats of damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. Storms will exit the region to the east around lunchtime.  A Tornado Watch has been issued for St. Francois, Randolph, Madison, Ste. Genevieve, Iron, and Reynolds Counties until 9 a.m.Many counties near St. Louis are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10 a.m. This includes St. Charles and Franklin Counties. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here Severe Weather RiskGusty winds and falling temperatures Wednesday, temps in the 50s by early evening. Some clearing behind the storms into the later afternoon.  Sunny and 50s Thursday. Warming up towards the weekend. Outlook for Easter Sunday looks nice. There is a slight chance of showers Sunday night into Monday. 

Germany's Scholz in Bucharest to shore up support for Romania

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:47:48 GMT

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Romania on Monday to underscore Western support for a key NATO ally that borders Ukraine and also for neighbouring Moldova, which has looked especially vulnerable since Russia's invasion last year.Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who accuses Moscow of fomenting unrest in her tiny former Soviet republic, met Scholz and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in Bucharest, pressing for support to speed up Moldova's accession to the European Union.Russia denies causing trouble in Moldova, which is situated between Romania and Ukraine.Scholz's visit to Bucharest comes a day after German armsmaker Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE) announced it was setting up a maintenance and logistics hub in northern Romania on the Ukrainian border to service weapons used in Ukraine.Scholz praised Romania's willingness to take in refugees spilling over the border from the war in Ukraine, adding: "Germany stands firmly by Romania's side."Asked why Romania specifically had been chosen to...

Presale Codes for Melanie Martinez Portals Tour

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:47:48 GMT

Think I just remembered something, I think I left the faucet running… oh and the enigmatic Melanie Martinez is going on a 29 city tour, possibly to a city near you! Dubbed the “Portals” tour in support of her recent album of the same name, Melanie Martinez will be criss-crossing the country, starting May 30 in Denver, CO and wrapping July 15 in Montreal, QC, with stops here in Southern California along the way on June 9 in Inglewood at the YouTube Theater and June 10 in San Diego at the Viejas Arena — see below for all dates. Passwords and presale codes for Melanie Martinez Portals Tour tickets are as follows:Presale codes for Melanie Martinez Portals TourPresale tickets for Melanie Martinez Portals Tour go on sale today, April 5 and we’ve been told the following presale codes and passwords may work. Details are subject to change, and vary by event date:Chase card presale code or password: 541712 (you will need a Chase card to make the purchase)Live Nation website ...

Ask Amy: How could I come in second to a dead woman?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:47:48 GMT

Dear Amy: I need your objective opinion. I’m a divorced mom of two and last year, my boyfriend moved in with me, followed by his daughter (age 12). I love them both very much.I helped him through his alcoholism, which stemmed from a tragic event. His first wife died shortly after they got married. More tragic was that when she died, she was expecting their first child together.After some time, he went on to marry another woman, and their daughter was born. That wife got involved in drugs and cheated on him. His health deteriorated and he ended up having life-saving surgery.He now has a great job, no longer drinks, and we are generally happy.The issue is that he often brings up his first wife. He has a pendant of her face on their wedding day hanging in his car. He has also brought me and his daughter to her grave. The marker has a photo of him, and his burial plot is next to hers.He once made a comment that if she hadn’t died, we wouldn’t be together, and his daugh...

Harriette Cole: I’m rattled by my friend’s unexplained death

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:47:48 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: A woman who is peripheral to my social circle passed away a month ago. It was sudden, and to the best of my knowledge, she was not ill.  Her death has shaken our friend group.Now, every time I feel even the slightest bit sick, I run to the doctor. I don’t want to become a hypochondriac or anything, but I’m worried.My friend was only 50 years old, and she seemed healthy. I’m not sure what killed her, but I want to do my part to make sure I don’t drop dead out of the blue. What can I do?In a PanicDEAR IN A PANIC: You are not wrong to be conscious of your health. However, you also know that people can die at any age. Additionally, you know that tomorrow is not promised. Your friend’s untimely passing proves that.Yes, it is wise to check your health. Get a complete physical annually. Share details of your personal health history as fully as you can recall. Be sure to share your family’s health history as well.Related ArticlesAdvice | ...