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Existing-home sales fall but prices continue rising

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:59:04 GMT

Jeff Ostrowski | (TNS) Bankrate.comThe housing market remained soft in June, a new report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows. Sales of existing homes — previously occupied properties, rather than newly built homes — resumed their long downward slide, dropping 3.3%. The number of sales in June was off 18.9% compared to June 2022.Home prices, meanwhile, were up from May’s median of $396,100 to reach NAR’s second-highest price of all time: $410,200. That’s less than 1% off from the all-time high of $413,800, recorded one year ago in June 2022. “Limited supply is still leading to multiple-offer situations, with one-third of homes getting sold above the list price in the latest month,” Yun said.“The fate of the housing market in the coming months will be dictated in part by the direction of mortgage rates, as well as the health of the broader economy,” said Mark Hamrick, Bankrate’s senior economic analyst. “The market could benefit from a combination of tailwinds, if the...

Two stabbed in Hillcrest; woman arrested

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:59:04 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Two people were injured after being attacked by a woman in Hillcrest Thursday, authorities said.According to the San Diego Police Department, a group of four friends got into a verbal argument shortly before 10 a.m. in a parking lot at 500 Robinson Ave. Carlsbad Unified School District passes ‘diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging’ plan During the argument, police say a 27-year-old woman allegedly cut and stabbed a 29-year-old woman with a broken bottle and knife. A 28-year-old man attempted to break up the fight and was also reportedly stabbed by the woman, according to SDPD.The victims were transported to the hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.The suspect, identified as Irma Gutierrez, was arrested a short distance away, police confirmed.San Diego Police Western Division Detectives are investigating the suspected stabbing incident.Anyone with information related to the altercation is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

Man who ambushed Fargo officers searched online for ‘kill fast’ and for crowded area events, AG says

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:59:04 GMT

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The man who shot three Fargo police officers and a civilian, killing one of the officers before an officer killed him, searched the internet for terms including “explosive ammo” and “kill fast,” as well as for what crowded area events might be happening in and around North Dakota’s largest city, authorities said Friday.Mohamad Barakat, 37, was apparently driven by hatred and wanting to kill, and he didn’t seem to be particular about which group or individual he might target, state Attorney General Drew Wrigley said at a news conference.On the day of the attack, July 14, Barakat loaded his car with guns, a homemade grenade, gasoline canisters, propane tanks containing improvised explosives, and more than 1,800 rounds of ammunition, authorities said. About 2 miles (3 kilometers) from his home, he came across a fender bender by “happenstance” and pulled over to watch from his parked vehicle, Wrigley said.With police and firefighters busy helping, Barakat ...

Bodies of 4 Pakistanis who perished in massive migrant boat sinking in June off Greece brought home

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:59:04 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The bodies of four Pakistanis who were among the hundreds who perished when a migrant vessel sank last month in one of the deadliest shipwrecks in the central Mediterranean Sea were brought home on Friday, officials said. The four were the first Pakistani casualties to be identified through DNA testing from the June 14 sinking off the coast of Greece. The vessel was carrying an estimated 700 migrants, including about 350 Pakistanis. Only 104 people, including 12 Pakistanis, were rescued. Wooden caskets carrying the remains of the four were taken off two flights at the airport in the Pakistani capital on Friday and handed over to their families in Islamabad and the eastern city of Lahore, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told reporters. She said more remains of Pakistanis are expected to follow soon. The tragedy stunned Pakistan, and families and relatives of those who died have since been waiting to receive their bodies to bury them at home. The gov...

Former University of New Mexico athletic director found not guilty of embezzlement charges

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:59:04 GMT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Former University of New Mexico athletic director Paul Krebs has been found not guilty of embezzlement charges that stemmed from accusations that he used public money for a lavish golf trip that he said was meant to strengthen relationships with donors. The verdict was reached just after 10:30 a.m. Friday following a trial in state district court. Krebs raised his head in relief as the verdict was read, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.“We think justice was done. It was a long, slow process, but we’re glad it’s over,” Krebs’ attorney, Paul Kennedy, told The Associated Press in a brief phone call after the verdict. “He’s a good man, and it’s the correct verdict that he should be acquitted.”Krebs left the university in 2017 amid questions over spending and was later indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges. Weeks before the trial, prosecutors dropped all but two of the embezzlement counts following a review of the case.Kennedy told jurors at t...

