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Early morning fire engulfs high school in Pocatello, Idaho

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:14:56 GMT

POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — An early morning fire engulfed much of a large high school in the southern Idaho city of Pocatello on Friday.The Pocatello Fire Department said the fire at Highland High School was reported just before 4 a.m., and when firefighters arrived they found flames showing above the building amid heavy snowfall.The Pocatello School District canceled classes and fire crews worked to contain the flames and save what they could.The flames have reportedly caused part of the roof and some walls to collapse as well as some explosions inside the school, but there were no reports of injuries in the first three hours of fighting the fire, the Idaho State Journal reported.Authorities have not yet said what might have caused the fire, but an investigation is expected to begin once the flames are out.The school has roughly 1,500 students, making it one of the largest in Idaho.The Associated Press

Minister: Ukraine will win war of technologies

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:14:56 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — As Ukrainian and Russian troops fight conventional battles on the front lines, Europe’s first major war of the internet age has also sparked a war of technology as both sides vie for advantage with their drones and satellite communications. While the two sides have kept pace with one another thus far, Ukraine’s minister in charge of technology told The Associated Press in an interview Friday that he was confident his country had the motivation and abilities to out-innovate Russia in the end.Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, said unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), electronic warfare, satellite communications and other technologies had been a fundamental part of the war with Russia that began more than a year ago.“Technologies allow traditional and modern artillery to be more accurate, and they help save the lives of our soldiers,” he said. “When you have ‘eyes’ over you, you can make more effective decisions about managin...

It’s Met Gala time again – here’s what we know so far

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:14:56 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Last year, it took 275,000 bright pink roses to adorn the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the Met Gala, the biggest night in fashion and one of the biggest concentrations of star power anywhere.It remains to be seen how the museum’s Great Hall will be decorated come the first Monday in May, but one thing is not in question: those entering it will look spectacular. The theme centers on the late designer Karl Lagerfeld, who made an indelible mark on luxury fashion in his long career at Chanel, Fendi and elsewhere. It is a theme not without controversy — Lagerfeld was known for contentious remarks about everything from #MeToo to curvy bodies.Want to know what to expect as the big day approaches? Not to worry. We’ve dusted off our annual guide for you here, with some key updates.WHAT IS THE MET GALA ANYWAY?It started in 1948 as a society midnight supper, and wasn’t even at the Met.Fast forward 70-plus years, and the Met Gala is something totally different, one of the most...

Vienna nudists oppose plans for cable car over their beach

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:14:56 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Nudists in Austria are up in arms about plans for a cable car that would pass over a popular beach on the northern edge of Vienna where clothing is optional.The country’s Austria Press Agency on Friday quoted nudist Barbara Hausjell saying she feared for her privacy if cable car users with cellphone cameras are allowed to swoop across the area.“I don’t want to end up on the internet,” the 72-year-old told APA.Project developer Hannes Dejaco sought to reassure nudists, saying the cable cars would only pass over the beach for a short stretch. In addition, the windows could be made to turn opaque automatically, he was quoted as saying.A promotional video for the cable car project says it would go from the Heiligenstadt transit station across the Danube river and then back over to the Kahlenberg, a small mountain in the north of the capital. Some 115 gondolas with panoramic windows would offer a “breathtaking view across Vienna,” it says.The Associated Press

Trudeau to travel to New York for next week’s star-studded Global Citizen summit

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:14:56 GMT

WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to head to New York next week for an international summit championing sustainable development and human rights. Summit host Global Citizen bills the event as a forum to address some of the most urgent challenges facing humanity and the planet. The Prime Minister’s Office says Trudeau will champion women’s rights when he joins other world leaders, artists and musicians at the event April 27-28. Other scheduled attendees include French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Mia Mottley, the prime minister of Barbados.Trudeau is also expected speak to the Council of Foreign Relations about the importance of Canada-U.S. relations, the critical minerals supply chain and the country’s economic outlook. The trip comes on the heels of U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit to Ottawa last month, his first visit to Canada since his inauguration in 2021.This report by The Canadian Pre...

