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Hilary intensifies to Category 4 hurricane

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:38 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A tropical storm rapidly rotating northward off the coast of Mexico intensified to a Category 4 hurricane Thursday night, the National Weather Service announced.With maximum sustained winds of 140 mph, weather officials say Hilary's impact is increasing along the west-central coast of the Baja California Peninsula. Though the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts Hilary to begin weakening by Saturday, there is still one main threat for the San Diego County region. MORE: Tracking Hilary Shortly before 1 a.m. Friday, NWS announced a High Risk is in effect for Southern California's Excessive Rainfall Outlook. Valid Sunday, Aug. 20 through Monday. Aug. 21, an increased risk of excessive rainfall is forecast for the county. Excessive Rainfall Outlook for San Diego County Aug. 20-21. (Credit: National Weather Service)Perhaps the biggest threat posed to parts of San Diego County is flash flooding that could be caused by torrential downpours. NWS says this is especia...

Brush fire in Potrero increases to 466 acres, prompts evacuations

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:38 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A brush fire burning in the Potrero community prompted evacuations Thursday afternoon.The fire broke out near Coyote Holler Road and Round Potrero Road, Cal Fire San Diego said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. By 3:20 p.m., the fire, dubbed the "Coyote Fire," had grown to 200 acres and was burning at a moderate rate of spread, fire officials said. As of 5:12 p.m., the fire doubled in size to 400 acres.Cal Fire San Diego gave an update on the blaze at 8:18 p.m., saying the fire remains at 400 acres and is 5% contained. Another update was given at 6:39 a.m. Friday morning, with Cal Fire saying the blaze is now at 466 acres and is 10% contained. The fire has also caused all schools in the Mountain Unified School District to be closed on Friday, Music Watson with the San Diego County Office of Education told FOX 5.At least one structure was burned in the fire. Structures on Yerba Santa Road were also threatened. Hilary upgraded to hurricane: What does this ...

Stock market today: Wall Street drops again in what could be its worst week since March

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:38 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is limping toward the close of what could be its worst week since March. The S&P 500 fell 0.6% in the early going Friday and is on track for a third straight losing week. The Dow fell 107 points and the Nasdaq composite was off 1%. A swift rise in bond yields has forced investors to reassess whether stocks have grown too expensive, particularly after their prices ripped higher through the first seven months of this year. After topping 4.30% a day before and nearing its highest level since 2007, the 10-year Treasury yield fell back to 4.25%.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.Wall Street declined early Friday, threatening a fourth straight day of losses as higher bond yields put pressure on stocks and raised expectations that interest rates would remain elevated.Futures for the Dow Jones industrials slipped 0.5% before the bell and the S&P 500 gave up nearly 0.6%.Stocks broadly have retreated in August following a blist...

The latest news on the wildfires in British Columbia

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:38 GMT

KELOWNA, B.C. — A state of emergency has been declared in Kelowna, a city with a population of about 150,000, as threatening wildfires prompt officials to issue evacuation orders in parts of British Columbia’s Okanagan. Here are the latest developments on the B.C. wildfires (all times are PT):6:42 a.m.Environment Canada says a special weather statement is in effect for the Okanagan Valley and parts of Interior B.C.It says strong, gusty winds shifting from the southwest to northwest bring with them a risk of thunderstorms and dry lightning in the Okanagan Valley.It says there is a possibility for worsening wildfire conditions, new fire starts, risk of breaking tree branches, and challenging boating conditions.—6:21 a.m.The City of Kelowna, in the Okanagan Valley in the southern interior of British Columbia, has declared a state of emergency.Firefighters are responding to spot fires coming across Okanagan Lake from the McDougall Creek wildfire.Evacuation orders have been e...

