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Quebec flooding: Two firefighters missing northeast of capital, states of emergency

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:58:00 GMT

BAIE-SAINT-PAUL, Que. — Provincial police have confirmed that two people swept away by the current on the flooded Rivière du Gouffre in Quebec’s Charlevoix region, where up to 60 millimetres of rain fell within a 24-hour period, are firefighters.Sgt. Audrey-Anne Bilodeau, a spokesperson for the Quebec provincial police, said the firefighters were swept away while helping two residents near St-Urbain, Que., around 100 kilometres northeast of the provincial capital. The residents were airlifted away and are now safe, she said.Earlier on Monday, provincial police said they were investigating reports that two firefighters were swept away in Rivière du Gouffre near St-Urbain. Police spokesman Sgt. Claude Doiron said two helicopters were deployed to participate in the search.In Baie-St-Paul, Que., just south of St-Urbain, Mayor Michaël Pilote declared a state of emergency due to heavy rains that washed away roads and isolated homes. Fire Chief Alain Gravel said his members helped in...

White House, DHS to end COVID-19 vaccination rule for foreign travellers by May 12

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:58:00 GMT

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration says COVID-19 vaccination requirements for foreign air travellers and at the Canada-U.S. border are being lifted as of May 12.The day before, May 11, will mark the end of the COVID-19 emergency the U.S. imposed back in 2020 as the world was coming to grips with the scale of the pandemic. New York Rep. Brian Higgins, a vocal advocate of eased border restrictions, is cheering the news as a victory for families, tourists and long-suffering border communities. Canada ended its own vaccination requirements for foreign visitors back in October. The U.S., however, has continued to require federal workers, contractors and most international air travellers to show proof of vaccination. The White House says deaths from COVID-19 around the world are at their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic, and 95 per cent lower in the U.S. than they were in January 2021.“We are in a different phase of our response to COVID-19 than we were when many of ...

What are the safety rules and regulations for skydiving?

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:58:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - An experienced skydiver died in Central Texas after a possible parachute malfunction on Friday. A spokesperson for Skydive Spaceland, a skydiving center in Caldwell County, said a 31-year-old licensed, experienced skydiver died while skydiving over Fentress, Texas, which is about 20 minutes outside of San Marcos. APD investigating homicide in northwest Austin after 2 found dead in apartment The company said the person was wearing its own gear when it appears the primary parachute malfunctioned. They said the person, who has not been identified, did not survive the landing despite the use of the backup parachute. Skydiving accident investigationsThe Federal Aviation Administration said it is aware of the situation and is investigating it. Specifically, the government agency said it is investigating the packing of the main and reserve parachutes and the rules of flight for the pilot and aircraft.Scott Maschek has been skydiving for nine years now. He owns Skydive Sk...

Judge grants motion for new jury selection after lack of Hispanic representation

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:58:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN)-- A Travis County judge granted a defense attorney's motion to bring in a new, more representative jury panel Monday, according to court documents. The defense attorney in this case, Charlie Baird, contended the 75-member group of potential jurors did not fairly represent Austin's Hispanic population. The client he represents is Hispanic.Judge Julie Kocurek granted the motion Monday morning. Her office told KXAN it cannot comment further on the motion because it's still an active case. The court document itself states the defendant's motion asks to "compel a [jury panel] constituting a fair cross-section of the Hispanic or Latino population of Travis County."The Travis County District Clerk's Office said the jury pool is always selected randomly. KXAN is still compiling information about the jury summons process, check back for updates.

David Fickling: Planning to power your car with cooking oil? Fat chance

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:58:00 GMT

Is there any way the auto industry can withstand the onslaught of electric vehicles? Chevron Corp. is hoping so.The oil producer sent three Toyota Motor Corp. models on a trip across the US last week with the objective of proving that its “renewable gasoline blend” might provide a better option for decarbonizing road transport than battery-powered vehicles. Fossil fuels make up less than half of the blend and it’s more than 40% less carbon-intensive than conventional gasoline, according to Chevron.This isn’t just marketing. The company spent $3.15 billion last year taking over Renewable Energy Group Inc., or REG, a leading producer of biodiesel. Crucial to that deal was REG’s expertise in turning waste into fuel — roughly 70% of the feedstocks for its bio-refineries comes from waste oil and waste agricultural produce.That’s a tempting prospect. It’s relatively easy to convert the sort of sugars and vegetable oils that you’ll find...

