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Best Buy and the reluctant shopper. Sales fall as Americans pull back on spending

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Sales and profits at Best Buy slid in the second quarter as the nation’s largest consumer electronics chain continues to wrestle with a pullback in spending after Americans splurged during the pandemic.The decline in sales was smaller than what Wall Street had anticipated, however, and profits were better than expected, sending shares higher in early trading. The U.S. job market has remained resilient, but Americans are facing higher prices and more expensive credit with the Federal Reserve hiking benchmark interest rates to combat inflation. It’s more expensive to take out loans for appliances, cars and houses, or to use a credit card. As a result, consumers have become reluctant to spend unless there is a sale. They’re being more selective with what they will buy and, in many cases, trading down to buy cheaper stuff.Retailers including Best Buy are also now bracing for the impact from the ending of the student loan moratorium, which had provided one-tim...

LPGA Tour goes to Portland, Europe has final Ryder Cup qualifying in Switzerland

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

LPGA TOURPORTLAND CLASSICSite: Portland, Oregon.Course: Columbia Edgewater CC. Yardage: 6,467. Par: 72.Prize money: $1.5 million. Winner’s share: $225,000.Television: Thursday-Sunday, 6-9 p.m. (Golf Channel).Defending champion: Andrea Lee.Race to CME Globe leader: Celine Boutier.Last week: Megan Khang won the CPKC Women’s Open in Canada.Notes: Andrea Lee is defending her first LPGA title right after qualifying for her first Solheim Cup team. … The tournament began 40 years ago with JoAnne Carner as the inaugural champion. … The field features 10 of the 12 players on the U.S. Solheim Cup team, missing only Angel Yin and Cheyenne Knight, both captain’s picks. … Paula Creamer received one of the sponsor exemptions. … Lexi Thompson is in the field. She is outside the top 150 in the Race to CME Globe and is not likely to keep her full LPGA card for next year at this rate. Thompson has made only two cuts this year. … Megan Khang became the n...

US Ryder Cup team adds familiar picks with Fowler and Thomas. It also gets a LIV player with Koepka

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

U.S. captain Zach Johnson filled out his Ryder Cup team with familiar faces in Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler, along with LIV Golf player Brooks Koepka, as the Americans try to end three decades of losing on European soil.Johnson also went with Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa and Sam Burns, who will make his Ryder Cup debut in Rome having not won a match in a home Presidents Cup last fall.Among those Johnson left out were Cameron Young, who finished at No. 9 in the Ryder Cup standings, and Keegan Bradley, who won twice this season and finished 11th in the standings.Thomas was getting the most attention because he was No. 15 in the standings, has gone 15 months without winning and failed to finish among the top 70 who reached the FedEx Cup playoffs this month.Thomas, however, is considered the emotional spark for the U.S. team. He has a 6-2-1 record in two Ryder Cups and pairs well with Spieth, the three-time major champion who has played in every Ryder Cup since 2014.The matches are...

US consumer confidence wanes as summer draws to a close

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

American are feeling less confident financially as summer comes to a close as high prices and interest rates weigh on their willingness to spend.The Conference Board, a business research group, said its consumer confidence index tumbled to 106.1 in August from a revised 114 in July. Analysts were expecting a reading of 116.The index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. Both measures saw significant declines in August.Consumers’ view of current conditions fell to 144.8 from 153, and the index for future expectations slid to 80.2 from 88 in July. Readings below 80 for future expectations historically signals a recession within a year.Consumer spending accounts for around 70% of U.S. economic activity, so economists and investors pay close attention to their mood to gauge how it may affect the broader economy.Source

Russian hard-line nationalist ordered to stay in prison after accusing Putin of weakness

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — A Moscow court has ruled that a prominent hard-line nationalist who accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of weakness and indecision in Ukraine should remain in prison on charges of extremism.Igor Strelkov, a retired security officer who led Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and was convicted of murder in the Netherlands for his role in the downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet that year, has argued that a total mobilization is needed for Russia to achieve victory. He has previously criticized Putin as a “nonentity” and a “cowardly mediocrity.”Moscow’s District Court ordered the 52-year-old Strelkov, whose real name is Igor Girkin, to remain in custody until Sept. 18. Strelkov was arrested July 21 and faces charges of making calls for extremist activities. He could receive five years in prison if convicted.Strelkov’s legal team had argued for him to be held under house arrest, citing health issues. Strelkov’s wife, Miroslava Reg...

