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A freighter carrying nearly 3,000 cars catches fire in the North Sea and a crew member is killed

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:42 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A fire on a freight ship carrying nearly 3,000 cars was burning out of control Wednesday in the North Sea, and the Dutch coast guard said one crew member had died, others were hurt and it was working to save the vessel from sinking close to an important habitat for migratory birds.Boats and helicopters were used to get the 23 crew members off the ship after they tried unsuccessfully to put out the blaze, the coast guard said in a statement. The cause of the blaze wasn’t immediately known, and it wasn’t clear how the crew member died.The Fremantle Highway was sailing from the German port of Bremerhaven to Singapore when it caught fire about 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of the Dutch island of Ameland.As the blaze continued throughout the day, a salvage company sent an expert to assess the possibility of fastening a cable to the ship that could be used to tow it, the coast guard said.Some of the crew members jumped off the ship’s deck into the sea ...

Deadly wildfires in Greece and other European countries destroy homes, threaten nature reserves

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:42 GMT

RHODES, Greece (AP) — Major fires raging in Greece and other European countries advanced on Wednesday, causing additional deaths, destroying homes and threatening nature reserves during a third successive wave of extreme temperatures.The summer wildfires have struck countries across the region, prompting the European Union to expand its support, sending two Spanish firefighting planes to Tunisia after wildfires in neighboring Algeria left at least 34 people dead in recent days.Here’s a look at some of the major wildfires across Europe.___GREECENew evacuations were ordered overnight on the islands of Corfu, Evia and Rhodes, where thousands of tourists were moved to safety over the weekend. Authorities said the charred remains of a missing farmer were found in southern Evia — a discovery made following the death of two Greek firefighting pilots, who were killed in a crash during a low-altitude water drop. French President Emmanuel Macron posted a message of condolence in Greek, while ...

Sean Fraser takes over federal housing file as Canadians face affordability crunch

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:42 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is handing over the federal housing file to Sean Fraser, who was previously Immigration minister.Trudeau is shuffling his cabinet today in a bid to present a fresh team to lead the Liberals into the next election. Ahmed Hussen, who was Housing minister since 2021, has faced criticism for his handling of the file as the housing crisis worsened across the country. Hussen is staying in cabinet as minister of International Development. The federal government is facing considerable pressure to address the lack of affordable housing, which experts say is the result of a housing shortage. The Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation has warned the country needs to build 3.5 million additional homes — on top of the current pace of building — to restore affordability by 2030.This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2023. The Canadian Press<!– Photo: 20230726100748-64c1322e78d2b96e53f5ae83jpeg.jpg, Caption: Prime Minister Justin...

UN panel says it’s concerned about human rights violations in Uganda in recent years

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:42 GMT

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Human rights violations including extrajudicial killings in Uganda in recent years have raised the concern of a panel of United Nations experts.The U.N. Human Rights Committee in findings released Wednesday also urged authorities in the East African country to repeal a recently enacted law that prescribes the death penalty for some homosexual acts.The committee pointed to reports of arbitrary arrests and detention by police and security forces targeting political opponents, journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders, sex workers, and LGBTQ+ people. The panel’s report was its first review of Uganda since 2004.A government spokesman was not immediately available for comment on the committee’s findings.Uganda’s security forces face growing allegations of brutality in their encounters with perceived opponents of the government of President Yoweri Museveni, a U.S. ally who has held power since 1986.Cases of extrajudicial killings “should be look...

South Florida waters hit hot tub level and may have set world record for warmest seawater

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:42 GMT

The water temperature around the tip of Florida has hit triple digits — hot tub levels — two days in a row. Meteorologists say it could be the hottest seawater ever measured, although some questions about the reading remain.Scientists are already seeing devastating effects from prolonged hot water surrounding Florida — coral bleaching and even the death of some corals in what had been one of the Florida Keys’ most resilient reefs. Climate change has set temperature records across the globe this month.The warmer water is also fuel for hurricanes.Scientists were careful to say there is some uncertainty with the reading. But the buoy at Manatee Bay hit 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit (38.4 degrees Celsius) Monday evening, according to National Weather Service meteorologist George Rizzuto. The night before, that buoy showed an online reading of 100.2 F (37.9 C).“That is a potential record,” Rizzuto said. “This is a hot tub. I like my hot tub around 100, 101, (37.8, 38.3 C). That...

