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The latest news on the wildfires in British Columbia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:59 GMT

KELOWNA, B.C. — A state of emergency has been declared in Kelowna, a city with a population of about 150,000, as threatening wildfires prompt officials to issue evacuation orders in parts of British Columbia’s Okanagan. Here are the latest developments on the B.C. wildfires (all times are PT):6:42 a.m.Environment Canada says a special weather statement is in effect for the Okanagan Valley and parts of Interior B.C.It says strong, gusty winds shifting from the southwest to northwest bring with them a risk of thunderstorms and dry lightning in the Okanagan Valley.It says there is a possibility for worsening wildfire conditions, new fire starts, risk of breaking tree branches, and challenging boating conditions.—6:21 a.m.The City of Kelowna, in the Okanagan Valley in the southern interior of British Columbia, has declared a state of emergency.Firefighters are responding to spot fires coming across Okanagan Lake from the McDougall Creek wildfire.Evacuation orders have been e...

Teranet-National Bank home price index in July up 2.4 per cent from June

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:59 GMT

TORONTO — Home prices in Canada continued to rise in July, according to the Teranet-National Bank composite index.The index for July was up 2.4 per cent from June, after seasonal adjustments.The increase was the fourth consecutive monthly increase and the second highest price increase ever recorded in a single month after the one observed in July 2006.Eight of the 11 markets in the composite index were up during the month with Halifax up the most at 4.9 per cent. Vancouver gained 3.9 per cent, while Toronto added 3.5 per cent.Prices fell 1.2 per cent in Quebec City, 0.9 per cent in Montreal and 0.3 per cent in Calgary.Compared with a year earlier, the overall composite index in July was down 1.9 per cent.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 18, 2023.The Canadian Press

Nurse facing charges for alleged sexual assault at Whitby psychiatric facility

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:59 GMT

A Whitby man is facing several charges after he allegedly sexually assaulted a patient while working as a nurse at a psychiatric facility.Investigators with the Durham Region Police Services Special Victim’s Unit began investigating when a patient at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences reported being sexually assaulted on a number of occasions.Police say the victim was an in-patient in an adolescent program at the facility for six months. The accused worked as a nurse in the same unit.Christopher Persaud, 24, of Whitby is facing 19 charges including eight counts of sexual assault, eight counts of sexual interference and three counts of invitation to sexual touching. The suspect has been released on conditions.Investigators are working to make sure there are no further victims.Anyone with additional information is being asked to contact police.

Ukraine will get F-16 fighter jets from the Dutch and Danes after the U.S. agrees to allow transfers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:59 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The United States has given its approval for the Netherlands and Denmark to deliver F-16s to Ukraine, officials in Washington and Europe said Friday, in a major gain for Kyiv even though the fighter jets won’t have an impact any time soon on the almost 18-month war.It was not immediately clear when the first F-16s might enter the conflict but Ukrainian pilots will first have to undertake at least six months’ training on the aircraft, according to officials. Ukraine has long pleaded for the sophisticated fighter to give it a combat edge. It recently launched a long-anticipated counteroffensive against the Kremlin’s forces without air cover, placing its troops at the mercy of Russian aviation and artillery. In eastern Ukraine, attack helicopter pilots welcomed the news. They said Russia has a clear advantage in the skies, but the introduction of modern fighter jets could dramatically shift the balance of power Kyiv’s way.Ukrainian forces supporting ...

Russia shuts down human rights group that preserved the legacy of Nobel laureate Andrei Sakharov

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:59 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Russian court on Friday ordered the liquidation of a human rights organization that preserved the legacy of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, in the latest move in a widespread crackdown on dissent.Sakharov, who died in 1989, was a key figure in developing the Soviet Union’s hydrogen bomb program but later become renowned for his activism in promoting human rights and freedom of conscience. He was awarded the Nobel prize in 1975 but was not allowed to travel to Norway to receive it. In 1980 he was sent into internal exile, which lasted six years. The organization founded in his honor operated the Sakharov Center museum and archives in Moscow. Authorities declared it a “foreign agent” in 2014 and this year ordered the eviction of the center from its premises.The court ordered the organization liquidated at the request of the Justice Ministry, Russian news agencies reported. Independent journalists, critics, activists and opposition figures in...

