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The US government’s debt has been downgraded. Here’s what to know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:48 GMT

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER (AP Economics Writer)WASHINGTON (AP) — Late Tuesday, Fitch Ratings became the second of the three major credit-rating firms to remove its coveted triple-A assessment of the United States government’s credit worthiness, a move that spurred debate in Washington about spending and tax policies. Fitch cited the federal government’s rising debt burden and the political difficulties that the U.S. government has had in addressing spending and tax policies as the principal reasons for reducing its rating from AAA to AA+. Fitch said its decision “reflects the expected fiscal deterioration over the next three years, a high and growing general government debt burden, and the erosion of governance” compared with other countries with similar debt ratings. The downgrade may have little impact on financial markets long-term or on the interest rates the U.S. government will pay. Here’s what you need to know:HOW DID THE GOVERNMENT GET TO THI...

Elite Field Hockey Camp offers fun atmosphere, solid instruction

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:48 GMT

WALTHAM — Playing in a semifinal matchup on the final day of the Elite Field Hockey Camp at Bentley University on Wednesday, the goal that Foxboro star senior Mary Collins scored, nor the team’s eventual shootout win to advance to the championship, will not count toward the Warriors’ bid for a state title this upcoming season.But if Foxboro’s reactions for both feats are any indicator, which includes a raucous chant of their “Zimbabwe” team name following the shootout, their experiences throughout the three-day session were extremely beneficial.The same can be said about all 275 student-athletes who wrapped up the final of three sessions that the 34-year-old camp ran this year, which once again put fun at a premium within a competitive and educational environment.“It’s the best spirit we’ve had so far, it’ll be hard to pick the spirit award,” said director Meg Bozek. “The kids have been super engaged. … Overall I think the experience has been great and the athletes have been awesome...

Revolution assistant coach Richie Williams takes over for Bruce Arena on interim basis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:48 GMT

New England Revolution assistant coach Richie Williams was placed in an awkward position he never bargained for but is confident in his ability to oversee the task at hand.Williams, 51, will be the club’s field manager of record when the Revolution host LIGA MX entrant Atlas FC in the Leagues Cup tournament round of 32 match on Thursday night (8) at Gillette Stadium.Williams, who is in his fifth season as an assistant, became the interim head coach on Tuesday when the Revolution placed Bruce Arena on indefinite administrative. The action was in response to an ongoing investigation conducted by Major League Soccer regarding allegations that Arena made “insensitive and inappropriate remarks.”“We are all professionals and we do this for a living, players and coaches and everybody in the building,” said Williams. “We just want to approach this like we approach it every day and being good pros.“We have been doing a lot of the same things we’ve always done and had success with over the ye...

Poorly designed crossing contributed to fatal 2022 Missouri Amtrak derailment, officials say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:48 GMT

A dump truck driver last year may have never seen an oncoming Amtrak train before it was too late, federal investigators concluded in a report, finding that a steep, poorly designed railroad crossing in rural Missouri contributed to last year’s fatal Amtrak derailment that killed four people and injured 146 others.The National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday that the 45-degree angle where the road crossed the tracks made it hard for the dump truck driver to see the approaching train, and the steep approach discouraged the truck driver from stopping beforehand.“The safest rail grade crossing is no rail grade crossing. But at the very least, every road-rail intersection should have an adequate design to ensure proper visibility so drivers can see oncoming trains,” NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said. “Communities across the country deserve safer crossings so these types of accidents don’t happen again.” The NTSB said the dump truck driver ignored a stop sign before continuing ...

Fargo shooter was interviewed by police about guns, propane tanks in 2022

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:48 GMT

The gunman who last month killed a Fargo police officer and wounded two others and a civilian admitted to owning nearly a dozen guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition in a 2022 police interview following a kitchen fire at his home.Firefighters notified police after seeing guns, ammunition and propane tanks in Mohamad Barakat’s apartment, according to a report provided to The Associated Press Wednesday by the City of Fargo Fire Department.Battalion Chief Jason Ness noted what appeared to be “a significant amount of gun ammunition,” “multiple ‘assault style’ rifles,” a 20-pound propane cylinder in a bedroom, a second smaller propane cylinder in the kitchen, and “a funnel, blender, and other items that looked to be for measuring purposes” in his report on the Sept. 6, 2022 fire. “FPD determined everything was legal with the gun collection,” Ness wrote. “The individual admitted to owning approximately 10 guns and 6,000 rounds of ammunition. My decision to refer the...

