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US defense chief calls China’s refusal to meet unfortunate during visit to Tokyo for talks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:56 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stressed the importance of communication during a stopover with talks Thursday in Tokyo, calling it unfortunate that his Chinese counterpart refused to meet him at an annual security conference in Singapore, which both men are attending.On the way to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue Asian security summit this weekend, Austin held talks with Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada. Noting China’s increasingly assertive military actions in international airspace and waterways in the region, he told a joint news conference in Tokyo, “The provocative intercepts of our aircraft and also our allies’ aircraft, that’s very concerning, and we would hope that they would alter their action.” The United States military said Tuesday that a Chinese fighter jet flew aggressively close to a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea, forcing the American pilot to fly through the turbulent wake.“I’m concerned about at some point having a...

New Zealand police file 5 murder charges against man accused of starting deadly hostel fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:56 GMT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand police on Thursday filed five murder charges against the man they say lit a deadly fire at a Wellington hostel two weeks ago.Police had earlier filed arson charges against the 48-year-old man, accusing him of setting fire to a couch and to the hostel itself. He has remained in jail since his arrest two days after the fire.More than 100 people were staying at the four-story Loafers Lodge hostel when the fire tore through the building soon after midnight on May 16. Some people fled in their pajamas, while others were rescued by firefighters from the roof or jumped from windows. The fire caused parts of the roof and a floor to collapse in a pile of debris.Emergency officials said the building had no fire sprinklers, which are not required in many older buildings. New Zealand lawmakers say they are reviewing building regulations to see if they need changing. Among the five men who died in the fire was 67-year-old Mike Wahrlich, a street perform...

EU imposes sanctions on seven Moldovans, cites destabilizing actions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:56 GMT

The European Union on Tuesday (30 May) imposed sanctions on seven people from Moldova for actions it said destabilized and undermined the territorial integrity of the small impoverished country and neighbouring Ukraine.The 27-nation bloc announced the punitive measures two days before more than 40 European leaders meet in Chisinau in a show of support for the former Soviet republic, which has a pro-western government and denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine.The EU, which has offered generous support to Moldovan President Maia Sandu since her election in 2020, also announced it was doubling its grant of macroeconomic support to €290 million.Three of those targeted by the EU have fled Moldova. Two face charges connected to a bank fraud.EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement that the seven were "responsible for actions aimed at destabilizing, undermining or threatening the sovereignty and independence" of Moldova and Ukraine.Sandu accuses Moscow of plotting to unde...

Single family residence sells in Pleasanton for $1.8 million

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:56 GMT

985 Riesling Drive – Google Street ViewThe spacious property located in the 900 block of Riesling Drive in Pleasanton was sold on April 6, 2023 for $1,805,000, or $879 per square foot. The house, built in 1968, has an interior space of 2,053 square feet. The property features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a garage as well as two parking spaces. The unit sits on a 0.3-acre lot.These nearby houses have also recently been purchased:A 1,802-square-foot home on the 900 block of Concord Street in Pleasanton sold in June 2022, for $1,600,000, a price per square foot of $888. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In July 2022, a 1,882-square-foot home on Concord Street in Pleasanton sold for $1,789,000, a price per square foot of $951. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Pinot Court, Pleasanton, in December 2022, a 2,975-square-foot home was sold for $1,988,000, a price per square foot of $668. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. 

Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate arrive in Jordan for country’s royal wedding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:56 GMT

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan’s Al Mamlaka TV says Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate have arrived in Jordan to attend the highly anticipated wedding of Jordan’s crown prince and a Saudi architect.Jordan’s royal court had been mum about whether Britain’s heir to the throne and his wife would attend Thursday’s ceremony. The report by the TV station, which is see as close to the court, marks the first confirmation.The guest list also includes other senior royals from Europe and Asia, along with First Lady Jill Biden.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — The future king of Jordan and an architect from Saudi Arabia linked to her country’s own monarchy are getting married on Thursday in a palace celebration that introduces him to the world and emphasizes continuity in an Arab state prized for its longstanding stability.The union of Crown Prince Hussein, 28, and Rajwa Alseif, 29, buttresses the royal family’s order of succession,...

