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Drones, ATVs hamper B.C.’s wildfire fighting efforts during record-breaking season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:14 GMT

Firefighters battling hundreds of blazes in British Columbia say they’ve been facing more than  the usual obstacles, blaming members of the public for interfering with operations.The BC Wildfire Service says it’s had to deal with several people riding all-terrain vehicles around active work sites and in one case a drone in the air forced firefighters to halt operations.The service says in a statement there have been several reports of people getting in the way of heavy equipment operators and firefighters fighting multiple fires in the Burns Lake area in northwestern B.C.It says public interference has a direct effect on the effectiveness of fire suppression and poses safety risks to both the public and firefighters.Last weekend, aerial firefighting operations in the province’s northwest were temporarily suspended due to a drone being flown near a wildfire.The service says anyone caught operating a drone in the vicinity of a wildfire could face fines or jail time.T...

What went up, what went down? A closer look at Canada’s inflation data for June

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:14 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s inflation rate fell to 2.8 per cent in June, down from 3.4 per cent in May, and putting it within the Bank of Canada’s target range for the first time since March 2021.Here are some of the most notable things about the trends in Statistics Canada’s consumer price index report released Tuesday.GroceriesWhile headline inflation continues to tick down, Canadians are still feeling the pinch on their grocery bills, as food inflation showed no improvement last month. Overall, the cost of food rose 8.3 per cent year-over-year in June — the same rate of increase Canada saw in May.Canadians are likely noticing that most at the grocery store checkout. Statistics Canada reported that grocery prices remained one of the largest contributors to the Consumer Price Index for June, with a 9.1 per cent year-over-year increase, nearly unchanged from the nine per cent increase in May.On a yearly basis, price increases were recorded for meat (6.9 per cent), dairy products (7.4 per cen...

House Republicans tee up a vote on support for Israel after Democrat’s comments about ‘racist’ state

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:14 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House will vote Tuesday on a Republican-led resolution reaffirming support for Israel, an implicit rebuke of a leading Democrat who, over the weekend, called the country a “racist state” but later apologized.The resolution, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, does not mention Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., by name, but is clearly a response to her recent remarks about the Jewish state. The measure was drafted soon after she criticized Israel and its treatment of Palestinians at a conference on Saturday.Jayapal, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, walked back the comments the next day, insisting her comments were aimed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and not the Jewish state. “I do not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist,” Jayapal said in a statement. “I do, however, believe that Netanyahu’s extreme right-wing government has engaged in discriminatory and outright racist policies and that there are extreme racists ...

Lyon’s American owner John Textor hits back after French soccer watchdog limits transfer business

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:14 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Lyon owner John Textor has attacked a decision by French football’s financial watchdog to monitor the club’s transfer activities this season. The American businessman, who also has stakes in Premier League team Crystal Palace, Belgian second-division club RWD Molenbeek and Brazil’s Botafogo, made clear his frustration in a “Welcome to France” message that he posted on his website.Textor said the club took note of the French Football Federation’s confirmation on Tuesday of the initial opinion delivered by the DNCG watchdog. Lyon (OL) will be authorized to hire new players but its moves on the market will be limited under “a framework for wage costs and transfer indemnities.”That will likely hamper its summer recruiting.The DNCG ruled that Lyon did not provide sufficient financial guarantees despite the OL group’s latest arguments. “In addition to the presentation of our budget and business strategy, OLG management also offered new elements, as pre...

Toddler critical after falling from high rise window on South Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:14 GMT

CHICAGO — A toddler is in critical condition after falling from a high rise window on the South Side Tuesday morning.Authorities were dispatched to the 500 block of East 33rd Place on the report of a person who fell.The Chicago Fire Department found a small toddler, believed to be a boy, who fell from a window. Authorities did not say what floor he fell from.The toddler was transported to Comer Children's Hospital in critical condition.WGN News will update this story once more information becomes available.

