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Trudeau dismisses criticism of David Johnston as political

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:41:26 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has confidence in David Johnston, even as the House of Commons is about to vote in favour of an NDP motion to have Johnston removed from his post.Trudeau named the former governor general a special rapporteur for foreign interference in March to look into allegations the Chinese government tried to meddle in the last two federal elections.Opposition parties decried the appointment because of Johnston’s family connections to the prime minister’s family and the Trudeau Foundation. The Conservatives and Bloc Québécois are expected this afternoon to vote in favour of an NDP motion calling on the government to oust Johnston and call a public inquiry into foreign interference.NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he has no criticism of Johnston himself but believes there is an appearance of bias that means the rapporteur’s work is tainted.Trudeau says all those allegations are politically motivated attacks without any basis in fact....

Finnish company Admares plans $750 million modular housing factory in US, hiring 1,400

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:41:26 GMT

WAYCROSS, Ga. (AP) — Finnish company Admares plans to invest $750 million to build a modular housing factory in the U.S. state of Georgia, hiring 1,400 people, officials announced Wednesday.The company plans to mass produce housing using heavily automated factories. Admares, which was founded in Turku, Finland, said it’s in the process of relocating its headquarters to the United States.The company said its factory in Waycross will be 2.5 million square feet (232,000 square meters), with production starting in late 2025. The company says it plans to build six such factories worldwide, each of which would produce 5,000 to 6,000 homes per year.Such homes would only need a foundation and utility connections on the site where they are installed, Admares said, and could be built with 80% less material waste and 75% less carbon dioxide emissions than homes built in a traditional way.“With our advanced technology, we are adopting successful practices that are common in other ad...

NASA talks UFOs with public ahead of final report on unidentified flying objects

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:41:26 GMT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA held its first public meeting on UFOs Wednesday a year after launching a study into unexplained sightings. The space agency televised the hourslong hearing featuring an independent panel of experts. The team includes 16 scientists and other experts selected by NASA including retired astronaut Scott Kelly, the first American to spend nearly a year in space. Several committee members have been subjected to “online abuse” for serving on the team, which detracts from the scientific process, said NASA’s Dan Evans, adding that NASA security is dealing with it. “It’s precisely this rigorous, evidence-based approach that allows one to separate the fact from fiction,” Evans said.The study is a first step in trying to explain mysterious sightings in the sky that NASA calls UAPs, or unidentified aerial phenomena.The group is looking at what unclassified information is available on the subject and how much more is needed to understand what’s go...

CP NewsAlert: Equinor postponing Bay du Nord offshore oil project in N.L.

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:41:26 GMT

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Equinor is pausing its plan to develop the Bay du Nord oil project, which would open a fifth oilfield off the coast of Newfoundland.The Norwegian energy giant says in a news release that it is postponing the project for up to three years.The company says the project has seen significant cost increases in recent months, mostly due to volatile market conditions.The federal government gave the project environmental approval last April, but the company and its partners had not confirmed the full investment necessary for the development.The company’s website says that before the delay, the Bay du Nord project was forecast to produce first oil later this decade.More coming.The Canadian Press

Toyota to invest $2.1 billion more in N.C. battery plant, will build big SUV at factory in Kentucky

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:41:26 GMT

Toyota will invest another $2.1 billion in an electric and hybrid vehicle battery factory that’s under construction near Greensboro, North Carolina. The plant will supply batteries to Toyota’s huge complex in Georgetown, Kentucky, which will build Toyota’s first U.S.-made electric vehicle, a new SUV with three rows of seats.The plans, announced Wednesday, won’t immediately create any more jobs at either the Kentucky or North Carolina factories.Toyota plans to employ 2,100 workers at the battery factory, which will start production in 2025. The investment will prepare infrastructure for expansion. It brings the total investment in the Randolph County plant to $5.9 billion to meet the company’s goal of selling 1.8 million electric or hybrid vehicles in the U.S by 2030. Toyota broke ground to begin building the plant in 2021. The 9 million-square-foot Kentucky complex now employs 9,500 people who make the Camry sedan, RAV4 Hybrid SUV, several engines and o...

