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Bus crash across lagoon from Venice’s historic center kills 21 people, including Ukrainian tourists

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:51:23 GMT

ROME (AP) — At least 21 people were killed and 18 injured in a fiery bus crash in a borough of Venice, Italy, across the lagoon from its historic center, where firefighters and other emergency responders worked into the night trying to extract bodies and squelch the flames.The bus was carrying foreign tourists, including Ukrainians, according to a Venice official, when it fell from an elevated street Tuesday in Mestre en route to a camping site near the community of Marghera.“The people in the bus found themselves surrounded by flames,” said Mauro Luongo, commander of the Venice firefighters team. “The scene we found was terrible. It took about one hour to extract some of the bodies.” Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that the crash scene was “apocalyptic” and declared the city in a state of mourning. Four of the injured were in serious condition following the accident, which happened on the mainland just 9 km (3.7 miles) no...

A Nepal town imposes a lockdown and beefs up security to prevent clashes between Hindus and Muslims

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:51:23 GMT

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Despite quickly escalating tensions between Hindus and Muslims, the night passed peacefully after a lockdown was imposed and security heightened in a city in southwest Nepal, officials said. Trouble began in the regional hub city of Nepalgunj over the weekend after a Hindu boy posted a status about Muslims on social media. Muslims protested the status inside the region’s main government administrator’s office building, burned tires on the streets and blocked traffic.A larger Hindu rally was held Tuesday until stones and bottles were thrown at protesters, resulting in a few minor injuries.The indefinite curfew was imposed since Tuesday afternoon in Nepalgunj, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) west of the capital, Kathmandu, directly after the Hindu protest came under attack.Area police chief Santosh Rathore said officers were patrolling the city and people were not allowed to leave their homes or gather in groups during the lockdown. There were no reports of an...

Lotto Max winning numbers for Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:51:23 GMT

TORONTO — The winning numbers in Tuesday’s Lotto Max draw for an estimated $40 million: 01, 07, 10, 15, 30, 34 & 47. Bonus: 29In the event of any discrepancy between this list and the official winning numbers, the latter shall prevail.The Canadian Press

Flights canceled and schools closed as Taiwan braces for Typhoon Koinu

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:51:23 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Flights were canceled and schools were closed in parts of Taiwan on Wednesday as the island braced for strong winds and downpours brought by Typhoon Koinu.At least 93 flights were canceled at airports across the island on Wednesday, according to the Civil Aviation Administration.The Maritime and Port Bureau said 96 ferry trips had been canceled, according to the Central News Agency.The typhoon may make landfall in the southeastern part of Taiwan overnight on Wednesday or Thursday morning, according to meteorologists.On Wednesday, rain from the typhoon’s periphery was falling in northern and eastern Taiwan and was expected to become heavier on the eastern coast and in the south later in the day.Taiwan’s outlying Penghu, Orchid and Green islands announced school and office closures in anticipation of severe weather brought by the typhoon.Parts of the southern Pingtung county also announced closures.The typhoon was moving west toward Taiwan with maximum sustained ...

Cleanup from Maui fires complicated by island’s logistical challenges, cultural significance

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:51:23 GMT

Cleanup of areas destroyed in the Maui wildfires could end up being one of the most complex to date, federal officials said, given the island’s significant cultural sites, its rich history including a royal residence and possibly remains of people who died in the disaster.The first stage of cleanup started in late August, with around 200 Environmental Protection Agency workers in white protective gear removing toxic household debris from Upper Kula and the town of Lahaina including gas cylinders, pesticides, fertilizers and battery packs used in solar power. They have monitored the air quality and sampled for heavy metals and asbestos.The EPA expects to hand over responsibility later this month or in November to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which will oversee removing the remaining debris over the next six to 12 months. About $400 million has been budgeted, but the cost could go higher to remove an estimated 400,000 to 700,000 tons of building debris from about 1,600 parc...

