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Canadian navy in critical state, could fail to meet readiness commitments: commander

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:46 GMT

The commander of Canada’s navy says the force is in a “critical state,” with many occupations at or below 80 per cent of their normal staffing.In a video posted to the navy’s YouTube page, Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee says that could mean the navy does not meet its readiness commitments next year and beyond.Topshee says the West Coast fleet is suffering because there’s a lack of qualified people to maintain and operate the ships, and the navy can sail only one of its new Arctic and offshore patrol vessels at a time.He also says the air force and army are in similar situations because the Armed Forces recruitment wing has failed to meet its targets for over 10 years.As a result, Topshee says, the navy may not maintain its force strength this year and will not be able to hold it steady next year.Another significant challenge for the navy, he says, is to extend the life of its Halifax class ships for another 15 years until the new surface combatants are read...

Can Southern Ontario expect a white Christmas? Weather Network unveils winter weather forecast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:46 GMT

With December just around the corner, the Weather Network (TWN) is out with its winter weather preview and says El Niño will be a major factor in how the season plays out this year.Forecasters are predicting a mild start to winter, but say a wintry pattern could develop around the holidays, and then it’s expected to be cold to kick off the new year.“El Niño has a reputation for bringing mild winters to much of Canada and it appears that this winter will feature one of the strongest El Niño events on record,” reads the TWN preview. “The core of winter will begin mildly, with most Canadians not experiencing consistently cold temperatures until later in the season.”The Weather Network is out with its Winter Weather Preview Forecasters predict a mild start to Dec. – but to not rule out a white Christmas ????????Looking ahead to 2024 – despite El Niño – we could be in for a cold January and February. https://t.co/WoziGwC4ky— Laura Ca...

Lawmakers move to force a vote this week on expelling Rep. George Santos from the House

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:46 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — House lawmakers from both parties moved Tuesday to force a vote this week on the expulsion of Rep. George Santos, a Republican from New York who was the subject of a scathing ethics investigation released earlier this month and is facing nearly two dozen charges in federal court.Santos responded to the competing expulsion resolutions by taking to the House floor and asking colleagues to understand what kind of precedent it would set for him to be removed before federal charges against him are resolved. He made clear he would not be resigning beforehand.“This expulsion vote simply undermines and underscores the precedent that we've had in this chamber,” Santos said. “It starts and puts us in a new direction, a dangerous one.”Santos has survived two prior expulsion votes. But a report released by the House Ethics Committee following a monthslong investigation has prompted new outrage. The report released Nov. 16 was unsparing in its criticism, concludi...

Tribute service held to honor Rosalynn Carter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:46 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – A tribute service was held in Atlanta on Tuesday for former first lady Rosalynn Carter with all five living first ladies as well as former President Bill Clinton and President Joe Biden in attendance."Her memory will be a blessing. Her influence on the world will be her monument," said PBS anchor Judy Woodruff.Former President Jimmy Carter, who entered hospice care earlier this year, made a rare public appearance in a wheelchair. Daughter shares heartwarming letter Jimmy Carter sent Rosalynn 75 years ago The service featured remembrances from their children and grandchildren."She was born just a few years after women got the right to vote, but she was made for these long journeys and she was made to summit these mountains," said her grandson, Jason Carter.Husband and wife country stars, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood performed a duet during the service.A love letter written from her husband 75 years ago was recited by the Carters' daughter, Amy Carter, d...

Dean’s Home Video: Candy Cane Lane, The Family Switch, Genie and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:46 GMT

WGN Entertainment Reporter Dean Richards has this week's home video picks.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

'Enhanced' severe risk east of I-35 on Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Clouds increase today ahead of a western storm that will bring rain, isolated thunderstorms, and a low-end tornado risk to parts of Central Texas on Thursday.Today, gray skies will keep temperatures down. We'll be lucky if we clip 60º this afternoon. As clouds lower and thicken late in the day and the atmosphere moistens, drizzle, mist and light fog develop this evening, but generally we should stay dry during the daylight hours today.On Thursday, we are expecting a low risk of severe thunderstorms in our eastern communities, including the possibility of a brief, weak tornado.Scattered showers and thunderstorms Thursday morning through early afternoon may begin to rotate, mainly east of I-35, potentially leading to an isolated, weak tornado similar to what Caldwell County saw in late October. NEW this morning, the severe weather risk has increased to a 2 out of 5 for areas just east of Austin and now an "Enhanced" risk (3 out of 5) for some of our eastern counties w...

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson in Washington, D.C. Wednesday advocating for Texas rail service

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:46 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is in Washington, D.C. Wednesday advocating for significant federal dollars to be invested into Texas' transportation infrastructure. Watson wants projects coming from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (otherwise called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal) to come to Texas. Specifically, the tens of billions of dollars in funding set aside for new Amtrak rail service. "Amtrak was given a great deal of money, $66 billion over the next few years, which is frankly, more money than Amtrak has received since it was created back in 1972," Watsons said. More than $20 billion of that will go toward fixing and upgrading current infrastructure, he added. Mayor Watson will speak about Texas' need for new rail service during the "Getting on the Right Track: Navigating the Future of Intercity Passenger Rail in America" hearing Wednesday afternoon. That hearing is happening in the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materia...

Kyle Fire Department adds 3 new engines, breaks ground on new station

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:46 GMT

KYLE, Texas (KXAN) --- The Kyle Fire Department marked a month of milestones in November. The department welcomed three new engines. Along with that, KFD broke ground on Station 4 at 110 High Road."This 2-acre lot will now be home to our newest station serving the northeast side of Kyle," KFD said in a Facebook post. The Kyle Fire Department said it added three new engines and broke ground on a new station all in the month of November. (Photo: Kyle Fire Department)The Kyle Fire Department said it added three new engines and broke ground on a new station all in the month of November. (Photo: Kyle Fire Department)The fire department said this station will be a collaborative effort with TXST CIEDAR, a new research and development marketplace for Texas State University. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Kyle Fire reducing response times, adding positions as city continues to grow KFD said it will focus on research to address challenges like flooding, extreme weather and firefighter health. "As a d...

Vermont based ice-cream recalling products for listeria

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:46 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Wilcox Ice Cream, based in East Arlington, Vermont, is recalling all flavors of their branded ice cream, yogurt, ice cream bars, as well as Leonardo's branded gelato after learning a lot of super premium mint chocolate chip manufactured on September 15 might have been contaminated with listeria. Consumers who take a picture of the top and sides of the container showing the best-by date may email [email protected] for credit, including the quantity, where it was purchased, full name, address, and number. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Wilcox Ice Cream was notified by the Vermont Department of Agriculture that a sample collected by the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture tested positive for listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems. Anyone with questions may...

Pioneer donates $20K on Giving Tuesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:02:46 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Giving Tuesday is a day when people give to a charity of their choice ahead of the holidays. The Associated Press projects more people are likely to donate this year compared to last. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! One local bank participated in giving. Pioneer made four $5,000 donations to community non-profits. The bank is also collecting winter hats and gloves for kids in need.Donations can be made at any Pioneer branch.