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B.C. premier embarks on trade mission in Japan, Korea, Singapore and Vietnam

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier David Eby is heading to Asia on a trade mission that makes stops in Japan, Korea, Singapore and Vietnam.But the premier’s tour itinerary, released Thursday, does not include China.Eby said the overseas mission will bolster B.C.’s trade and investment ties in the Indo-Pacific region, the world’s fastest-growing economic zone.B.C. cabinet ministers Josie Osborne and Brenda Bailey, and Jagrup Brar, the New Democrat government’s minister of state for trade, will accompany Eby on the trip.A government statement said the premier and his ministers will meet with government and economic leaders in the Asian countries on issues of trade and investment, and discuss partnership opportunities ranging from clean technology to critical minerals and communications technology.The mission is about building and exploring new relations and market opportunities, Eby told reporters Thursday.“We’re looking to diversify our trade rela...

Environmental groups prevail on limit to grizzly bear deaths in Wyoming cattle grazing area

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — An appeals court is sending a plan to allow continued cattle grazing in a vast, mountainous area of western Wyoming back to federal forest and wildlife officials, telling them to consider limiting how many of the area’s female grizzly bears may be killed for preying on livestock.Thursday’s ruling by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver sides largely with environmental groups who sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service in 2020 over female grizzly deaths — a key factor in the species’ survival in and around Yellowstone National Park.Many consider the Yellowstone region’s grizzlies a conservation success story. While they remain protected under the Endangered Species Act, their numbers have surged as much as tenfold, to as many as 1,000 animals, since the 1970s.Population growth has meant more encounters with people and livestock, however, with the bears often on the losing end. Hunters sometimes mistake ...

Ford electric vehicle owners to get access to Tesla Supercharger network starting next spring

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

All of Ford Motor Co.’s current and future electric vehicles will have access to about 12,000 Tesla Supercharger stations in the U.S. and Canada starting next spring.Ford CEO Jim Farley and Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the agreement Thursday during a “Twitter Spaces” audio chat.“We think this is a huge move for our industry and for all electric customers,” Farley said.Musk said he didn’t want Tesla’s network to be a “walled garden” and that he wants to use it to support sustainable transportation.“It is our intent to do everything possible to support Ford and have Ford be on an equal footing at Tesla Superchargers,” Musk said.Farley said there will be a cost to Ford owners, perhaps a monthly subscription, but he didn’t give specifics. Details of any financial arrangement between Ford and Tesla were not announced.At first, Ford’s current electric vehicles will need an adapter to hook into the Tesla stations, which have their own connector. But Ford will...

Mexico arrests owner of mine where 10 workers died in flooded shaft last year

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The owner of a northern Mexico coal mine where 10 miners died last year has been arrested, the Attorney General’s Office said Thursday.Prosecutors identified the man only as Luis “G” in a statement. But a federal official familiar with the case confirmed it was Luis García, majority owner of El Pinabete mine in the border state of Coahuila. The official, who wasn’t authorized to talk about the case publicly, agreed to reveal the information only if not quoted by name.García was arrested May 18 in the neighboring state of Nuevo Leon, the Attorney General’s Office said. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer.The arrest came nine months after the mine filled with water when workers broke through a rock wall into the flooded tunnel of an old adjacent mine.Authorities worked for weeks to pump water out of the mine, hoping they could send in rescuers, but were never able to keep water out and stabilize the mine shaft sufficiently. The miners’ bodies were ...

Air Canada briefly grounds flights due to computer system problem

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

MONTREAL — Air Canada briefly grounded its planes Thursday due to a problem with its computer system.A “technical issue” with the system the airline uses to communicate with aircraft and monitor their performance prompted a halt to operations, the Montreal-based company said.“There have been some delays as a result, but the system is now returning to normal, and the precautionary ground stop has been lifted,” said spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick in a statement Thursday afternoon.“The effects were limited.”More than 200 Air Canada flights, or about 40 per cent, were delayed, according to tracking service FlightAware. That compares with about 35 per cent on Wednesday.Air Canada said it advised Nav Canada and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration of the temporary freeze, which lasted about an hour.This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:AC)The Canadian Press

