N.S. approves wind farm, but federal officials worry project would kill at-risk birds

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:25:57 GMT

N.S. approves wind farm, but federal officials worry project would kill at-risk birds HALIFAX — A 13-turbine wind farm recently approved by the Nova Scotia government is worrying federal officials, who say there isn’t enough information about what impact the project will have on the endangered roseate tern and other birds.Nova Scotia’s Environment Department approved the Wedgeport Wind Farm, on the province’s southwest coast, on May 4. Also on that day, an environment assessment by Environment Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service became public.The federal agencies note in their report that 75 per cent of the breeding of the roseate tern population in Canada occurs about 15 kilometres from the proposed wind farm. They say the endangered animals “may be vulnerable” to the turbines as they fly across the project area at Little River Harbour, N.S., seeking food.The seabirds have a distinctive appearance, with black caps, bills that are red at their base and a forked tail. The Canadian Wildlife Service has reported that their numbers have plunged to ...

Dutch PM to discuss defence of Ukraine with Brazil's Lula da Silva

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:25:57 GMT

Dutch PM to discuss defence of Ukraine with Brazil's Lula da Silva Dutch PM Mark Rutte (pictured) explained to Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva the importance of defending Ukraine in the conflict with Russia when they met on Tuesday (9 May). Lula da Silva has previously criticized the idea of arming Ukrainians.Rutte, on the first day his Brazil visit, told reporters: "We need to help Ukraine in this fight."Rutte told Lula that he would explain why backing Ukraine was "essential" to the Netherlands, Europe and beyond due to the Russian invasion putting Western values in danger."I don't know if Putin will be successful in Ukraine. People are concerned for their safety in Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, and Europe," he said.Lula has tried to encourage non-conflict countries to form a group that will push for peace talks. He has also said that supplying weapons to Ukraine is encouraging war. The US accused him of repeating Russian and Chinese propaganda.The Dutch government, along with its European partners, is considering donating F-16 fighter ...

Single-family home in Pleasanton sells for $1.9 million

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:25:57 GMT

Single-family home in Pleasanton sells for $1.9 million 849 Madeira Drive – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 800 block of Madeira Drive in Pleasanton has new owners. The 2,016-square-foot property, built in 1975, was sold on March 22, 2023, for $1,855,000, or $920 per square foot. The property features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a garage, and two parking spaces. It sits on a 7,521-square-foot lot.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:A 1,942-square-foot home on the 1000 block of Crellin Road in Pleasanton sold in January 2023, for $1,480,000, a price per square foot of $762. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Vintner Way, Pleasanton, in July 2022, a 1,942-square-foot home was sold for $1,675,000, a price per square foot of $863. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In July 2022, a 2,251-square-foot home on Marsala Court in Pleasanton sold for $2,400,000, a price per square foot of $1,066. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. 

National Harbor celebrates 15 years of ‘Movies on the Potomac’ screening outdoor cinema under the stars

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:25:57 GMT

National Harbor celebrates 15 years of ‘Movies on the Potomac’ screening outdoor cinema under the stars toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews 'Movies on the Potomac' at National Harbor (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); Get ready for outdoor cinema under the stars as “Movies on the Potomac” returns to National Harbor.The free movie screenings will be held on National Plaza in Oxon Hill, Maryland, every week now through September with Thursday “date nights” starting at 7 p.m. and Sunday ...

Reportan tormentas fuertes para el centro y sur de las Llanuras este miércoles

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:25:57 GMT

Reportan tormentas fuertes para el centro y sur de las Llanuras este miércoles (CNN) — El Centro de Predicción de Tormentas (SPC, por sus siglas en inglés) de Estados Unidos informó que esperan este miércoles tormentas severas en el centro y sur de las Llanuras del país.Existe un riesgo leve de tormentas severas, nivel 2 de 5, desde el norte de Texas hasta el sureste de Montana, incluyendo Denver, Colorado Springs, Cheyenne y Casper, Wyoming.Las principales amenazas son tornados aislados, granizo de gran tamaño y rachas de viento dañinas.Un riesgo marginal de tormentas severas, nivel 1 de 5, se extiende desde la frontera entre Texas y México hasta la frontera entre Minnesota y Canadá, incluyendo Lubbock, Amarillo y Bismarck.Las principales amenazas son el granizo de gran tamaño y las rachas de viento dañinas.Así se nombran las tormentas tropicales y huracanes en el AtlánticoUn riesgo marginal por separado está en su lugar para el sureste de Texas, incluyendo Houston.Las principales amenazas son granizo grande, ráfagas de viento dañinas y precipitaciones ...

