Trump administration directs agency heads to fire most probationary staff – The Washington Post
Trump administration directs agency heads to fire most probationary staff – The Washington Post
Trump administration directs agency heads to fire most probationary staff The Washington PostTrump administration lays off probationary government workers, warns others of large cuts to come The Associated PressOPM directs agencies to fire government workers still on probation The Hill
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Dating apps could be in trouble – here’s what might take their place
Dating apps could be in trouble – here’s what might take their place
BBC
A year into their relationship, Jess and Nate got engaged next to the sea. “It was a golden, sandy beach – empty and secluded,” says Jess, 26. “It was just us two there, so it was really intimate.”
Except that the couple were actually hundreds of miles apart – and they were role-playing their engagement in the video game World of Warcraft.
Nate, 27, was living just outside London – and Jess was in Wales. After meeting briefly at an esports event in Germany in March 2023, the pair developed a long-distance relationship, playing the game together “from the moment we woke up to the moment we went to bed”, says Nate.
The couple still play the game daily, even though they’ve been living together in Manchester since March 2024. And they know other couples who have found their partners through video games: “It’s a different way of meeting someone,” says Jess. “You both have such a strong mutual love for something already, it’s easier to fall in love.”
Nate agrees. “I was able to build a lot more of a connection with people I meet in gaming than I ever was able to in a dating app.”
Nate and Jess (pictured, alongside their virtual engagement), found love online – but not on a dating app
Nate and Jess are not alone. According to some experts, people of their generation are moving away from dating apps and finding love on platforms that were not specifically designed for romance.
And hanging out somewhere online that’s instead focused on a shared interest or hobby could allow people to find a partner in a lower-stakes, less pressurised setting than marketing themselves to a gallery of strangers. For some digital-native Gen Zs, it seems, simply doing the things they enjoy can be an alternative to the tyranny of the swipe.
Internet dating at 30 – a turning point?
Since it first appeared with the launch of match.com 30 years ago, online dating has fundamentally altered our relationships. Around 10% of heterosexual people and 24% of LGBT people have met their long-term partner online, according to Pew Research Center.
But evidence suggests that young people are switching off dating apps, with the ***’s top 10 seeing a fall of nearly 16%, according to a report published by Ofcom in November 2024. Tinder lost 594,000 users, while Hinge dropped by 131,000, Bumble by 368,000 and Grindr by 11,000, the report said (a Grindr spokesperson said they were “not familiar with this study’s source data” and that their *** users “continue to rise year over year”).
According to a 2023 Axios study of US college students and other Gen Zers, 79% said they were forgoing regular dating app usage. And in its 2024 Online Nation report, Ofcom said: “Some analysts speculate that for younger people, particularly Gen Z, the novelty of dating apps is wearing off.” In a January 2024 letter to shareholders, Match Group Inc – which owns Tinder and Hinge – acknowledged younger people were seeking “a lower pressure, more authentic way to find connections”.
“The idea of using a shared interest to meet someone isn’t new, but it’s been reinvented in this particular moment in time – it signals a desire of Gen Z,” says Carolina Bandinelli, an associate professor at Warwick University whose research focuses on the digital technologies of romance.
Getty Images
Many younger people are exploring alternatives to dating apps, from gaming to running clubs and other social activities
According to Danait Tesfay, 26, a marketing assistant from London, younger people are looking for alternatives to dating apps, “whether that be gaming or running clubs or extra-curricular clubs, where people are able to meet other like-minded people and eventually foster a romantic connection”.
At the same time that membership of some dating apps appears to be in decline, platforms based around common interests are attracting more users. For instance, the fitness app Strava now has 135m users – and its monthly active users grew by 20% last year, according to the company. Other so-called “affinity-based” sites have seen similar growth: Letterboxd, where film fans can share reviews, says its community grew by 50% last year.
Rise of the hobby apps
And just as in the pre-internet age, when couples might have met at a sports club or the cinema, now singletons are able to find each other in their online equivalents.
“People have always bonded over shared interests, but it’s been given a digital spin with these online communities,” says Luke Brunning, co-director of the Centre for Love, Sex, and Relationships (CLSR) at the University of Leeds.
“It’s increasingly difficult to distinguish between behaviour that’s on a dating app and dating behaviour on another platform.”
Hobby apps are taking on some features of social media, too: in 2023, Strava introduced a messaging feature letting users chat directly. One twenty-something from London explains that her friends use it as a way to flirt with people they fancy, initially by liking a running route they’ve posted on the platform. Strava says its data shows that one in five of its active Gen Z members has been on a date with someone they met through fitness clubs.
“[Online] fitness communities are becoming big places to find partners,” says Nichi Hodgson, the author of The Curious History of Dating. She says a friend of hers met his partner that way, and they’re now living together.
The same appears to apply to Letterboxd, too. With users including Chappell Roan and Charli XCX, it’s a popular platform for younger people – two-thirds of members in a survey of 5,000 were under 34.
The company says it’s aware of several couples meeting through the app, including one who bonded over a shared love of David Fincher’s opinion-dividing 2020 drama Mank. “It could be that seeing other people’s film tastes reveals an interesting aspect of themselves,” says Letterboxd co-founder Matthew Buchanan.
Why the shift?
So what might be driving this? While dating apps initially appeared to offer “the illusion of choice”, and a transparent, efficient way to meet partners, the reality for many has often proven to be different. The Pew Research Center found that 46% of dating-app users said their experiences were overall very or somewhat negative.
Getty Images
A Pew Research Center study found that 46% of dating app users described their experiences as somewhat or very negative
The recent decline in user numbers might also be a response to the way some apps are structured – in particular, the swipe feature for selecting potential partners, launched by Tinder in 2013 and widely copied.
Its creator, Jonathan Badeen, was partly inspired by studying the 1940s experiments of psychologist BF Skinner, who conditioned hungry pigeons to believe that food delivered randomly into a tray was prompted by their movements.
Getty Images
Tinder’s swipe mechanism was partly inspired by Harvard Professor BF Skinner’s psychological experiments with pigeons in order to understand the brain’s reward system
Eventually, the swipe mechanism faced a backlash. “Ten years ago, people were enthusiastic and would talk quite openly about what apps they were on,” says Ms Hodgson. “Now the Tinder model is dead with many young people – they don’t want to swipe any more.”
