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Hawaii power utility takes responsibility for first fire on Maui, but faults county firefighters

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:24:13 GMT

Hawaii’s electric utility acknowledged its power lines started a wildfire on Maui but faulted county firefighters for declaring the blaze contained and leaving the scene, only to have a second wildfire break out nearby and become the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century.Hawaiian Electric Company released a statement Sunday night in response to Maui County’s lawsuit blaming the utility for failing to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions. Hawaiian Electric called that complaint “factually and legally irresponsible,” and said its power lines in West Maui had been de-energized for more than six hours before the second blaze started.In its statement, the utility addressed the cause for the first time. It said the fire on the morning of Aug. 8 “appears to have been caused by power lines that fell in high winds.” The Associated Press reported Saturday that bare electrical wire that could spark on contact and leaning poles on Maui were the possibl...

B.C.’s agriculture industry at forefront of climate change reality

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:24:13 GMT

CALGARY — B.C. farmers say they’re increasingly concerned about climate change and the impacts of extreme weather on food production in the province.Because of its warm climate, B.C. has a unique agriculture industry.The province’s farmers can grow fruit and vegetables that won’t grow in other parts of Canada, and B.C. also boasts Western Canada’s only major winery regions.But in the last three years, B.C. farmers have suffered through drought, extreme heat, flooding and fires.These disasters have resulted in crop failures, livestock losses and widespread damage to farmland and infrastructure. Some farmers say they’re worried about what the coming years will bring, and add their industry will need increased government support to prepare for future natural disasters.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 28, 2023.The Canadian Press

France’s education minister bans long robes in classrooms worn mainly by Muslims

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:24:13 GMT

PARIS (AP) — France’s education minister announced Monday a ban on long robes in classrooms starting with the new school year, saying the garments worn mainly by Muslims are testing secularism in the nation’s schools.Critics say that abayas, worn by women, and khamis, the male garb, are no more than a fashion statement. They say the garments do not constitute an ostentatious sign of religion and should not be banned from classrooms under a 2004 law. For Gabriel Attal, the recently appointed education chief, the garments are “an infringement on secularism,” a foundational principle for France, and, in some cases, a bid to destabilize schools.The 34-year-old Attal, appointed in July, was potentially moving into a minefield with his ban on long robes to “protect” secularism, prompted by growing reports of the garments in some classrooms around the country. Previous statements and laws on secularism have seeded acrimonious debate.“Our schools are continually tested. We know that,” Attal...

Used cars market faces supply crunch in aftermath of supply chain woes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:24:13 GMT

TORONTO — The used car market is still experiencing a shortage of vehicles even as the automotive sector recovers from supply chain woes that have plagued the industry since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Used vehicles became an alternative to consumers when the supply of new vehicles was severely limited during the pandemic, says Daniel Ross of automotive insights company Canadian Black Book, and prices for used cars started to rise. “But after the increase of interest rates and inflation as a whole, affordability has become the main concern,” he says of the latest moves by the Bank of Canada to clamp down on rising costs. Ross, who is the senior manager of automotive industry insights at CBB, says that’s driving buyers toward smaller, used vehicles rather than previously popular SUVs, pickup trucks or new vehicles with higher market prices — a trend expected to continue for the next 12 to 18 months.But there are not enough used cars in the market to meet the...

EU official proposes 2030 as enlargement deadline for states that have long been waiting in line

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:24:13 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Faced with the Russian aggression against Ukraine and fears of Moscow’s increasing influence in parts of the Balkans, the European Union should make a “bold move” and accept new members by 2030, the European Council president said Monday.Speaking at an international strategic forum at the Slovenian lakeside resort of Bled attended by Western Balkan leaders, Charles Michel said that it was time for those states that have been waiting in an EU membership line for more than 20 years to be given “a clear goal.”“We must talk about timing, we must talk about our homework and I have a suggestion as we prepare next EU strategic agenda,” Michel said. “We must set ourselves a clear goal: I believe we must be ready on both sides by 2030 to enlarge,” he said, to a big round of applause. He said that the war in Ukraine “has shown that peace and democracy cannot be taken for granted.””This war is not just devastating Ukraine: this war has a profound impact on the fut...

