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Australia and China open their first high-level dialogue in 3 years in a sign of a slight thaw

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:34:26 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Australia and China opened their first high-level dialogue in three years Thursday in a sign of a slight thaw to relations between countries that have clashed on everything from human rights to COVID-19 origins to trade. “I welcome the recent positive developments in the bilateral relationship, but we know that there is more work to do,” said Craig Emerson, the head of the Australian delegation and a former trade minister. The dialogue being held in Beijing will focus on trade, people-to-people links and security.China’s former Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said the two countries should work together, but added that “We should adhere to the liberalization of trade and jointly oppose the Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation and trade protectionism.”Beijing often uses those terms in opposing the actions of Western countries, particularly the U.S. During the freeze in relations with Beijing, Australia formed a nuclear partnership with the U.S. and the...

Rising rent and food costs driving significant increase in Nova Scotia’s living wage

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:34:26 GMT

HALIFAX — A report published Thursday says the rising costs of shelter and food in Nova Scotia have contributed to a large jump over the last year in what’s considered a living wage in the province.The annual report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Nova Scotia says the living wage rates for 2023 range from a low of $22.85 per hour for Cape Breton residents to a high of $26.50 in Halifax. Last year, the rates stood at $20 per hour in Cape Breton and $23.50 in Halifax.Report author Christine Saulnier said the year-over-year increases in five regions of the province averaged 14 per cent, which are the “most significant” increases since the centre began calculating the living wage in 2015.“The reason we’re seeing such significant increases is because those cost of living pressures are not being offset by increases in government transfers (tax credits) or changes on the cost side that would see some kind of decrease,” Saulnier said in an interview.Living wages that reflect ...

Daily horoscope for September 7, 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:34:26 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or making important decisions after 6 p.m. EDT today (3 p.m. to 10 p.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Gemini into Cancer.Happy Birthday for Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023:You are spontaneous, and you love knowledge. You set high standards for yourself and for others. You are not a quitter. This is a year of change. Expect increased personal freedom. Let go of whatever has been holding you back so you can seek out new opportunities.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★This is a poor day for important decisions or new ideas (especially by siblings, relatives or neighbors), because wishful thinking and, in some cases, fuzzy thinking is rampant. Keep this in mind. If possible, postpone important decisions for another day. Tonight: Cocoon.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★If shopping today, be careful about buying luxurious, elegant items — things you might not purchase at other times. Certainly, keep your receipts (and the box), because today is the classic day for wis...

Commissioner Simson participates in the first High-Level Electricity Grids Forum

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:34:26 GMT

Today (7 September), Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson (pictured) will participate in the first High-Level Electricity Grids Forum hosted by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) under the patronage of the European Commission. The forum aims to accelerate the development of electricity grids across the EU, by bringing together high-level industry leaders, policymakers and innovators. To fulfil our REPowerEU Plan to end our imports of Russian fossil fuels, and the recently agreed ambition to reach a 45% renewable energy share by 2030, we need upgraded grids and strengthened energy infrastructure. This is key to delivering the European Green Deal. The event will bring together more than 200 participants including the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, member states, industry stakeholders, the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). The opening and closing sessions, ...

Single-family residence sells for $1.9 million in San Jose

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:34:26 GMT

The spacious property located in the 1400 block of De Palma Drive in San Jose was sold on Aug. 14, 2023. The $1,865,000 purchase price works out to $917 per square foot. The house, built in 1968, has an interior space of 2,033 square feet. This two-story home presents a roomy floor plan, featuring four bedrooms and three baths. Inside, there is a fireplace. Additionally, the house includes a two-car garage, offering generous space for vehicles and storage requirements.Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby:In September 2022, a 2,013-square-foot home on Los Rios Drive in San Jose sold for $1,780,000, a price per square foot of $884. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Los Rios Drive, San Jose, in October 2022, a 1,432-square-foot home was sold for $1,700,000, a price per square foot of $1,187. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 2,013-square-foot home on the 6200 block of Franciscan Way in San Jose sold in March 2023, for $1,745,000, a price per square foo...

Juez de Georgia, “escéptico” ante el plan para que juzgar juntos a Trump y otros 18 acusados

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:34:26 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC – El magistrado que juzgará al expresidente estadounidense Donald Trump y a otros 18 imputados por injerencia electoral en Georgia rechazó este miércoles que dos de esos acusados no sean procesados juntos a finales de octubre, pero se mostró “escéptico” de que todos puedan ser juzgados entonces.En la primera audiencia televisada que tuvo lugar en el marco de este caso, Scott McAfee dijo no ver razones para que el letrado Kenneth Chesebro y Sidney Powell, que fue abogada de campaña de Trump, no vayan a juicio juntos el 23 de octubre.“No creo que la separación sea necesaria de cara a una determinación justa de la culpabilidad o inocencia de cada acusado”, apuntó.Los abogados de Chesebro habían solicitado un juicio rápido para el 23 de octubre, una fecha que el juez ya había aceptado, y este miércoles McAfee señaló que iba a emitir una orden similar para Powell.En su opinión, separar ambos casos bloquearía el calendario de la corte.Los 19 es...