According to Mr Brunning, the gameifying interface of many dating apps is a turn-off. “Intimacy is made simple for you, it’s made fun in the short term, but the more you play, the more you feel kind of icky.”
The pandemic may have had an impact, too, says Prof Brian Heaphy at the University of Manchester, who has studied dating-app use in and after the lockdowns: “During Covid, dating apps themselves became more like social media – because people couldn’t meet up, they were looking for different things.”
Although that didn’t last after the pandemic, it “gave people a sense that it could be different from just swiping and getting no responses – all the negatives of dating-app culture,” says Prof Heaphy.
And in that context, the fact that video games or online communities like Strava or Letterboxd aren’t designed for dating can be appealing. By attracting users for a broader range of reasons, there’s less pressure on each interaction.
“Those apps aren’t offering a commercialised form of romance, so they can seem more authentic,” says Prof Heaphy.
The humans behind Wochi and PurplePixel (pictured) met while playing World of Warcraft, though they say finding a partner wasn’t their original intention
It’s a type of connection free from the burden of expectation. A different couple who met on World of Warcraft – and go by the names Wochi and PurplePixel – weren’t looking for love. “I definitely didn’t go into an online game trying to find a partner,” says Wochi.
But although initially in opposing teams, or guilds, their characters started a conversation. “We spent all night talking until the early hours of the morning, and by the end of the night, I’d actually left my guild and joined his guild,” says PurplePixel. Within three years, Wochi had quit his job and moved to the *** from Italy to be with her.
According to Ms Hodgson, “While some dating apps can bring out the worst behaviours, these other online spaces can do the opposite, because people are sharing something they enjoy.”
Because of these structural elements, she doesn’t think the recent decline in numbers is temporary. “It’s going to keep happening until dating apps figure out how to put the human aspect back.”
New kinds of dating app
The dating apps aren’t giving up without a fight, however. Hinge is still “setting up a date every two seconds”, according to a spokesperson; Tinder says a relationship starts every three seconds on its platform and that almost 60% of its users are aged 18-30. In fact, the apps appear to be embracing the shift to shared-interest platforms, launching niche alternatives including ones based around fitness, veganism, dog-ownership or even facial hair.
They’re also evolving to encourage different kinds of interaction. On Breeze, users who agree to be set up on a date aren’t allowed to message each other before they meet; and Jigsaw hides people’s faces, only removing pieces to reveal the full photo after a certain amount of interaction.
It means that it’s premature to proclaim the death of the dating app, believes Prof Heaphy. “There’s now such a diversity of dating apps that the numbers for the biggest ones aren’t the key indicator,” he says. “It might actually be a similar number to before, in terms of overall membership.”
And there’s a downside to people going to more general-interest apps looking for love – people might not want to be hit on when they just want to talk about books. Dating apps, at least, are clear about what their purpose is.
What might the future look like?
In an increasingly online world, the solution to improving relationships might not simply be to go offline. Instead, apps that can offer an experience which more closely mirrors the best of IRL interactions, while tapping into the possibilities of digital ones, might also show a way forward.
With the imminent integration of AI into dating apps, we are “right on the cusp of something new”, says Mr Brunning. “It’s interesting to see if we’ll end up with specific apps just for dating, or will we end up with something a bit more fluid?”
Getty Images
Online communities like World of Warcraft may offer deeper connections than the quick interactions of dating apps
He points to platforms in China that are more multi-purpose. “People use them for chat, for community, and conduct business on them – they can also be dating platforms, but they’re often not exclusively for that.”
In the meantime, the interactions possible in less mediated communities like World of Warcraft could offer more of a chance to connect than conversations initiated by a swipe.
Jess and Nate’s in-game engagement on the beach might not have been real, but the couple are hoping to change that soon. “It’s a matter of when, really. There are a few things we need to tick off the checklist, and then she’ll be getting her ring,” says Nate. And there’ll still be a gaming element.
“You can role-play getting married,” says Jess. “So it could be funny to get all our friends together at some point in the World of Warcraft cathedral, and we could have a marriage ceremony.”
Additional reporting by Florence Freeman
Top image credit: Getty
BBC InDepth is the home on the website and app for the best analysis, with fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions and deep reporting on the biggest issues of the day. And we showcase thought-provoking content from across BBC Sounds and iPlayer too. You can send us your feedback on the InDepth section by clicking on the button below.
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Ardie arrival makes an impact as Moana’s prospects grow
Ardie arrival makes an impact as Moana’s prospects grow
The arrival of superstar backrower Ardie Savea has bolstered the belief at Moana Pasifika ,with his big brother Julian declaring their team can win the Super Rugby Pacific title this season.
Led by new captain Ardie, Moana face Western Force in round one in Perth on Saturday night, looking to make an early statement.
Julian, 34, said Ardie, who wanted to give back to his Samoan heritage by joining the club after 12 seasons with the Hurricanes, had already made an impact.
The recruitment of the 31-year-old, who is a regular in the New Zealand Test side and was named the world’s best player in 2023, had lifted standards across the franchise.
Joining the competition in 2022, Auckland-based Moana Pasifika finished 11th last year, but former All ******* winger Julian predicted a huge ladder surge this season.
“He’s had a massive impact already, just his presence, he brings leadership, his experience, and professional habits – winning habits that he’s experienced throughout his career,” said Julian.
“The belief is high … we’re definitely winning this thing, because we’ve done the tough, tough work to be able to play how we want to play the game, and how fit we need to be to be able to play that game plan.”
Coached by legendary former All ******* centre Tana Umaga, Moana Pasifika have had a big influx of talent with former Wallabies prop Pone Fa’amausili among the recruits.
But the Melbourne Rebels signing isn’t available for selection to face the Force due to injury.
Julian, who was part of New Zealand’s 2015 Rugby World Cup triumph and the tournament’s highest tryscorer, also wasn’t named despite featuring in their two trials.
