Month: January 2024

U.K. Inflation Edges Higher, Halting 10-Month Decline

U.K. Inflation Edges Higher, Halting 10-Month Decline

Why It Matters: Rishi Sunak met his inflation pledge.About a year ago, with inflation above 10 percent, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made several pledges to the British public on the economy, migration and the health service. Wednesday’s data confirms that he met one of those — to cut Britain’s inflation rate in half. It’s a much-needed win for the government as it begins an election year with Mr. Sunak’s political party trailing in the polls.But even as households may be relieved that prices aren’t rising as quickly, the cumulative impact of high inflation is still being felt. For example, food…
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Iranian Strikes in Iraq and Pakistan Inflame Regional Tensions

Iranian Strikes in Iraq and Pakistan Inflame Regional Tensions

Iran hit its neighbors Pakistan and Iraq with missile strikes on Tuesday, prompting strong denunciations from both countries and raising fears that upheaval in the Middle East could spiral out of control.Since the war in Gaza began in October, Iran has used its proxy forces against Israel and its allies. But on Tuesday, it said its latest missile strikes had been in response to terrorist attacks within its borders.The missile strikes, nevertheless, raised tensions in a region where conflict has now touched at least five nations.“They are contributing to the escalation of regional tensions — and it must stop,” Catherine…
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Roy Calne, Pioneering British Organ-Transplant Surgeon, Dies at 93

Roy Calne, Pioneering British Organ-Transplant Surgeon, Dies at 93

Roy Calne, a British surgeon whose work on organ transplantation helped turn what was once considered impossible into a lifesaving procedure for millions of people around the world, died on Jan. 6 at a retirement home in Cambridge, England. He was 93.His son Russell Calne said he died from heart failure.There are groundbreaking surgeons and groundbreaking researchers, but very few people are both. Dr. Calne (pronounced “kahn”) was an exception: He developed and practiced many of the operating techniques involved in transplantation, while at the same time working to identify what drugs would get the body to accept a new…
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Christian Pulisic interview: ‘I want to show the world what the U.S. can do’

Christian Pulisic interview: ‘I want to show the world what the U.S. can do’

Christian Pulisic is perched on a bar stool in the old clubhouse overlooking the first-team training pitch at Milanello, AC Milan’s training ground.He makes a hand gesture, one he didn’t need the past six months living in Italy to learn. Pulisic is talking about himself as one of the “older guys” on the USMNT and, as he does so, he is sure to put air quotes around it.Nearby is a portrait of Milan legend Paolo Maldini lifting a trophy, a player who retired in his forties. Pulisic isn’t that age yet. He turned 25 shortly after joining Milan from Chelsea…
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Synopsys Strikes  Billion Deal to Buy Ansys

Synopsys Strikes $35 Billion Deal to Buy Ansys

Synopsys, a key Silicon Valley supplier to the chip industry, said on Tuesday that it had agreed to pay $35 billion for Ansys, a Pennsylvania company that makes software used to simulate and analyze product designs for electronics manufacturers, car makers, defense contractors and others.The deal, which was struck for a combination of cash and stock, follows a $14 billion deal this month by Hewlett Packard Enterprise to buy Juniper Networks, uniting a big computer maker with a specialist in networking gear. It was the latest sign of changing times in the technology sector, which is experiencing slow sales for…
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New U.S. Solar and Electric Car Factories Face Familiar Challenge: China

New U.S. Solar and Electric Car Factories Face Familiar Challenge: China

The Biden administration has begun pumping more than $2 trillion into U.S. factories and infrastructure, investing huge sums to try to strengthen American industry and fight climate change.But the effort is facing a familiar threat: a surge of low-priced products from China. That is drawing the attention of President Biden and his aides, who are considering new protectionist measures to make sure American industry can compete against Beijing.As U.S. factories spin up to produce electric vehicles, semiconductors and solar panels, China is flooding the market with similar goods, often at significantly lower prices than American competitors. A similar influx is…
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Guatemala’s New President Is Sworn In, Despite Efforts to Stop Him

Guatemala’s New President Is Sworn In, Despite Efforts to Stop Him

Despite staunch resistance from his opponents in the government, the anticorruption crusader Bernardo Arévalo was inaugurated early Monday morning as Guatemala’s president, a turning point in a country where tensions have been simmering over widespread graft and impunity.His inauguration had been scheduled for Sunday, but members of Congress delayed it, and concerns persisted about whether it would happen at all. But after an international outcry and pressure from protesters, Mr. Arévalo was sworn in shortly after midnight, becoming Guatemala’s most progressive head of state since democracy was re-established in the 1980s.His rise to power — six months after his victory…
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