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For the Fed, it's 'Sophie's Choice' for interest rates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:14 GMT

Spare a thought for Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who this week has the unenviable task of playing out "Sophie's Choice" in real life.Fed officials gather for a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday. On Wednesday, Powell will announce the central bank's intentions for interest rates.Prior to the banking mess, many on Wall Street had anticipated a half-point increase in light of recent stats showing the economy -- and inflation -- remain stubbornly strong.But trouble in the banking sector is the monkey in the wrench.Higher rates mean higher borrowing costs, which can be a body blow to banks already grappling with the effects of past rate hikes.So if you're Powell, what's the smart play?Do you maintain an aggressive posture on inflation to show that you feel consumers' pain?Or do you skip the expected rate increase to show you feel banks' pain?Tough calls like this are why Powell makes the big bucks (about $190,000, in case you're wondering).I'm going out on a limb and figurin...

SmarDex: The Next Big Thing in Crypto and DeFi

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:14 GMT

As a die-hard cryptocurrency enthusiast, I’ve always been on the lookout for the next big innovation that could redefine the DeFi landscape and fuel the next crypto bull market. While scouring the internet for promising projects, I stumbled upon SmarDex – a groundbreaking protocol developed by a Swiss research team. I must say, this innovation has the potential to revolutionize the DeFi ecosystem by promoting security, transparency, and enhanced liquidity. Today, I’d like to share my thoughts on why SmarDex could be the most in-vogue cryptocurrency in the coming years.But first, let me give you a brief overview of SmarDex. The Swiss research team behind the protocol has published a scientific paper titled “The SMARDEX Protocol: A Novel Solution to Impermanent Loss in Decentralized Finance.” The paper’s immense popularity, ranking among the top 0.1% most-read papers on Academia.edu, highlights its significance in both the academic community and the DeFi ...

Say Goodbye to Dryness and Irritation with Wipe Those Hands Antibacterial Wipes – The Alcohol-Free Solution

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:14 GMT

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of maintaining good hand hygiene to prevent the spread of germs and viruses. Hand sanitizers and wipes have become essential items for many of us, but not all hand sanitizing products are created equal. Many brands use harmful ingredients and alcohol that are drying and irritating to the skin. This is where Wipe Those Hands Antibacterial Wipes come in – the alcohol-free solution to keeping your hands clean and germ-free.Alcohol-based hand sanitizers have been used for decades to kill germs and bacteria on the hands, but they come with a downside. Alcohol can be harsh on the skin, causing dryness, irritation, and even cracking. This can be especially problematic for those with sensitive skin, eczema, or other skin conditions. Overuse of alcohol-based sanitizers can also strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to further dryness and irritation.Wipe Those Hands Antibacterial Wipes offer a better solution to the hars...

10 Dating and Relationship Experts to Watch in 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:14 GMT

For some people, dating comes very easily, but others need a bit of help to find the right person for them. The dating world is quite the jungle and it’s not easy to navigate, which is why dating and relationship coaches exist. These wonderful experts are passionate about helping people connect and they understand that a lot more goes into dating than meets the eye. It’s not just about browsing the market and showing up to dates, it’s also about working on yourself. If you struggle with dating anxiety and you want to have a better experience, here are some of the dating and relationship coaches that will make a difference in your love life. Jaime BronsteinJaime Bronstein LCSW, Licensed Relationship Therapist and Author of “MAN*ifesting: A Step-By-Step Guide to Attracting the Love That Is Meant For You,” is The Relationship Expert you’ve been looking for. Jaime is the host of “Love Talk Live” on LA Talk Radio, and she shares her relationship advice on me...

Concord receives $7.9 million grant to achieve zero traffic deaths by 2033

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:14 GMT

CONCORD — The city of Concord is celebrating a major win after securing nearly $8 million in transportation grants from the California Department of Transportation for a large-scale street lighting and safety improvement project.The grant allocation is the largest awarded to any single Bay Area government agency, the city said in a press release, and is part of Caltrans’ $225 million effort to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries on city and county roads.In Concord, the funding will be used to install new lighting, upgrade existing street and intersection lighting, install pedestrian countdown signals, modify signal phasing and install new traffic signs to alert motorists to pedestrian crossings and are designed to improve pedestrian safety. Funds will also go toward upgrading uncontrolled crosswalks and install additional bicycle safety improvements.Mayor Laura Hoffmeister expressed gratitude to Caltrans for recognizing the value of these projects to enhance safety in C...

