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Stock market today: World stocks are mixed in muted holiday trading as 2023 draws to a close

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:33 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — European shares opened higher on Friday after a mixed session in Asia on the last trading day of the year for most markets. Germany’s DAX rose 0.3% to 16,745.67 and the CAC 40 in Paris climbed 0.4% to 7,566.11. Britain’s FTSE 100 edged 0.2% higher to 7,736.52. The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were up 0.1%. Some world markets logged solid gains in 2023 while many have sagged. Benchmarks in France and Germany made double-digit advances while Britain’s has climbed just under 3%. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 gave up 0.2% to 33,464.17. It gained 27% in 2023, its best year in a decade as the Japanese central bank inched toward ending its longstanding ultra-lax monetary policy after inflation finally exceeded its target of about 2%. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong ended flat at 17,047.39, while the Shanghai Composite index gained 0.7% to 2,974.93. The Shanghai index lost about 3% this year and the Hang Seng fell nearly 14%. ...

Daily horoscope for December 29, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:33 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Leo.Happy Birthday for Friday, Dec. 29, 2023:You are confident, and although you appear laid-back, you are a hard-worker with high standards. This has been a playful, fun-loving year. In 2024, it will be the time to work, take charge of your health, explore physical exercise and stay grounded and levelheaded.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★It’s easy to overdo things, especially if you’re socializing and having a good time today. You might eat too much, drink too much or spend too much. (“But we’re having fun!”) You also might make travel plans. Sandy beaches and sunny climes are calling your name! Tonight: Play!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★It’s so easy to be a couch potato today, watching daytime TV, eating your favorite salty snacks. Relax. Tell yourself that you’re taking a mental-health day. In discussions with family members, don’t promise mor...

Harriette Cole: College got weird, and I’m not sure I want to go back

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:33 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’ve taken a break from college for the past year due to lots of things, including how weird everything was during the pandemic.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: How do I get my wife’s friend to stop with the divorce talk? Advice | Harriette Cole: I feel like I ruin the vibe at parties Advice | Harriette Cole: My husband comes home late, and I think I know why Advice | Harriette Cole: A guide to making the most of the season, Christian or not Advice | Harriette Cole: My girlfriend cries easily, and I’m wondering if it’s a tactic to shut me down My family and friends are asking about my plans to return since it has been some time now. I’m uncertain about my decision.College is a significant investment of time and money, and I’m questioning if the potential rewards justify it. I’m currently in a career that offers a comfortable salary and gro...

Miss Manners: What can I do when people refuse to hear my needs?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:33 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I feel like my words are not heard when I communicate with others, especially customer service exchanges and with persons such as social workers and medical case managers.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: She’s playing the victim, but it was her rudeness that set me off Advice | 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. I repeat myself over and over. No matter how I rephrase my need, it’s casually brushed off or flat-out ignored. I am not in a position to change providers in these circumstances.What do you say, that is still polite and kind, when you’re no...

Top 10 most popular videos on WTOP in 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:33 GMT

In 2023, everyone could get their 15 minutes of fame — whether they wanted it or not. Only in the case of viral videos on WTOP’s social media platforms, those 15 minutes last roughly 90 seconds or so.To cap off the year, we compiled a list of our 10 most-played videos on Instagram, from fun and upbeat animal videos and in-depth interviews with homeowners (including one lucky owner of Transformer sculptures!) to hard-hitting traffic and news videos that struck a chord with our followers.Without further ado, we start with the 10th most viral video and work ourselves up to the number one most watched WTOP reel.10. A local cop goes viral View this post on Instagram A post shared by WTOP News (@wtopnews)With more than 20,300 plays, the first video on our list was taken in September of this year, depicting a Prince George’s County, Maryland, police officer embracing a woman before getting into the back seat of a police cruiser with her. The officer was later suspende...

Turning Chilly to End 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:33 GMT

Following a wet and rainy Thursday, which was likely the last rain of the year for South Florida, our attention turns to a chill to wrap up 2023.With no additional rainfall forecast, Miami and Fort Lauderdale will end the year with a big surplus in rainfall while Key West was actually below average. It was even the wettest year on record in Fort Lauderdale and 6th wettest in Miami!As far as our forecast is concerned for this Friday, expect partly to mostly cloudy skies as a cold front comes through in the morning and clouds lift in from the south and west. With a northwesterly wind and clouds in place, that will hold temps more than 5F below average into the low 70s for highs.Clouds will remain a dominant feature as rain develops to our south over the Florida Straits tonight into tomorrow before turning brighter starting Saturday afternoon.Saturday will be the coolest day out of the next 7 courtesy of those clouds, with highs about 10F below normal for this time of the year only in ...

POLITICO London Playbook awards 2023: all the winners from a wild year in UK politics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:33 GMT

LONDON — It was meant to be the year two quiet technocrats, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, brought calm to the fevered Westminster swamp. Unfortunately SW1 didn’t get the memo.Politics remained pretty much as wild in 2023 as it has been since David Cameron — back in action as U.K. foreign secretary — last stalked the corridors of power. POLITICO hardly need remind you that with a general election looming in Britain and Donald Trump battling for the U.S. presidency, next year is unlikely to get any calmer. But before we embark on the joys of 2024, it’s time to honor those who excelled in 2023 with the London Playbook awards.Minister of the yearHonorable mention to Grant Shapps for managing to hold down five Cabinet jobs in the space of 12 months — imagine the sheer number of briefing notes he’s waded through. Scotland Secretary Alis...

Maine Mother and child found safe after Amber Alert

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:33 GMT

SACO, Maine (WHDH) — Maine State Police have cancelled an Amber Alert issued Thursday at the request of the Saco Police Department after the missing mother and child were found safe.The two, who were residing in the Biddeford area, were forced into a white Ford Explorer with New York registration by a male suspect. At 3:41 p.m. the vehicle crossed the tolls into New York State.Police have not released details on where the two were located. This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Plum Island house fire likely caused by Christmas tree

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:33 GMT

The Newburyport Fire Department said a Plum Island house fire may have been caused by the resident’s holiday décor. Firefighters responded to the fire Thursday night. Authorities said when they arrived on scene they saw flames coming from a Christmas tree in the home’s living room. The person living in the home and her dog both got out safely.Fire officials are reminding residents to water their trees and not to plug lights into an extension cord.

State Police investigating 495 crash in Littleton

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:33 GMT

Massachusetts State Police are investigating a bad crash on Route 495 in Littleton.A section of the northbound side of the highway was shut down overnight near Route 2.Crews worked to remove a van that was off of the highway overnight.This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.