22 dead women, no names: Interpol seeks clues on cold cases

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:25:57 GMT

22 dead women, no names: Interpol seeks clues on cold cases PARIS (AP) — The 22 women mostly met violent deaths. Their bodies, some dismembered, were found in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands over a span of 43 years — the most recent in 2019. Police say some showed signs of abuse or starvation. But who they were is unknown, frustrating detectives’ hunts for their killers.Police hope that may change with the launch Wednesday of Operation Identify Me. The international appeal with Interpol is seeking public help to put names to the women. Such a breakthrough would, at a minimum, enable police to no longer have to identify the victims by their distinguishing features or apparel — “the woman with the flower tattoo,” “the woman with the artificial nails” — or locations where their remains were discovered.The oldest of the cold cases, “The girl in the parking lot,” dates back to 1976. Her body was found along the A12 highway in the Netherlands. She is believed to have been between 13 and 20 years old when she died...

Report: Car bombing near Syria’s Damascus wounds 5 officers

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:25:57 GMT

Report: Car bombing near Syria’s Damascus wounds 5 officers DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A car bombing close to a police station near the Syrian capital wounded five officers on Wednesday, state media reported. The reports, citing the Interior Ministry, did not provide further details on the explosion in the neighborhood of Barzeh, just north of Damascus. The state SANA news agency circulated photos of a charred car with investigators assessing the damage.A pro-government radio station cited a police source and said the car that exploded was a “private vehicle.” No group immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion. The explosion comes as Syrian President Bashar Assad is making strides in restoring ties with the Arab world. Syria was readmitted into the Arab League on Sunday following a 12-year suspension. On Tuesday, the Syrian and Saudi foreign ministries announced the reopening of their diplomatic missions.The Associated Press

Toyota’s profits rise as global chips supply crunch subsides

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:25:57 GMT

Toyota’s profits rise as global chips supply crunch subsides TOKYO (AP) — Toyota’s January-March profit edged up 3% from the previous year on robust sales as a chips supply crunch gradually eased. Toyota Motor Corp. racked up 552.2 billion yen ($4 billion) in quarterly net profit, up from 533.8 billion yen ($3.9 billion), according to results released Wednesday. Quarterly sales soared nearly 20% to 9.69 trillion yen ($72 billion).For the fiscal year ended in March, profit at Japan’s top automaker fell 14% on-year to 2.45 trillion yen ($18 billion). But it’s forecasting profit to rise 5.2% for the current fiscal year to 2.58 trillion yen ($19 billion).Automakers worldwide have been hurt by a shortage of computer chips and other auto parts because of restrictions over the coronavirus pandemic that crimped production in various countries.Toyota said soaring raw material costs also hurt its bottom line.The automaker’s sales for the fiscal year that ended in March rose across global regions, including Japan, the United States, Europe and other mar...

In The News for May 10 : Wildfires continue to rage throughout Alberta

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:25:57 GMT

In The News for May 10 : Wildfires continue to rage throughout Alberta In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what’s on the radar of our editors for the morning of May 10 …What we are watching in Canada …The Alberta government says fire danger continues to be extreme in most of the province except the Rockies, where lower danger levels were expected.Some areas have experienced cooler temperatures and some rain, but the government says a return to hot and windy conditions is expected in the coming days.Indigenous Services Canada said Tuesday that nine First Nations were under threat by active wildfires.One of them was Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, about 360 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, where 1,600 people were forced to leave after fire destroyed 45 structures and power infrastructure.As of early Wednesday morning, Alberta’s wildfire status dashboard was reporting 81 active wildfires in the province, including 27 listed as out of control.Firefighters from Yukon, Britis...

Imran Khan due in court as Pakistan braces for more violence

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:25:57 GMT

Imran Khan due in court as Pakistan braces for more violence ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan braced for more turmoil a day after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was dragged from court in Islamabad and his supporters clashed with police across the country. The 70-year-old opposition leader is expected in court later Wednesday for a hearing in which a judge will be asked to approve keeping him in custody for up to 14 days.Khan, who lost power last year but remains the country’s most popular opposition figure, is the seventh former prime minister to be arrested in Pakistan. The arrest deepened political turmoil and sparked violent demonstrations. At least one person was killed in the southwestern city of Quetta, and dozens were wounded in various parts of the country. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party called for demonstrators to remain peaceful hours after mobs angered over the dramatic arrest set fire to the residence of a top army general in the eastern city of Lahore.Khan was appearing in court on multiple graft charges brought by ...