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Sri Lankan state workers strike, protesting high taxes

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lankan health, railway, port and other state workers were on a daylong strike Wednesday to protest against sharp increases in income taxes and electricity charges, as the island nation awaits approval of an International Monetary Fund package to aid its bankrupt economy.Most government hospitals around the country suspended their outpatient clinics because doctors, nurses and pharmacists were on strike. The railways operated fewer trains and armed soldiers guarded carriages and train stations fearing sabotage.Trade unions say the increase in taxes and electricity charges have hit them hard amid difficulties from the country’s worst economic crisis. They have threatened to extend the strike indefinitely if the government fails to address their demands.The government says it was compelled to raise taxes to strengthen state revenue and electricity charges to cover production costs, key prerequisites to unlocking the proposed $2.9 billion IMF package....

Agriculture: Commission approves the first Geographical Indication from Iceland, ‘Íslenskt lambakjöt', and a new one from Türkiye, ‘Antakya Künefesi' 

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

On 13 March the Commission approved the first ever Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) from Iceland, the ‘Íslenskt lambakjöt'. ‘Íslenskt lambakjöt' is the name given to the meat from pure bred Icelandic lambs, which have been born, raised and slaughtered on the island of Iceland. Sheep farming has a long and rich cultural tradition in Iceland. The characteristics of ‘Íslenskt lambakjöt' first and foremost consists of a high degree of tenderness and gamey taste, due to the fact that lambs roam freely in demarcated wild rangelands and grow in the wild, natural surroundings of Iceland, where they feed on grass and other plants. The long tradition of sheep farming passing down generations on the island has led to high standards of flock management and grazing methods. One of the best examples of traditional Icelandic cooking is lamb meat soup. The Commission also approved today ‘Antakya Künefesi' from Türkiye as Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). ‘Antakya Künefesi' is one o...

Ask Amy: My child’s teacher was fired, and now I get these bizarre calls from her

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

Dear Amy: Several years ago, my daughter had a preschool teacher she loved who was fired for what seemed at the time a dubious reason.I related to the teacher’s predicament, and I met up with her a couple of times in the immediate aftermath so that my daughter could see her and talk about the situation.I did not expect to develop a long-term friendship with her.Since that time, she has contacted me sporadically, whenever she finds herself in a difficult emotional situation.We are not friends, and she only contacts me when she’s having an emergency. Then it’s urgent, at weird times, and time-consuming. It’s bizarre behavior.She is married and has family and friends. I’m not even close enough with her to recommend that she see a therapist.The most recent time this occurred, I hadn’t heard from her in about a year. She asked if we could meet up and I told her that I was really busy preparing for some travel, and that it would have to be scheduled for...

Sale closed in San Jose: $2.6 million for a three-bedroom home

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

5970 Friar Court – Google Street ViewThe property located in the 5900 block of Friar Court in San Jose was sold on Feb. 23, 2023. The $2,578,000 purchase price works out to $1,989 per square foot. The house built in 1963 has an interior space of 1,296 square feet. The property features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a garage, and two parking spaces. The backyard also has a pool. The unit sits on a 5,850-square-foot lot.Additional houses have recently been sold close by:A 1,332-square-foot home on the 1100 block of Lockhaven Way in San Jose sold in September 2022 for $2,090,000, a price per square foot of $1,569. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Lynbrook Way, San Jose, in August 2022, a 1,128-square-foot home was sold for $2,330,000, a price per square foot of $2,066. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In August 2022, a 2,096-square-foot home on Di Napoli Drive in San Jose sold for $2,500,000, a price per square foot of $1,193. The home has 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.&...

Analysis: Syria rebuilding hopes dim as war enters year 13

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — The recent deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria which caused billions of dollars in damage has boosted the prospects of Syria’s once widely shunned president return to the Arab fold, but appears unlikely to jump-start large-scale reconstruction in the war-ravaged country. As Syria’s conflict enters its 13th year Wednesday, President Bashar Assad’s government still refuses to make concessions to his domestic opponents, rejecting long-standing demands by the United States and its allies as a political solution remains elusive.Oil-rich Gulf Arab countries have been stepping up efforts to normalize ties with the Assad government, but analysts say the ongoing political paralysis is likely holding them back from pumping billions of dollars for reconstruction into Syria.The Feb. 6, earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, killing more than 50,000 people, including about 6,000 in Syria, exacerbated the destruction caused by Syria’s 12-year conflict which has killed n...

