Simi Valley's bid for first CIF-Southern Section girls volleyball title comes up short

Associated Press
UK inflation spike to a 10-month high, likely to worry the Bank of England
Inflation in the U.K. rose to a 10-month high in January, official figures showed Wednesday, an increase that will likely diminish expectations of rapid interest rate reductions from the Bank of England. The Office for National Statistics said inflation, as measured by the consumer prices index, rose to 3% in the year to January, up from the equivalent 2.5% rate the month before. Economists had anticipated an increase to 2.8% but the scale of the spike has come as a big surprise and will likely cause concern among rate-setters at the central bank at a time when they are voicing worries about about the U.K.'s tepid economic growth.
AFP
Philips losses worse than expected in 2024
Philips on Wednesday posted worse-than-expected losses in 2024, as the Dutch medical device maker bids to turn the page on a damaging recall of faulty sleep machines.Since 2021, the company has been battling a series of crises over its DreamStation machines for sleep apnoea, a disorder in which breathing stops and starts during sleep.
AFP
UN watchdog chief visits Fukushima as Japan returns to nuclear power
The UN nuclear watchdog chief visited Japan's stricken Fukushima plant on Wednesday, the day after Tokyo approved an energy plan that marks a return to nuclear power.Under the plan, nuclear power will account for around 20 percent of Japan's energy supply by 2040, up from 5.6 percent in 2022.
Associated Press
Philippine village battles dengue by offering bounties for mosquitos — dead or alive
A village in the densely populated Philippine capital region launched a battle against dengue Wednesday by offering a token bounty to residents for captured mosquitos — dead or alive. The unusual strategy adopted by the Addition Hills village in Mandaluyong City reflects growing concern after the nearby city of Quezon declared an outbreak of the mosquito-borne illness over the weekend. At least 28,234 dengue cases have been recorded in the Philippines this year up to Feb. 1, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, according to health department statistics.
NBC News
Wanted: 3 asteroid watchers for China's 'planetary defense force'
China is recruiting for a planetary defense force amid growing global focus on the risk of asteroids colliding with Earth.
Associated Press
Migrant groups say racist attacks increase in German city after deadly Christmas market violence
When Haben Gebregergish first immigrated to the German city of Magdeburg seven years ago, the Eritrean immigrant was walking to the supermarket with her child when an intoxicated woman approached her on the street. At the time, Gebregergish did not speak German well enough to comprehend what the woman was saying. In the aftermath of a deadly attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg late last year, Gebregergish and other migrants who have settled in the city say they have experienced a sharp increase in racism and anti-immigration sentiments.
Associated Press
The pope slept peacefully, had breakfast after diagnosis of pneumonia in both lungs, Vatican says
Pope Francis slept well and ate breakfast Wednesday, the Vatican said, after he developed pneumonia in both lungs in a further complication in the condition of the 88-year-old pontiff that raised concerns about his ability to fight off the infection. In an early update Wednesday morning, a Vatican spokesman said Francis spent his fifth night in Rome's Gemelli hospital peacefully. The Vatican on Tuesday confirmed the pneumonia and said Francis’ respiratory infection also involves asthmatic bronchitis, which requires the use of cortisone antibiotic treatment.
Reuters
Philippines' VP Duterte challenges impeachment before Supreme Court
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has asked the Supreme Court to nullify an impeachment complaint against her, making her first legal move to fight the case that could lead to her removal and lead to a lifetime ban from public office. The lower house impeached Duterte on February 5 on accusations such as budget anomalies, amassing unusual wealth and an alleged threat to the lives of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the first lady, and the house speaker. The daughter of the country's firebrand former leader, Duterte is seen as a strong candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
AFP
Asian markets swing as traders assess latest tariffs volley
Asian markets were mixed Wednesday after President Donald Trump broadened his tariff threats, while traders were also assessing the geopolitical outlook after the first high-level official US-Russia talks since the invasion of Ukraine.Traders are keeping tabs on talks between Washington and Moscow after their top diplomats met in Saudi Arabia.
