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Power station fire, explosions cut off power in much of Iraq in scorching summer heat, officials say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:53 GMT

BAGHDAD (AP) — Power was cut off in large swaths of southern and central Iraq for much of Saturday during scorching summer heat and observances of the Shiite holy day of Ashoura after a fire broke out at a power station in the southern city of Basra.The fire at the Al-Bkir substation in Basra resulted in the separation of transmission lines linking the southern and central regions, leading to a complete shutdown of the electrical system in the area, Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity said in a statement. It said the fire was accidental. The power outage came as the electrical system faces other challenges, including fuel shortages and surging demands for electricity during a major heat wave. On Saturday, temperatures reached 47 degrees Celsius (116.6 degrees Farenheit).Also on Saturday, the company that handles electricity transmission in the north reported that the northern transmission line in a remote area outside the city of Haditha in western Iraq had been sabotaged. Three towers w...

Marine staff sergeant found not guilty in 2021 death of recruit at South Carolina’s Parris Island

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:53 GMT

FRANCE, France — A staff sergeant who oversaw Marine training at South Carolina’s Parris Island has been cleared of criminal responsibility in the death of a 19-year-old recruit in 2021.A military jury on Friday found Staff Sgt. Steven Smiley not guilty of negligent homicide and four other counts in the death of Pfc. Dalton Beals, The Hilton Head Island Packet reported.The defense argued with the help of medical experts that an existing heart condition contributed to Beals’ death. The prosecution had asserted Beals was suffering from heat stroke after Smiley pushed him too hard. The jury did, however, find Smiley guilty of violating an order that forbids drill instructors from calling recruits names. Smiley called recruits “pig” and “war pigs” and “sweet bacon” during training. The jury was still deliberating on a sentence Friday night, the Island Packet reported. Beals died on June 4, 2021, during a strenuous exercise known as “The Crucible” that caps a 13-week training...

Woman arrested in connection with multiple break and enters in Carlton and Jarvis area

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:53 GMT

Toronto police have arrested a woman in connection with multiple residential break and enters in the Carlton Street and Jarvis Street area.Between June 27 and July 10, police received multiple reports of alleged break and enters in the area, and on July 16, Susan Felix, 28, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged.The charges include six counts of breaking and entering and house dwelling, two counts of fraud under $5,000, two counts of unauthorized use of credit card data, four counts of possessing identity documents and two counts of failure to comply with a release order.Felix was also charged with theft under $5,000, mischief over $5,000, trespassing at night, possessing break-in instruments, possessing property under $5,000 obtained by crime, possessing proceeds of crime under $5,000 and failure to subsequently appear in court.She was scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on July 17.Police believe there may be more victims of the break and enters.

India cuts rice exports, triggering panic-buying of food staple by some Indian expats in the US

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:53 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Chatter on one of Prabha Rao’s WhatsApp groups exploded last week when India announced that it was severely curtailing some rice exports to the rest of the world, triggering worry among the Indian diaspora in the United States that access to a food staple from home might soon be cut off.As in any crisis situation — think bottled water and toilet paper— some rushed to supermarkets to stock up, stacking carts with bags and bags of rice. In some places, lines formed outside some stores as panic buying ensued.But Rao, who lives near Syracuse, New York, was reassured when the proprietor of her Indian market sent out an email to customers to let them know there was no need to worry: There was an ample supply of rice.At least for now.An earlier than expected El Niño brought drier, warmer weather in some parts of Asia and is expected to harm rice production. But in some parts of India, where the monsoon season was especially brutal, flooding destroyed some crops, addin...

Lightning strike believed to be start of apartment fire in Oakbrook Terrace

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:53 GMT

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. — Several people are displaced after an apartment fire early Saturday morning in Oakbrook Terrace.Ken Kovarik, the fire marshal for the York Center Fire Protection District, said the fire was believed to be caused by lightning from the storms overnight. Man unresponsive after being pulled from pond in Bensenville The DuPage County Arson Task Force is investigating.While an official cause of the fire hasn't been determined, Kovarik said the preliminary cause is believed to be the storms.“It’s all wood construction, so you have wood truss ceiling and wood truss floors, so once the fire starts going, there’s really not much," Kovarik said. "It can overrun the fire sprinkler system.”No civilians were injured.At least three firefighters were taken to a local hospital for heat exhaustion. They were treated and have since been released.

