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Rate cuts and a return to growth: What Deloitte sees on the Canadian economic horizon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:41 GMT

TORONTO — Deloitte Canada says the Canadian economy will return to growth in the second half of 2024, with interest rate cuts as early as this spring. The firm’s economic outlook report predicts stagnant growth during the first half of the year as the effects of higher interest rates continue to work their way through the system.The Bank of Canada held its key rate steady at five per cent in December after a heavy-handed hiking campaign to fight inflation.Deloitte says inflation is still uncomfortably high at 3.1 per cent as of November, but it’s unlikely the central bank will hike rates further. However, Deloitte Canada chief economist Dawn Desjardins says we shouldn’t expect interest rates to return to their pre-pandemic lows. Desjardins says momentum in the economy and the job market is poised to improve in the second half of 2024 as confidence starts to recover. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 4, 2024.The Canadian Press

Scenes of loss play out across Japan’s western coastline after quake kills 84, dozens still missing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:41 GMT

SUZU, Japan (AP) — His face hidden under a humble straw hat, the man stood silent, watching several helmeted rescue workers carefully lift his wife’s body from the rubble, wrapped in blue plastic on a stretcher.He wiped his weary face with a rag. His eyes were red.This scene in the city of Suzu was tragically repeated across Ishikawa Prefecture and nearby regions on the western coastline of Japan after Monday’s 7.6 magnitude temblor that decimated houses, twisted and scarred roads and scattered boats like toys in the waters, and prompted tsunami warnings.The death toll stood at 84 people as of Thursday. Ishikawa officials said 48 of those who died were in the city of Wajima and 23 were in Suzu. The 13 others were reported in five neighboring towns. More than 300 people have been injured, at least 26 seriously.Those reported missing ballooned from 15 to 79 overnight, including a 13-year-old boy. Officials initially said 80 were missing but corrected the number later.What exacer...

SWAT call out ends; man kills self inside apartment, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:41 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said Thursday a man is dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds after a SWAT callout at an apartment complex on East Stassney Lane in south Austin. Police did not name the complex but the address they gave matches Austin City Lights which is between South Congress Ave and Interstate 35. Police said the situation began when 911 got a call around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday about a woman being assaulted by her boyfriend inside their apartment. The woman was able to get out by the time officers arrived, police said, but the boyfriend remained inside with a gun. That's when SWAT was called out, APD said. SWAT officers found the man's body inside the apartment at 2:45 a.m. Police said the man never made contact with officers. APD said the man was the only one inside the apartment other than some dogs when SWAT officers found his body.

Daily horoscope for January 4, 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:41 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Libra.Happy Birthday for Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024:You are quick-witted and creative. Many of you are collectors. You have strong opinions and a highly individual approach to things. Simplicity is the key to life this year. This is a year to work hard and take charge of your health. Physical exercise will be important. Stay grounded and levelheaded.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Today your ambition is aroused and your ability to communicate to others is excellent. A winning combination! Furthermore, the Sun at the top of your chart is flattering to you. With all this helping you, reach for the stars! Tonight: You look good!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★This is a productive day for you, especially regarding discussions about shared property, taxes, debt and inheritances. You also might negotiate budgets and resources that can be allocated to you. Note: These discussions will be favorable! Meanwhil...

European Jewish leader calls on EU Parliament head to suspend Spanish MEP for ‘blatant antisemitism’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:41 GMT

MEP Manu Pineda (pictured), chair of the delegation for relations with Palestine, shared an Instagram post of Hitler poster with never again written on it being torn to reveal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu giving Nazi salute under the headline ‘again’, a clear breach of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, of which the EU Institutions are a signatory.The Chairman of the European Jewish Association has called on  European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to suspend Spanish MEP Manuel Pineda, chairman of the parliament’s delegation for relations with Palestine.The call followed Pineda’s shared of an Instagram story video showing a poster of Adolf Hitler giving a Nazi salute under a banner that reads ‘never again’. A hooded man then rips off part the poster to reveal Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu whose face and Israeli flag replace Hitler’s and the swastika, and leaving the word ‘again’ visible.In his letter to President Metsola calling for the suspension, EJA C...