Competition is fierce in the backline with newcomers Samoa Olympic Sevens star Lalomilo Lalomilo named in the centres and former NRL Wests Tigers flyer Solomon Alaimalo starting on the wing.
Other signings include hooker Millennium Sanerivi, who played his first Super Rugby match for the Chiefs in last year’s final before switching to Moana Pasifika.
Ardie will start at No.8 and will have Tonga openside Sione Havili Talitui and Samoa’s Miracle Faiilagi alongside him in a strong loose forward trio.
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Navy searches for jet after Whidbey Island-based pilots eject in San Diego Bay
Navy searches for jet after Whidbey Island-based pilots eject in San Diego Bay
The U.S. Navy says it continues efforts to recover the EA-18G Growler that crashed in San Diego Bay on February 12.
The two pilots onboard, who are based out of Whidbey Island, are in good condition according to NAS Whidbey and are under 24-hour medical observation out of an abundance of caution.
Recovery efforts for the Growler are focused on safely removing the aircraft from the water as quickly as possible while minimizing environmental impact.
The Navy says some pieces of debris may resemble weapons or classified components, which may present a hazard if handled. This is why they are asking the public not to approach, touch, or collect any pieces that may wash ashore.
The ****** happened around 10:40 a.m. Wednesday.
The two-seat aircraft, known for its electronic warfare capabilities, went down in the water off Shelter Island, directly across the bay from Naval Air Station North Island.
Both pilots managed to eject before impact and were rescued by a nearby fishing vessel named Premiere.
Naval Base Coronado’s Emergency Operations Center remains active, and the investigation into the cause of the ****** is ongoing.
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Trump administration tells federal agencies to fire probationary employees
Trump administration tells federal agencies to fire probationary employees
U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as he stands in the Oval Office of the White House, on the day Robert F. Kennedy Jr is sworn in as secretary of Health and Human Services, in Washington, D.C., U.S., Feb. 13, 2025.
Nathan Howard | Reuters
President Donald Trump’s administration began a mass firing of federal workers on Thursday.
Office of Personnel Management officials met with agency leaders and advised them to dismiss probationary employees, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Hundreds of thousands of people could potentially be affected, according to data from the Office of Personnel Management, although the exact number of people who will be terminated was not immediately clear.
Employees who have probationary status have typically been with the federal government for only one or two years — before all their civil service protections have kicked in.
“The probationary ******* is a continuation of the job application process, not an entitlement for permanent employment,” an OPM spokesperson said in a statement. “Agencies are taking independent action in light of the recent hiring freeze and in support of the President’s broader efforts to restructure and streamline the federal government to better serve the American people at the highest possible standard.”
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Mass firings begin as Trump, Musk purge U.S. government – Yahoo
Mass firings begin as Trump, Musk purge U.S. government – Yahoo
Mass firings begin as Trump, Musk purge U.S. government Yahoo
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Being a dad makes life ‘more fun’
Being a dad makes life ‘more fun’
Noor NanjiCulture reporter at London’s Leicester Square•@NoorNanjiGetty Images
Robert Pattinson has said becoming a dad has made life “more fun”.
The British actor, 38, and singer Suki Waterhouse, 33, welcomed their first child last March.
Speaking at the London premiere for dark sci-fi film Mickey 17, Pattinson told the BBC he had expected himself to feel “less danger prone” after the birth of his daughter, but he has instead found “it’s very joyful”.
“If someone told me I was going to die in a week, I’d be like, ‘What? I want to spend some more time with my kid’,” he said, before laughing: “That’s a very deep answer.”
Pattinson is starring in the new film from Parasite director ***** Joon-ho.
Based on the 2022 novel Mickey 7 by Edward Ashton, it is about a financially destitute man who signs up to be an “expendable” crew member on a dangerous mission to colonise an ice world.
Every time he dies, he’s cloned, with his memories intact.
The BBC has not yet seen the film, but production notes and clips shared online indicate it raises ******* questions about life, mortality and memory.
At the world premiere at London’s Leicester Square, fans – primarily young female ones – screamed at the sight of the heartthrob, known to many as “R-Patz”.
Getty Images
Mia, 23, and Ellie, 22, said they’d waited hours in the just above zero temperatures to see him. “We’ve been fans for years,” Mia said.
Another fan, Jia, had a fluorescent sign, which read, “I love you R-Patz”, in a bid to catch the star’s attention.
Pattinson became something of a pin-up after playing vampire Edward Cullen in the Twilight series, alongside American actress Kristen Stewart.
Before that, he stole young hearts as Hufflepuff hunk Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Since then, he has starred in major films including The Batman and Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, as well as a range of eccentric, indie films.
So has he done enough to distance himself from the brooding vampire role that made his name?
“I think every part is hopefully still a part of you,” he said.
“It’s insane to me that people still talk about it, I mean, Twilight was a long time ago. And the fact that people are still talking about it means we did something right.”
***** Joon-ho is backGetty Images
Mickey 17 is written and directed by *****, one of South Korea’s most celebrated film directors.
His ****** comedy Parasite, released in 2019, made history by becoming the first non-English-language film to win best picture at the Oscars.
The film, a vicious social satire about two families from very different classes, also took home three other Oscar statuettes at the awards show that year – including best international feature.
Parasite is considered by many to be one of the greatest best picture winners of this century so far, and there has been huge anticipation to see how ***** could possibly follow it up.
“We worked very hard on it,” ***** said of Mickey 17.
Getty Images
***** Joon-ho, Toni Collette and Mark Ruffalo pose for pictures at the Mickey 17 world premiere
“The actors are incredible, there are amazing performances… I’m excited for everyone to see that.”
He said the message of the film was a simple one. “Whether it’s the future, or going into outer space, humans must live genuinely human lives,” he said.
The director also said he had a positive outlook on the future of South Korean filmmaking and TV.
“They’re already popular, but they’re going to become even more popular. I’m very optimistic.”
The new film also stars American actors Mark Ruffalo and Beef star Steven Yeun, as well as British Star Wars actress Naomi Ackie, and *********** star Toni Collette.
Ruffalo told the BBC it was the prospect of working with ***** that attracted him to the project.
“He’s just one of the greatest auteurs living today, his style, his voice, his visuals, his casting.”