US soldier in North Korean custody 'willfully' crossed border: Pentagon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:14 GMT

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday confirmed that a U.S. soldier being detained by North Korea “willfully and without authorization” crossed the border from South Korea into the pariah state.  “We're very early in this event, and so there's a lot that that we’re still trying to learn, but what we do know is that one of our service members who was on a tour willfully and without authorization crossed the military demarcation line,” Austin told reporters at the Pentagon. The soldier is believed to be in North Korean custody, and U.S. officials are “closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldier's next of kin and engaging to address this incident,” Austin added. “I'm absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troop. And so we will remain focused on this,” he said.  Multiple reports emerged earlier Tuesday that a junior enlisted U.S. soldier crossed into North Korea after facing disciplinary acti...

Single day tickets now available for ARC Music Festival

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:14 GMT

CHICAGO -- With a lineup that reflects a rich history of house and electronic music, festival-goers can look forward to a weekend of legendary proportions at ARC Music Festival this Labor Day weekend.From Sept. 1-3, ARC Music Festival will mark their third year of honoring a form of music that uniquely can only be from Chicago.“There is no festival in Chicago that focuses on house and all it’s different forms, which is crazy considering Chicago is the birthplace of house music.” ARC Music Festival Founder John Curley said. Chicago & House Music: A relationship over four decades in the making From over 50 artists like Chicago’s very own DJ Lady D to Derrick Carter, to electric dance music icons Eric Prydz and Fatboy Slim, will come together to pay tribute to the relationship between house music and the city of Chicago.“I believe this is one of the most important festivals that’s been thrown together in a long time,” Fatboy Slim said in the aftermov...

66-year-old charged in hit and run that injured Evanston business owner in February

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:14 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — Evanston police announced Tuesday an arrest in a hit and run that took place in February.Police said 66-year-old Eugenia Kuczynska has been charged in the February 8 incident that injured Yun Park, 53.Around 6:20 a.m. on Feb. 8, surveillance video from a nearby business shows Park crossing Chicago Avenue westbound at Dempster when a white SUV turning left from Dempster onto Chicago hits her and keeps going. A passing driver saw Park lying in the street and called 911.Several days later, surveillance video of the incident was discovered and given to police.The Evanston Police Traffic Bureau investigated and determined the suspect vehicle was a Nissan Rogue. According to a statement from Evanston police, the Nissan was captured on multiple surveillance cameras while traveling through Skokie and Evanston prior to the crash. Cameras were unable to capture the license plate details however. Previous Coverage: Video shows hit-and-run that critically injured Evanston bus...

Frontier Airlines sale offers flights as low as $29

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:14 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) -- Frontier Airlines is celebrating its 29th anniversary with special rates for customers, but travelers need to act quickly to get the deal.The customer appreciation sale includes flights as low as $29 for travel through Nov. 15, 2023. Certain blackout dates apply.For an additional $29, travelers can add a bundle that includes a carry-on bag, a checked bag, and the ability to select a seat. There is also a $49 add-on bundle option that includes a refundable ticket. Both options include one free change to your reservation. What is the flight hack ‘skip lagging,’ and why you should avoid it Customers who purchase "The Perks" during the promotional period will receive double Frontier Miles. Those who purchase "The Works" will receive triple Frontier Miles.To receive the one-time, free flight change, customers must opt in to choose Flight Flexibility during the booking process. Tickets can be booked online at FlyFrontier...

The first-ever 'Golden Bachelor' has been revealed: Who is Gerry Turner?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:14 GMT

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A 71-year-old widower from Indiana has been chosen as the first-ever "Golden Bachelor" on ABC's new "Bachelor" spin-off of the same name.The show, which is scheduled to air in the fall, will follow Gerry Turner (pronounced GAIR-ee) on his journey to find a romantic partner after the death of his wife Toni. All of the female contestants will be 65 and over, according to The Hollywood Reporter."Six years after Toni’s passing and with the support of his family, Turner is ready to put himself out there and find a love that will stand the test of time in his golden years," according to an ABC press release.Gerry Turner, 71, has been chosen as ABC's first "Golden Bachelor." (ABC/Brian Bowen Smith)ABC hasn't been too forthcoming with details of the new show, though they have revealed that Turner "lives in a dream house on a beautiful lake in Indiana" and enjoys spending time with his two daughters and two granddaughters.He's also a fan of pickleball, four-wheel...