Tiran a Ronald Acuña Jr., de los Atlanta Braves, después de que dos aficionados entraran corriendo al Coors Field

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

(CNN) — El partido de los Atlanta Braves contra los Colorado Rockies de este lunes se retrasó momentáneamente cuando dos espectadores corrieron hacia el campo, se acercaron e hicieron contacto con el jardinero de los Braves Ronald Acuña Jr. en el Coors Field de Denver.El incidente se produjo en medio de la séptima entrada. Un video muestra a un espectador acercándose a Acuña y dándole un abrazo en el jardín derecho. Momentos después, dos guardias de seguridad se acercaron a la persona e intentaron que soltara al jardinero de los Braves.Después de que llegara un tercer guardia de seguridad y lograra en gran medida separar al espectador del jugador, un segundo aficionado se acercó corriendo y entró en contacto con Acuña, que cayó al suelo, según muestra el video.Aunque varios miembros de los Braves corrieron al jardín derecho para ayudar, la situación no pasó a mayores, ya que ambos espectadores fueron sacados del campo por el personal de seguridad de los Rockies.Wander Franco, ...

1 killed in Monday night Globeville shooting

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — One person was shot and killed late Monday night in Denver's Globeville neighborhood.According to the Denver Police Department, officers were called to a shooting in the area of 51st and Logan Street just before midnight on Monday.Officers said one person was taken to a local hospital with an unknown extent of injuries. These are the most dangerous spiders in Colorado Several hours later, SkyFOX flew over the scene and police were still investigating with tape blocking off a section of the road.Around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, police confirmed that the victim was pronounced dead.At this time, DPD has not released any suspect information. Anyone who may have witnessed the shooting is asked to contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a cash reward.

9 Colorado restaurants win Michelin award

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The first edition of the Michelin Guide Colorado awarded nine restaurants close to Denver for their delicious and affordable dining experiences. Each restaurant won the Bib Gourmand award, which rates restaurants on high-class food at lower prices. Michelin Guide checking out Colorado’s culinary scene The guide features eight different cuisines from nine spots that are just as delicious but don't break the bank.AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q (Photo courtesy of Michelin)Ash'Kara (Photo courtesy of Michelin)Basta (Photo courtesy of Michelin)The Ginger Pig (Photo courtesy of Michelin)Glo Noodle House (Photo courtesy of Michelin)Hop Alley (Photo courtesy of Michelin)La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal (Photo courtesy of Michelin)Mister Oso (Photo courtesy of Michelin)Tavernetta (Photo courtesy of Michelin)AJ’s Pit Bar-B-QThe Texas-styled barbeque spot in Denver was named "a classic mom-and-pop BBQ spot" by inspectors at Michelin who specifically recommended the custard-stuffed cornbread. It...

Shooting investigation underway in Fort Lauderdale neighborhood

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

A police investigation is currently underway after authorities responded to a ShotSpotter Alert in a Fort Lauderdale neighborhood, Tuesday morning. Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) officers, including units with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (FLFR), were dispatched to the vicinity of Northwest 15th Court and 15th Place around 3:30 a.m., where authorities were seen closing off the surrounding area with crime scene tape. A yellow house on the street was at the center of the investigation as authorities were seen entering and exiting the home during their investigation. Bullet holes were also evident in the home.Neighbors said they heard seven shots around 3:30 a.m. and as another neighbor heard about the incident, they mentioned this was the second time that home was targeted. That incident occurred on Friday and no one was injured when that situation unfolded. Officials said FLFR crews transported a victim, who is expected to survive, as a trauma alert to Broward Health Medical...

Michigan animal dealer surrenders over 150 exotic, endangered animals amidst allegations of mistreatment

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

MICHIGAN (WSVN) — In a significant development highlighting the protection of wildlife and the consequences of animal mistreatment, a Michigan animal dealer has agreed to relinquish custody of more than 150 animals, many of which are exotic and endangered, to federal authorities. The move comes as the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) unveiled allegations of illegal possession and mistreatment against the dealer.Zachery Keeler, the individual at the center of the controversy, is facing serious accusations of not only illegally housing endangered animals but also subjecting them to mistreatment. According to the DOJ, Keeler’s actions violated laws protecting endangered species and animal welfare.The animals in question encompass a diverse array of species, including 50 prairie dogs, 60 squirrels, and a collection of foxes, lemurs, skunks, porcupines, and wallabies. This wide variety of animals, many of which hail from different corners of the globe, speaks to the ...