Indiana visits Connecticut following Thomas’ 27-point game

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:34:26 GMT

Indiana Fever (12-26, 5-14 Eastern Conference) at Connecticut Sun (26-12, 13-5 Eastern Conference)Uncasville, Connecticut; Friday, 7 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Connecticut hosts the Indiana Fever after Alyssa Thomas scored 27 points in the Connecticut Sun’s 90-76 victory against the Los Angeles Sparks.The Sun’s record in Eastern Conference play is 13-5. Connecticut ranks third in the WNBA with 20.7 assists per game. Thomas leads the Sun averaging 8.0.The Fever are 5-14 against Eastern Conference opponents. Indiana is fifth in the Eastern Conference with 25.2 defensive rebounds per game led by NaLyssa Smith averaging 7.1.The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Sun won 88-72 in the last meeting on Aug. 4. Tiffany Hayes led the Sun with 18 points, and Aliyah Boston led the Fever with 19 points.TOP PERFORMERS: Thomas is averaging 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, eight assists and 1.9 steals for the Sun. DeWanna Bonner is averaging 14.9 points over the last 10 games for...

Atlanta plays Washington, looks to end road losing streak

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:34:26 GMT

Atlanta Dream (18-20, 10-9 Eastern Conference) at Washington Mystics (18-20, 8-10 Eastern Conference)Washington; Friday, 7 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Atlanta will attempt to end its nine-game road losing streak when the Dream take on Washington.The Mystics are 8-10 in Eastern Conference games. Washington ranks eighth in the WNBA with 19.0 assists per game led by Natasha Cloud averaging 6.0.The Dream’s record in Eastern Conference action is 10-9. Atlanta ranks third in the WNBA with 28.0 defensive rebounds per game led by Cheyenne Parker averaging 4.6.The two teams match up for the fourth time this season. The Dream defeated the Mystics 80-73 in their last meeting on July 30. Allisha Gray led the Dream with 27 points, and Brittney Sykes led the Mystics with 25 points.TOP PERFORMERS: Sykes is scoring 15.5 points per game and averaging 4.9 rebounds for the Mystics. Cloud is averaging 14.0 points and 4.2 rebounds over the last 10 games for Washington.Rhyne Howard is averaging 17.3 point...

Minnesota visits Chicago after McBride’s 23-point game

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:34:26 GMT

Minnesota Lynx (19-19, 12-8 Western Conference) at Chicago Sky (16-22, 4-15 Eastern Conference)Chicago; Friday, 8 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Minnesota plays the Chicago Sky after Kayla McBride scored 23 points in the Lynx’s 86-73 victory against the Phoenix Mercury.The Sky have gone 6-13 at home. Chicago ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference with 24.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Courtney Williams averaging 4.9.The Lynx have gone 10-8 away from home. Minnesota has a 4-13 record in games decided by 10 or more points.The teams meet for the third time this season. The Lynx won 88-79 in the last matchup on Aug. 9. Napheesa Collier led the Lynx with 29 points, and Kahleah Copper led the Sky with 23 points.TOP PERFORMERS: Elizabeth Williams is averaging 9.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for the Sky. Copper is averaging 16.7 points over the last 10 games for Chicago.Collier is averaging 21.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals for the Lynx. McBride is averaging 16.4 points and ...

Wilson leads Las Vegas against Phoenix after 30-point game

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:34:26 GMT

Las Vegas Aces (32-6, 16-2 Western Conference) at Phoenix Mercury (9-29, 2-16 Western Conference)Phoenix; Friday, 10 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Las Vegas visits the Phoenix Mercury after A’ja Wilson scored 30 points in the Aces’ 103-77 win over the Seattle Storm.The Mercury have gone 2-16 against Western Conference teams. Phoenix is 3-14 against opponents with a winning record.The Aces are 16-2 against Western Conference opponents. Las Vegas is second in the Western Conference scoring 38.2 points per game in the paint led by Wilson averaging 12.4.The teams square off for the third time this season. The Aces won the last meeting 98-72 on July 12. Jackie Young scored 23 points to help lead the Aces to the victory.TOP PERFORMERS: Brittney Griner is averaging 17.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks for the Mercury. Moriah Jefferson is averaging 14.1 points over the last 10 games for Phoenix.Wilson is averaging 22.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks for the Aces. Kelsey Plum is ...