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Five things to watch for in Canadian business in 2024

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:44 GMT

OTTAWA — Business headlines in 2023 saw a housing crisis and the fight against inflation take centre stage while the job market proved to be stronger than expected. Housing and the cost of living will likely remain at the forefront in 2024, as will central banks. Economists expect a shift in gears to interest rate cuts as the economy softens further. Here are five things to watch in Canadian business in 2024 as households and companies work through what is expected to be a challenging economic environment:Inflation and interest ratesThe inflation rate is well off its 2022 highs, but it still hasn’t returned to the Bank of Canada’s target of two per cent. The central bank’s key interest rate has been unchanged at five per cent since July. Inflation fluctuated somewhat in the latter half of the year, but came in at an annualized rate of 3.1 per cent in November for the second month in a row.Economists expect inflation to continue slowing, but the Bank of Canada has c...

‘Sarafina!’ celebrated South African playwright Mbongeni Ngema dies in car crash at 68

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:44 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Renowned South African playwright, producer and composer Mbongeni Ngema has died in a car crash at the age of 68, his family said.“Ngema was killed in a head-on car accident while returning from a funeral he was attending in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape this evening,” his family said in a statement Wednesday. The celebrated playwright was a passenger in the vehicle involved in the crash. He was best known for creating the hit Sarafina! which first premiered on Broadway in 1988. It was adapted into a musical drama starring Whoopi Goldberg in 1992 which became an international success and was nominated for the Tony and Grammy Awards. Sarafina! told the story of a young student and how she inspired her peers to fight against racial segregation in apartheid South Africa after her teacher was thrown in jail. Apartheid was an institutionalized system that discriminated against non-whites and ensured South Africa was ruled by the minority white population from 1948 ti...

Stock market today: World shares are mixed following slight gains on Wall Street

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:44 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — European shares opened lower Thursday after strong advances in Asia led by rallies in Chinese markets.U.S. futures were mixed and oil prices fell. Germany’s DAX lost 0.1% to 16,729.35 and the CAC 40 in Paris also edged 0.1% lower, to 7,563.03. Britain’s FTSE 100 was down 2 points at 7,722.88.The future for the S&P 500 was virtually unchanged and that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.1%. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index was an outlier in Asia, shedding 0.4% to 33,539.62. Speculation over whether and when the Bank of Japan might ease its longstanding lax monetary policy and raise its key interest rate from minus 0.1% has kept stocks wobbling in the world’s third-largest economy.BOJ policymakers are waiting to see what sort of wage gains might come in 2024 as part of the central bank’s strategy of keeping credit easy to try to spur stronger growth. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index surged 2.5% to 17,043.53 on heavy buying of technolog...

Daily horoscope for December 28, 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:44 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or important decisions from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST today (2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST). After that, the Moon moves from Cancer into Leo.Happy Birthday for Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023:You’re confident and passionate about whatever you do. You impress others with your energy and commitment to your goals. This year has been a strong focus on partnerships. In 2024, life will be enjoyable, lighthearted and playful! Let your guard down and loosen up! See old friends.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★This is a tricky day! Don’t throw your weight around, especially in matters related to politics and religion, because your efforts might be misguided. You might regret something. Meanwhile, despite heated discussions at home, practical and financial benefits are likely. Tonight: Socialize.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★Avoid arguments with relatives, neighbors and siblings today, which might be tempting. Instead, enjoy time spent with partners and close friends. Avo...

Miss Manners: She’s playing the victim after her rudeness set me off

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:44 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My friend and I have known each other for many years. This woman is always late, even though she has no children living at home and her husband is away frequently.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: A teen went missing at the mall and it ruined our evening Advice | Miss Manners: Why would they put a sign like this in their home’s bathroom? Advice | Miss Manners: I find it rude that the TV stays on when I enter. Am I overreacting? Advice | Miss Manners: Maybe these new neighbors think their mock pity is cute. I find it annoying. Advice | Miss Manners: What should I have done when the groom insulted my wedding cake? We get together for lunch a few times a month, and I can’t remember her being on time more than once or twice. There is always an excuse. I’ve tried making jokes about it, and she doesn’t change.The excuses never involve an emergency — just th...

Dear Abby: Pet owners tell these appalling stories as if they were jokes, and it upsets me

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:44 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I own a parrot we take with us pretty much everywhere. He draws a lot of attention and questions from strangers, which I’m usually happy to answer.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My boyfriend says I’m being too harsh about his ‘mistake’ Advice | Dear Abby: My friend says my party idea is tacky. Is she right? Advice | Dear Abby: How can I light a fire under the poky tradespeople in my new town? Advice | Dear Abby: I think she meant to humiliate me at her child’s birthday party Advice | Dear Abby: My mother-in-law hit my kids, and I’m being pressured to reconcile You might be surprised at how many people own or have owned birds, and many of them love to share their stories about how their parrot or parakeet died. (It’s often from neglect or improper care or breeding.) These stories are often related in a jovial way, as if they should b...

NH police looking for suspect connected to incendiary device left outside Concord cafe

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:44 GMT

Police in New Hampshire are looking to the public for assistance identifying a person of interest in an active investigation.Authorities released a picture of a suspect wanted for questioning related to the placement of an incendiary device outside of a Concord business in March. A device that generates smoke was left at the Teatotaller Cafe and Bakery on Main Street in the state’s capitol. Anyone who recognized the individual is encouraged to contact Concord Police at 603-225-8600.

3 people, including firefighter, transported to hospital after Somerville fire

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:44 GMT

Somerville Fire responded late Wednesday night to a fire in a three-story apartment building on Highland Avenue.After forcing their way in, officials say they removed two victims from the apartment and took them to the hospital overnight. A responding Somerville firefighter was also injured and transported to the hospital for medical attention. Somerville Fire Chief Charles Breen said a sprinkler system was able to keep the fire to the one first-floor apartment where it started. Residents of the more than 50 other units in the building were able to return safely, but the two victims have been displaced. This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Large police investigation overnight at Lynn gas station

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:44 GMT

A large police investigation was underway at a gas station in Lynn Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The investigation was focused on the A Prime gas station at the intersections of Camden Street, Ida Street, and Western Avenue and a nearby home behind the business. Several police cruisers were on scene shortly before 11 p.m. and Camden and Ida Streets were taped off. Officials were seen searching the ground and looking behind dumpsters, placing dozens of evidence markers scattered throughout the area of focus. An ambulance was also on scene. Wednesday was the second consecutive night of significant police presence in the Lynn neighborhood. Three people were taken to the hospital with serious injuries after a shooting at a nearby strip mall Tuesday. This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Lucas: Biden spaced out during pot pardons

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:11:44 GMT

President Biden should have included Donald Trump in his list of Christmas pardons.He could have slipped it in — or somebody could have sneaked it on the teleprompter — when he announced the federal pardon of people convicted of the use or possession of marijuana on the eve of Christmas Eve.If it blew up in his face, the White House could simply deny he meant it, or say he was confused, or they could just ignore it like it was a Chinese spy balloon.Biden could have worked the Trump pardon into his pardon statement when he opened his remarks by saying, “America was founded on the principle of equal justice under the law.”Trump is facing a slew of federal indictments accusing him of attempting to overthrow the results of the 2020 election.Although he is not charged with the Jan. 6 “insurrection,” the Colorado state Supreme Court, all Democrats, said in a 4-to-3 vote that he was guilty of it anyway and kicked him off the upcoming state presidential ballot. The U.S. Supreme Court ...