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Florida braces for the arrival of Idalia, which is forecast to become a major hurricane

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:58 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Idalia intensified and was expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches Florida’s Gulf Coast later this week, the National Hurricane Center said Monday, as officials declared states of emergencies in dozens of counties and ordered some evacuations in preparation for potentially life-threatening storm surges.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned of a “major impact” to the state, noting that what was originally forecast to be nothing stronger than a tropical storm was now predicted to become a Category 3 hurricane. Idalia would be the first storm to hit Florida this hurricane season and a potentially big blow to the state, which is still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Ian almost a year ago. DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 46 counties, a broad swath that stretches across the northern half of the state from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic Coast. The state has mobilized 1,100 National Guard members, who have 2,400 high-water vehicle...

A look at how Canada’s housing woes are straining the budgets of foreign students

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:58 GMT

Housing woes for international students have made headlines in recent weeks as they grapple with lack of housing, inadequate placements or fake admissions offers. Some say what drove them to come to Canada in the first place was a good education and opportunities. Now that they’re here, they’re feeling squeezed.Here’s a look at some foreign students and their experiences securing accommodation in Canada. Anubhav Gupta, 24, Saint Mary’s University, HalifaxGupta is in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Commerce degree, pursuing a double major in finance and computing and information systems. He completed much of his degree remotely from India while waiting for his visa. Since arriving in January, he has lived on campus.He’d like to move off campus this year, but his search for something more comfortable and affordable has come up empty.“Now I have to stay on campus in a room that I don’t want, basically,” says Gupta, who is from the northern Indian ci...

Biden will visit Hanoi next month as he seeks to strengthen US-Vietnam relations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:58 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is heading to Vietnam next month to meet with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other Vietnamese leaders, the White House announced on Monday.The president will arrive in Hanoi on Sept. 10, tacking on the one-day visit to the Vietnamese capital after attending the annual Group of 20 leaders’ summit in India.“The leaders will explore opportunities to promote the growth of a technology-focused and innovation-driven Vietnamese economy, expand our people-to-people ties through education exchanges and workforce development programs, combat climate change, and increase peace, prosperity, and stability in the region,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.The White House also announced on Monday that Biden will stop in Alaska on his way home from Vietnam to mark the the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. He will take part in a memorial ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson...

Arrest warrants issued in Lebanon for 2 Russians suspected of spying for Israel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:58 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Two Russian citizens who were recently detained in Beirut on suspicion of spying for Israel have been referred to an investigative military judge who issued arrest warrants for them, two judicial officials said Monday.The two Russians were detained “several weeks ago” in Beirut as they were leaving the country through the capital’s Rafik Hariri International Airport, the officials said. The two judicial officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.The head of Lebanon’s General Security Directorate Maj. Gen. Elias Baisari announced Friday that two foreigners were detained while leaving Lebanon through the airport, describing them as “part of a network spying for Israel.” He did not give their identities or say when they were detained.Russia’s Sputnik News on Saturday quoted “a Russian embassy source” as saying that the Russian consulate is trying to contact the detainees to know why they are being held. The Russian Embassy in Beirut refused to comm...

TTC looking into system-wide PRESTO vending machine outage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:58 GMT

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is working to fix a system-wide PRESTO fare vending machine outage.The incident was reported just before 6:30 a.m. on Monday, and the TTC says it’s investigating the cause.A spokesperson said customers cannot use the credit/debit card option to add value to their PRESTO cards or purchase fare media on vending machines. All other functions are operational.The TTC noted that customers can continue to use cash for purchasing tickets and other fare media and that the option to check card balances is also working.“While we work to resolve the issue, customers can load funds and check balances via the PRESTO app,” the TTC wrote on the social media platform “X,” formerly known as Twitter. “Adult customers can also pay their fares via cash, credit, or debit.”Customers are unable to use credit / debit card to add value to their PRESTO cards or purchase fare media on Fare Vending Machines. All other functions are ...

‘Gran Turismo’ takes weekend box office crown over ‘Barbie’ after all

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:58 GMT

The box office results are in and Sony’s racing movie “Gran Turismo” won the weekend over “Barbie,” after all. On Sunday, “ Gran Turismo” appeared to be neck-and-neck with Warner Bros.’ “Barbie,” now in its sixth weekend, with both hovering just over $17 million. But Monday actuals reported by the studios provided a clear winner: “Gran Turismo” ended up with $17.4 million from North American theaters against “Barbie’s” $15.1 million.As is usually the case with new wide releases, “Gran Turismo’s” total also included earnings from Thursday night pre-shows ($1.4 million). More unconventionally, however, Sony also factored in $3.9 million from other preview screenings (or “sneaks”) held before Thursday.“Gran Turismo” was originally set for a wide release on Aug. 11, but with actors unable to help promote the film as the actors strike stretches on, Sony pivoted and instead opted for limited preview screenings and fan events for two weeks, leading up to a national rollout this past ...

ACLU sues over Indiana law blocking gender-affirming surgery for inmates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:58 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Civil rights advocates are suing Indiana’s Department of Corrections over the state’s law prohibiting gender-affirming surgery for inmates.The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit against the department in federal court in Evansville on Monday. The lawsuit alleges that the law enacted in April violates the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment and the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause. The ACLU maintains that transgender surgery can be lifesaving. Health experts have found that gender dysphoria, or a sense of unease about one’s gender identity, can lead to depression, anxiety and an increased risk of suicide. A spokesperson for the corrections department declined to comment on the lawsuit.Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb also signed a bill in April prohibiting minors from accessing gender-affirming care such as transgender surgeries or medication. The ACLU has filed a federal lawsuit challenging that law, ...

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

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:58 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:58 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:58 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...