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Berlusconi’s death leaves fate of his personal party, and Italy’s government, in the balance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:28 GMT

MILAN (AP) — Silvio Berlusconi’s outsized hold on Italian political life over three decades had greatly diminished in recent years, yet the political party that remains fused with his image even in death is critical to the health of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government.Whether and how Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party survives is quietly being discussed on the inside pages of newspapers and back corridors of parliament, while Italy prepares for a national day of mourning and a state funeral on Wednesday, to be celebrated in Milan’s stately Gothic-era Duomo cathedral.Berlusconi’s deputy, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, declared on Monday: “We have the duty, as Forza Italia, to move forward, and we will.”Despite the reassuring words, Forza Italia’s fate is far from secure. Berlusconi’s personal hold on the party makes it vulnerable in his death, experts say, even as it is key to holding up Meloni’s 8-month-old coalition government.“If the party stands, then the...

Buttigieg vows federal help to fix collapsed section of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:28 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg promised Tuesday to help repair the East Coast’s main north-south highway as quickly as possible and said that the destruction of a section of I-95 will likely raise shipping costs because truckers must now travel longer, pricier routes.Visiting the site where an out-of-control tractor-trailer hauling gasoline flipped over on an Interstate 95 off-ramp and caught fire, Buttigieg said he expected that the accident will put “upward pressure” on costs along the East Coast.Buttigieg said he had not seen any sort of estimate of cost increases, but said the industry is working to make the most of alternative routes. He suggested that the U.S. Department of Transportation is working with route-selecting software firms such as Google and Waze to optimize their products. “At the end of the day, there’s no substitute for I-95 being up and running in full working condition,” Buttigieg said.One body was pulled fro...

Skilling: Rain, Canadian wildfires, warmer weather ahead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:28 GMT

As we look ahead to the rest of this week and next, these are the weather headlines we're watching:Showers coverage to increase Tuesday afternoon and evening but unlikely to make a dent in the on-going drought. Canadian wildfire smoke aloft looks to return to Chicago skies later Wednesday and more showers in the forecast over Father's Day weekend. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here And a warmer weather pattern is set to descend next week as temps may flirt with 90 degrees on the back half.CLOUDS AND SHOWERS TO INCREASEA cut off low slowed by its entanglement in an upper level blocking pattern is set to sweep backside clouds and showers into the area. This will increase areal coverage across the Chicago area Tuesday afternoon and evening, then thin out again.CANADIAN WILDFIRE SMOKE TO RETURN LATER WEDNESDAYFires continue to burn across Canada with their smoke plume evident on GOES weather satellite imagery. The retreat of smoke from area skies has been the product of ...

No injuries reported after damage at South Shore apartment building

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:28 GMT

CHICAGO — Some residents of a South Shore apartment building were displaced Tuesday after part of the building crumbled off and fell to the ground. Emergency crews responded to the South Beach apartment building located at 7827 South Shore Drive around 6 a.m.Upon arrival officer saw the canopy of the building’s roof had partially collapsed. Building officials said a façade that was attached to the roof collapsed. No injuries were reported.Police said residents from four unites were relocated to vacant units in the building.The building appeared to be undergoing some type of renovation and a scaffolding was in place.The Chicago Fire Department and the Department of Buildings were also on the scene.

Patrick Sharp gets his first NHL front office job

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:28 GMT

CHICAGO — One of the members of the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup champions in the 2010s is taking his next step in hockey with another organization. This time, Patrick Sharp is joining a front office. The former player and broadcaster for the Blackhawks is being hired by the Philadelphia Flyers as a special advisor to hockey operations. He'll start the job immediately and will report to their general manager Daniel Briere, with his focus being on the development of prospects in the Flyers organization. "In adding Patrick Sharp to our group, we are gaining an individual who has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to building an environment of winning at all levels," said Philadelphia president of hockey operations Keith Jones in a release from the team. "Patrick knows what it takes to win, he understands how to convey that to our players and is a relationship maker. He will be a vital component as we continue to build the foundation of the Philadelphia Flyers."