A Jordanian TV says Britain’s Prince William and wife Kate have arrived in Jordan to attend the country’s royal wedding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:56 GMT

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — A Jordanian TV says Britain’s Prince William and wife Kate have arrived in Jordan to attend the country’s royal wedding.Source

New York faces Chicago on 3-game win streak

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:56 GMT

New York Liberty (3-1, 2-1 Eastern Conference) at Chicago Sky (3-2, 0-2 Eastern Conference)Chicago; Friday, 6 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: New York is looking to keep its three-game win streak alive when the Liberty take on Chicago.Chicago went 14-4 at home and 15-3 in Eastern Conference action during the 2022-23 season. The Sky allowed opponents to score 81.3 points per game and shoot 43.8% from the field last season.New York went 10-8 in Eastern Conference games and 16-20 overall during the 2022-23 season. The Liberty averaged 79.6 points per game last season, 12.4 on free throws and 29.1 from 3-point range.INJURIES: Sky: Ruthy Hebard: out (personal), Isabelle Harrison: out (knee).Liberty: None listed.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Dallas plays Washington after Howard’s 25-point outing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:56 GMT

Dallas Wings (3-1, 2-0 Western Conference) at Washington Mystics (2-2, 2-2 Eastern Conference)Washington; Friday, 7 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Dallas visits the Washington Mystics after Natasha Howard scored 25 points in the Wings’ 94-89 victory against the Minnesota Lynx.Washington finished 22-14 overall with a 12-6 record at home during the 2022-23 season. The Mystics averaged 80.2 points per game while allowing opponents to score 75.9 last season.Dallas went 18-18 overall a season ago while going 10-8 on the road. The Wings averaged 18.8 assists per game on 29.7 made field goals last season.INJURIES: Mystics: Myisha Hines-Allen: out (knee).Wings: Lou Lopez Senechal: out (knee), Diamond DeShields: out (knee).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Young leads Las Vegas against Atlanta after 23-point game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:56 GMT

Las Vegas Aces (4-0, 4-0 Western Conference) at Atlanta Dream (2-2, 1-1 Eastern Conference)College Park, Georgia; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Las Vegas faces the Atlanta Dream after Jackie Young scored 23 points in the Aces’ 94-73 victory over the Minnesota Lynx.Atlanta finished 14-22 overall last season while going 8-10 at home. The Dream averaged 78.5 points per game last season, 13.5 on free throws and 22.8 from beyond the arc.Las Vegas went 26-10 overall with a 13-5 record on the road a season ago. The Aces averaged 90.4 points per game last season, 34.4 in the paint, 14.6 off of turnovers and 11.7 on fast breaks.INJURIES: Dream: Danielle Robinson: out (knee).Aces: None listed.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Phoenix hosts Los Angeles after Taurasi’s 23-point game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:56 GMT

Los Angeles Sparks (1-2, 1-2 Western Conference) at Phoenix Mercury (1-2, 1-1 Western Conference)Phoenix; Friday, 10 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Phoenix plays the Los Angeles Sparks after Diana Taurasi scored 23 points in the Phoenix Mercury’s 90-81 win over the Minnesota Lynx.Phoenix went 15-21 overall and 7-11 in Western Conference play a season ago. The Mercury shot 42.9% from the field and 32.9% from 3-point range last season.Los Angeles went 13-23 overall last season while going 6-12 in Western Conference action. The Sparks allowed opponents to score 86.6 points per game and shoot 46.7% from the field last season.INJURIES: Mercury: Skylar Diggins-Smith: out (personal), Shey Peddy: out (achilles).Sparks: Azura Stevens: out (back), Jasmine Thomas: out (knee), Katie Lou Samuelson: out (personal).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source