Collette agreed, saying she was “still pinching myself”.
“I think he’s an incredible filmmaker and it doesn’t get any better, he’s just endlessly creative.”
‘Call me what you like’
While plenty of fans have been desperate to see ***** and Pattinson’s collaboration, it’s Pattinson’s voice in the film that has been going viral online.
“For a second, I thought it was a different actor speaking,” wrote one YouTube user. “Robert Pattinson doing another weird freaky little accent,” wrote another.
Pattinson is no stranger to putting on different accents, but he said he wasn’t entirely sure what inspired the one he used in Mickey 17.
“It was sort of based on some cartoons, sort of based in England and trying to do an American accent when there are no Americans around, there are just Koreans and English people around,” he mused.
As we spoke, fans could be heard shouting “R-Patz” at him from across the red carpet.
He’s previously spoken about how much he hates that nickname, so I’m curious to know – what does he make of it now?
“I think the older you get, you can call me whatever you want. It’s fine,” he laughed.
Mickey 17 is released in *** cinemas on 7 March
Additional reporting by Emmanuella Alausa.
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A$AP Rocky trial brings clashing closing arguments
A$AP Rocky trial brings clashing closing arguments
Lawyers are giving their closing arguments at the trial of rapper A$AP Rocky, who is accused of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm
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U.S. and India to boost bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030
U.S. and India to boost bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030
U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., Feb. 13, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
India and the U.S. will work to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday.
Speaking at the conclusion of the two leaders’ meeting in Washington, Modi also said that “Our teams will work on concluding very soon, a mutually beneficial trade agreement.”
Trump acknowledged India’s recent move to reduce tariffs on U.S. imports and said he would begin talks on disparities on trade and hoped to reach an agreement.
Modi said India and the U.S. would also work together on artificial intelligence and semiconductors while focusing on establishing strong supply chains for strategic minerals.
The remarks came after Trump signed a presidential memorandum laying out his plan to impose “reciprocal tariffs” on foreign nations, including India.
The U.S. would simply charge the same tariff rates that India charges, Trump said, while the trade deficit with India could be addressed with the ***** of oil and gas.
U.S. total goods trade with India is estimated at $129 billion in 2024, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
India imposes a 17% simple average tariff on countries with the most-favored-nation status, compared with the U.S. that levies 3.3%. The U.S. enjoys MFN status with most major economies, except some including Russia.
India’s surplus with the U.S., its third-largest trading partner, reached $45.7 billion last year. Notably, the country’s imported agricultural goods were subjected to hefty 39% duties.
“We are, right now, a reciprocal nation… We’re going to have whatever India charges, we’re charging them. Whatever another country charges, we’re charging them. So it’s called reciprocal, which I think is a very fair way,” the U.S. president said at the press briefing.
The president said that the reciprocal tariffs will not take effect immediately as his administration works on determining the appropriate tariff levels for each affected country.
Trump has already slapped tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico as well as global tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum. Trump’s tariffs on Canada and Mexico are currently on pause after both countries pledged to crack down on ******** drug trafficking at their respective borders with the U.S.
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Dozens injured in ******* car attack ahead of JD Vance visit
Dozens injured in ******* car attack ahead of JD Vance visit
Vice President JD Vance is in Munich for a security conference. The vice president and other world leaders touched down in the ******* city just hours after a man drove his car into a crowd, leaving at least 28 people injured. CBS News’ Tina Kraus has the details.
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U.S. and India to boost bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030
U.S. and India to boost bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030
U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., Feb. 13, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
India and the U.S. will work to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday.
Speaking at the conclusion of the two leaders’ meeting in Washington, Modi also said that “Our teams will work on concluding very soon, a mutually beneficial trade agreement.”
Trump acknowledged India’s recent move to reduce tariffs on U.S. imports and said he would begin talks on disparities on trade and hoped to reach an agreement.
Modi said India and the U.S. would also work together on artificial intelligence and semiconductors while focusing on establishing strong supply chains for strategic minerals.
The remarks came after Trump signed a presidential memorandum laying out his plan to impose “reciprocal tariffs” on foreign nations, including India.
The U.S. would simply charge the same tariff rates that India charges, Trump said, while the trade deficit with India could be addressed with the ***** of oil and gas.
U.S. total goods trade with India is estimated at $129 billion in 2024, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
India imposes a 17% simple average tariff on countries with the most-favored-nation status, compared with the U.S. that levies 3.3%. The U.S. enjoys MFN status with most major economies, except some including Russia.
India’s surplus with the U.S., its third-largest trading partner, reached $45.7 billion last year. Notably, the country’s imported agricultural goods were subjected to hefty 39% duties.
“We are, right now, a reciprocal nation… We’re going to have whatever India charges, we’re charging them. Whatever another country charges, we’re charging them. So it’s called reciprocal, which I think is a very fair way,” the U.S. president said at the press briefing.
The president said that the reciprocal tariffs will not take effect immediately as his administration works on determining the appropriate tariff levels for each affected country.
Trump has already slapped tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico as well as global tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum. Trump’s tariffs on Canada and Mexico are currently on pause after both countries pledged to crack down on ******** drug trafficking at their respective borders with the U.S.
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Singapore’s GDP expands by 4.4% in 2024, fastest growth since 2021
Singapore’s GDP expands by 4.4% in 2024, fastest growth since 2021
An undated photography of a night view of the Singapore skyline from the Marina Barrage.
Calvin Chan Wai Meng | Moment | Getty Images
Singapore’s GDP expanded by 4.4% in 2024, marking its fastest growth since 2021, government data showed Friday.
The economy had expanded by 1.8% in 2023.
For the fourth quarter alone, Singapore’s GDP grew 5% year on year, higher than the 4.7% forecast by the Reuters poll, but lower than the 5.7% expansion seen in the previous quarter.
The 5% growth figure also surpassed advance estimates of 4.3% announced on Jan. 2.
This is breaking news, please check back for more.