Nature, history and imagination infuse new wallpapers that help a room tell a story

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:42 GMT

In the Emmy-nominated opening credits of HBO’s “White Lotus,” wallpaper-like images told a story: The tropical prints started off innocuously enough, but then turned ominous. Fruit started rotting, fish got tangled in seaweed, and a sense of foreboding set the whole premise of an exotic paradise on its edge.The artist, Lezio Lopes, has said he was trying to evoke the design and themes of the shows resort suites.It’s a surreal example of a current trend in decor — wallpapers that combine art and narrative qualities to set the mood of a room. Some take us to wild places in nature, others to wild worlds born in artists’ imaginations. They go way beyond your nice stripe or simple floral. They tell a story.Wallpaper in general is back in a big way, decor experts say, and often makes a statement through images or texture (many papers incorporate fabric or fibers). Chicago-based design writer Elaine Markoutsas, who attended two of the year’s biggest design expositions, Maison e...

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Chicago area

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:42 GMT

CHICAGO — Hot and humid Wednesday with highs in the lower 90s and heat index values that could top out over 100 degrees.  Scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon are possible with potentially severe storms. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here A list of warnings, watches and advisories below:A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for DuPage and Cook County until 9:45 a.m.A Severe Thunderstorm Warning extended into Lake (IL), northern Kane, northern Cook until 9:45 a.m. Storm is moving fast, east at 60 mph. Has a history of producing 60-70mph wind gusts.A Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Waukegan, Arlington Heights and Evanston until 9:45 a.m.A Heat Advisory is in effect starting at 12 p.m. Wednesday through 9 p.m. in the orange counties. (map below) Peak heat indices of 100-105 degrees are expected. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in air conditioning when possible and limit time in sun. Check on relatives and neighbors. Take precautions working and ...

Video shows crop dusting plane nearly clipping semi-truck in Northwest Indiana

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:42 GMT

HANNA, Ind. — A video went viral showing a crop dusting plane nearly hitting a semi-truck on U.S. 30 in Northwest Indiana on Tuesday.At around 4 p.m., Clifton Howard, 26, of North Judson, was driving on U.S. 30 in Hanna, just east of Wanatah, when he noticed a crop dusting plane about one mile out.Moments later, the plane soared directly in front of him and nearly struck the semi-truck next to Howard. The incident didn't seem to faze him."Afterwards I continued on my way," he said. "I didn't change my pants or anything like that (laughs)."While crop dusting planes generally fly low, the FAA states pilots flying them must operate "with maximum safety to persons and property on the surface." August concert calendar: 10 of the best Chicago shows Another man WGN News spoke with said the plane "nearly clipped me" at around the same time.Several commenters on Howard's post expressed dismay over the incident.

Jury acquits Kevin Spacey on sexual assault charges dating back to 2001

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:42 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A London jury acquitted Kevin Spacey on sexual assault charges on Wednesday after a four-week trial in which the actor said he was a “big flirt” who had consensual flings with men and whose only misstep was touching a man’s groin while making a “clumsy pass.”Three men accused the Oscar winner of aggressively grabbing their crotches. A fourth, an aspiring actor seeking mentorship, said he awoke to the actor performing oral sex on him after going to Spacey’s London apartment for a beer and either falling asleep or passing out.All the men said the contact was unwanted but Spacey testified that the young actor and another man had willingly participated in consensual acts. He said a third man's allegation that he grabbed his privates like a striking “cobra” backstage at a theater was “pure fantasy.”He said he didn’t remember a fourth incident at a small party at a home he rented in the country but accepted that he touched the groin of a man he had met at a pub during a nigh...

Another municipality makes a pitch to be the home of a new Bears stadium

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:42 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — There is another municipality in the Chicagoland area that's hoping to catch the Bears' attention in their search for a place to build a new stadium.This time, it's a village in the south suburbs. Late last week, Richton Park president Rick Reinbold sent a letter to Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren to make his pitch to the city to be the home of a new stadium for the NFL franchise. The village becomes the latest to show their interest after the Bears announced in June that Arlington Park, which the team officially purchased in February, was not their "singular focus" when it came to a new stadium. In the letter, Reinbold pitched a few advantages that Richton Park could offer, including being 30 minutes southwest of The Loop along with easy access to I-57, I-80, I-94, I-294, and I-355. The village is also connected to downtown and other parts of the area through the Metra Electric railroad.Reinbold also pointed out that the village has more than 1,000 acres of...