Ex-NFL cornerback Damon Arnette must appear in court for plea deal in felony gun case, judge says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:48 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada judge on Wednesday ordered former NFL cornerback Damon Arnette to appear in person to resolve a felony gun case by pleading guilty to two misdemeanors stemming from an argument with Las Vegas Strip casino valets in January 2022.“I’m going to need the justification for the agreement,” Clark County District Court Judge Ronald Israel told Arnette’s attorney, Ross Goodman, before rescheduling a hearing for Monday to accept the plea deal.Goodman protested that similar deals are routinely accepted by judges without the defendant appearing in court. The attorney pointed to a document that Arnette signed last week with prosecutors calling for him to perform 50 hours of community service, pay $2,000 in fines, “forfeit firearm” and serve the equivalent of one year on probation.Goodman added that his client was in talks with the Dallas Cowboys about a contract for the upcoming NFL season.“I want to make sure he is absolutely clear,” Israel responded, citin...

Pittsburgh synagogue gunman will be sentenced to death for the nation’s deadliest antisemitic attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:48 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The gunman who stormed a synagogue in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community and killed 11 worshippers will be sentenced to death for perpetrating the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, a jury decided Wednesday.Robert Bowers spewed hatred of Jews and espoused white supremacist beliefs online before methodically planning and carrying out the 2018 massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue, where members of three congregations had gathered for Sabbath worship and study. Bowers, a truck driver from suburban Baldwin, also wounded two worshippers and five responding police officers.The same federal jury that convicted the 50-year-old Bowers on 63 criminal counts recommended that he be put to death for an attack whose impacts continue to reverberate nearly five years later. He showed little reaction as the sentence was announced, briefly acknowledging his legal team and family as he was led from the courtroom. A judge will formally impose the sentence Thursday...

Quebec court sides with English school boards fighting education reform

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:48 GMT

MONTREAL — Quebec English school boards celebrated what they called a “clear victory” on Wednesday, as a Quebec Superior Court judge ruled that parts of a provincial law abolishing school boards violate English-language minority education rights.In a lengthy decision, Justice Sylvain Lussier ruled that several sections of the law cannot be applied to English school boards, including those that set limits on who can run for election and sit on the boards. “The sum of the restrictions and requirements set out in the law leads to the conclusion that the English-speaking community will lose control and management of its institutions to the benefit of either the (Education Department) or a small group of people who will have the time, and above all the means, of dealing with school governance, while those who are presently interested in it will be discouraged or prevented from continuing to serve,” he wrote.Bill 40, which was adopted in February 2020, replaced sch...

The Miami Marlins are selling $5 hamburgers to celebrate trade acquisition Jake Burger

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:48 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins put together a whopper of a promotion to welcome trade deadline acquisition Jake Burger.The Marlins celebrated the slugger and his appetizing last name by offering $5 hamburgers for their game Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Burger, a power-hitting infielder, was acquired from the Chicago White Sox shortly before Tuesday’s trade deadline. Miami hopes he can provide a jolt to the lineup after he slugged 25 homers for the White Sox, tied for ninth in the majors entering Wednesday.“I am ready to play some fun baseball here and compete for a playoff spot,” said Burger, who had spent his entire pro career with Chicago. “My wife was hyping me up today saying, ‘Have fun at your first day of school!’ You get to meet all these new people and it is exciting.”The 27-year-old — a childhood friend of Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk — added that he’s good with the nickname “SmashBurger.” Berger was set to bat sixth in Miami’s lin...

Nutrien reports earnings down in second quarter, lowers full-year guidance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:48 GMT

SASKATOON — Nutrien Ltd. reported second-quarter net earnings of US$448 million, down from US$3.6 billion a year earlier.The Saskatoon-based company says sales were US$11.7 billion, down from US$14.5 billion during the same quarter last year. Diluted net earnings per share were 89 cents US, down from US$6.51. Nutrien says the lower earnings are mainly due to lower selling prices, weaker offshore potash sales volumes, and lower retail gross margin for crop nutrients and crop protection products. It says net earnings were also hit by non-cash impairments of $465 million and $233 million. The company revised its full-year guidance lower to reflect various pressures including lower global potash prices. This report by The Canadian Press was first published August 2, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:NTR)The Canadian Press