The Trump Organization and former fixer Michael Cohen settle his lawsuit over unpaid legal bills

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:59:04 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump’s company and his former longtime lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen have settled a lawsuit over Cohen’s claims that he was unfairly stuck with big legal bills after getting entangled in investigations into the former president.Lawyers for the two sides disclosed the settlement during a video conference with the judge Friday, three days before Cohen’s 2019 lawsuit was slated to go to trial in a Manhattan state court. Details of the agreement were not made public.Cohen said Friday the matter “has been resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties.” Messages seeking comment were left with lawyers for Trump’s company, the Trump Organization.The legal fees lawsuit was one of the more obscure branches of the thicket of legal troubles surrounding Trump and his company. Still, the trial stood to give a platform to Cohen — an ardent Trump loyalist who became an outspoken antagonist — and to put the ex-president’s son Donald Trump Jr. on th...

At UN, Trudeau hails European values as source of global strength in troubled times

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:59:04 GMT

WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is at the United Nations where he is bestowing a special award on the European Commission and its president. Trudeau is presenting the World Peace and Liberty Award to Ursula von der Leyen on the final day of the World Law Congress.He says European values, forged 80 years ago in the cauldron of the Second World War, have never been more important. And he says Canada and Europe are kindred spirits that champion democratic values and understand the power of diversity. Trudeau and von der Leyen have become close allies since she became the commission’s first female president in 2019. He describes her as someone who is principled and formidable, but who drives outcomes through respect and consensus. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2023. The Canadian Press

Police, agents search party offices of Guatemalan presidential candidate

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:59:04 GMT

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Guatemalan agents and police raided the offices of the Seed Movement of presidential candidate Bernardo Arévalo on Friday as part of an investigation into alleged wrongdoing in the party’s formation.Andrea Reyes, a lawyer and party member, confirmed that the agents and police had come to search for documents. The Attorney General’s Office also confirmed the search.The raid followed allegations earlier Friday by Guatemalan electoral authorities that a number of state actors were attempting to interfere with the country’s presidential election. The electoral authorities sought an order from the country’s highest court to protect the electoral process.The country’s political system has been in disarray since the progressive Arévalo placed a surprising second in an initial round of voting June 25 — setting him on course to face conservative former first lady Sandra Torres in a runoff in August. Certification of last month’s results were delayed fo...

A third hazing lawsuit has been filed against Northwestern

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:59:04 GMT

COOK COUNTY, Ill. — For the third time this week, a lawsuit has been filed in the wake of a hazing scandal at Northwestern University. Once again, it lists a number of current and former employees of the school as defendants. Chicago-based lawyer Patrick A. Salvi II of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard and Denver-based lawyer Parker Stinar of the Stinar Law firm announced that a lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a "John Doe 3."It's the third such lawsuit to come from the attorneys this week, with it being officially filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County on Thursday afternoon. Former Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips speaks out amid hazing scandal This former football player was on the team from 2018-2022 and lists Northwestern University, current president Michael Schill, former president Morton Schapiro, the Board of Trustees at the school, current athletic director Dr. Derrick Gragg, former athletic director Jim Phillips, and former head coach Pat Fitzgerald as de...

'Help me' sign leads to rescue of kidnapped Texas girl in California

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:59:04 GMT

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — A 13-year-old girl kidnapped in Texas and sexually assaulted was rescued in Southern California when passersby saw her hold up a “help me” sign in a parked car, police and federal authorities said.The rescue occurred July 9 in Long Beach, south of Los Angeles, when officers responded to a trouble call and found the “visibly emotional and distressed girl,” police said in a press release Thursday.“Through their investigation, officers learned the Good Samaritans were in a parking lot when they saw the victim in a parked vehicle holding up a piece of paper with ‘help me’ written on it. They acknowledged the note and immediately called 9-1-1,” police said.On the morning of July 9, 2023, Sablan parked his Nissan Sentra in a car lot in Long Beach and took their clothes to a laundromat. While he was inside, the girl scrawled a message for help on a piece of paper and tried desperately to get someone’s attention. (DOJ)Steven Robert Sablan, 61, of Cleburne, Texas, w...