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UK housing market improves but slowdown seen as rates rise

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:20:25 GMT

Britain's housing market showed some improvement in May but further interest rates increases by the Bank of England are expected to put more pressure on demand and on prices in the coming months, an industry survey showed on Thursday (8 June).The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' (RICS) measure of new buyer enquiries rose to a net balance of -18, the least negative figure since -14 in May 2022 and up from -34 in April.A gauge of agreed sales rose to -7 in May, up from April's -18.RICS' house price balance, which measures the difference between the percentage of surveyors seeing rises and falls in house prices, increased to -30 last month from -39 in April. A Reuters poll of analysts had pointed to a reading of -38.However, analysts are forecasting another slowdown for the housing market with markets largely expecting the BoE's Bank Rate to peak at 5.5% later this year, up from 4.5% now."It seems storm clouds are gathered, with the UK's stubbornly high inflation likely underm...

Azerbaijan and the EU strengthen bilateral ties

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:20:25 GMT

The Russia-Ukraine war has disrupted natural gas supplies to European energy markets and caused greater volatility in energy markets. Europe was not prepared for being cut off from raw materials from Russia, especially natural gas, making last winter and the upcoming one a challenge for citizens and political systems. According to a March 2022 analysis conducted by the Polish Economic Institute, the European Union (EU) was 25 per cent dependent on oil, solid fuel and natural gas supplies from Russia - writes Shahmar Hajiyev, Senior advisor at the Center of Analysis of International Relations and Liliana Śmiech, Vice President of Warsaw Institute.The ongoing war has also sparked a renewed debate regarding the European Union's ability to be self-reliant when it comes to energy imports from Kremlin. One of the results of these talks was the development of the REPower EU strategy. It not only highlights the process of diversifying natural gas supply sources and routes but also includes...

After 70 years, it’s time to reform European schools

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:20:25 GMT

The first European school in Luxembourg celebrated its 70th birthday this April. The European schools date from the very beginnings of the European Union, created for the families of officials working at the European Coal and Steel Community. Parents value what the schools can offer their children but reforms are urgently needed, as called for in a recent European Parliament report, writes Andrew Janis Folkmanis.Today they are 13 European schools across Europe, at locations of the institutions and agencies of the EU. And in addition a new type of multilingual school is emerging, an existing EU national or private school that receives accreditation to also give courses and host the European baccalauréat qualification exams. The European baccalauréat has received good recognition across the world. When our son applied to study at Maastricht last year, it was evident that the European bac is very well recognised alongside national secondary qualifications.In the European schools we mus...

Miss Manners: Would this combo party be too peculiar? And what about gifts?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:20:25 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a 40-year-old single mother of twin girls who are 15 months old. After years of saving, I am proud to be in the process of purchasing a home in a great public school district.I want to host a birthday party for my twins in my new home, but I would also like to make it a (slash) housewarming party.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: They ram my shopping cart and then just stare at me Advice | Miss Manners: Whose fault is this distressing situation with my pants? Advice | Miss Manners: He’s my husband, not my brother, and why are you even asking? Advice | Miss Manners: Am I really being perverse not to have my DNA tested? Advice | Miss Manners: I made the mistake of sharing my manuscript with this colleague Is there any credible way to send invitations announcing a birthday party for 2-year-olds and also a housewarming? And would it be odd to ask for gift cards for the hous...

Dear Abby: My mausoleum plan has alienated my children

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:20:25 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I am 76. My husband and I planned our final wishes for cremation because I have had a lifelong fear of being buried underground.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: The bride is afraid her cringey grandma will be an embarrassment Advice | Dear Abby: I’m too old to deal with this new nonsense from my husband Advice | Dear Abby: Am I being childish about this workplace snub? Advice | Dear Abby: Nobody else sees how scary my sister is, and I want to cry Advice | Dear Abby: They seem to be hinting my illness is imaginary My children from my first marriage are Jewish and very much against cremation. When I told them my wishes, they attacked me with a barrage of negatives about cremation, such as, “You won’t go to heaven,” “You won’t see your deceased mother or grandson in heaven,” “We won’t be able to say kaddish for you,” etc., so I immedi...