Teranet-National Bank home price index in July up 2.4 per cent from June

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:38 GMT

TORONTO — Home prices in Canada continued to rise in July, according to the Teranet-National Bank composite index.The index for July was up 2.4 per cent from June, after seasonal adjustments.The increase was the fourth consecutive monthly increase and the second highest price increase ever recorded in a single month after the one observed in July 2006.Eight of the 11 markets in the composite index were up during the month with Halifax up the most at 4.9 per cent. Vancouver gained 3.9 per cent, while Toronto added 3.5 per cent.Prices fell 1.2 per cent in Quebec City, 0.9 per cent in Montreal and 0.3 per cent in Calgary.Compared with a year earlier, the overall composite index in July was down 1.9 per cent.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 18, 2023.The Canadian Press

Nurse facing charges for alleged sexual assault at Whitby psychiatric facility

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:38 GMT

A Whitby man is facing several charges after he allegedly sexually assaulted a patient while working as a nurse at a psychiatric facility.Investigators with the Durham Region Police Services Special Victim’s Unit began investigating when a patient at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences reported being sexually assaulted on a number of occasions.Police say the victim was an in-patient in an adolescent program at the facility for six months. The accused worked as a nurse in the same unit.Christopher Persaud, 24, of Whitby is facing 19 charges including eight counts of sexual assault, eight counts of sexual interference and three counts of invitation to sexual touching. The suspect has been released on conditions.Investigators are working to make sure there are no further victims.Anyone with additional information is being asked to contact police.

Ukraine will get F-16 fighter jets from the Dutch and Danes after the U.S. agrees to allow transfers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:38 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The United States has given its approval for the Netherlands and Denmark to deliver F-16s to Ukraine, officials in Washington and Europe said Friday, in a major gain for Kyiv even though the fighter jets won’t have an impact any time soon on the almost 18-month war.It was not immediately clear when the first F-16s might enter the conflict but Ukrainian pilots will first have to undertake at least six months’ training on the aircraft, according to officials. Ukraine has long pleaded for the sophisticated fighter to give it a combat edge. It recently launched a long-anticipated counteroffensive against the Kremlin’s forces without air cover, placing its troops at the mercy of Russian aviation and artillery. In eastern Ukraine, attack helicopter pilots welcomed the news. They said Russia has a clear advantage in the skies, but the introduction of modern fighter jets could dramatically shift the balance of power Kyiv’s way.Ukrainian forces supporting ...

Russia shuts down human rights group that preserved the legacy of Nobel laureate Andrei Sakharov

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:38 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Russian court on Friday ordered the liquidation of a human rights organization that preserved the legacy of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, in the latest move in a widespread crackdown on dissent.Sakharov, who died in 1989, was a key figure in developing the Soviet Union’s hydrogen bomb program but later become renowned for his activism in promoting human rights and freedom of conscience. He was awarded the Nobel prize in 1975 but was not allowed to travel to Norway to receive it. In 1980 he was sent into internal exile, which lasted six years. The organization founded in his honor operated the Sakharov Center museum and archives in Moscow. Authorities declared it a “foreign agent” in 2014 and this year ordered the eviction of the center from its premises.The court ordered the organization liquidated at the request of the Justice Ministry, Russian news agencies reported. Independent journalists, critics, activists and opposition figures in...

Broadway’s ‘Here Lies Love’ to show love for other Filipino stars with Lea Salonga’s departure

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:38 GMT

As Tony Award winner Lea Salonga prepares to depart the first ever all-Filipino Broadway cast this week, her role will become a revolving door to showcase other well-known talent from the Philippines.Actor and singer Vina Morales, also beloved in the Philippines, will take over as Aurora Aquino in “Here Lies Love” for a month-long engagement starting Sept. 22, the production exclusively told The Associated Press on Friday. Producers say they are committed to highlighting the country’s “abundance of talent,” allowing guest performers a Broadway debut.“To be able to perform on Broadway is a dream come true for any artist,” Morales said in a statement. “I am grateful to ‘Coach Lea’ Salonga for guiding me along the way.”Salonga, who has been with the show since previews in June, called her friend Morales “a wonderful addition to our cast.” Her final show will be the matinee Saturday. Another cast member will fill in until Morales’ arrival.“Here Lies Love” chronicles th...

Dean's Reviews: 'Blue Beetle' & 'Strays'

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:15:38 GMT

CHICAGO — Another superhero film based on a DC Comics character along with a comedy with a few prominent voice-over characters are set to be released this weekend. "Blue Beetle" is being released on Friday as this film focuses on the Mexican-American superhero, who is portrayed by Xolo Maridueña, that was first introduced in 2006. "Strays" features Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx proving the voices for animals without homes who are trying to get revenge on a former dog owner.Dean Richards took a look at both of these films and offered up his thoughts during "Dean's Reviews" on Friday's WGN Morning News. You can see how he graded "Blue Beetle" and "Strays" from the August 18 show in the video above.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!