San Diego State faces Charleston (SC) in opening round of NCAA Tournament

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

Charleston (SC) Cougars (31-3, 16-2 CAA) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (27-6, 15-3 MWC)Orlando, Florida; Thursday, 3:10 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: San Diego State -5; over/under is 141.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 18 San Diego State Aztecs face the Charleston (SC) Cougars in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.The Aztecs’ record in MWC play is 15-3, and their record is 12-3 in non-conference games. San Diego State scores 72.1 points while outscoring opponents by 8.5 points per game.The Cougars are 16-2 against CAA opponents. Charleston (SC) scores 80.8 points and has outscored opponents by 13.4 points per game.TOP PERFORMERS: Matt Bradley is averaging 12.9 points for the Aztecs. Micah Parrish is averaging 1.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for San Diego State.Dalton Bolon is averaging 12.4 points for the Cougars. Ante Brzovic is averaging 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds over the last 10 games for Charleston (SC).LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 9-1, averaging 65.7 points, 34.2 rebo...

Missouri Tigers face Utah State Aggies in opening round of NCAA Tournament

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

Utah State Aggies (26-8, 13-5 MWC) vs. Missouri Tigers (24-9, 11-7 SEC)Sacramento, California; Thursday, 1:40 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Missouri -1.5; over/under is 155BOTTOM LINE: The No. 23 Missouri Tigers and Utah State Aggies meet in the NCAA Tournament opening round.The Tigers are 11-7 against SEC opponents and 13-2 in non-conference play. Missouri is second in the SEC scoring 79.5 points while shooting 47.3% from the field.The Aggies are 13-5 in MWC play. Utah State is seventh in the MWC allowing 69.7 points while holding opponents to 42.1% shooting.TOP PERFORMERS: D’Moi Hodge is shooting 40.1% from beyond the arc with 2.9 made 3-pointers per game for the Tigers, while averaging 14.8 points and 2.6 steals. Kobe Brown is shooting 50.9% and averaging 15.1 points over the last 10 games for Missouri.Steven Ashworth is averaging 16.3 points and 4.5 assists for the Aggies. Max Shulga is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Utah State.LAST 10 GAMES: ...

Cincinnati and Virginia Tech play in NIT matchup

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

Virginia Tech Hokies (19-14, 8-12 ACC) at Cincinnati Bearcats (21-12, 11-7 AAC)Cincinnati; Wednesday, 9 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Bearcats and the Virginia Tech Hokies meet in the National Invitation Tournament.The Bearcats have gone 11-7 against AAC opponents, with a 10-5 record in non-conference play. Cincinnati scores 77.2 points while outscoring opponents by 8.0 points per game.The Hokies’ record in ACC games is 8-12. Virginia Tech ranks fourth in the ACC shooting 36.2% from 3-point range.TOP PERFORMERS: Landers Nolley II is shooting 45.5% and averaging 16.6 points for the Bearcats. Jeremiah Davenport is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Cincinnati.Grant Basile is averaging 16.4 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Hokies. Justyn Mutts is averaging 13.8 points over the last 10 games for Virginia Tech.LAST 10 GAMES: Bearcats: 6-4, averaging 78.5 points, 32.3 rebounds, 15.8 assists, 6.8 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.9% from the ...

Houston faces Northern Kentucky in first round of NCAA Tournament

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

Northern Kentucky Norse (22-12, 14-6 Horizon League) vs. Houston Cougars (31-3, 17-1 AAC)Birmingham, Alabama; Thursday, 9:20 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Houston -19.5; over/under is 122.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 2 Houston Cougars play in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against the Northern Kentucky Norse.The Cougars’ record in AAC play is 17-1, and their record is 14-2 against non-conference opponents. Houston averages 9.4 turnovers per game and is 1-0 when it wins the turnover battle.The Norse are 14-6 in Horizon League play. Northern Kentucky is 5-3 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.TOP PERFORMERS: Jamal Shead is averaging 10.3 points, 5.4 assists and 1.8 steals for the Cougars. Marcus Sasser is averaging 17.1 points, 3.2 assists and 1.7 steals over the past 10 games for Houston.Marques Warrick is scoring 19.1 points per game and averaging 2.4 rebounds for the Norse. Sam Vinson is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Northern Kentucky.LAST ...

Duke and Oral Roberts meet in first round of NCAA Tournament

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:11:03 GMT

Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (30-4, 18-0 Summit League) vs. Duke Blue Devils (26-8, 14-6 ACC)Orlando, Florida; Thursday, 7:10 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Duke -6; over/under is 145.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 12 Duke Blue Devils take on the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.The Blue Devils have gone 14-6 against ACC teams, with a 12-2 record in non-conference play. Duke ranks third in the ACC with 24.9 defensive rebounds per game led by Kyle Filipowski averaging 6.4.The Golden Eagles’ record in Summit League action is 18-0. Oral Roberts averages 14.8 assists per game to lead the Summit League, paced by Max Abmas with 3.9.TOP PERFORMERS: Jeremy Roach is shooting 34.1% from beyond the arc with 1.4 made 3-pointers per game for the Blue Devils, while averaging 13.3 points and 3.1 assists. Filipowski is shooting 49.5% and averaging 15.3 points over the past 10 games for Duke.Abmas is averaging 22.2 points and 3.9 assists for the Golden Eagles. Issac...