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Another harrowing night for Okanagan amid B.C. wildfire state of emergency

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

WEST KELOWNA — Residents of West Kelowna and Kelowna have endured another harrowing night surrounded by wildfires that form the epicentre of a battle against hundreds of blazes across British Columbia.The provincewide fire fight has triggered a provincial state of emergency, with about 15,000 people evacuated from their homes across B.C., and a further 20,000 under evacuation alerts.A series of new evacuation orders were issued by the City of Kelowna, Kelowna and the Westbank First Nation Friday night, in addition to alerts warning residents to be ready to leave at short notice.Fires deemed out of control are now burning on both sides of Lake Okanagan, including the devastating McDougall Creek fire that the BC Wildfire Service says covers 105 square kilometres.But conditions overnight were calmer than during Thursday and Friday’s desperate battle against flames that consumed numerous homes and other properties, including the Lake Okanagan Resort.At least one evacuation order f...

Greek authorities rescue dozens of migrants on small boats in Aegean Sea

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities on Saturday rescued nearly 80 migrants in inflatable dinghies trying to cross from Turkey to the nearby eastern Aegean Sea islands in three separate incidents, the coast guard said.In recent weeks, Greece has seen a rise in such arrivals, mostly in small unseaworthy boats provided by smugglers.A coast guard statement said a patrol boat located 41 people early Saturday on an inflatable dinghy which was drifting off the island of Lesbos. All were safely evacuated and taken to a reception center on the island.Following a chase earlier Saturday, a coast guard patrol boat stopped another dinghy carrying 17 people near the eastern Aegean islets of Arkii. The migrants were taken to the island of Patmos, while one of them was arrested on suspicion of belonging to a smuggling ring.Late Friday, another boat carrying 17 people was found adrift off the island of Samos. One of the migrants required medical treatment, while the rest were taken to a receptio...

The latest news on the wildfires ravaging British Columbia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

A state of emergency remains in place today across British Columbia as threatening wildfires force thousands of residents to evacuate from homes in the Okanagan in the southern Interior and elsewhere in the province. Here are the latest developments on the B.C. wildfires (all times are PT):7:30 a.m.:The Lower East Adams Lake Wildfire has prompted evacuation orders in the Shuswap Lake area east of Kamloops.The Columbia Shuswap Regional District and area Indigenous nations issued evacuation orders Friday night for the Scotch Creek, Lee Creek, Celista, Magna Bay and Little River areas.The Scotch Creek and Takana Bay bridges were closed and Scotch Creek residents were told to evacuate by boat.—  This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19, 2023. The Canadian Press

British and Swiss police break up a crime ring and recover a valuable Ming vase in a sting operation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A sting operation at a London hotel helped authorities recover a 15th-century Chinese vase worth about 2 million pounds ($2.5 million) and break up the criminal ring believed to have stolen the artifact from a Swiss museum, British police said Saturday.The vase, which dates to the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, was one of three items stolen from the Museum of Far Eastern Art in Geneva in 2019.The Metropolitan Police Service made the announcement after a London court on Friday found two men guilty of charges related to the gang’s effort to sell the vase. A third man pleaded guilty to similar charges earlier this year, and two other men who were arrested in London are awaiting trial in Switzerland for their alleged role in the burglary. All five are from southeast London.“The organized crime group involved in this offending believed they could commit significant offenses internationally and that there would be no comeback,’’ said Detective Chief Inspector Matt Webb, ...

Large wildfire ravages forest in northern Greece as 7 villages are ordered to evacuate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities on Saturday ordered seven villages evacuated near the northeastern border with Turkey due to a large summer wildfire burning out of control and whipped on by high winds.The fire service said more than 100 firefighters, assisted by nine water-dropping aircraft, were struggling to contain the blaze. The forest fire broke out early Saturday near the village of Melia, east of the town of Alexandroupolis.The evacuation orders were issued as a precaution and no damage to buildings or injuries to humans were reported. Authorities shut down a section of a major highway in the area due to heavy smoke drifting across it.Another smaller wildfire was burning outside Thessaloniki, in the north, the second-largest city in Greece. Earlier, firefighters brought under control a blaze on the western island of Cephalonia.The fire service has issued a high wildfire alert for the weekend.Last month, deadly wildfires caused havoc in central Greece, and forced the e...

