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Statistics Canada reports manufacturing and wholesale sales up in September

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:01 GMT

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada reported manufacturing sales rose 0.4 per cent to $72.8 billion in September, as higher prices helped sales in the petroleum and coal product subsector move higher.The agency says sales were up in 10 of 21 subsectors, as the petroleum and coal products group gained 6.3 per cent, the wood subsector rose 2.9 per cent and the machinery group added 1.3 per cent. The gains were partially offset by a 1.8 per cent drop in sales of chemicals and a 2.6 per cent decline in motor vehicle parts.Total manufacturing sales in constant dollars fell 0.6 per cent in September, indicating a lower volume of goods sold. In a separate report, Statistics Canada says wholesale sales, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain, rose 0.4 per cent to $83.1 billion in September. The increase came as wholesale sales were higher in four of the seven subsectors, led by a 2.2 per cent increase in the motor vehicle and motor vehicle par...

Taiwan’s participation at APEC forum offers a rare chance to break China’s bonds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:01 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan will take part in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in San Francisco this week, a rare opportunity for the self-governing island democracy of 23 million people and its high-tech economy to break the diplomatic embargo on it imposed by authoritarian China.Taiwan’s chief delegate will be a civilian rather than a government figure or head of state, under an unwritten rule that satisfies China’s contention that members of the organization participate as economic entities rather than state players.For the seventh time, Taiwan will be represented by Morris Chang, the 92-year-old founder of the world-leading Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Chang is known as the godfather of the industry that has put Taiwan in the top ranks of high-tech manufacturing and personal electronic devices. Taiwan has participated in APEC since 1991 under the name Chinese Taipei. It began taking part just two years after the group’s inception and the sa...

Magnitude 3.6 earthquake rattles parts of northern Illinois, USGS and police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:01 GMT

STANDARD, Ill. (AP) — A magnitude 3.6 earthquake rattled parts of northern Illinois early Wednesday, awakening some residents and spurring reports to 911 about homes shaking, the U.S. Geological Survey and police said.The small earthquake was detected about 4:41 a.m. local time and was centered about sixth-tenths of a mile (1 kilometer) south-southeast of Standard, Illinois, the federal agency said.The town is located about 100 miles (161 kilometers) southwest of downtown Chicago.The temblor occurred about 2.9 miles (4.6 kilometers) below the Earth’s surface, the USGS said.Local police agencies said they had received no reports of damage due to the earthquake.Administrative Lt. Doug Bernabei with the Peru Police Department, located several miles north of Standard, said he was up making coffee when his house shook. Suspecting it might be a quake, he turned on his police radio and heard numerous calls coming into 911 dispatch from residents.“We received voluminous amounts of 911...

Energy Department tries to boost US battery industry with another $3.5 billion in funding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:01 GMT

The Energy Department is making a push to strengthen the U.S. battery supply chain, announcing up to $3.5 billion for companies that produce batteries and the critical minerals that go into them.Batteries are seen as an important climate solution because they can power cars, which are a major cause of climate change when they burn gasoline. They are also a solution when they store clean electricity made from solar panels or wind turbines, allowing gas or coal power plants that cause climate change to turn off. Lithium ion is currently the dominant battery type both for electric vehicles and clean electricity storage. The DOE wants to strengthen the supply because even though there is plenty of work underway to develop alternatives, it estimates demand for lithium batteries will increase up to ten times by 2030.The Biden-Harris administration has a goal of lowering the pollution that causes climate change to zero by 2050 and for half of all new cars sales to be electric in 2030. Some...

EU turns to the rest of the world in hopes that hard-to-fill-jobs will finally find a match

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:01 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Contrary to the vision of a “Fortress Europe” to keep illegal migrants out, the European Union on Wednesday proposed to lower the drawbridge for targeted labor migration where the 27 nations can no longer find a local talent pool to fill essential jobs. With the proposal, the EU is seeking to walk a tightrope between populists and extremists, who condemn almost any kind of migration into the bloc, and businesses, from local to multinationals, who increasingly cannot find locals to fill jobs in the EU’s quickly aging job market. From construction to health care and the high-tech experts needed for the EU green transition, the local talent pool in the bloc of 450 million people has increasingly proved insufficient.And instead of forcing talent from across the globe to seek entry into the lucrative EU labor market via the illegal and dangerous migration route where the EU is increasingly restrictive, Wednesday’s plans call for a safe and legal way. “This pac...

