Author: NY TIMES

Consumer prices in Britain rose at the slowest rate in two and a half years, the country’s Office for National Statistics reported on Wednesday.Inflation was 3.2 percent in the year through March, down from 3.4 percent in February but a touch higher than the 3.1 percent that economists expected. Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, was 4.2 percent, down from 4.5 percent the month before.Economists expect inflation to continue to slow over the next few months, possibly going below the Bank of England’s target of 2 percent, as household energy bills fall. Overall inflation peaked at…

Like most popular memes, “we’re so back” is flexible and capacious. There is almost no scenario in which one cannot be either “over” or “back.” And part of the humor derives from just how quickly something can be over after it is back, as well as from the exaggerated feelings that may accompany each state of being. (Also, the phrase is fun to say. Seriously, try it. We are soooooo back.)Tom Haynes, a journalist in London, often finds himself saying it while playing with his hockey team. “It’s like you’re describing every minor success, however arbitrary, as the comeback of…

Meeting outside Paris last week, top officials from France, Germany and Italy pledged to pursue a coordinated economic policy to counter stepped-up efforts by Washington and Beijing to protect their own homegrown businesses.The three European countries have joined the parade of others that are enthusiastically embracing industrial policies — the catchall term for a variety of measures like targeted subsidies, tax incentives, regulations and trade restrictions — meant to steer an economy.More than 2,500 industrial policies were introduced last year, roughly three times the number in 2019, according to a new study. And most were imposed by the richest, most…

Meyer, who before running La Scala and the Vienna State Opera was the artistic director of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris and the general director of the Lausanne Opera in Switzerland, will turn 70 next year. But Sala said at a news conference Tuesday that according to legal experts consulted by the board, the age cap did not apply to La Scala, which is governed by a different statute than other opera theaters.The law capping the age limit at 70 initially caused a ruckus at the San Carlo theater in Naples, which moved to dismiss Lissner, also French, who…

A Lebanese money changer hit with U.S. sanctions over his alleged role as a financial middleman between Hamas and Iran was found shot to death at a villa just outside Beirut, Lebanon’s state news agency reported.Lebanon’s interior minister, Bassam Mawlawi, speaking to a Lebanese TV network on Sunday, said the initial findings suggested that the killing last week “was carried out by intelligence services.” Asked if he believed Mossad was behind it, Mr. Mawlawi answered “yes.”The Israeli prime minister’s office did not immediately return a message seeking comment.Lebanon’s state news agency reported that the money changer, Muhammad Srour, 57, had…

There are many reasons a foreigner might enlist to fight a war that has nothing to do with him.One, of course, is money. The open-ended contracts in Ukraine pay, on average, about $2,500 a month, a tempting sum for some of the men who came there from countries with few good economic opportunities for them.But some fighters at the post in the woods for the International Legion, which was created at the direction of the Ukrainian president in the days after Russia invaded in February 2022, said they were looking for something more.One soldier, a Pole who goes by the…

In the sprawling fashion show that will be the 2024 Summer Olympics — the various ceremonial fits, the performance uniforms, the podium kit, the merch — there is perhaps no more freighted look than what the French delegation will wear to the opening ceremony.Not only is France the host country, but it has enlisted LVMH, the world’s largest luxury conglomerate, as a lead sponsor, meaning that fashion and all other forms of sumptuously chic craft have become part of the story of the event — beginning with the OC outfit. Which means it has to represent not just France, not…

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Tuesday announced a new partnership with more than a dozen state attorneys general to investigate consumer complaints against airlines.The partnership sets up a process for state attorney general’s offices to review complaints from travelers and then pass the baton to the federal Transportation Department, which could take enforcement action against airlines.“The support that’s being offered by state attorney general’s offices means that our capacity to protect airline passengers is expanding,” Mr. Buttigieg said at Denver International Airport, where he appeared with Colorado’s attorney general, Phil Weiser, a Democrat who is among those joining the partnership.The…

The composer and pianist Anthony Davis is known for drawing inspiration from real-world figures in his operas.“X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X” — recently mounted by the Metropolitan Opera — and “The Central Park Five,” which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2020, are both grave, ripped-from-the-headlines stories about well-known people.But Davis has also written rollicking adaptations of literary material. Less frequently produced but no less interesting are chamber operas like “Lilith” — a saucy and inventive take on the story of Adam’s first wife that features a divorce court in the Garden of Eden. Similarly, “Lear on the…

Record rains that inundated the United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries, killing at least 18 people in Oman and bringing air travel to a standstill in Dubai, were expected to continue into Wednesday, the authorities said.Dubai typically records around five inches of rain in a year. The deluge that fell by Tuesday evening alone equaled that amount.For the United Arab Emirates, it was the largest rainfall event in 75 years, the country’s National Center of Meteorology and the government announced on social media.Flights heading to Dubai International Airport were being diverted on Tuesday, the airport said, and it suspended operations…