Federal public-service strike lands in middle of political battle for working class

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:14:56 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has often been followed by crowds of people looking to snag selfies, but with the largest federal public-sector strike in decades underway, Jagmeet Singh is the one receiving rock-star treatment in Ottawa.The federal NDP leader visited the picket line near Parliament Hill multiple times this week, appearing to be the only party leader to have shown face-to-face support to the thousands of public servants who walked off the job starting Wednesday.The Public Service Alliance of Canada’s decision to strike amid stalling negotiations with the federal government lands in the middle of a political fight for the support of organized labour and the working class.Union leaders and their members have historically found a home with the New Democrats, but for nearly a decade Trudeau has concentrated on eating into that support — and a confidence-and-supply agreement between the two parties has muddied the waters even more.The Liberal government agree...

Fake city Twitter accounts falsely claim Lake Shore Drive is closing

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:14:56 GMT

CHICAGO — As Twitter strips away its system for verifying accounts, opportunists are jumping-in and impersonating elected officials and city agencies.An account posing as the Chicago Department of Transportation falsely claimed, “We’re excited to announce that beginning 5/2/23, North DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be closed to private vehicles between Grand and Hollywood.  Only buses, delivery vehicles, and emergency vehicles will be allowed. This is a huge step forward!”The tweet was shared more than 180 times and seen by nearly 158,000 people as of noon Friday.  Chase warns Chicago employees about potential for more downtown disturbances The false claims were then amplified by another fake account posing as Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, complete with an official portrait of the mayor.  “My administration is proud to announce the single largest decarbonization effort in the history of Chicago,” the fake account claimed above the untrue news about the closure of...

Friday Forecast: Temps in low 60s and breezy

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:14:56 GMT

CHICAGO — Temperatures in the mid 60s Friday with partly sunny conditions. Winds: SW 5-15 mph. High: 63. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Partly cloudy tonight and colder conditions with temperatures in 30s. Winds: West 5-10 mph. Low: 38.Saturday Forecast: Scattered showers with temperatures in upper 40s. High: 47.Full forecast details at the WGN Weather Center

Lawsuit over Florida migrant relocation program dismissed

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:14:56 GMT

(NewsNation) — A group of immigrant advocacy organizations that sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after the state paid to put migrants on a flight to Martha's Vineyard have voluntarily dropped the lawsuit. The Florida Immigrant Coalition, Americans for Immigrant Justice and Hope CommUnity Center filed a notice of dismissal Wednesday in federal court in Southern Florida. The notice didn't detail reasons, but the lawsuit was based on a now-moot part of the Florida state budget. Judge Kathleen Williams approved the request Thursday and officially closed the case.The groups sued in December to block Florida's so-called "relocation" program, arguing it was unconstitutional. The legislature had allocated $12 million in the state budget for the program intended to transport migrants to northern states and cities. DeSantis floats building prison on land next to Disney World DeSantis' administration used part of that money in September to fly a group of migrants to Martha's Vineyard. At the...

Jason Heyward becomes the latest to get a Cubs' homecoming

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:14:56 GMT

CHICAGO — A recent tradition continued for the Cubs on Thursday as another former member of the team made his way back to Wrigley Field.This time, it was Jason Heyward who was able to get his due from fans after his time with the team came to an end. (Marquee Sports Network)The Dodgers outfielder, who spent seven seasons with the Cubs, was welcomed back to Wrigley Field before his team's game with a tribute on the video board in left field. (Marquee Sports Network)Once it was done, Heyward emerged from the dugout to a standing ovation from the fans, who greeted him warmly upon his return to the "Friendly Confines" as the Cubs and Dodgers start a four-game series.For the Cubs, this has become a tradition over the last few years as a few of the core players from the 2016 World Series championship return to face their former team. Willson Contreras, who signed with the Cardinals this past offseason after being unable to reach a long-term deal with the Cubs, returns for the first time w...