AFP
Battered Myanmar scam centre workers wait for deportation to China
Battered and bruised Chinese workers from online scam centres in Myanmar faced an anxious wait to return home, as Beijing and Thailand finalised plans on Wednesday for their repatriation.Last week, another local militia handed 260 alleged scam centre workers from Myanmar to Thai authorities, some of whom told AFP of severe punishments meted out by their Chinese bosses.
NBC News
Republican lawmaker questions citizenship status of Latino county official at public meeting
Rep. Mike Lawler of New York made the remark in response to a question from José Alvarado, the vice chair of Westchester County's Board of Legislators.
AFP
UK military vets rebuild lives carving Viking longboat
Made from solid oak using authentic Scandinavian plans, a Viking longship built by military veterans battling mental health issues is finally ready after a long labour of love.The former army medic, who has added decorative work to the boat's gunnels, said issues of mental health and even suicide were very real for ex-service personnel.
CNN
Snow joke: Chinese attraction apologizes for winter wonderland made of cotton and bedsheets
A tourist attraction in China billing itself as a winter wonderland has landed in hot water after visitors seeking the perfect selfie discovered the promised “snow” was actually made of cotton wool and foamy water.
AFP
Niger turns to satellites to bridge digital divide
Less than a third of Niger's vast territory has internet access, so the west African country is betting on satellite broadband to bridge the digital divide in remote rural areas. Much of the enthusiasm for satellite broadband comes from remote areas, said vendor Ali Sat.
AFP
Refugees revive village in 'empty Spain'
The sound of children playing once again fills the streets of Burbaguena since a refugee centre opened in the small village in Spain's sparsely populated northeast, delighting older residents.Over 1,000 people have passed through the refugee centre since it opened its doors in 2021 while they wait for their refugee claims to be processed, and around 100 have decided to stay in the village permanently once their requests for residency were granted.
Associated Press
Israel's West Bank crackdown triggers a wave of displacement unseen in decades
FAR'A REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank (AP) — By car and on foot, through muddy olive groves and snipers’ sight lines, tens of thousands of Palestinians in recent weeks have fled Israeli military operations across the northern West Bank — the largest displacement in the occupied territory since the 1967 Mideast war. After announcing a widespread crackdown against West Bank militants on Jan. 21 — just two days after its ceasefire deal with Hamas in Gaza — Israeli forces descended on the restive city of Jenin, as they have dozens of times since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Associated Press
The Netherlands has a record crop of new millers to keep the windmill sails spinning
A wintry gust of wind raises hopes that the giant sails of a centuries-old windmill near Amsterdam will start turning. “If the wind doesn't blow, we're unemployed,” said Erik d'Ailly, a 69-year-old volunteer miller. Despite the stop-and-go nature of the work, the age-old craft of harnessing wind power to drain lowlands, saw lumber or grind grain is enjoying a renaissance in the Netherlands, a nation famous for the windmills dotting its landscape.
AFP
Blinded Ukrainian soldiers face new challenges at home
At a medical centre in Kyiv, former soldier Dmytro Gorodynsky shuffled around to the funky notes of the 1970s hit "Le Freak", his eyes obscured by sunglasses.Sometimes no one at the hospital teaches them how to use the toilet, she told AFP. - 'Panic sets in' - Gorodynsky, wearing military fatigues, smiled wistfully as he danced at Trinity Hub in Kyiv, a rehabilitation centre for the visually impaired.
AFP
HSBC targets $1.5 bn in annual cost savings after revamp
Banking giant HSBC said Wednesday that CEO Georges Elhedery's plan since October to simplify the company's structure and geographic setup will yield $1.5 billion in annual cost savings by the end of 2026.The restructuring "aims to generate approximately $0.3 billion of cost reductions in 2025, with a commitment to an annualised reduction of $1.5 billion in our cost base expected by the end of 2026", it said Wednesday.
Reuters
Hong Kong's population up slightly in 2024, rise in newborns
Hong Kong's population inched up 0.1% in 2024 to more than 7.53 million, its third consecutive year of expansion, as the Asian financial hub saw an increase in the number of newborns and a rise in the number of people moving to the city. There was an 11% jump in the number of newborns to 36,700. "Continuing to benefit from various measures on talent attraction and labour importation, many people moved to Hong Kong from the mainland (China) and other places around the world throughout 2024," the government said.

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