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3 New Zealand tour operators plead guilty to safety breaches in deadly eruption of volcano

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:49 GMT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Three helicopter tour operators pleaded guilty on Friday to safety breaches when New Zealand’s White Island volcano erupted in 2019, claiming 22 lives.Volcanic Air Safaris Ltd., Kahu NZ Ltd. and Aerius Ltd. were to go on trial in Auckland District Court next week along with six other entities and people following the tragedy at the island, which had been a popular tourist attraction.There were 47 people on White Island, the tip of an undersea volcano also known by its indigenous Maori name Whakaari, when superheated steam erupted, leaving most of the 25 who were not killed with severe burns.Many people question why tourists were allowed to visit the island after experts monitoring seismic activity raised the volcano’s alert level two weeks before the eruption.The three helicopter operators admitted that they had failed to ensure the health and safety of staff and tourists.Many of those killed and injured were tourists who had been traveling from Austra...

Cold front to bring relief in Central Canada, but heat wave continues on coasts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:49 GMT

TORONTO — A cold front passing through Ontario is expected to offer relief today after a multi-day heat wave, but the hot and humid weather is forecasted to linger over Quebec through the weekend. Environment Canada meteorologist Steven Flisfeder says the cold front is expected to cause a return to near normal temperatures in the coming days. An updated heat warning issued Friday morning for southern Quebec says a hot and humid air mass will stall over the province until Sunday, making it feel like around 35 degrees Celsius during the day and offering little overnight relief.The heat wave was expected to persist through Friday in eastern Ontario but the weather agency lifted alerts across the rest of the province.Areas further east will have to wait for relief as parts of Atlantic Canada from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia remain under heat warnings set to continue today and last into the weekend in some areas.The heat could last longer in British Columbia, where heat warnings remain ...

Richardson International buys Anglia Maltings, terms not disclosed.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:49 GMT

WINNIPEG — Richardson International Ltd, says it has bought Ragleth Ltd., the parent company of Anglia Maltings (Holdings) Ltd.Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.Based in England, Anglia Maltings holds a portfolio of businesses including Crisp Malt, Micronized Food Products (MFP) and EDME Food Ingredients.It operates seven malt facilities in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Germany.Winnipeg-based Richardson says Crisp Malt supplies barley for breweries and distilleries and the food industry, while MFP specializes in the production of cereals and pulses for brewing and animal feed. EDME Food Ingredients makes malted and non-malted ingredients for the baking industry.This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2023.The Canadian Press

Friday Forecast: Temps in low 80s with mostly sunny conditions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:49 GMT

CHICAGO — Mostly sunny Friday with more clouds in later day and cooler lakeside. Winds: E 5-10. High: 80/73.Mostly cloudy tonight with a chance for rain and storms. Winds: ENE 0-5. Low: 63. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Saturday Forecast: Mostly cloudy, AM showers, slighter afternoon chances, cooler lakeside, NNE 5-10 G15. 78/70.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Britney Spears says Wembanyama's security struck her in Las Vegas, Spurs rookie says he was grabbed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:49 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama said Thursday he believes Britney Spears grabbed him from behind as he was walking into a restaurant at a Las Vegas casino, and that the security detail he was with pushed the pop star away.Wembanyama said he wasn't told that Spears was the person who grabbed him until hours later, and that he never actually saw her.Spears, who filed a report with Las Vegas police, said in posts on Twitter and Instagram that the run-in was “super embarrassing,” and denied grabbing Wembanyama, saying she only “tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.”She said she had recognized him earlier in the evening and when seeing the No. 1 pick in this year's NBA draft — a 7-foot-3 French standout who is entering the NBA with as much acclaim as anyone since LeBron James 20 years ago — and she “decided to approach him and congratulate him on his success.”Spears said, “His security then back handed me in the face without look...

Literary calendar for week of July 9

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:49 GMT

HOVEY/LUTTERMAN: Minnesotans Dean Hovey and Brian Lutterman sign copies of their latest crime/mystery novels. 10 -11:30 a.m. Friday, July 14, Lake Country Booksellers, 4766 Washington Square, White Bear Lake.A.W. POWERS: Freelance writer, poet, and activist William J. Anderson, writing as Powers, celebrates publication of “First Casualty: The Psychic Guardian Angel,” with a meet-and-greet. Noon-2 p.m. Saturday, July 15, Once Upon a Crime, 604 W. 26th St., Mpls.JOHN ROSENGREN: Minnesotan presents “The Greatest Summer in Baseball History.” 7 p.m. Thursday, July 13, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.Related ArticlesBooks | Literary picks for July 9 Books | Readers and writers: In the realm of myth and magic Books | Literary calendar for week of July 2: Antiquarian Book Fair to feature Allie Alvis, book historian Books | Big lineup for book lovers at Loft’s Wordplay Festival Books...

Readers and writers: Mystery, heartbreak, satire and maybe even some horror

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:49 GMT

Summer seems to call us to fiction, so we’re suggesting three very different novels from Minnesota authors who will introduce their books this week.(Macmillan Publishers)“In a Hard Wind”: by David Housewright (Minotaur Books, $28)” ‘Nina, the more I learn about this woman, the more I like her. This is a woman who robbed a bank. This is a woman who might have killed three human beings, plus God knows what other crime she might have committed… Yet I like her. Nearly everyone I’ve met who knows her personally, they like her, too. I don’t know if I want to find her anymore.’ “  — From “In a Hard Wind”David HousewrightA woman who’s “in the wind,” meaning gone missing, is the intriguing central character in David Housewright’s 20th Rushmore McKenzie novel, filled with a cast of complex characters.McKenzie is a former St. Paul homicide detective who came into a lot of money. Now he’s...

5 things to know this Friday, July 7

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:49 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Friday! Per Meteorologist Jill Szwed, there's no heat advisory today, but we should still be cautious in the heat. "Feels like" temperatures will peak in the low to mid-90s. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Activists gathered outside the Department of Health to call on state leaders to intervene in the proposed closure of Burdett birth center. Meanwhile, the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA is seeking assistance in an animal cruelty case in Claverack. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Friday morning. 1. Advocates push for birth center to remain openActivists gathered outside the Department of Health to call on state leaders to intervene in the proposed closure of Burdett birth center. Trinity Health operates Saint Peter’s Health Partners which manages Samaritan Hospital where Burdette is located. According to protesters, Trinity’s primary justification for...

St. Charles Family Arena Fun Fest starts Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:49 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Charles Family Arena Fun Fest starts today and goes until July 16th. There will be more than 30 rides, carnival games and fair food available. There's a fireworks show on July 14th.Fun Fest opens at 5 p.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. on weekends. Tickets are $10 dollars for adults and $5 for kids under 3 feet tall. You can also get unlimited ride wristbands for 35-dollars. If you go tonight, it's $1 for everything and on Tuesdays, it's $2.

American Idol's charity giving haircuts to the homeless in St. Louis Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:49 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- A fresh haircut will cool you down and give you confidence. A non-profit is coming to St. Louis today and offering free cuts to the homeless.The Better than I Found It charity is holding a special event today. Volunteers will give free haircuts to homeless men, women and children. They'll also provide hygiene bags, hot food and a sweet treat. There will also be games and music.The non-profit was founded by American Idol star and three time Grammy nominee Danny Gokey. He preformed at Westminster Christian Academy Thursday in Town and Country.