Legendary Volo Auto Museum more than just classic cars

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

VOLO, Illinois — Fasten your seat belt. We’re cruising up to Volo’s legendary Auto Museum. The Lake County attraction drawing visitors from around the world. But it’s much more than just classic cars. "We have 200 to 300 cars on rotation nonstop and they sell about 1200 a year so there's a constant flow of classic cars,” the museum’s Jim Wojdyla said.Collectors buy and sell at Volo Auto Sales located about 50 miles northwest of Chicago.You can buy a classic car or hot rod if you’ve got the cash and inclination.Or take a U-Turn to the famous Volo Museum just steps away located on a 36-acre amusement park. It’s famous for its nostalgic collection of antique, classic and muscle cars.    More from Destination Illinois It’s more than just cars, though.  The Jurassic Gardens attraction featuring 45 animatronic dinosaurs. There’s also a colorful antique mall.“And then we added a carousel and Disney characters,” Wojdyla said. “And we just kept growing and growing....

Double — and — triple take: Suburban high school has 12 sets of twins, triplets graduating 

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

VERNON HILLS, Ill. — The senior class at Vernon Hills High School may have locals seeing double as several twins and even triplets are set to graduate on Thursday. Heath Field (L) and Hunter Field (R) talk to WGN News (Photo/WGN News)Heath and Hunter Field are among a unique group of students walking across the stage. "There’s 12 sets of twins, one set of triplets and 27 people. That’s a lot," Hunter said.Added Evan Moore: "It's kind of crazy. I didn’t realize we had this many twins."Anagha Shreesha, also a twin, thinks the occurrence is "really unique."The special group accounts for about 8% of the senior class preparing to walk into the next chapter of their lives.     "I think the neat thing about twins, in general, is they can celebrate their uniqueness in one another while also having this special bond and special comradery," said Vernon Hills High School principal John Guillaume. ‘The Henry Puffer Podcast’: Downers Grove elementary school students ho...

Volunteers step up to help migrants staying at Chicago police stations

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

CHICAGO — The City of Chicago is continuing its search to find a solution for migrants without shelter.Now, volunteers are stepping up to provide resources to those in need. See where you can help migrants arriving in Chicago The Chicago Police Department's 12th District is still being used as a temporary shelter as the city looks for bigger facilities to convert them into respite centers.One woman, who made the long journey from Venezuela, has been at the police station for almost two weeks. She said the conditions aren't ideal but feels fortunate that it's safe and is trying to look at the bigger picture."To have the possibility to have legal documents that will allow me to be part of this community and country," she said. "I also have dreams of owning a house, having a family and creating a beautiful future. I want to go to school and work too." Chicago’s Migrant Crisis and Challenges Ahead for Mayor Brandon Johnson She is just one of about 30 migrants sleeping in the lobby o...

Field Museum set to unveil 'Spinosaurus' dinosaur attraction

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

CHICAGO — The Field Museum is bringing in a new dinosaur attraction.  The Field Museum is welcoming a new fossil friend: the Spinosaurus aegyptiacus. (Photo/Field Museum)At 46 feet long, the Spinosaurus aegyptiacus is four feet longer than the iconic sue.  The semi-aquatic predator lived some 95 million years ago. The Spinosaurus exhibit is a cast created from fossils found in the Sahara Desert of Northern Africa. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesIt will be suspended from the ceiling to greet visitors below.  The exhibit opens Saturday, June 3.

Chicago to pay man who spent 24 years in prison for fatal fire he didn't commit $27 million

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:20 GMT

CHICAGO — A man from Chicago has been awarded $27 million in a civil suit against the city after he spent 24 years in prison for a deadly fire he didn't set.Now in his forties, Gray filed a lawsuit in 2018 claiming the Chicago Police Department framed him into confessing to a fatal fire in 1993. Who killed Alexandra Anaya in 2005? FBI doubles reward to $20,000 for the answer. "These dirty cops need to be stopped," Gray said. "It's out of control. Break down the wall of silence."In March 1993, Gray was 14 years old. The then-teen, who lived in Brighton Park, was arrested by CPD in connection to a fire at a two-flat building that killed two elderly residents. Gray's attorney said there was no physical evidence linking Gray to the fire, which turned out to be classified as accidental, not arson. A federal jury ruled police officers forced Gray into confessing to the fire. "Gradually over time, they broke down a 14-year-old kid, which when you think it, isn't hard to do," Jon Loevy, w...