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Los Angeles at high risk of flooding as rain drenches areas ravaged by January wildfires – ABC News
Los Angeles at high risk of flooding as rain drenches areas ravaged by January wildfires – ABC News
Los Angeles at high risk of flooding as rain drenches areas ravaged by January wildfires ABC NewsTrack Southern California rainfall totals in real time with this interactive map KTLA Los AngelesLandslide fears mount in Orange County communities built on hillsides as heavy rain expected across Southern California ABC7 Los AngelesStrongest storm of the winter blasts into Southern California forcing evacuations in burned areas dailynews.com
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Barry Humphries' personal items fetch $9m at *** auction
Barry Humphries' personal items fetch $9m at *** auction
A collection of Barry Humphries’ personal items, including Dame Edna Everage frocks and a book signed by Oscar Wilde, have been sold at Christie’s in London.
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Boeing 737 Max Hits Car In The Middle of Runway During Takeoff
Boeing 737 Max Hits Car In The Middle of Runway During Takeoff
Photo: Alexandro Dias / Wikimedia Commons
Takeoff and landing are the most dangerous parts of any flight, and the fatal mid-air collision in Washington, DC two weeks ago highlighted this. A Gol Boeing 737 Max collided with a ground vehicle while taking off from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Thankfully, the flight crew stopped the airliner before the end of the runway at Galeão International Airport, and no one was injured.
A Gol Linhas Aéreas Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft (PS-GPP) collided with an airport vehicle while accelerating for takeoff at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG) in Rio on 11 February Night (Tuesday).
The aircraft, registration PS-GPP, was destined to Fortaleza, but… pic.twitter.com/xl0iuDGEL0
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) February 12, 2025
One passenger onboard the Brazilian airline’s flight recorded the aborted takeoff. The initial acceleration seemed normal until a loud thud was heard inside the cabin. Then, the thrust reversers were deployed to slow the plane’s takeoff roll. According to Simply Flying, the flight crew told air traffic control that a car was in the middle of the runway. It was later confirmed that the vehicle belonged to the airport.
Everyone onboard safely evacuated the damaged aircraft on the runway via airstairs, so it wasn’t an urgent enough emergency to necessitate the inflatable slide. Gol operated an additional flight to the airplane’s scheduled destination of Fortaleza Pinto Martins International Airport for the stranded passengers. The carrier noted that the incident didn’t impact any of its other flights.
A similar incident happened at Chicago O’Hare Airport last month. A United Airlines Boeing 737 Max hit a coyote while taking off on a flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. However, this plane lifted over the ground and flew for 40 minutes before returning to Chicago. The collision damaged the nose and landing gear. On-site engineers inspected the plane and cleared it to fly again just four hours later.
While a coyote can’t discern how dangerous an airport runway can be, whoever was behind the wheel of the airport car should be smart enough not to drive in front of an accelerating airliner.
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Crypto scams thrive in 2024 on back of ‘pig butchering’ and AI: Report
Crypto scams thrive in 2024 on back of ‘pig butchering’ and AI: Report
Chainalysis said that crypto wallets linked to scams received $9.9 billion in cryptocurrency in 2024, according to its initial estimates
Boonchai Wedmakawand | Moment | Getty Images
Crypto fraud revenue is estimated to have hit record levels last year amid a surge in so-called romance scams as cybercriminals leverage artificial intelligence and become more organized, blockchain research firm Chainalysis warns.
In a report released Thursday, the firm said that crypto wallets linked to scams received $9.9 billion in cryptocurrency in 2024, according to its initial estimates. It predicts 2024’s figure to grow to a record of $12.4 billion as Chainalysis identifies more scam wallets.
Chainalysis added that its yearly estimates of scam activity have risen by an average of 24% between annual reporting periods since 2020.
According to its 2024 report, a leading reason for the uptick in scam revenue was an increase in the prevalence of romance scams, commonly known as “pig butchering.”
Pig butchering is a type of investing or romance scam in which a fraudster builds relationships with victims via social media or dating apps, intending to **** them out of money through a sham investment opportunity.
The name “pig butchering” comes from the idea that scammers must first “fatten up” the victims with flattery and fabricated bonds before “butchering,” or stealing their money.
More victims sent to slaughter
In 2024, pig butchering revenue grew nearly 40% year over year, with the number of deposits to pig butchering scams growing nearly 210% over the same *******, according to Chainalysis.
The firm said that those differing growth rates indicated an expansion of the victim pool, prioritizing more victims in exchange for smaller payments.
While pig butchering scams predominantly originate from large scam compounds in Southeast Asia, there are signs that such scam centers have begun to become more geographically dispersed, the report stated.
Last December, Nigeria’s anti-graft agency announced the arrest of 792 people in a raid on a building, where the suspects were believed to be running romance scams that targeted people mostly from Europe and the Americas, according to Reuters.
Romance scams often rely on human trafficking victims to carry out fraud. An investigation by ProPublica in 2022 outlined how ******** criminal syndicates were trafficking victims to centers in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, forcing them to perform cyberfraud under threat of violence.
While those scam compounds are often known for running pig butchering scams, they also act as havens for other types of frauds that can be carried out via the internet, according to Eric Heintz, a global analyst at International Justice Mission, who is cited in the Chainalysis report.
“It’s not uncommon to have multiple criminal groups operating within the same compound focusing on different scams,” he added.
Scam ecosystem ‘professionalizes’
The dynamic of multiple criminal groups operating within a compound has also materialized online through the creation of illicit crypto marketplaces and networks, according to Chainalysis.
Primarily, this trend has been driven by Huione Guarantee, an online forum and peer-to-peer marketplace Chainalysis says operates as a “one-stop-shop” for illicit actors looking for the technology, infrastructure and resources to conduct scams.
The ********-language platform is connected to Huione Group, a Cambodian conglomerate that offers legitimate services such as overseas remittances, insurance and, in the past, even luxury tourism offerings.
According to Chainalysis, Huione Guarantee’s activity on blockchains indicates that it’s heavily used to support the pig butchering industry and for illicit crypto-based trading of scam technology products and services.
One of the main services that can be found on the platform is money laundering, which scammers use to conceal their illicit activity, according to Chainalysis data.
Meanwhile, some of the illicit products found on the site include targeted data lists, web hosting services, social media accounts and AI software. In 2024, Huione scam technology vendors received at least $375.9 million in cryptocurrency.