Broadway’s ‘Here Lies Love’ to show love for other Filipino stars with Lea Salonga’s departure

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:59 GMT

As Tony Award winner Lea Salonga prepares to depart the first ever all-Filipino Broadway cast this week, her role will become a revolving door to showcase other well-known talent from the Philippines.Actor and singer Vina Morales, also beloved in the Philippines, will take over as Aurora Aquino in “Here Lies Love” for a month-long engagement starting Sept. 22, the production exclusively told The Associated Press on Friday. Producers say they are committed to highlighting the country’s “abundance of talent,” allowing guest performers a Broadway debut.“To be able to perform on Broadway is a dream come true for any artist,” Morales said in a statement. “I am grateful to ‘Coach Lea’ Salonga for guiding me along the way.”Salonga, who has been with the show since previews in June, called her friend Morales “a wonderful addition to our cast.” Her final show will be the matinee Saturday. Another cast member will fill in until Morales’ arrival.“Here Lies Love” chronicles th...

Dean's Reviews: 'Blue Beetle' & 'Strays'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Another superhero film based on a DC Comics character along with a comedy with a few prominent voice-over characters are set to be released this weekend. "Blue Beetle" is being released on Friday as this film focuses on the Mexican-American superhero, who is portrayed by Xolo Maridueña, that was first introduced in 2006. "Strays" features Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx proving the voices for animals without homes who are trying to get revenge on a former dog owner.Dean Richards took a look at both of these films and offered up his thoughts during "Dean's Reviews" on Friday's WGN Morning News. You can see how he graded "Blue Beetle" and "Strays" from the August 18 show in the video above.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Maui businesses remind locals, tourists that entire island isn't closed: 'Definitely support all those businesses'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:59 GMT

HONOLULU (KHON) – The Maui fire disaster is having impacts across the entire island, even portions not touched by the flames. But some local business owners said they are afraid of an economic downfall without the support from visitors.Lahaina and West Maui are still off limits to the public — a message that officials and residents are making loud and clear — but the rest of the Maui community still needs to sustain itself, residents say. Amid wildfire aftermath, should you travel to Maui? Lahaina resident and musician Akoni Palomino lost his home and his main source of income. "Please respect the West Side, let our families have time to grieve and take care of all these things that we need to for now on the West side, but definitely support all those businesses on the other side,” Palomino said. "I'm a musician and I play seven days a week here on Maui all in the West Side, so as of right now all of our gigs are completely shut down," Palomino continued.It's a tricky issue. ...

Senior citizens are the fastest-growing cannabis clientele

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:59 GMT

(The Hill) - Seniors, and not the high-school kind, are the fastest-growing population of cannabis users, a trend that illustrates what a long, strange trip the legalization movement has been. The share of over-65 Americans who have used marijuana nearly tripled in a decade, from 11 percent in 2009 to 32 percent in 2019, according to a respected federal survey on drug use. More than half of the 60-64 demographic reported cannabis use, another sharp increase.  Cannabis consumption among older adults reached 35 percent in 2021. But the pandemic affected the survey methodology, researchers said, possibly skewing the results. The graying of cannabis culture signals broadening social acceptance of marijuana, which is now available for recreational use in 23 states. It is also a generational story about the aging baby boomers, a generation that grew up in an era of psychotropic experimentation.  Cannabis use, for many older Americans, is less about getting high an...

Suspect at center of Harris County Blue Alert arrested, sheriff says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:05:59 GMT

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story said two suspects were arrested in connection with the shooting. One suspect has been arrested and charged, and the other was apprehended, questioned and released, according to law enforcement officials. This story has been updated to reflect that information. HOUSTON (KXAN) – The suspect wanted in connection to a shooting that injured a Harris County Sheriff's deputy Wednesday night was arrested and charged with attempted capital murder, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. The Texas Department of Public Safety issued a Blue Alert for two suspects late Wednesday night after a Harris County sheriff's deputy was shot and wounded.According to Gov. Greg Abbott's office, one of the suspects was apprehended Thursday. HCSO said on social media he was questioned and released. No charges were filed against him. The other suspect, Terran Green, was taken into custody Thursday night around 11:50 p.m. after a standoff with SWAT in Humble...