Bayern Munich signs Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer on free transfer

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:20:25 GMT

MUNICH (AP) — German champion Bayern Munich signed midfielder Konrad Laimer on a free transfer Friday as his contract with Leipzig expired.The Austrian central midfielder leaves Leipzig after six years with the club, where he won the German Cup twice, including in his last game for the team. The 26-year-old Laimer signed a contract through 2027.“It’s a dream come true for me. FC Bayern is one of the biggest clubs in the world,” Laimer said in a statement. “I will give everything for the club and the fans. FC Bayern always has the highest goals — just like me. I’m in the right place here.”Laimer is the first Bayern signing since the club fired Oliver Kahn as chief executive and Hasan Salihamidžić as sporting director last month. However, arrangements to sign Laimer were widely reported to have been made long before Kahn and Salihamidžić left.Laimer scored against Bayern for Leipzig in a 3-1 win for his old club last month, leaving Bayern in second place behind Borussia Do...

Cardinals host the Reds in first of 3-game series

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:20:25 GMT

Cincinnati Reds (29-34, third in the NL Central) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (26-37, fifth in the NL Central)St. Louis; Friday, 8:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Ben Lively (3-3, 3.03 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 29 strikeouts); Cardinals: Jordan Montgomery (2-7, 4.23 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 60 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -187, Reds +160; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals host the Cincinnati Reds to start a three-game series.St. Louis has gone 12-16 in home games and 26-37 overall. The Cardinals have hit 85 total home runs to rank sixth in MLB play.Cincinnati has a 29-34 record overall and a 12-16 record in road games. The Reds have a 19-7 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Friday’s game is the fifth time these teams square off this season. The season series is tied 2-2.TOP PERFORMERS: Paul Goldschmidt has 18 doubles and 10 home runs for the Cardinals. Nolan Arenado is 11-for-35 with four doubles and two home runs over th...

Local governor: 3 wounded as drone hits residential building in Russian city near Ukrainian border

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:20:25 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Local governor: 3 wounded as drone hits residential building in Russian city near Ukrainian border.Source

Mets visit the Pirates to start 3-game series

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:20:25 GMT

New York Mets (30-33, fourth in the NL East) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (32-29, second in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Friday, 7:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: Tylor Megill (5-3, 4.40 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 48 strikeouts); Pirates: Rich Hill (5-5, 4.55 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 61 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Mets -122, Pirates +103; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates start a three-game series at home against the New York Mets on Friday.Pittsburgh has gone 16-15 in home games and 32-29 overall. The Pirates are 23-2 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.New York is 30-33 overall and 15-21 in road games. The Mets are 20-10 in games when they scored at least five runs.The teams meet Friday for the first time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Bryan Reynolds has 17 doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 38 RBI for the Pirates. Jack Suwinski is 9-for-33 with four home runs and seven RBI over the past 10 games.Pete Alonso has 22 home runs, 27 walks and 49 RBI...

Riley leads Braves against the Nationals after 4-hit game

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:20:25 GMT

Washington Nationals (25-36, fifth in the NL East) vs. Atlanta Braves (38-24, first in the NL East)Atlanta; Friday, 7:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Josiah Gray (4-5, 3.09 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 55 strikeouts); Braves: AJ Smith-Shawver (0-0, .00 ERA, .43 WHIP, three strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -206, Nationals +172; over/under is 10 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves take on the Washington Nationals after Austin Riley had four hits on Thursday in a 13-10 win over the Mets.Atlanta has gone 18-14 at home and 38-24 overall. Braves hitters have a collective .472 slugging percentage to rank second in MLB.Washington has a 25-36 record overall and a 13-15 record on the road. The Nationals are 20-6 in games when they out-hit their opponents.The matchup Friday is the fourth time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Matt Olson has 10 doubles, a triple, 17 home runs and 43 RBI for the Braves. Ozzie Albies is 11-for-39 with a double and four home runs over the...