Looking for a good family-friendly place to eat? This is just the job

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:51:23 GMT

The pleasant Belgian commune of Linkebeek was once home to countless cafes and coaching inns, writes Martin Banks.That was at the start of the 20th century and, nowadays, few of these are left.Happily, one does remain and is proving as big a hit as ever.It is called La Laiterie and a potted history of both the area and restaurant can be found on the inside page of the menu.It makes fascinating, if brief, reading.You learn that people would visit the aforementioned inns from far and wide, including Brussels to enjoy their conviviality.The phrase “Toernee Generale” – roughly meaning “drinks all round” – is typical of what you may have heard at the time.Fast forward to 2023 and this lovely resto is still attracting customers from a wide area, all drawn to its enviable reputation for very good food and hospitality.It may not quite amount to “drinks all round” but the emphasis on friendliness and “un bon moment” remains.It had been a resto for many years but was given a completely new le...

Teen killed at San Pedro birthday party; suspects at large

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:51:23 GMT

Loved ones are mourning a teenager who was shot and killed at a San Pedro birthday party as the suspects remain at large.On Sept. 30, police responded to a shooting on the 1200 block of North Park Western Drive around 11:34 p.m. Arriving officers found four victims with gunshot wounds, including Joseph Isaiah Saldana, 17. Saldana was pronounced dead at the scene. The bullets had gone through the home’s walls and struck the teenage victims.The armed suspects fled the scene in a gray sedan, police said.Saldana had just graduated from Dominguez High School with honors a few months ago and was preparing to start college and work his first job.“He was looking to become an engineer,” said Joey Ortega, Saldana’s cousin. “He was getting ready to enjoy life. It’s a tragedy that his life was cut short.”Joseph Isaiah Saldana, 17, in a family photo.Loved ones are mourning a teenager who was shot and killed at a San Pedro birthday party on Sept. 30, 2023 as the suspects remain at large. (Ke...

Affordable housing proposals in L.A. neighborhoods prompt protests

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:51:23 GMT

As city leaders struggle to find ways to get people off the streets and create affordable housing for those experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles, many residents are pushing back at rezoning proposals that would allow single-family lots to become high-rise apartments in the middle of residential neighborhoods. On Tuesday, dozens of Westchester residents rallied before a neighborhood council meeting and their message was clear.  “The thing we’re demanding is that single-family homes and du-triplex homes are removed from the map,” Westchester resident Jolie Delja told KTLA's Omar Lewis. “There is no reason to upzone people’s residential properties.”  The City of Los Angeles is currently working on updating its general plan, which outlines how and where the city will develop in the future. This includes making changes to zoning regulations for specific neighborhoods and adding thousands of additional housing units.  “It’s triple the number of units that we h...

Kesha Performs New Songs at Grammy Museum

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:51:23 GMT

Kesha Performs New Songs at Grammy Museum: On more than one occasion while both performing and then engaging in a Q&A at the Grammy Museum on Monday night, Kesha acknowledges that she’s had a very difficult year. Her legal war with Dr. Luke that included allegations of the most vile assaults finally came to an end after eight years. For Kesha’s sake, we hope that she’s able to find some peace as she moves forward.She certainly seemed comfortable and at ease during this intimate Grammy Museum performance. These things are always a real pleasure; we’ve seen everyone from Richard Marx and Sammy Hagar to Lana Del Rey and the Bangles do one of these “An Evening With…” shows at this venue, and it’s always wonderful to see big league musicians in cozy surroundings.Usually, the artist does the Q&A first, and then concludes with a short set. This time, Kesha did it in reverse. We got three acoustic versions of songs from this year’...

San Pablo cop who saved choking baby is new father

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:51:23 GMT

SAN PABLO, Calif. (KRON) – A San Pablo police officer was recognized this week for saving a baby.Officer Brandon Oswald is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve and a six-year veteran with the San Pablo Police Department. He’s also a new dad, and that’s why he says this call hit closer to home.A frantic 911 call from Sept. 9 said a one-week-old baby girl is choking on breast milk. The family was at the West County Health Center to get help, but the facility was closed for the weekend.  Two arrested for murder and torture after 2-year-old drowns in Rodeo bathtub Oswald happened to be around the corner and arrived within seconds."I just happened to be at the right place, right time to get there as quick as I did,” he said. Police bodycam video shows a sergeant running up to Oswald as he’s performing infant CPR. Oswald says his training kicked in right away.It was a relief for all when the baby started crying. "Instant relief because if the baby is crying, then the baby is brea...