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Stock market today: Asia shares gain as BOJ stands pat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:24:07 GMT

Shares advanced in Asia on Friday after Wall Street rallied to its best day since January and the Bank of Japan kept its ultra-lax monetary policy unchanged. In its first policy meeting under its new governor, Kazuo Ueda, the BOJ kept its key policy rate at minus 0.1% even as Japan reported inflation excluding volatile fresh food costs was at 3.5% in March. Japan’s central bank has overshot its inflation target of 2%, but expects conditions to worsen since the U.S. and other major economies are thought to be headed for recession. “With extremely high uncertainties surrounding economies and financial markets at home and abroad, the bank will patiently continue with monetary easing while nimbly responding to developments,” the BOJ said in a statement. The central bank did remove its “forward guidance” that pledged to keep key policy interest rates at current or lower levels. It said it would needs up to 18 months to to conduct a review of monetary policy guidance.The dollar rose...

Death sentence upheld for Thai gold robber who killed 3

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:24:07 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s Supreme Court upheld a death sentence for an ex-elementary school principal convicted of killing three people, including a toddler, during an armed gold shop robbery in 2020.The court ruled Wednesday that Prasitthichai Khaewkao did not deserve a reduction in his original sentence, calling the shooting in a shopping mall in Lopburi province “outrageously, ruthlessly inhuman” in a statement released Friday. Four people were injured in the attack and a salesclerk, a security guard and a 2-year-old boy were killed.Prasitthichai was found guilty in August 2020 and given a death sentence on charges including first-degree murder, killing in commission of another crime and illegally carrying a gun. The Appeal Court also upheld the death penalty in 2021.The Supreme Court said the defendant, as a teacher and a headmaster, should have behaved as a good role model for students, but instead committed a serious crime. Therefore, it said there was not enough grounds...

Albany's Justin Hearley gets crack at PGA Professional Championship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:24:07 GMT

AVERILL PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Albany native Justin Hearley, who's the head pro at Burden Lake Country Club in Averill Park, will be one of 312 golfers pursuing a spot in a PGA Tour event this weekend.The Christian Brothers Academy product is set to compete in the PGA Professional Championship at Twin Warriors and Santa Ana Pueblo Golf Clubs in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, where the top 20 finishers earn a spot in next month's PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester."It's an unbelievable opportunity," said Hearley. "Can't say maybe once in a lifetime, but it could be once in a lifetime." Hearley competes in the Northeast New York Section of the PGA. He had to win a qualifying match at Albany Country Club last August just to earn a spot in the Professional Championship."Our section's the smallest in the PGA, so we only get two spots, potentially three in this huge field," said Hearley. "And, you know, I'm thankful to my family, and (for) all the support from the membe...

Ex-Wagner commander, seeking asylum in Norway, 'ashamed' over behaviour

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:24:07 GMT

A former commander in Russia's Wagner mercenary group seeking asylum in Norway pleaded guilty on Tuesday (25 April) to being involved in a fight outside an Oslo bar and carrying an air gun in public and said he felt "very ashamed".Andrei Medvedev, 26, crossed the Russian-Norwegian border in January and has spoken out about his time fighting with Russian invasion forces in Ukraine.Medvedev pleaded guilty to fighting outside the Oslo bar on 22 February and preventing a police officer from doing his or her duty. He also pleaded guilty to carrying an air gun in public on a separate occasion on 14 March.He pleaded not guilty to committing violence against a police officer, the most serious charge he faces, for which the maximum penalty is three years in prison."He understands that he was out of hand that evening and consumed too much alcohol and there was a fight with people outside the bar," his lawyer, Brynjulf Risnes, said of the 22 February brawl."He does not accept the count of usin...

European Poetry to be enjoyed by Dublin commuters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:24:07 GMT

The European Parliament, the European Commission, Poetry Ireland and Iarnród Éireann have launched a new initiative titled ‘Poetry in Motion’. From 27 April, National Poetry Day, Poetry in Motion will showcase poems by 10 poets from across Europe.The collection of poems will be visible on DART & Commuter services operating in the Greater Dublin Area until the end of August. This is also to celebrate 50 years of Ireland’s membership of what is now the EU.Speaking at the launch in Dublin’s Connolly Station Frances Fitzgerald MEP saidAs we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ireland’s membership of the European Union it is important to acknowledge the immense cultural influence that our membership has brought to Ireland and particularly to the arts. Membership has brought a richness of diversity to our literature which is clearly reflected in this series of unique poems from across the EU.I want to welcome this initiative between Iarnród Éireann, the European Parliament Lia...