New rules to combat fraud on cross-border payments in the EU in force from 1 January

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:41 GMT

New transparency rules came into force this 1 January that will help EU Member States to crack down on Value-Added Tax (VAT) fraud.The new rules will provide tax administration of the EU Member States with payment information allowing them to detect VAT fraud more easily, with a particular focus on e-commerce which is particularly prone to VAT non-compliance and fraud. This in turn creates holes in the tax revenues that pay for vital public services.For example, some online sellers with no physical presence in an EU Member State sell goods and services to EU consumers without registering for VAT anywhere in the EU, or by declaring less than the actual value of their online sales. Member States therefore need strengthened tools to detect and shut down this unlawful behaviour.In detailThe new system harnesses the key role played by payment service providers (PSPs) such as banks, e-money institutions, payment institutions and post office giro services, which collectively handle over 90...

Harriette Cole: I tried to avert this friend drama, and it had the opposite effect

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:41 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently made a mistake with my friends that had the opposite effect of what I intended.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: My boyfriend lied about work to get time to himself. How do I deal with that? Advice | Harriette Cole: I was shocked to learn what my son does at school Advice | Harriette Cole: Find the right life story to make your new year better Advice | Harriette Cole: I hurt my leg and have to stay home, and I can’t stand it Advice | Harriette Cole: College got weird, and I’m not sure I want to go back My friend group split apart last year, and two people stopped being friends with all of us except for my roommate. The two girls who stopped being friends with us had longstanding issues with one girl in our group.I heard that a confrontation of some sort was going to come about, and I talked to my friends about it so they would leave my roommate out of it.Both...

Miss Manners: She’s threatening to end our friendship over a rummage sale dispute

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:41 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is there really such a thing as rummage sale etiquette?Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: If party guests arrive early, can I make them wait in the car? Advice | Miss Manners: We saw what was happening and fled the New Year’s party. Was that rude? Advice | Miss Manners: Which fork should I use on rude people? Advice | Miss Manners: I’m hearing more vulgar talk from women. Have the rules changed? Advice | Miss Manners: What can I do when people refuse to hear my needs? Here is what happened: A friend told me about a church rummage sale via text, with pictures. She wrote in capital letters “I REALLY LOVE THIS” next to a picture of a quilt for sale. I said it was neat.Well, we were in line for the sale to open, and she was in front of me, but she went in a direction away from the quilt. I knew where the bedding was at this yearly sale, so I got the quilt, becau...

Things to do in the DC area: Unique trivia nights, a 2000s dance party … and more!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:41 GMT

There’s much to do in the D.C. area in the coming days, and WTOP has you covered with our weekly roundup of area events worth anticipating.Check back every Thursday for a roundup of Things to do in the D.C. area.Get your thinking caps ready because this Thursday is National Trivia Day. To celebrate the occasion, WTOP spoke with two organizations that have both been a part of the local trivia community for over a decade now.Pour House Trivia, which was founded around 2010, is one of the largest team-based trivia companies in the region. According to founder Denny Grizzle, the company hosts approximately 90 to 100 games per week, with about 70 to 80 of those located across the D.C. area.Grizzle said that his company has found “that sweet spot” that both entertains and challenges the public at the same time. Also, part of his approach is to veer away from trivia apps or technology.Instead, Grizzle said, “We stare at our cellphones so much during the day. I just think ...

Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club pits famous figures in bloody tournament across DC and Baltimore

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:41 GMT

Elvis Presley and Kittie Glitter host the "Elvis Birthday Fight Club." (Courtesy of Astro Pop Events) Elvis Presley and Kittie Glitter host the "Elvis Birthday Fight Club." (Courtesy of Astro Pop Events) Imagine famous pop-culture figures duking it out on stage in a “life-or-death” tournament bracket.That’s what the 13th annual Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club is all about. The evening of combat returns to GALA Hispanic Theatre in D.C. on Friday, Jan. 5, and Saturday, Jan. 6, followed by a run at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore on Jan. 12 and Jan. 13.“Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club is things and/or people that you’ve always wanted to see fight each other in big, fake, glorious fa...