Watch video from the Met Gala 2023

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:58:00 GMT

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Gordon Lightfoot dies: Canadian folk singer was 84

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:58:00 GMT

TORONTO — Gordon Lightfoot, Canada’s legendary folk singer-songwriter whose hits including “Early Morning Rain” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” told a tale of Canadian identity that was exported worldwide, died on Monday. He was 84.Representative Victoria Lord said the musician died at a Toronto hospital. His cause of death was not immediately available.Considered one of the most renowned voices to emerge from Toronto’s Yorkville folk club scene in the 1960s, Lightfoot went on to record 20 studio albums and pen hundreds of songs, including “Carefree Highway” and “Sundown.”Once called a “rare talent” by Bob Dylan, dozens of artists have covered his work, including Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Cash, Anne Murray, Jane’s Addiction and Sarah McLachlan.Most of his songs are deeply autobiographical with lyrics that probe his own experiences in a frank manner and explore issues surrounding the Canadian national identity.His 1975 song “The Wreck of ...

Colorado House plans revival of Polis’ gutted zoning reform bill

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:58:00 GMT

A week after the Colorado Senate gutted Gov. Jared Polis’ marquee land use reform bill, House Democrats are preparing to reverse some of those changes and return key zoning provisions to a measure that’s repeatedly been altered as it has passed through the Capitol.Under amendments set to be added to the bill Tuesday, SB23-213 would again allow for accessory dwelling units — like carriage houses — to be built on single-family lots, albeit only in more populous parts of the state. The amendments would also reintroduce provisions clearing the way for density and apartment buildings near transit areas in Colorado cities, along with encouraging looser parking requirements and new restrictions on what HOAs can prohibit.All of those provisions, described to the Denver Post on Monday by lawmakers involved, were in previous versions of the bill and had been stripped from it in order to ensure that it passed the Colorado Senate. Their revival represents an effort to re...

7th inning meltdown sends SF Giants to third straight loss in first game vs. Astros

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:58:00 GMT

HOUSTON — The Giants had won five of six when they headed for the high skies of Mexico City, but upon returning to sea level, they weren’t able to recapture their winning ways. Another late-inning meltdown by their bullpen sent the Giants to their third straight loss, 7-3, in their first of three games against the defending World Series champion Houston Astros.Here are a few observations.Bullpen problems: The game was tied at 2 when the seventh inning started. By the time it was over, the Giants had cycled through two pitchers — young long relievers, not seasoned high-leverage arms — and trailed 7-2. It was just the latest in their bullpen’s late-inning troubles.The Astros batted around, bringing 10 men to the plate, while scoring five against Sean Hjelle and Tristan Beck to blow a tied game wide open.With five more Monday, Giants relievers have now allowed 70 runs this season in the seventh inning or later, second-most in the majors.Why was it Hjelle and Beck, two pitch...

Warriors notebook: Anthony Davis could present big problem for Golden State

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:58:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — The fifth postseason meeting between Stephen Curry and LeBron James will surely be tailor-made theater, but the outcome of the series could come down to how successful the Warriors are at limiting Anthony Davis’ impact. The Warriors spent a lot of time Monday combing over the film to prepare for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals series. But coach Steve Kerr said the challenge Davis’ presents can’t be realized by watching footage alone. “You have to get a dose of realism,” Kerr said. “Watching film, like, ‘OK Davis is going to be at the rim, we’ve got to be aware of his defensive presence.’ But then when you get out there, it’s real. You can see it on tape, but you gotta feel it in order to understand how to attack.” Davis has recorded 26 blocks — two times more than any other player — in the playoffs. He averaged 20.8 points and 13.7 rebounds per game in the Lakers’ fi...