Person taken out of home, put into ambulance after SWAT incident in Johnsburg

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:01 GMT

MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. — Authorities in McHenry County advised residents in the town of Johnsburg to shelter in place due to a SWAT situation Wednesday morning.According to the McHenry County Sheriff's Office, a heavy police response was present in the area of Hamlin Drive and Fillmore Road.At around 11:10 p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the a home in the 3600 block of Filmore Road. Authorities said a man was shooting a gun inside the home.Just after 8 a.m. Wednesday, the person was taken out of the home, unharmed, and put into an ambulance. Johnsburg School District 12 announced all schools will be closed Wednesday due to the ongoing police situation.No further details have been provided by authorities at this time.This is a developing story. Check back for details.

3 armed carjackings conducted in 30 minutes on North Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:01 GMT

CHICAGO — Three armed carjackings were conducted after drivers were boxed in late Tuesday night on the North Side.A man was driving in the 4400 block of North Lincoln Avenue at around 11:10 p.m. when a black and silver sedan approached and blocked him in.Four to six individuals exited with guns and forced the man out of his vehicle. Two suspects then entered the vehicle and fled eastbound on Montrose.Then at around 11:30 p.m. in the 900 block of West Grace, a 29-year-old man was boxed in by two vehicles. He was carjacked without being injured, police said.Around eight minutes later, a 25-year-old woman was parking her vehicle when she was boxed in. She was forced out at gunpoint and her vehicle was last seen eastbound on Irving Park. Man charged in attack that critically injured woman on Michigan Avenue A second woman, a passenger, was battered and her personal belongings were taken.According to police, car thefts are up 57 percent in the 19th District compared to this time last y...

Taco Bell releases Nacho Fries Lover's Pass and a new entrée

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:01 GMT

(KTLA) - Taco Bell has introduced a new iteration of its Taco Lover’s Pass, called the Nacho Fries Lover’s Pass.The new pass, available to Taco Bell rewards members nationwide, will allow passholders to redeem one order of Nacho Fries daily for 30 days. The pass, just like its predecessor, costs $10 and will be available on the Taco Bell app until Dec. 4, the company announced on Tuesday. Taco Bell, other food chains could move to digital-only sales: CFO The California-based fast food company will also debut a new version of the fan-favorite entrée on Nov. 16. Grilled Cheese Nacho Friess will make its nationwide debut on Nov. 16.The Grilled Cheese Nacho Fries combines a blend of melted cheeses, steak and the chain’s signature seasoned fries. The latest menu item will be available for a limited time, (Taco Bell) The Grilled Cheese Nacho Fries is a blend of melted cheeses, steak and the chain’s signature seasoned fries. The latest menu item will be available for a limited time, a n...

AFD crews respond to house fire on Delmar Avenue near I-35, traffic delays in the area

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:01 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Fire Department crews responded to a house fire on Delmar Avenue near Interstate 35 Wednesday morning. Response to the scene has caused traffic delays in the area. AFD said on social media at 8:27 a.m. that the fire was extinguished, but traffic would be congested for at least the next hour. AFD said the structure was vacant at the time of the fire. AFD crews respond to house fire on Delmar Avenue near I-35 on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Traffic was delayed in the area. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) AFD crews respond to house fire on Delmar Avenue near I-35 on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Traffic was delayed in the area. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) AFD crews respond to house fire on Delmar Avenue near I-35 on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Traffic was delayed in the area. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) AFD crews respond to house fire on Delmar Avenue near I-35 on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Traffic was delayed in the area. (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) This is a developing story. Check bac...

Inside the Investigations: OutLaw Catalyst project

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:05:01 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Each week the in-depth reporting from the KXAN Investigates team will get a spotlight on KXAN Live.A conversation will happen Wednesday morning with investigative reporter Kelly Wiley and KXAN Live anchor Will DuPree to break down one of this week’s top stories. People can watch a live stream of their discussion with Josh Hinkle, the director of investigations and innovation, as well as David Barer, senior investigative producer and reporter, starting at about 9 a.m. in this story or on the KXAN News Facebook page. Inside the Investigations: Austin ISD special education services The story they'll discuss this week is:In 2023, a fifth of the country’s state-level bills impacting the LGBTQ+ community were filed in Texas, according to a Human Rights Campaign analysis. Equality Texas tracked a record 141 such bills this year, up from just 12 in 2015. Some policies passed, and several others progressed substantially in the most r...