Illinois judge refuses to dismiss case against father of Highland Park parade shooting suspect

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:24:13 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — A judge on Monday refused to dismiss the case against a father who helped his son obtain a gun license three years before authorities say the younger man fatally shot seven people at a 2022 Fourth of July parade in suburban Chicago.Illinois prosecutors charged Robert Crimo Jr. under a unconstitutionally vague law, his lawyer argued at a hearing earlier this month in Waukegan, north of Highland Park where the shooting took place.Lake County Judge George Strickland rejected that argument, as well as a defense contention that prosecutors charged Crimo Jr. too late — after a three-year statute of limitations had passed. The court's rulings mean Crimo Jr.'s Nov. 6 trial will go head as previously scheduled.The judge said at the hearing earlier in August that he would take three weeks to mull a decision, and he announced his ruling at a Monday hearing, which was also in Waukegan. He heard additional arguments on the statute of limitations issue Monday before rulin...

Puppy recovered from wreckage day after its owner was killed in a storm

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:24:13 GMT

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) - An 84-year-old Michigan woman, known by her friends and family as "The Captain," was killed when a tree fell on her home Thursday, but a survivor emerged from the wreckage the following day.Vernita Payne lived in the house with her two dogs. The family thought only one of the two dogs survived the storm. "This here is a survivor," said Payne's nephew, Charlie Dean, pointing to the surviving dog. "He survived the madness that happened last night." When they couldn't find Payne's second pet, a puppy named Baby, they presumed the pup had died – until they heard a familiar sound on Friday night. They heard crying from the house and hurried to rescue Baby. Now, they say they have a piece of Vernita back."She's a valuable piece of our puzzle in life. And we lost that little puzzle piece," said Dean.Vernita Payne, 84, of Lansing was killed during Thursday night's storm. (Photo/ Payne family)Payne leaves behind a huge legacy--the family said she has 95 grandchildren ...

Need to know CPR? You probably shouldn't ask Alexa or Siri, study finds

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:24:13 GMT

Ask Alexa or Siri about the weather. But if you want to save someone’s life? Call 911 for that.Voice assistants often fall flat when asked how to perform CPR, according to a study published Monday.Researchers asked voice assistants eight questions that a bystander might pose in a cardiac arrest emergency. In response, the voice assistants said:— “Hmm, I don’t know that one.”— “Sorry, I don’t understand.”— “Words fail me.”— “Here’s an answer … that I translated: The Indian Penal Code.”Only nine of 32 responses suggested calling emergency services for help — an important step recommended by the American Heart Association. Some voice assistants sent users to web pages that explained CPR, but only 12% of the 32 responses included verbal instructions.Verbal instructions are important because immediate action can save a life, said study co-author Dr. Adam Landman, chief information officer at Mass General Brigham in Boston.Chest compressions — pushing down hard and fast on the v...

Rally against lawsuit that could undo Austin code changes aimed at affordability

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:24:13 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Roughly 50 people gathered outside of the Travis County Civil and Family Courts facility Monday to protest a lawsuit that could result in the overturning of several Land Development Code (LDC) changes aimed at affordability. The lawsuit claims homeowners' protest rights were violated, which was enough to overturn a previous overhaul of the LDC several years ago. Though a hearing for the suit was scheduled for Monday according to court dockets, that hearing was postponed, according to Douglas Becker, the attorney representing homeowners against the city. There is no rescheduled date yet, he said. Speakers at the "Rally for Housing" included Austin City Council Members Chito Vela and Zohaib Qadri, alongside Rep. Greg Casar (KXAN photo/Todd Bailey) Attendees of a rally outside of Travis County Civil and Family Courts after a lawsuit was filed against changes to the city's Land Development Code (KXAN photo/Todd Bailey)The rally was in response to a lawsuit filed earlier...

LIVE 11AM Idalia track: Hurricane, storm surge warnings issued

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:24:13 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Idalia is forecast to bring "life-threatening storm surge" to much of Florida's northwest coast as it intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, the National Hurricane Center said.According to a 10 a.m. update, T.S. Idalia was moving north around 8 mph about 80 miles south of the western tip of Cuba.MondayTropical Storm Idalia is expected to continue its current track north through Monday evening bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Cuba. Currently, Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles out from the center. LIST: Evacuation zones announced ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia Forecasters say conditions remain favorable for T.S. Idalia to strengthen into a category 1 hurricane by Monday evening.TuesdayBy early Tuesday, the center of Idalia is forecast to pass over the extreme southeastern Gulf of Mexico as a category 2 hurricane.WednesdayThe National Hurricane Center said Idalia is forecast to be a "dangerous major hurric...