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Indian rescuers are flying into the region where a flood washed out bridges and killed at least 74

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:52 GMT

GANGTOK, India (AP) — Air force helicopters rescued scores of stranded tourists Monday in India’s Himalayan northeast after a 6-year-old hydroelectric dam cracked open last week in intense rain, flooding a valley with glacial lake water and killing at least 74 people.Officials told the Press Trust of India news agency that they recovered 34 bodies in Sikkim state since the flooding began on Wednesday, while authorities in neighboring West Bengal state have retrieved 40 bodies from the Teesta River as the floodwaters carried them downstream. Around 100 people are still missing, police said. As weather conditions improved in Sikkim state, helicopters arrived in the worst-hit Mangan district to help some 3,000 stranded tourists.The design and placement of the Teesta 3 dam, the biggest hydroelectric dam in Sikkim, were controversial from the time it was built. A 2019 report identified Lhonak Lake as “highly vulnerable” to flooding that could breach dams and cause extensive damage....

Leading Polish candidates to debate on state TV six days before a national election

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:52 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Leading Polish candidates are gearing up for a debate Monday where they hope to sway undecided voters, six days before a national election that many Poles believe is the most important one since communism was toppled.Debates in Poland’s post-1989 democratic era have in some cases sealed the destiny of candidates, creating a sense of anticipation surrounding the event.The ruling conservative Law and Justice party is leading in the polls with around 35% support, yet it is at risk of losing its majority in parliament. Its nearest rival, the Civic Coalition led by Donald Tusk, is just a few points behind but has gained momentum lately. The Civic Coalition and two other opposition groups together have greater support than the ruling party, but they are weakened by not running together. Small swings in the performance of the smaller parties could shift the final result.The debate will be broadcast starting at 6:30 p.m. (1630 GMT) by public broadcaster TVP, whic...

Saudi Arabia formally informs FIFA of its wish to host the 2034 World Cup as the favorite to win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:52 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — Saudi Arabia formally informed FIFA of its wish to host the men’s World Cup in 2034 on Monday in a bidding contest that increasingly looks designed for the kingdom to win.The Saudi Arabian soccer federation said it “submitted a letter of intent and signed declaration to FIFA to bid” in a vote that is open only to members of the Asian and Oceania soccer governing bodies.FIFA fast-tracked starting the 2034 contest last week after its ruling body also agreed to accept only one candidate for the 2030 World Cup — now an unprecedented six-nation, three-continent co-hosting plan in Europe, Africa and South America that removed those continents from bidding to get back-to-back tournaments.The Spain-Portugal-Morocco-Argentina-Paraguay-Uruguay project in 2030 will follow the inaugural 48-team, 104-game tournament in 2026 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. That allows the 2034 edition to return to Asia 12 years after Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup.Last week, FIFA set tight...

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Oct. 15-21

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:52 GMT

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Oct. 15-21:Oct. 15: Singer Barry McGuire is 88. Actor Linda Lavin (“Alice”) is 86. Drummer Don Stevenson of Moby Grape is 81. Actor Victor Banerjee (“A Passage To India”) is 77. Musician Richard Carpenter of The Carpenters is 77. Singer Tito Jackson is 70. Actor Larry Miller (“The Nutty Professor”) is 70. Actor Jere Burns (“Good Morning, Miami,” ″Dear John”) is 69. TV chef Emeril Lagasse is 64. Drummer Mark Reznicek (The Toadies) is 61. Singer Eric Benet is 57. Actor Vanessa Marcil (“Las Vegas,” ″Beverly Hills 90210″) is 55. “Trading Spaces” host Paige Davis is 54. Actor Dominic West (“The Wire”) is 54. Singer Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town is 54. Singer Ginuwine is 53. Singer Jaci Velasquez is 44. Actor Brandon Jay McLaren (TV’s “Ransom”) is 43. Singer Keyshia Cole is 42. Actor Vincent Martella (“Everybody Hates Chris”) is 31.Oct. 16: Actor Barry Corbin (“Yellowstone,” ″Northern Exposure”) is 83. Bassist C.F. Turner of Bachman-Turner Overd...