Is it 'Bags' or 'Cornhole'? Official governing body tries to settle the debate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:53 GMT

(WFRV) - It may have many names, but depending on where you live, it only has one. "Cornhole" or "Bags" has been in the middle of discussions when it comes to what the popular bag toss game is called.The American Cornhole Association (ACA) wanted to settle the debate about what the popular game is called. In addition to having it on its website, the ACA also posted on its Facebook page. Why are people drinking borax cleaning powder on TikTok? The Facebook post had nearly 600 engagements, and the results painted an interesting picture. A map with the results showed how different parts of the country have different names for the game. Nearly 79% of the answers were "cornhole," while just over 21% were "bags." There was also a percentage for "bean bag toss." Most of the answers for "bags" came from the Midwest. But outside of the Midwest, answers were dominated by "cornhole." Your vintage Barbie dolls might be worth a pretty penny — if you have the right ones Regardless of what the...

APD officers stop kidnapping attempt in north Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Five officers with the Austin Police Department were able to stop a kidnapping attempt Tuesday, according to APD.A child told an employee at a north Austin store she had been kidnapped, and the kidnappers were still in the building.Officers responded to an urgent check welfare call in the 8000 block of Shoal Creek Boulevard.APD said Officer Cody Carr and Officer Callie Wolfe arrived on the scene and based on the information provided in the 911 call, multiple suspects were found inside a vehicle in the parking lot.According to police, the officers detained the suspects involved and requested additional officers to assist them. APD said Officer Rachel Stahlke and Officer Julian Vasquez arrived shortly after.An additional suspect was found inside the store, according to APD.Officer Omer Ahmad also responded to the scene and assisted with detaining the suspects, according to APD.According to police, one suspect was arrested, and charges were pending on the others.“These ...

Senator Cornyn launches bipartisan effort to increase access to lifesaving fentanyl test strips

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Five U.S. Senators, including Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, introduced a bill to decriminalize testing strips that detect fentanyl and xylazine, in order to slow the growing number of deaths from overdoses in the U.S. Overdose deaths have been on the rise in the U.S. in recent years, many of them from the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, per CDC data. People use fentanyl knowingly, but others may accidentally consume it with other substances, such as cocaine and counterfeit pills, adulterated with fentanyl. Because fentanyl is so powerful, a very small amount can be lethal. MORE: Xylazine, a sometimes deadly animal tranquilizer, detected in Texas supply The senators say this legislation, the Fentanyl Safe Testing and Overdose Prevention Act, would help prevent overdose deaths by allowing people who use drugs to know if they have been mixed with fentanyl or xylazine. “Fentanyl is ravaging Texas communities, and poisonings among children and teenagers have sk...

10 weird things about Texas that you didn't know!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:53 GMT

DALLAS (KDAF) — These ten weird and wonderful facts about Texas showcase the state's unique blend of quirkiness and charm. From giant cowboy boots to mysterious lights and unusual museums, Texas never fails to surprise and delight visitors with its eccentric attractions.1. The World's Largest Cowboy Boots: Located in San Antonio, Texas, these gigantic cowboy boots stand at a staggering 35 feet tall. A quirky attraction, they serve as a reminder of Texas' deep-rooted cowboy culture.2. The Marfa Lights: In the town of Marfa, Texas, mysterious lights appear in the night sky, seemingly floating and flickering. Despite extensive research, the source of these lights remains unknown, leaving scientists and locals puzzled.3. The Cadillac Ranch: Just outside Amarillo, Texas, lies an unusual art installation known as the Cadillac Ranch. Ten half-buried, graffiti-covered Cadillac cars stand in a row, creating a unique and bizarre visual spectacle.4. The Bat Bridge: In Austin, Texas, the Congre...

Swimming: Lakeville star Regan Smith wins fourth medal at world championships

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:53 GMT

Regan Smith of Lakeville added a fourth medal — and third silver — to her tally at the World Championships in Japan with a second-place finish in the 200-meter backstroke.Smith swam the race in 2 minutes, 4.94 seconds. The race marks the second time she has hit the 2:04 mark in her career. Australia’s Kaylee McKeown won the race with a time of 2:03.85.“The silver medal means a lot. Having the opportunity to be here, competing internationally again in the 200 backstroke, is something, for a while, I never thought I would get to do again,” Smith said in a release. “It means a lot that I got to be here. … It’s always a pleasure to come home with a medal for Team USA.”Smith also won silver medals in the 50- and 100-meter backstroke races, while placing third in the 200-meter butterfly.The 21-year-old is gearing up for her likely second Olympics appearance next summer in France.Related ArticlesOlympics | Lakeville star swimmer Regan Smith bu...