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Devastating 2023 Canadian wildfire season sets multiple records: Feds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:32 GMT

The 2023 wildfire season has set multiple records across Canada already this year, the federal government says, as we move into the second half of the summer.In an update Friday, Michael Norton, the director general of the Northern Forestry Centre at Natural Resources Canada, explains as of Aug 10, 5,093 wildfires across Canada have burned over 13 million hectares of land.This is six times the average land burned, as the 10-year average at this time of year is 4,600 fires with 2 million hectares of land burned.More to come

Forensic audit into Lebanon’s central bank reveals misconduct and ‘illegitimate’ commissions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:32 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — A forensic audit into Lebanon’s central bank by a New York-based company has revealed yearslong misconduct by the bank’s former governor and $111 million in “illegitimate commissions,” according to a report by the company. It’s the latest chapter in the saga of Lebanon’s embattled former central bank governor Riad Salameh, 73, who ended his 30-year career as governor last month under a cloud of investigation and blame for his country’s economic meltdown. A copy of the 331-page document by Alvarez & Marsal, seen by The Associated Press, was handed over to parliament on Friday. The audit was among key demands by the international community and the International Monetary Fund, which over the years increasingly lost confidence in crisis-hit Lebanon. Lebanon’s government and Alvarez & Marsal signed a contract in September 2021 but the audit subsequently stalled. It covers the period between 2015 and 2020; Lebanon’s economic meltdown began in ...

Judge rejects class-action lawsuit in Lytton, B.C. wildfire, suggests amended claim

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:32 GMT

VANCOUVER — A British Columbia Supreme Court justice has refused to certify a class-action lawsuit linked to the wildfire that destroyed the village of Lytton in 2021, but the ruling also allows for an amended claim, potentially keeping the lawsuit alive.Chief Jordan Spinks of the Lytton-area Kanaka Bar Indian Band is the only remaining plaintiff in the claim after the death of fellow Lytton resident and plaintiff Chris O’Conner.Spinks argues the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways, along with the Attorney General of Canada, Transport Canada and others “caused or contributed” to the devastating wildfire that levelled most of Lytton and killed two people.But the ruling from Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson finds “deficiencies” he says make it “plain and obvious” that the suit will fail, such as overly broad allegations or a lack of clarity about the special damages class members might have suffered.Hinkson writes that although th...

Tow truck driver shot while in his vehicle on West Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:32 GMT

CHICAGO — A tow truck driver was shot while traveling in his vehicle on the city's West Side.The shooting happened just after 2 a.m. Friday in the 3300 block of West Cermak in the South Lawndale neighborhood.Police said a 35-year-old man was driving his tow truck when he heard shots fired and felt pain. The man sustained a gunshot wound to the torso and was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition. Man dies after car flips in attempt to flee shooting on South Side: CPD No one is in custody. Area Four Detectives are investigating.

What to look for in the Bears' 2023 preseason opener vs Titans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:32 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — After an offseason featuring a number of acquisitions, the Bears are going to take the field for a game against an opponent for the first time this season.It won't count in the standings, but it does give fans something to see from Matt Eberflus' second team just under a month from their season opener against the Packers on September 11.The Bears will face the Titans at Noon at Soldier Field on Saturday for the first of three preseason games this month. It won't be a full showcase of every player, since reps will be split up, but it does give fans at least a quick glimpse of the team that will get things going for real in September.Here are a few things to look for from the Bears as they get their 2023 preseason started on Saturday. DJ Moore’s TD in Bears’ Soldier Field scrimmage had daughter’s approval (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)How much will starters play?You can expect starters to take the field on Saturday, but how many and for how long was something st...

Medical Watch Digest: Fertility Preservation for Patients — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:32 GMT

Medical Watch Digest belowFertility Preservation for PatientsCancer patients in some parts of the country don't have access to fertility preservation.A study published in JAMA Oncology found more than 3.6 million reproductive age females lack access to what's known as "oncofertility" services. That access depends on the state a woman lives in.Researchers say women who live in states like Illinois that have legislation that mandates making egg and embryo freezing affordable and accessible.. Have a nearly 100% chance to a oncofertility center.The study highlights disparities among states when it comes to a woman's chance of having children after cancer treatments.Stress & SexMen and women respond differently to stress biologically.Chronic stress alters brain cells of males and females in unique ways.Weizmann Institute of Science researchers say the finding opens the door for personalized therapy for depression, anxiety, and stress related disorders like obesity and diabetes. Menta...

Crews respond to wildfire near SH 130 south of Lockhart in Caldwell county

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 20-acre grass fire sprang up Friday in Caldwell County, according to the Austin Fire Department, which said crews from Travis County were headed there to help fight it.The fire is near State Highway 130 south of Lockhart. It's called the Boggy Creek Fire, Texas A&M Forest Service reports. MAP: More than 2,500 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires this year Five brush trucks from the Travis County Strike Team were responding to a request from the county.This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.

First responders train participants to act as 'immediate responders' ahead of Austin Pride

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin first responders on Thursday held a safety training for multiple businesses ahead of this weekend's City of Austin Pride Festival and Parade, expected to bring thousands downtown.The Austin Police Department, Austin-Travis County EMS and Austin Fire Department hosted a combined Stop the Bleed and Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, or CRASE, training on Thursday for multiple LGBTQ+ businesses ahead of the celebrations. Organizers said the training empowers businesses and employees to help minimize the loss of life if tragedy strikes. "The purpose of this training is to add minutes, add time to that life, add time to allow us to be able to respond and to add other resources, to be able to allow someone to receive as immediate of a response as possible," said APD Sgt. Michael Crumrine with APD, the president of the Lesbian and Gay Peace Officers Association. Which roads will be closed for the 2023 Austin Pride Parade? According to a release about the ...

Vikings safety Cam Bynum reps his roots with football camp in the Philippines

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:32 GMT

The plan was to meet up at LAX before boarding a plane that would take them halfway around the world.Vikings safety Cam Bynum was flying in from Minnesota. His mother Jennifer was driving from about an hour away in Corona, Calif. His wife Lalaine was already out in the Philippines.Then there was his trainer Anthony Brown, who arrived at the airport first and had no idea what he was getting himself into. Until he bumped into Bynum.“He’s like, ‘My mom and them are checking the boxes on the other side,’ ” Brown said. “I go around to the other side and I can’t believe it. I’m talking about we’ve got boxes on top of boxes on top of boxes. I’m like, ‘Are we moving a house?’ ”Nope. Just putting on a football camp in the Philippines.A proud Filipino through his mother’s heritage, Bynum grew up in Southern California surrounded by Filipino culture with the vision of reconnecting with his roots. He visited for the first time last summer, s...

Why Minnesota will be part of college football’s national championship picture this fall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:32 GMT

The Gophers football program will be included in the NCAA national championship conversation this season.Wait, what?While the 2023 Gophers team will be unranked in top 25 preseason polls and is picked to finish third in the Big Ten West Division, heavy title favorite Georgia is gunning for what the U did nearly 90 years ago.The Bulldogs are seeking three straight national championships — a feat that has proven unattainable for any school since the Gophers pulled it off in 1934-1936.Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has been providing history lessons on dynasties to his current players, but not with this example.“We’ve certainly looked at some three-peat scenarios of teams like the (Chicago) Bulls and different sports teams that they might actually know about,” Smart said at SEC Media Days in July. “No offense to the Minnesota 1935 team, but I don’t know if it’s going to resonate with my audience.”Since the U pulled off the three-peat, eight programs have won back-to-back championships ...