EU gives green light to revamp of Europe's main climate policy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:24:07 GMT

EU countries on Tuesday (25 April) gave the final approval to the biggest revamp to date of Europe's carbon market, which is set to make it more costly to pollute and sharpen the 27-member bloc's main tool for cutting carbon dioxide emissions.The world's first major carbon trading system has since 2005 forced power plants and factories to buy permits when they emit CO2, and has cut emissions from those sectors by 43%.European Union members approved a deal agreed last year by negotiators from EU countries and Parliament, to reform the carbon market to cut emissions by 62% from 2005 levels by 2030, which is designed to deliver the EU's emissions-cutting targets.After nearly two years of EU negotiations, the member states' approval means the policy will now pass into law. The EU Parliament approved the deal last week.Of the 27 EU countries, 24 voted for the reform. Poland and Hungary opposed it, while Belgium and Bulgaria abstained.Poland, which has previously called for the carbon mar...

Video captures forklift thief rampaging through Orange County streets

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:24:07 GMT

Exclusive video captures the chaotic crime spree after a man with a stolen forklift goes on a rampage in Orange County.“I’ve seen a lot here, but this pretty much takes the cake,” said Lacey Harvey, owner of The Living Room Salon.Harvey captured the mayhem on her salon’s surveillance video system.The male suspect had reportedly stolen a forklift from a construction site on Rochester Street at Newport Boulevard on Tuesday night before smashing through a chain link gate.As he drove the forklift down 19th Street, a witness said the suspect attempted to ram people.“I couldn’t believe what I saw,” said Harvey. “He takes out the whole gate, coming right at traffic and that’s the thing we’re shocked about here. This guy knows the forklift. He drove it pretty well.”Security video captures a man with a stolen forklift going on a rampage in Costa Mesa on April 25, 2023. (The Living Room Salon)Security video captures a man with a stolen forklift going on a rampage in Costa Mesa on April 25, 20...

Amid Ukraine war, pope to give vision for Europe in Hungary

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:24:07 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis plans to outline his vision for the future of Europe during a three-day visit to Hungary starting Friday, with Russia’s war in Ukraine, migration flows and Hungary’s tense relations with Brussels looming large over the pontiff’s weekend journey.Hungarian officials say Francis’ pilgrimage was designed primarily to let the pope minister to the country’s Catholic community and to encourage its members in their faith. But with the war unfolding next door and Hungary butting heads with other European Union nations over rule of law issues and LGBTQ+ rights, Francis’ words and deeds in the heart of Europe will carry strong political undertones.After his arrival, Francis is scheduled to meet with President Katalin Novak and Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and then to deliver his main political speech to Hungarian authorities and diplomats. He has a chance to speak to Hungarian society and Europe at large in his final event Sunday, when he’ll address academic an...

Death sentence upheld for ex-school principal who killed 3

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:24:07 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s Supreme Court upheld a death sentence for an ex-elementary school principal convicted of killing three people, including a toddler, during an armed gold shop robbery in 2020.The court ruled Wednesday that Prasitthichai Khaewkao did not deserve a reduction in his original sentence, calling the shooting in a shopping mall in Lopburi province “outrageously, ruthlessly inhuman” in a statement released Friday. Four people were injured in the attack and a salesclerk, a security guard and a 2-year-old boy were killed.Prasitthichai was found guilty in August 2020 and given a death sentence on charges including first-degree murder, killing in commission of another crime and illegally carrying a gun. The Appeal Court also upheld the death penalty in 2021.The Supreme Court said the defendant, as a teacher and a headmaster, should have behaved as a good role model for students, but instead committed a serious crime. Therefore, it said there was not enough grounds...

Knights top Winnipeg 4-1 in Game 5, advance to second round

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:24:07 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Vegas Golden Knights saved their best performance of the opening round for last and dominated the Winnipeg Jets with their first chance in an elimination game.Chandler Stephenson scored twice and Vegas ousted the Jets from their Western Conference opening-round series with a 4-1 victory on Thursday night in Game 5.“I think it was our best, or closest to complete, but like I said, we still have work to do and we know that,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Nobody plays their best game in the first round. You keep building, and we’ll do the same.”The Golden Knights, who lost Game 1 before winning four straight, became the first team to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Vegas, which went to the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season in 2018, is now 42-29 in the postseason. Vegas improved to 8-5 in 13 playoff series since entering the league.Mark Stone added a goal and two assists and William Karlsson also scored for the Golden Knights. Goal...