Since 2021, Huione Guarantee and vendors advertising through its platforms have processed $70 billion in crypto transactions.
“In short, Huione Guarantee has driven and enabled a scam ecosystem that is massive, growing, and interconnected,” the firm said in its report.
Huione Group did not respond to a CNBC inquiry.
Artificial intelligence facilitates scams
In 2024, some of the most successful vendors on the Huione platform were AI service providers, who saw revenue grow by 1,900% year over year, as per Chainalysis data.
This growth indicates an explosion in the use of generative AI technology to facilitate crypto scams, which often entails scammers using the tech to impersonate others or generate realistic content that fool victims into making phony investments.
Chainalysis’s report said there are dozens of software vendors hosted on Huione Guarantee that sell this type of scam AI software.
According to Elad Fouks, head of fraud products at Chainalysis and co-founder of fraud-detection app Alterya, who is quoted in the report, generative AI can be used to amplify and scale up crypto fraud and crimes.
“GenAI enables the generation of realistic fake content, including websites and listings, to power investment scams, purchase scams, and more, making these attacks more convincing and harder to detect,” Fouks said.
Some Huione vendors are even advertising “face-changing services” for $200 worth of cryptocurrency.
Since OpenAI’s ChatGPT launched in 2022 and saw its popularity grow, there have been a growing number of cases of large firms losing millions to deepfake scams. Such scams use generative AI to create synthetic and fake identities and voices that allow fraudsters to impersonate real people and bypass identity verification controls
Chainalysis says that the potential of AI technology to scale crypto scams exponentially further adds to the challenges associated with combating those crimes.
Tackling crypto scams at scale will require sustained efforts from government agencies, regulators and organizations, the firm said.
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Trump administration lays off probationary govt. workers, warns others of large cuts – KUTV 2News
Trump administration lays off probationary govt. workers, warns others of large cuts – KUTV 2News
Trump administration lays off probationary govt. workers, warns others of large cuts KUTV 2NewsOPM tells federal agencies to start firing probationary employees NBC WashingtonOPM directs agencies to fire government workers still on probation The HillTrump administration lays off probationary government workers, warns others of large cuts to come The Associated Press
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How to use data center wind turbines for sustainable energy
How to use data center wind turbines for sustainable energy
The increasing energy consumption of data centers is prompting administrators to explore and adopt sustainable energy solutions within their infrastructure. Wind turbines, which harness wind power, are becoming a promising source of renewable energy for data centers.
Wind turbines are increasing in size to generate more power, but this increases the amount of space they occupy. This article explores wind turbines’ energy generation and efficiency, ideal locations, challenges in implementation and which companies use wind to power their data centers.
Wind turbine energy generation and efficiency
The electricity a wind turbine generates mainly depends on the wind speed and the specific type of turbine in use — vertical or horizontal. The technology has rapidly evolved over the last decade. Modern onshore turbines have a capacity of 3 megawatts to 4 MW, and offshore turbines have a capacity of 8 MW to 12 MW, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.
Modern wind turbines are taller, with longer blades and larger rotor diameters. This design enables them to sweep a greater area, effectively capture more wind — even in areas with less wind — and generate more electricity.
With higher altitudes, wind flows more freely, and speeds typically increase. High altitudes and water locations have less friction from objects on the Earth’s surface, such as trees, mountains and buildings. This is why offshore turbines generate more electricity, even at shorter heights.
Ideal locations for wind turbines
For onshore wind turbines, areas with higher-than-average wind shear — the change in wind speed with altitude — are ideal for wind farms. According to Berkeley Lab’s “Land-Based Wind Market Report: 2024 Edition,” most wind turbine towers taller than 110 meters are concentrated in the Midwest and Northeast U.S. because they have higher wind shear.
Direct land use and total wind farm area
Wind turbines do not have a large footprint on the ground, but they take up significant airspace. According to the University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems wind energy factsheet, the direct land use of a wind turbine in the U.S. is 85 acres (0.13 square miles) per MW of installed capacity, with the tower pad and access roads occupying 1% of the area. This means a 2-3 MW wind turbine occupies 170 to 255 acres (0.27 to 0.40 square miles) of land.
A larger challenge is installing multiple turbines. A wind farm needs considerable space between the turbines to minimize turbulence, follow natural land contours and avoid other obstacles. A single turbine should be spaced approximately seven rotor diameters away from another wind turbine. This spacing protects the turbine and nearby structures from turbulence, and it enables the turbine to work optimally.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average rotor diameter of a modern wind turbine is 133.8 meters (438.98 feet). That means the amount of airspace between turbines should be 936.6 meters (3,072.83 feet), or 0.58 miles. Much of the indirect land under the turbines can be used for other purposes, like agricultural farms and ranching. Many existing wind farms are in agricultural areas in the Midwest U.S.
Progression of wind turbine height and blade length
Challenges of wind power for data centers
Using wind power for data centers presents several challenges, including space, generational limits and government regulations.
Space
The main challenge is space — not just for installation, but for transporting material. Large rotor blades are difficult to transport because they cannot be folded or bent once constructed. This limits transportation routes and turn radii. Taller turbines have large tower diameters, making them difficult to fit under bridges or highway overpasses.
Since most data centers are in areas with travel limitations, it is challenging for facility owners to install their own high-capacity wind farms. Vertical turbines can be installed closer together than horizontal ones. However, vertical wind turbines produce less energy than horizontal ones.
Generational limits
By 2023, U.S. data centers, which power AI workloads, servers and containers, required a minimum of 176 terawatt-hours, far exceeding the combined output of horizontal turbines. Wind energy can help with sustainable goals, but without a large amount of land use, it is not feasible for only wind power to generate enough energy to run a large data center.
Government regulations
Wind zoning regulations in the U.S. are primarily driven by local municipal areas, making it challenging for data center owners to navigate requirements. Many areas lack comprehensive regulations for wind power beyond transportation and logistics guidelines. This leads to arbitrary rules, such as turbine setback requirements, which vary widely between jurisdictions.
Companies using wind power
Tech giants, like AWS, Google, Meta and Microsoft, partner with wind farm owners and renewable energy companies to use wind power as part of their renewable energy programs.
