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MPs to break for the summer amid negotiations on inquiry into foreign interference

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:24 GMT

OTTAWA — All parties in the House of Commons agreed to rise for the summer Wednesday despite there being no formal announcement of a public inquiry into foreign interference.Opposition parties had been demanding the government call the inquiry before the end of the spring session and it was being used as some leverage against allowing the House to rise earlier than the planned summer break date of June 23.But Wednesday evening that changed, and the opposition parties all backed a government motion that meant after Wednesday, the House will not sit again until September.But the talks for an inquiry continue and a deal still could be announced before the end of the week.Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc is leading the discussions with the Conservatives, NDP and Bloc Québécois about how to move forward on the foreign interference quagmire that has clouded the government and this parliamentary sitting for months.Numerous allegations have been made that the Chinese gover...

Pregnant woman suffers life-threatening injuries in 2 car crash; man arrested for impaired driving

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:24 GMT

A pregnant woman is in life-threatening condition following a two-car crash in Scarborough on Wednesday night. Police say the crash occurred around 8 p.m. in the area of Greypoint Drive and Wickson Trail near Neilson Road and Sheppard Avenue East. Paramedics transported the woman to a nearby trauma centre with life-threatening injuries. Another person suffered non-life threatening injuriesPolice say one man was arrested at the scene suspected of impaired driving.

A year after Pakistan’s devastating floods, challenges drag on for most, but signs of hope for some

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:24 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Last summer’s flooding in Pakistan killed at least 1,700 people, destroyed millions of homes, wiped out swathes of farmland, and caused billions of dollars in economic losses. All in a matter of months. At one point, a third of the country was underwater. Pakistani officials and scientists worldwide blame climate change for the unusually early and heavy monsoon rains.A year on, the country hasn’t fully recovered. The aftermath runs the length of the country; survivors living in makeshift huts where their homes used to be, millions of children out of school, damaged infrastructure waiting to be repaired.This journey through Pakistan looks at how the unprecedented flooding of 2022 affected everyday life – and future generations.RESTORING WATERThe high altitudes and sharp peaks of the Hindu Kush Mountains mean that heavy rains barrel down through the northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. That’s good because the waters quickly drain to lower lying areas. But i...

Tourist sub customer calls his 2021 dive to the Titanic a ‘kamikaze operation’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:24 GMT

LONDON (AP) — As an international search continued for a vessel that disappeared after setting out for the underwater wreckage of the Titanic, a man who was one of the submersible company’s first customers characterized a dive he made to the site two years ago as a “kamikaze operation.” “You have to be a little bit crazy to do this sort of thing,” said Arthur Loibl, a 61-year-old retired businessman and adventurer from Germany.Loibl told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he first had the idea of seeing the Titanic wreckage while on a trip to the South Pole in 2016. At the time, a Russian company was offering dives for half a million dollars. After Washington state-based OceanGate announced its own operation a year later, he jumped at the chance, paying $110,000 for a dive in 2019 that fell through when the first submersible didn’t survive testing. Two years later he went on a voyage that was successful, along with OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French diver and Titanic expert Pau...

'I wasn't scared': Chicagoland man talks about his journey to the Titanic on same submersible lost at sea

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:24 GMT

As the desperate search continues for the missing submersible near the Titanic, a man from Chicagoland who made the same journey before is sharing what his experience was like.David Waud is just one of dozens of people who traveled to the Titanic shipwreck. The Titan submersible: What could have gone wrong? He traveled from his home in Lake Forest to dive in the Titan submersible with OceanGate Expeditions in 2021."So it kind of happened because it was my business and that was not the case for almost anybody else on the trips," Waud said. "They were all going down because it was something they all had dreamed up all their life or something they hadn’t done before and it was pretty exciting.”His daughter said he has been a lifelong diver and lover of the ocean who has made underwater movies for children since the 1980s. For his last movie before retirement, he wanted to feature the Titanic. Since Sunday, the same submersible has been missing in the North Atlantic.When Waud dove wit...

Austin Energy: If you lost power, here is how you can report an outage

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After power outages occurred Wednesday, Austin Energy said it was experiencing a technical issue with its outage map and reporting system, the agency said on Twitter.Austin Energy said crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible, the tweet said. Furthermore, the agency said it is working with vendors to resolve the outage map and reporting system issues.At 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Austin Energy outage map said there were 139 active outages and 10,953 customers affected. However, 98% of customers have power.Anyone without power should call (512) 322-9100 to report outages, Austin Energy said.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Pedernales FD: 3-story residence collapses after fire started by lightning in Spicewood

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:24 GMT

SPICEWOOD, Texas (KXAN) -- A three-story residential structure collapsed and was considered a total loss, after a fire was started by lightning, the Pedernales Fire Department told KXAN Wednesday.Shortly after 8:45 p.m., PFD said in a tweet multiple crews were working the structure fire in the 7600 block of Lakehurst Road. PFD said the fire was fully involved and was contained.According to PFD, the fire was fueled by the wind, which made the fire difficult to contain.Officials also told KXAN there were no known injuries, and the home was considered a total loss.No further information was available, and the incident remained under investigation Wednesday.

Police looking for 2 suspects wanted for Memorial Day homicide  

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is asking for help finding two suspects connected to a homicide that occurred in the early morning hours of Memorial Day. Michael Kaminski was shot and killed near the St. Louis riverfront. Police say some witnesses have yet to come forward.On Wednesday, police released surveillance images of two suspects. Police said the suspects may frequent MetroLink and downtown. Surveillance images show the suspects at Laclede’s Landing station.Some customers who use the station regularly are relieved to know surveillance cameras are in place and hope someone comes forward with information. Police said Kaminski was a father and a grandfather. Festus woman charged after meth found on floor of child day care The area where he was killed has been a haven for drug use and the unhoused, according to some regular visitors. They hope the city will take more action to make the area safer.Anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers...

Special brew for Cardinals-Cubs rivalry series in London

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A new St. Louis beer and a beer maker originally from St. Louis are waiting for the Cardinals in England.The Cardinals play the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball's London Series this weekend. Fans will get quite a taste of the rivalry.The new beer is called “The Birds and The Bears," created by 2nd Shift Brewing of St. Louis. You can get it locally. You can also get it in London.Cardinals fans are everywhere. They were out in force at the Mondo Brewing taproom in London on Wednesday night.St. Louis native Tom Palmer is Mondo’s co-founder and managing director. St. Louis County confirms first case of mpox this year “We’re seeing St. Louis jerseys all around town right now. I would never see these 2-3 years ago,” Palmer said of the hype now taking hold for the upcoming ballgames.He’s tickled to be pouring ‘Birds and Bears’ at Mondo’s taproom.“It’s a nice, hot summer day beer, just a tart pale ale,” said Scott Pelizzaro of 2nd Shift Brewing. “Being able to send our be...

30 new speed humps aim to curb speeding in Soulard

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Residents in Soulard have complained about speeding for years, but now they’re one step closer to feeling their safety concerns are eased as new speed humps are in place to curb problems.With the start of summer comes more people out and about, the speed humps couldn't come at a better time.The brand-new speed humps were added to busy streets throughout Soulard. Before this week, there was only one, bringing a much-needed boost to traffic safety- the total is now 31.The Soulard Community Improvement District (CID) and the Soulard Business District conducted a variety of surveys to figure out what would have the greatest impact on residents. Many of them voiced concerns over speeding and reckless driving.The tax-funded project will continue with 13 to 14 road bump-outs and entryway calming with medians."We have an entertainment district on the north end of the neighborhood so that drives a lot of pedestrian traffic throughout all hours of the day and night, early morning,...