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UN nuclear agency pushes for access to Zaporizhzhia plant roof after reports of Russian explosives

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:56 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — The head of the UN nuclear agency said Friday he was pushing for access to the roof of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, following reports from Ukrainian officials that the Russians had planted explosives there.The plant was seized by Russia, in March 2022, in the first weeks of the war in Ukraine, raising fears of a nuclear accident. The Russians have only granted limited access to officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency, citing the security situation. Wrapping up a four-day visit to Japan, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said his agency was making progress on access to Zaporizhzhia, but there had been “some limitations.” “It’s like a conversation and I’m pushing to get as much access as possible,” Grossi said, in an interview with The Associated Press in Tokyo, adding that there was “marginal improvement.”“I’m optimistic that we are going to be able to go up and see,” Grossi said, referring to the roofto...

How to rein in migration to the Netherlands is dividing the Dutch government

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:56 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The four parties that make up Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s ruling coalition are in tense talks over ways to rein in migration amid speculation the thorny issue could bring down the administration and force a general election.Rutte, the Netherlands’ longest serving premier, presided over late-night meetings Wednesday and Thursday that failed to result in a deal. More talks were planned for Friday.“Everybody want to find a good, effective solution that also does justice to the fact that this is about human lives,” Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag, a member of the centrist D66 party, said.The discussions have underscored ideological divisions in the coalition between the partner parties that do not support a strict crackdown on migration – D66 and fellow centrist party ChristenUnie, or Christian Union – and the two that favor tougher measures – Rutte’s conservative People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy and the Christ...

Suspect sought in break and enter at condo in Toronto’s east end

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:56 GMT

Toronto police are looking for a suspect after bikes were stolen from a condo in Toronto’s east end last month.Police say two suspects entered a condo building through an underground parking garage around 11:40 p.m. on June 14 in the area of Danforth and Woodbine avenues.The suspects allegedly broke into storage rooms and bike lockers and then each left with a bicycle.Investigators have identified one of the suspects as 38-year-old James Hendy, of Toronto, and have released his photo.He is wanted for several charges including break and enter and theft under $5,000.The investigation is ongoing.Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

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

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:56 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:56 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:56 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:56 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:56 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:56 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 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:56 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...