Baby Brandon kidnapper Yesenia Ramirez sentenced to 13 years in prison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:14 GMT

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) -- Baby Brandon kidnapper Yesenia Ramirez has been sentenced to 13 years and four months in prison. Her accomplice, Jose Portillo was sentenced to five years.Both Ramirez and Portillo were ordered to be immediately taken into custody and report to prison.BREAKING: Yesenia Ramirez, right, was sentenced to serve 13 years, 4 months in prison for kidnapping Baby Brandon in San Jose. Ramirez was the mastermind behind the conspiracy. Jose Portillo, left, has not been sentenced yet. He faces a maximum of 5 years in prison. @kron4news pic.twitter.com/i1ltJYkL9y— Amy Larson (@AmyLarson25) March 20, 2023THIS IS A BREAKING UPDATE. STORY FOLLOWS BELOWThe two people who admitted to kidnapping a three-month-old baby in San Jose last year will be sentenced to prison today. Yesenia Ramirez and Jose Portillo pleaded guilty to the kidnapping of three-month-old baby Brandon Cuellar. Anti-trans rant at Cheesecake Factory in San Francisco caught on video Ramirez coul...

Another storm approaching Bay Area: Latest updates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:14 GMT

(KRON) -- The latest in a series of atmospheric rivers is approaching the Bay Area. As we head overnight into Tuesday, the storm is projected to bring high winds and significant rainfall to the region, parts of which are still picking up the pieces from the last round of storms. After 14 atmospheric rivers, how full are California’s reservoirs? Follow along for the latest Bay Area storm updates:2 p.m. -- Oakland Zoo to close TuesdayThe Oakland Zoo announced it will be closed on Tuesday, March 21 due to weather. "What's going on here?" the zoo tweeted. "Oh, just another rain closure announcement. Unfortunately, the Zoo will be CLOSED tomorrow."Reservations will be refunded automatically, the zoo said. No action will be required from reservation-holders, although refunds can take three to four weeks to process.1:45 p.m. -- Rain and strong wind could bring downed trees, power outagesMore rain and strong, gusty winds are heading to the Bay Area Tuesday morning, according to a tweet fr...

Ampco-Pittsburgh: Q4 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:14 GMT

CARNEGIE, Pa. (AP) — CARNEGIE, Pa. (AP) — Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp. (AP) on Monday reported a loss of $463,000 in its fourth quarter.On a per-share basis, the Carnegie, Pennsylvania-based company said it had a loss of 2 cents.The steel maker posted revenue of $93.5 million in the period.For the year, the company reported net income of $3.4 million, or 18 cents per share, swinging to a profit in the period. Revenue was reported as $390.2 million.In the final minutes of trading on Monday, the company’s shares hit $2.42. A year ago, they were trading at $6.46._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on AP at https://www.zacks.com/ap/APSource

Judge delays next week’s execution of Texas death row inmate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:14 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Next week’s scheduled execution of a Texas death row inmate who was convicted in the killing of another prisoner was delayed by a judge.Anibal Canales Jr., 58, had been set to be executed March 29 for the July 1997 strangling death of another inmate, Gary Dickerson, at the Telford state prison, which is located near New Boston in northeast Texas.But on Thursday, state District Judge Bill Miller, in Bowie County, signed an order withdrawing Canales’ execution date. Both prosecutors and Canales’ attorneys agreed to the delay to allow the inmate’s lawyers more time to seek additional evidence in his case, according to the judge’s order.The order was meant to give Canales’ legal team time to “investigate serious flaws in the criminal investigation and prosecutions for the 1997 murder,” Joseph Perkovich, one of Canales’ lawyers, said in an email Monday.Canales had been serving a 15-year sentence for aggravated sexual assault when he joined the Texas Mafia...

Windows smashed at India consulates in London, San Francisco

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:43:14 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Windows at India’s High Commission in London and at the Consulate General of India in San Francisco were smashed during separate demonstrations by Sikh protesters, police in both cities said Monday. London’s Metropolitan Police force said a man was arrested Sunday afternoon on suspicion of violent disorder outside the diplomatic mission, where two security guards were slightly injured. In San Francisco, dozens of protesters gathered outside the consulate and smashed windows with their flagpoles after a skirmish with embassy workers, a protester said. San Francisco Police Officer Robert Rueca said in an email that embassy workers were injured, though he didn’t say how many or the extent of the injuries. Suspects fled and have not been arrested, he said.The U.S. State Department was working with local authorities to investigate the incident and repair the damage. “We certainly condemn that vandalism,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby...