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Halifax-area neighbourhood evacuated as Nova Scotia wildfire burns out of control

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:39 GMT

Thick plumes of heavy smoke filled the Halifax sky on Sunday as an out-of-control fire in a suburban community quickly spread, engulfing multiple homes and forcing the evacuation of local residents.The province issued two emergency alerts, the first ordering residents of the Westwood Hills subdivision in Tantallon to immediately evacuate the area due to “multiple structure and forest fires.”The second alert, shared shortly after 6 p.m. local time, said the fire had spread, and the evacuation order had been expanded to include the Yankeetown, or Highland Park, subdivision of Hammonds Plains.RCMP said the out-of-control fire was moving rapidly through the area, about 30 minutes northwest of downtown.An official with the provincial Department of Natural Resources said local firefighters and two helicopters are on the scene, but it remained unclear the size of the fire.The emergency alert directed residents to a comfort centre at the Black Point and Area Community Centre.The...

Some of the memorable comments made during Alberta election campaign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:39 GMT

Candidates for both the United Conservative Party and New Democrats have been campaigning over the last four weeks for their party to form the next Alberta government. Election day is Monday.Here are some memorable quotes from the campaign:“(The NDP) devastated the Alberta economy. They created policies that drove investment out, drove jobs out, and we had to reverse all of that,” UCP Leader Danielle Smith said on May 1, the day the writ was dropped. “The choice in this election couldn’t be clearer. It’s a choice between a UCP government that will cut your taxes and make life more affordable or an NDP government that will make you pay more across the board.”—“Over the past four years, our health care has been thrown into chaos by the UCP,” NDP Leader Rachel Notley said during the first week of the campaign. “They’ll tell you they fixed it, but Albertans aren’t feeling it and they’re not buying it … o...

Promise tracker: What Alberta’s UCP and NDP pledge to do if they win the election

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:39 GMT

Albertans go to the polls on Monday. Here’s a look at some of the promises announced by the two major parties:United Conservative Party— Create a new tax bracket that would deliver about $760 more for everyone making more than $60,000 a year. Those making less would see a 20 per cent reduction to their provincial tax bill.— Extend the pause on the provincial fuel tax, with savings of 13 cents per litre at the pump, until the end of 2023.— Put into legislation a guarantee not to increase personal or business taxes without approval from Albertans in a referendum.— Contribute $330 million toward a new National Hockey League arena project for the Calgary Flames.— Follow a public health-care guarantee that no Albertan would have to pay for a doctor out of pocket.— Introduce a 25 per cent discount for seniors on personal registry services, camping fees and medical driving exams.— Bring in the proposed compassionate intervention act, allowing people with severe drug addiction to be f...

Economy, health care, trust: Alberta election campaign hits final day before vote

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:39 GMT

Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley made one final pitch to voters Sunday to upend Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party government and deliver an upset win in the provincial election.“In this room, we share Alberta’s values. Danielle Smith and her UCP do not,” Notley told cheering supporters at an afternoon rally in Edmonton.“Friends, as long as we stand together, we can and we will win this thing. Let’s build a future together.”Voters go to the polls Monday in what is expected to be a tight race between Alberta’s two dominant parties.Smith was not made available to reporters Sunday and made a last push to hundreds at a rally in Calgary on Thursday.“This election will matter for a lot of reasons. It’s going to matter for the economy. It’s going to matter for affordability. It’s going to matter for health care. It’s going to matter for public safety,” said Smith.“The UCP has a strong and stable plan that Albertans can rely on, one that wil...

96-year-old Ottawa woman breaks 5K race record

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:39 GMT

Rejeanne Fairhead stood at the starting line in front of Ottawa’s city hall on Saturday surrounded by thousands of racers who were almost all, assuredly, younger than her.But as the sun beat down on a 28 C day in the nation’s capital, the 96-year-old took a deep breath and burst forward.Fifty-one minutes and nine seconds later she was a world record holder.“It felt very good,” Fairhead said, in an interview the day after her big accomplishment. “I was proud of what I did. But I was glad it was all over too.”Fairhead walked the five-kilometre distance in the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend almost five minutes faster than American Betty Lindberg, who set the previous world record for a 5K race completed by women between the ages of 95 and 99.Lindberg was 97 when she finished the Atlanta Peachtree Marathon Weekend in 55 minutes and 48 seconds in February 2022.Unlike Lindberg, who has racked up the records as a master’s athlete in multiple distance...