Family encounters bear swimming at Florida beach   

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:28 GMT

ST. LOUIS (KTVI) -- A St. Louis-area family did a double take when they saw a black bear in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico this past weekend.“We had been out on the beach, swimming, boogie boarding for a few hours,” said Karen Pierson.She and her family were vacationing in Destin, Florida, when they saw the bear Sunday.“I’m looking at the bear, and I know my girls are behind me, and I’m like, 'Yes, that is a real bear,'” Pierson said.She said the bear swam within approximately 100 feet of the family as they swam away to create some distance. No one was harmed. Who you are, where you live help determine your chances of beating cancer Dan Zarlenga, the St. Louis regional media specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said giving an American black bear some space was exactly the right thing to do.“Give it enough space,” Zarlenga said. “Don’t try to get too close to it.”He said bears are native to Florida. It’s unknown how the bear made its way to the beach in Destin....

Google's $23M settlement: How to file a claim and how much you may get

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:28 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — If you think you may have "Googled" anything between Oct. 25, 2006 and Sept. 30, 2013 and clicked on a search result, odds are you may have a claim and be entitled to some of the $23 million settlement the tech giant has agreed to pay out.The settlement ties back to a class action lawsuit — for which Google denies any wrongdoing or liability — which claims that the search engine "improperly shared your search queries with third-party websites and companies" during the above time period. The settlement is not an admission of guilt by Google, according to Kroll Settlement Administration, which is handling logistics of the settlement. El Niño could mean the hottest year on record, meteorologists warn Here’s what to know:Deadline to participate or exclude yourself is July 31. If you do nothing, you will forfeit your right to sue Google or receive any compensation related to the allegations in this lawsuitClaim forms can be submitted via mail or by visiting referrerheaders...

Kia recalls 2023 Sportage vehicles due to braking issue

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:28 GMT

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Kia is recalling some of its 2023 Sportage vehicles due to a braking system problem.The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration said the recall affects about 98,944 and involves the brake booster diaphragm, which could become misaligned and leak, potentially causing a loss of power brake assist.The problem could result in a crash since it may increase the distance needed to stop the vehicle. Winning Mega Millions ticket sold in Dayton area. Is it your lucky day? Notification letters are expected to be mailed to owners on July 21.Owners of the vehicles covered by the recall should contact their local dealer, who will do an inspection and provide a free replacement part if necessary. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go online at nhtsa.gov.

354,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees recalled worldwide; rear coil springs can detach while moving

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:28 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Stellantis is recalling more than 354,000 Jeeps worldwide because the rear coil springs can fall off while they're being driven.The recall covers certain 2022 and 2023 Grand Cherokee and 2021 to 2023 Grand Cherokee L SUVs.The company says in documents posted Tuesday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the springs may have been installed incorrectly in production. They can detach from the vehicle while it's moving, increasing the risk of a crash and possibly creating a hazard for other drivers. Who you are, where you live help determine your chances of beating cancer Stellantis says in the documents that it's aware of 17 warranty claims, two customer assistance reports and two field reports that may be caused by the problem. But as of May 25 it had no reports of crashes or injuries. Most of the recalled vehicles are in North America.SUVs with air suspensions are not affected. Dealers will inspect the springs and replace the assem...

LIVE: Travis County flies LGBTQ+ Pride flag for third consecutive year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:28 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — County commissioners voted Tuesday to officially recognize June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, and they'll follow that with an event to raise the rainbow flag outside the Travis County building in downtown Austin. The proclamation they approved reads, "Travis County recognizes the critical need for education and awareness to end discrimination and prejudice against the LGBTQIA+ community, and is committed to supporting dignity and equality for the LGBTQIA+ community." Report: 1/5 of 2023 anti-LGBTQ+ legislation filed in US was in Texas The flag-raising ceremony is set to start at noon Tuesday at the Travis County Administrative Building, located at Seventh and Lavaca Streets in downtown Austin. KXAN will provide a live stream of the event in this story and on the station's Facebook page. This recognition comes after state lawmakers considered and ultimately approved a number of restrictions this year that affect the LGBTQ+ community in Texas. For instance, G...