1 injured in Pickering casino shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:52 GMT

One person has life threatening injuries after an early morning shooting at Pickering Casino Resort on Monday.Durham Regional Police say a portion of the casino is closed for the investigation.Members of the public are being asked to stay out of the area at this time.More to come 

Kimberly Palmer: How to plan for a potential inheritance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:52 GMT

The amount of wealth millennials and Gen Xers stand to inherit from their parents and grandparents almost defies comprehension: According to Cerulli Associates, a Boston-based research and consulting firm, $84.4 trillion in wealth will be transferred between 2021 and 2045, primarily from baby boomer households to younger generations.Inheritances aren’t just for the rich: Less than half of the total volume of transfers is expected to come from high-net-worth households.“It’s a really unique point in history because of the amount of wealth,” says Chayce Horton, senior analyst on the wealth management team at Cerulli. “It’s something we haven’t seen before.”As a result of that magnitude, inheritance recipients might not know what to do with one, and whether to count on the windfall before it arrives.If you’re wondering whether to broach the topic of a potential inheritance with your own parents or grandparents, here are some guidelines financial experts recommend:TALK ABOUT INHERITANCE...

Newfoundland jail death renews calls for accountability in provincial corrections

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:52 GMT

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — It was shortly after another death was confirmed at a notoriously harsh Newfoundland jail that Bob Buckingham wrote to his fellow defence lawyers to ask what they could do to better advocate for inmates.The August death, which sources say was a suicide, was at least the seventh death since 2017 inside jails in the province, which between 2010 and 2020 had the highest rate of inmate suicide in Atlantic Canada.Judges in Newfoundland and Labrador have recently reduced sentences for at least two inmates at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary in St. John’s in scathing written decisions condemning the 164-year-old prison’s rodent and mould infestations and its crumbling infrastructure. Buckingham wants lawyers to raise those conditions more often during pleadings and thus give judges more opportunities to take a stand, which he hopes will pressure the provincial government to make changes.“There has to be a political will, to do something to change ...

Monday Forecast: Cool conditions with temps in upper 50s, mostly sunny

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Mostly sunny and a bit milder Monday. Winds: WNW 10-15 mph. Air quality is in the Good category for Chicagoland. High near 60. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Partly cloudy skies tonight and getting cold again. Patchy fog late. Frost is possible in some outlying areas. Winds: NW 5-10 mph. Low 39, lower 30s outlying areas. Tuesday Forecast: Mostly sunny and mild. Winds: NW 10-15 mph. High: 64.Extended outlook calls for increasing clouds and an extended rainy period moves into Chicagoland on Wednesday in the afternoon and stay with us through the end of the week. Rain at times and highs in the mid to upper 50s. Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

AUS prepares for record-breaking October with ACL, Formula 1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport wants passengers to prepare for larger-than-normal airport crowd sizes in October as the city hosts big events including Austin City Limits and Formula 1. According to AUS, more crowds are expected in 2023 because approximately 5% more airline seats are for sale compared to last year, and new international destinations and airlines have popped up at the airport in 2023. "That 5% increase in ticket sales means a lot of airlines are bringing in larger planes so that they can bring in more people," AUS spokeswoman Elizabeth Ferrer said.AUS said passengers should plan for extra crowds on the following days:Sunday, Oct. 8; Monday, Oct. 9; and Tuesday, Oct. 10 for ACL Weekend OneSunday, Oct. 15; Monday, Oct. 16; and Tuesday, Oct. 17 for ACL Weekend TwoThursday, Oct. 19; Friday, Oct. 20; Sunday, Oct. 22; and Monday, Oct. 23; Tuesday, Oct. 24 for Formula One RELATED COVERAGE: What is the busiest day ever at Austin airport? Two da...

Tropical moisture brings rain to some

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A gorgeous start to the work week... but two tropical storms in the Eastern Pacific may throw just enough moisture at Texas to bring rain chances back to our area tomorrow.Today will be pleasant with afternoon highs in the mid-80s, mainly sunny skies and dry conditions. Our next chance of rain arrives tomorrow as moisture from two tropical systems in the Pacific Ocean heads to Texas.Fantastic weather MondayWhile there is high uncertainty in how much rainfall we will get out of this in Central Texas, it's looking likely that at least some of our area (particularly those in our southern counties) will find themselves under scattered showers tomorrow and Wednesday. Those who do see rain will likely see light amounts, mainly under 0.5".Spotty to scattered rain Tuesday and WednesdayTropical moisture from the Pacific will help fuel rain chances in Texas this weekWarmer temperatures briefly return Thursday ahead of a dry cold front expected to bring picture-perfect weather...