With section of stadium closed after racist abuse against Vinícius, Valencia draws at home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:39 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Playing its first home game with a section of Mestalla Stadium closed as punishment for the racist abuse against Vinícius Júnior, Valencia moved closer to avoiding relegation from the Spanish league thanks to a stoppage-time equalizer in a 2-2 draw against Espanyol. Valencia had the first of three matches with a small section of Mestalla closed behind one of the goals where the abuse targeting Vinícius took place in a match against Real Madrid a week ago. Valencia was initially ordered to close the section for five matches but the punishment was reduced on appeal. The club’s initial fine of 45,000 euros ($48,200) was also reduced to 27,000 euros ($28,900).The draw was enough to relegate Espanyol for the second time in three seasons. Espanyol was set to take its fight against relegation to the final round but Samuel Lino scored Valencia’s equalizer with a shot from inside the area three minutes into stoppage time.Valencia dropped to 15th place but stayed two point...

Man wanted after alleged sexual assault of woman at TTC station

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:39 GMT

Police are searching for a man wanted in connection with an early morning sexual assault at a TTC station. Investigators say around 2 a.m. Sunday morning a woman was riding the subway on Line 1 (Yonge-University) when she noticed a man staring at her. When the woman exited the subway at Wilson station, the man began to follow her. The suspect then allegedly sexually assaulted the woman before fleeing the scene. The man is described as having a thin build, short black hair and back facial hair. He was last seen wearing a black long sleeve shirt, green cargo pants, black boots and was carrying a black backpack.

Tourist boat overturns on Italian lake, at least 1 dead; several remain missing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:39 GMT

MILAN (AP) — A tourist boat capsized in a storm on Italy’s Lago Maggiore in the northern Lombardy region on Sunday, with at least one person confirmed dead, Italian media reported.Authorities were searching for several people who were still missing after a sudden whirlwind overturned a boat carrying more than 20 tourists and crew, the news agency ANSA reported. Italian firefighters said 19 people have been saved. Many reportedly managed to swim to shore. Rescue operations were continuing with divers, boats and a helicopter. Firefighter video showed pieces of wood floating in the lake as a helicopter flew overhead.The whirlwind was part of a storm system that hit the northern region of Lombardy on Sunday evening, forcing delays at the Malpensa airport.The Associated Press

3 killed in shooting involving biker gangs at New Mexico motorcycle rally: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:39 GMT

RED RIVER, N.M. (KRQE) -- Three men were killed in a shooting involving two rival biker gangs during a motorcycle rally in New Mexico on Saturday, state police have confirmed. Around 5 p.m., gunshots were reported near Main Street in Red River, according to New Mexico State Police. When officers arrived, they found two people dead and six more injured. Five of the injured were transported to local hospitals, where one person was later pronounced dead. Another individual was airlifted to a Denver hospital. Sunday, NMSP Chief Tim Johnson gave an update and said all eight individuals involved have been identified as outlaw motorcycle gang members from the "Water Dogs" and "Bandidos." Most Americans say they would support stricter gun control laws: poll He identified those killed as Anthony Silva, 26, of Los Lunas; Randy Sanchez, 46, of Albuquerque; and Damian Breaux, 46, of Socorro. NMSP said the shooting stemmed from a previous altercation between the rival gangs in Albuquerque. At...

Spotty storm today and a few more for Memorial Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:35:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Isolated late day showers or storms may pop-up in spots through mid-evening, but most areas stay dry and warm today under a mix of sun and clouds. Highs should reach the mid to upper 80s before peak heating fades.Tonight we'll carry a low (10%) rain chance, but most of the time looks dry and partly cloudy with overnight lows in the upper 60s.Memorial Day stormsThe Memorial Day forecast has started to trend drier, but a few showers and storms remain possible. What looks likely to happen is that a cluster of more widespread storms will miss us to the southwest and south while robbing our area of some of the moisture and instability needed to bring us more rain. That being said, we still think a few spotty showers and storms remain possible, especially Monday afternoon and evening.GRAF Model output for Monday afternoonI've lowered rain coverage a little bit to 40% for Monday and I think much of the day will be dry. At best rain coverage is scattered, but most of the ti...