According to AWS, the company invests in wind and solar energy to advance its green energy goals. AWS will soon have three wind farms in Greece that will lessen stress on the electric grid and support the country’s renewable energy goal. AWS partners with other sustainable energy companies focusing on wind power in states such as Oregon and Texas.
Google has said that the company has power purchase agreements with the Netherlands to enable offshore wind turbines to power Dutch data centers. The company also has an agreement with Italy to have an onshore wind turbine project that could generate 47 MW of clean energy through ERG, a renewable energy company.
Microsoft has said the company has a power purchase agreement with Vattenfall, an electricity provider in the Netherlands, to purchase 100% wind energy to power its local data centers. Microsoft also has wind power agreements in Ireland and Wyoming.
Other data center facilities utilizing wind power include the following:
EcoDataCenter (Sweden). Powered 100% by renewable methods, including 25% wind.
Kao Data (U.K). Powered 100% by renewable resources, wind power being one of them.
Virtus Data Centres (U.K.), Switch (U.S.) and Scala Data Centers (Brazil). All powered by a combination of wind, solar and hydroelectric power.
While wind power alone may not be sufficient to meet the large energy demands of modern data centers, especially those powering AI workloads, it remains a valuable component of a diversified renewable energy strategy. As the industry continues to innovate and adapt, wind-powered data centers will likely play an increasingly important role in the quest for sustainable energy.
Julia Borgini is a freelance technical copywriter, content marketer, content strategist and geek. She writes about B2B tech, SaaS, DevOps, the cloud and other tech topics.
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Homes with ****** mould, damp and rot excluded from help
Homes with ****** mould, damp and rot excluded from help
Zoe Conway & Esyllt Carr
Business correspondent & producer
BBC
Margaret Chappell cannot get help to fix her insulation under government schemes as it only applies to work done since 2022
Homeowners who say their houses are being destroyed by unsuitable insulation fitted under a government scheme say action announced to fix it won’t help them – as the work was carried out too long ago.
The government found a “serious systemic” issue in homes fitted with insulation under two of its own schemes since 2022 – and ordered installers to put it right.
But that won’t include 93-year-old Margaret Chappell whose work was done in 2021 and now her house is consumed by damp, ****** mould and crumbling plaster.
The government said it would keep other schemes under review but Mrs Chappell said she and other residents were being ”ignored”.
“It’s as if we don’t exist. It’s appalling,” added Mrs Chappell, who has lived in her home in County Durham for 60 years.
She and 153 of her neighbours in the town of Chilton had solid wall insulation fitted after Durham County Council advised them to take advantage of a free government scheme.
They were told the work would help make their homes warmer and lower their energy bills. But Mrs Chappell, who suffers from chronic asthma, said that since then, damp has consumed her living room.
Her wallpaper has peeled off and the plaster behind it is saturated and crumbling.
“I don’t want to be sitting here, breathing in this dust,” she said.
Margaret Chappell’s house is consumed by damp, ****** mould and crumbling plaster
More than three million homes in the *** have had insulation fitted under government schemes including 260,000 properties which have had solid wall insulation.
In October, the BBC told the story of 84-year-old Tormuja Khatun from Luton whose house with unsuitable solid wall insulation had mushrooms growing on the walls and dry rot feeding off the floor joists.
Since then the house became so dangerous to live in she had to move out. Her family has been warned it will cost more than £100,000 to fix.
Ms Khatun’s insulation was fitted in 2022 so in theory should be covered by the government’s promise of help – but they still don’t know when the work will start and who will pick up the bill.
Tormuja Khatun had mushrooms and rot in her house after her insulation failed
Not long after this BBC report, the government ordered an audit by the independent organisation Trustmark of more than 1,000 properties that have had solid wall insulation. It found that in half of the homes audited the work had not been done to the required standard.
The Minister for Energy Consumers, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, told Parliament last month that the audit had found ”serious systemic” problems. She said installers would be required to fix and pay for any problems.
The energy regulator Ofgem is now trying to establish how widespread the problems are and has written to 65,000 households that have had solid wall insulation since 2022 under the government’s ECO4 and GBIS schemes.
But because the homes in Chilton were done under a different government programme, called the Local Authority Delivery Scheme, there is currently no plan to contact residents.
The government said it was ”currently confident the quality of works under the Local Authority Delivery scheme was high” but it would keep the situation under review.
‘Catastrophic scheme’
Building surveyor, David Walter, has been inspecting insulated properties for 25 years. He assessed the damage at several of the homes in Chilton and said ”poor design and poor workmanship” had led to rain penetration which was causing the damp and mould.
In Mr Walter’s view the properties were unsuitable for solid wall insulation and said it would have to be removed from all of the properties. He warned this could cost tens of thousands of pounds per home to fix.
He said the cost “could actually exceed the market value” of each house and added ”it just demonstrates what a catastrophic scheme it’s been.”
‘Somebody needs to act’
Susan Haslam at her late parents’ home
Susan Haslam said she has been fighting to get the damage repaired to her late parents’, Bob and Maureen’s Chilton home ever since they died three years ago.
She said her father worried about the damp as he cared for her mother, who had dementia.
She said the stress had prevented her family from being able to grieve properly for their parents, who saw the house “as part of their legacy,” after working for decades.
“We don’t want to let them down, we want it to be sorted for them and for us,” she said. “Somebody is responsible and they need to act.”
The company hired by Durham County Council to do the work on Mrs Chappell’s house, Tolent, went bust before the installations were completed.
Tolent sub-contracted the work to another firm, Westdale North Ltd, which says it is “still on site, and working on issues that have arisen.”
It added that it was doing the work “as a goodwill gesture although it may not legally be required to do so” adding “the care and consideration we have for residents is a core part of our service.”
The company said the work had been signed off by the Council and Tolent before it went bust, adding: “Some issues that were raised with Tolent were not communicated to us, due to them no longer being in business.”
Durham County Council’s head of planning and housing, Michael Kelleher said it had been “a complex situation, with the collapse of Tolent causing delays outside of our control and we understand residents’ frustrations.”