What to know about Taylor Swift's Soldier Field concerts

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:41:26 GMT

CHICAGO — It's a huge weekend for fans of Taylor Swift in Chicago, who will descend on the city for a trio of shows this weekend. "The Eras Tour" includes performances on Friday, June 2, Saturday, June 3, and Sunday, June 4 as the popular artist will entertain a sellout crowd every single night.With so many people making their way to the lakefront to see the shows, WGN News Now has a list of things to know ahead of Swift's Chicago shows in 2023.(Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO / AFP) (Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images)What is the schedule for the performances?For all three of the performances, merchandise sales will open outside the stadium at four locations at Noon. Parking lots around Soldier Field are available starting at 2 p.m. and the gates to the stadium will open at 4:30 p.m.Two hours later, at 6:30 p.m., the opening acts will begin, with OWENN & Girl in Red opening on Friday and Saturday evenings. Gracie Adams and Muna Sun will be the opening acts for the Sunday ...

Body of missing Missouri doctor found in northwest Arkansas, family says

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:41:26 GMT

(KOLR) – The body of Dr. John Forsyth, a Missouri ER doctor who went missing last week, has been found in northwest Arkansas, his family told Nexstar's KOLR Tuesday night.The Benton County Sheriff’s Department said an investigation is ongoing, but the body is believed to be that of Forsyth's pending an autopsy and final identification.Forsyth vanished over a week ago. He was last seen at 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 21, before failing to show up for work at Mercy Hospital in Cassville, Missouri. His vehicle was later located at the Cassville Aquatic Center.Detectives said several agencies spent hours searching the area of the Cassville Aquatic Park using K-9s and a thermal-imaging drone, but investigators were unable to find any evidence at that time.“I don't know why my brother is missing. I don't know why he would leave behind his wallet, his passport, his checkbook, his keys, and an unlocked car,” his brother Richard Forsyth had previously told KOLR.   TN woman missing during cro...

Dean's Home Video: 'The Idol,' 'Manifest,' and 'ICarly'

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:41:26 GMT

CHICAGO — This is a weed where a wide variety of programs will be available for viewers to watch on a variety of streaming services.That's why this edition of "Dean's Home Video" has a little something for everyone, including the premiere of "The Idol," the final episodes of "Manifest," and season three of "ICarly."Those are just a few of the programs that Dean Richards discussed this week's streaming report while also spotlighting season three of "I Think You Should Leave," "Searching for Soul Food," "Shooting Stars," and more.You can watch this entire edition of "Dean's Home Video" on May 31's WGN Morning News in the video above.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!

Keep on top of ERCOT grid conditions with new TXANs system

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:41:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's called "TXANS" and it's a new way the Electric Reliability Council of Texas plans to communicate grid conditions to the public, launching as summer temperatures rise and energy use increases.TXANS stands for "Texas Advisory and Notification System," and ERCOT hopes it will help increase transparency and trust. People will be able to check ERCOT's social media, website and sign up for email alerts about the grid's status, including a new type of alert ERCOT launched called a Weather Watch:Normal Grid ConditionsERCOT Weather WatchVoluntary Conservation NoticeEnergy Emergency AlertERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas held a virtual press conference at 10:30 a.m. to present the new campaign ERCOT is launching to "deliver clear and reliable messaging to all Texans around grid operations and conditions."There is already a way to check operating reserves and grid conditions online. How you can check Texas power grid conditions In February, ERCOT unveiled a 6-day for...

Hussain sentenced in fatal limousine crash trial

Published Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:41:26 GMT

SCHOHARIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Nauman Hussain was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison following victim impact statements at the Schoharie County Court on Wednesday morning. He was convicted on 20 counts of both manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide on Wednesday, May 17, in the fatal limousine crash that killed 20 people in 2018. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Judge Peter Lynch sentenced Hussain—the operator of the limo company—to a maximum of 15 years and a minimum of five years on each of the 20 counts. Those terms of imprisonment will run concurrently. He was remanded to police custody, and defense attorney Lee Kindlon plans to file an appeal to maintain appellate rights.The families of the 20 people killed in the crash have waited for nearly five years for this sentence. In a trial that was expected to last weeks, jurors reached their verdict on their second day of deliberations. Read more about the Schoharie...