Nissan recalling more than 236,000 cars to fix a problem that can cause loss of steering control

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Nissan is recalling more than 236,000 small cars in the U.S. because the tie rods in front suspension can bend and break, possibly causing drivers to lose steering control.The recall covers certain Sentra compact cars from the 2020 through 2022 model years. Tie rods help vehicles move the wheels for steering.Nissan says in documents posted Saturday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that if tie rods become bent, they can break and affect the steering, increasing the risk of a crash.Owners should contact dealers if their steering wheel is off center or they feel a vibration. At first, dealers will inspect and replace any bent or broken tie rods. Once a new design is available, they will replace both the left and right tie rods at no cost to owners.Letters notifying owners will be mailed starting Oct. 5. A second letter will go out once parts are available.Many of the same vehicles were recalled in 2021 to fix the same problem, the documents say. Cars...

'Weekend Break' visits 2023 Ribfest Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A popular event in Chicago for BBQ fans is making it's return to North Center once against in 2023. Featuring a variety of vendors from the Chicago area and the entire country, Ribfest Chicago opens up Saturday and continues through Sunday evening at 4000 N. Lincoln Avenue. We decided to feature the event on Saturday's "Weekend Break" on WGN Weekend Morning News as Christine Flores made her way to the festival site to preview what's ahead the next two days. Christine spoke to Mike Frost, who works for Chicago BBQ Company, about what he's looking forward to this week while also showing off the brisket he made for Ribfest. The event also features a number of out-of-town vendors, including Nikki Haggerty of Austin Texas Lightning BBQ.She spoke with Christine during one of the segments on the WGN Weekend Morning News on August 19.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delive...

What's the deal with the Bass Pro Shops pyramid in Memphis?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (NEXSTAR) — It may be a familiar sight to Memphis residents, but visitors continue to be confounded by one particular downtown building — it's the oddball Bass Pro Shops Pyramid.In addition to a massive Bass Pro Shops store, the 32-story steel Pyramid houses the Big Cypress Lodge hotel, restaurants, multiple aquariums, waterfalls, a cave, a bowling alley, live alligators, and a cypress swamp containing "nearly 600,000 gallons of water," according to Bass Pro Shops. That's not to mention it boasts the tallest free-standing elevator in the U.S. Earn $1K to test Buc-ee’s snacks: Here's how to apply But despite all that it offers, you may be wondering how this pyramid came to exist at all. After all, even though Memphis, Tennessee, is named after the ancient Egyptian city, most pyramids usually don't house businesses (unless you're counting Luxor Las Vegas).Here's the bizarre backstory behind this modern marvel.The swampy exterior of the Big Cypress Lodge (Courtesy of B...

ATCEMS: 2 dead after crash on Bee Caves Road

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Two people died after a crash on Bee Caves Road on Friday night, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.Officials said a vehicle rescue call came in at 9:23 p.m. in the 7000 block of Farm-to-Market Road 2244. ATCEMS said it arrived on the scene of a two-vehicle collision with three patients involved.ATCEMS said two adults were pronounced dead at the scene, and one adult was taken to the hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries.  Officials had no other information available, and EMS was no longer on scene as of 10:58 p.m.

Williamson County names new elections administrator

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:00 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Judith Ritchie will be Williamson County's next elections administrator, the county announced Wednesday. Ritchie was appointed the interim elections administrator until the Williamson County Elections Commission starts a permanent replacement search. She has worked as the county's deputy elections administrator for over two years. Ritchie replaces Chris Davis, who resigned from the role Aug. 9. The reason for Davis' resignation was not shared. PREVIOUS: Williamson County elections administrator resigns The county said Ritchie meets the statutory requirements for the job. A release said while Ritchie can apply for the permanent position, the elections commission advised Richtie her appointment "is based on the expectation that she will step down and resume her role as deputy elections administrator should someone else be selected."