Mr Kelleher said the council has set up an email address for concerned residents, arranged for inspections to take place at affected properties and provided Westdale North with a list of issues raised by residents.
“Westdale North has carried out extensive work to resolve the issues and we will continue to liaise with them to ensure any outstanding problems are rectified,” he added.
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Juliet Love and Albone celebrate Valentines Day with the launch of the new season of Better Homes
Juliet Love and Albone celebrate Valentines Day with the launch of the new season of Better Homes
Better Homes and Gardens is back on air this Valentines Day. And for two of its married co-stars, Juliet Love and Charlie Albone, the timing couldn’t be better.
“It’s great to be returning, but even better for it to be on Valentine’s Day,” Love says.
“It’s very fitting because Better Homes and Gardens is a very ‘loving’ show — it’s for everyone at every age and we try to bring joy into people’s homes every single week.
“Plus with a surname like Love, I’m all about demonstrating love to everyone, all the time!”
For the couple, who met whilst working on another lifestyle series in 2009, it’s been a busy time — in addition to starring on the long-running Seven lifestyle series, they are also deep in the throes of their own DIY project.
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“We’re renovating at the moment, so we’re always workshopping that,” she says.
“Charlie has final say in the garden, and I have final say inside.
“It’s a nice balance.”
It’s not always easy balancing work and personal life, but both design guru Love and garden expert Albone, who starred in Dancing With The Stars in 2023, say they enjoy co-starring with one another.
Camera IconThe couple first met in 2009 Credit: Jeremy Greive/Seven
“We love working together and have a lot of respect for the other’s opinion, so generally speaking we don’t clash,” she explains
“There have definitely been moments where we’ve disagreed on a design choice over the years though, and when that happens we’ve realised it’s actually a good thing because we end up with a better end result.
We’ve also influenced each other in terms of style — when we met, Charlie’s garden designs were very fluid, more like an English cottage garden, and now they’re more formal because I love hedging and topiaries.
“Interestingly, I’m now more inclined to prefer a more organic garden!! So we’ve definitely made an impression on each other and will (gently) encourage each other to consider other options. “
So given their show returns to screens tonight, does that mean Valentines date night will be on the couch this year?
“Charlie isn’t big on Valentine’s Day as he says he likes to show his love every day of the year, rather than just on one day,” Love says
“I used to think it was a cop out, but after more than 15 years together I have to say he stands by his word.”
Better Homes and Gardens returns to Seven tonight at 7.00 pm
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Kentucky senator reacts to RFK Jr. confirmation as nation’s health secretary: ‘Mr. Kennedy failed’
Kentucky senator reacts to RFK Jr. confirmation as nation’s health secretary: ‘Mr. Kennedy failed’
KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — On Thursday, Sen. Mitch McConnell responded to the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary.
Sen. McConnell said in a news release that as a survivor of childhood polio, he has watched vaccines save millions of lives from diseases across the country and around the world.
Estill County business prepares for a familiar flooding scene
“Individuals, parents, and families have a right to push for a healthier nation and demand the best possible scientific guidance on preventing and treating illness,” Sen. McConnell said. “But a record of trafficking in dangerous conspiracy theories and eroding trust in public health institutions does not entitle Mr. Kennedy to lead these important efforts.”
The former Senate majority leader called on the Trump administration to acknowledge the efficacy of vaccines, calling Project Warp Speed, which delivered high volumes of the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021, a medical miracle.
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“Mr. Kennedy failed to prove he is the best possible person to lead America’s largest health agency,” McConnell said. “As he takes office, I sincerely hope Mr. Kennedy will choose not to sow further doubt and division but to restore trust in our public health institutions.”
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Asia markets set to rise
Asia markets set to rise
People walking through the neon lit night streets of Sinchon in the heart of Seoul, South Korea’s vibrant capital city.
Fotovoyager | E+ | Getty Images
Asia-Pacific markets were set to mostly rise Friday, tracking Wall Street gains overnight as President Donald Trump signed a reciprocal tariffs plans, but did not enact the levies them immediately.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 started the day 0.67% higher, after hitting a intra-day record in the previous session.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 was set to open slightly higher, with the futures contract in Chicago at 39,485 while its counterpart in Osaka last traded at 39,470, against the index’s last close of 39,461.47.
Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index stood at 21,941 pointing to a stronger open compared to the HSI’s close of 21,814.37.
South Korea’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate hit 2.9% in January, easing from its three-year high of 3.7% in the month before.
Meanwhile, India’s wholesale price inflation, capturing price changes by wholesalers, is expected to rise 2.5% in January, more than 2.3% growth in the previous month.
Over in Southeast Asia, Singapore is expected to release its fourth-quarter GDP data later in the day. Analysts polled by Reuters expect a 4.7% uptick in growth, from 4.3% in the previous quarter.
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Friday’s big stock stories: What’s likely to move the market in the next trading session
Friday’s big stock stories: What’s likely to move the market in the next trading session
President Donald Trump held off on enacting reciprocal tariffs for now, which helped lift stocks on Thursday. Here’s what CNBC is watching going into Friday.
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Issa Rae cancels sold-out event at Kennedy Center following Trump takeover
Issa Rae cancels sold-out event at Kennedy Center following Trump takeover
Actress Issa Rae has canceled a sold-out show at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, citing “an infringement of values” at the venue after President Trump fired board members and installed himself as chairman this week.
Rae, the creator and star of HBO’s “Insecure,” announced on Instagram that she would no longer host her “An Evening with Issa Rae” event that was scheduled at the Washington, D.C., venue for March 16.
“Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue,” the actress said in the post.
She added that refunds would be issued for those who bought tickets.
On Wednesday, the newly constituted Kennedy Center Board voted unanimously to elect Mr. Trump to be the new chair of the venue, where the president has a goal of moving away from programming and performances that constitute what he views as “woke culture,” multiple sources told CBS News.
Rae isn’t the only performer who has dissociated herself from the performing arts center since Mr. Trump’s takeover. Shonda Rhimes, creator of the television shows “Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” resigned from her post as treasurer. Singer-songwriter Ben Folds also stepped down as artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra.
“Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO,” he wrote in an Instagram post Wednesday. “Not for me.”
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