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WestJet ramping up after reaching deal with pilots, but warns it will take time

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:15:32 GMT

CALGARY — The WestJet Group says it’s ramping up operations as quickly as possible after reaching a last-minute deal with the airline’s pilots to avert a strike.However, it warns that the full resumption of operations will take time and encouraged travellers to continue to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport.WestJet and the Air Line Pilots Association announced a tentative agreement to avoid the job action early this morning.The airline had grounded the bulk of its fleet Thursday, including for its Swoop subsidiary, ahead of the strike deadline today.The shutdown affected dozens of routes within Canada and to the U.S. and overseas, while flights at the WestJet Encore regional service and the WestJet-owned Sunwing Airlines were unaffected.WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said the agreement with the pilots provides “meaningful improvements to job security and scope, working conditions and wages.”This report by The Canadian Press was...

Britain unveils $1.2B strategy to boost computer chip industry

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:15:32 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s government unveiled its long-awaited semiconductor strategy Friday, catching up with similar efforts by Western allies seeking to reduce reliance on Asian production of the computer chips that are essential to modern life. Under U.K. plan, the country’s semiconductor industry will get up to 1 billion pounds ($1.2 billion) in government investment over the next decade. The amount is dwarfed by the U.S. Chips Act, which provides $52 billion in government incentives, and the European Union’s $43 billion euro ($46 billion) chip program. The money provided by the British government will be focused on research and development, design and intellectual property and on cutting-edge compound semiconductors. The first 200 million pounds will be provided between 2023 and 2025. “Our new strategy focuses our efforts on where our strengths lie, in areas like research and design, so we can build our competitive edge on the global stage,” Prime Ministe...

China warns against ‘geopolitical games’ as US announces Blinken trip to Papua New Guinea

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:15:32 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China on Friday warned against the introduction of “geopolitical games” in the South Pacific following the announcement that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Papua New Guinea next week. The U.S. opted to send Blinken after President Joe Biden canceled what was to have been a historic stop in Papua New Guinea as well as a visit to Australia for a meeting of leaders of the so-called Quad partnership so he can focus on debt limit talks in Washington. The administration has made putting a greater focus on the Pacific region central to its global outreach, largely to counter China’s growing influence there. “China has no objection to normal exchanges and cooperation between relevant parties and Pacific Island countries, and has always advocated that the international community should pay more attention to and support the development and revitalization of the island countries,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily briefing. However, Wan...

Ukraine’s president begins visit to Saudi Arabia

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:15:32 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Friday he had begun a visit to Saudi Arabia, where Arab leaders are holding a summit.Zelenskyy said in a tweet that his aim is to “enhance bilateral relations and Ukraine’s ties with the Arab world.”Among other topics he mentioned were Russia’s annexation of Crimea, a peace “formula,” and energy cooperation.The Associated Press

Hyundai, Kia agree to pay $200 million to settle lawsuit after rise in thefts

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:15:32 GMT

(The Hill) - Automakers Hyundai Motor America and Kia America, Inc. have agreed to pay roughly $200 million to settle a class-action lawsuit after the car companies saw a rise in thefts.“The agreement, which could be valued at approximately $200 million depending on how many customers elect to participate, will provide cash compensation for customers who incurred theft-related vehicle losses or damage not covered by insurance, in addition to reimbursement for insurance deductibles, increased insurance premiums, and other theft-related losses,” Hyundai said in a release.Security concerns about certain Hyundai and Kia car models were raised after a viral TikTok challenge highlighted security weak points and showed how to hot-wire the vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety administration said in February that the social media challenge had led to at least 14 crashes and eight fatalities. Hyundai and Kia rolled out free software updates to shore up the cars’ security, for wh...

More than 30 million drivers don't know if they're at risk from a rare but dangerous airbag blast

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:15:32 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — More than 33 million people in the United States are driving vehicles that contain a potentially deadly threat: Airbag inflators that in rare cases can explode in a collision and spew shrapnel.Few of them know it.And because of a dispute between federal safety regulators and an airbag parts manufacturer, they aren't likely to find out anytime soon.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is demanding that the manufacturer, ARC Automotive of Knoxville, Tennessee, recall 67 million inflators that could explode with such force as to blow apart a metal canister and expel shrapnel. But ARC is refusing to do so, setting up a possible court fight with the agency. Hyundai, Kia agree to pay $200 million to settle lawsuit after rise in thefts NHTSA argues that the recall is justified because two people have been killed in the United States and Canada and at least seven others have been injured by ARC's inflators. The explosions, which first occurred in 2009, have co...

Youth mental health awareness campaign aimed at parents, caregivers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:15:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Public Health and Integral Care Wednesday announced a public awareness campaign aimed at getting parents and caregivers to help children and teens when it comes to mental health. According to APH, there has been a national rise in depression, trauma, and suicidality among youth, which resulted in a declaration of a national state of emergency in children's mental health. APH said those trends are mirrored in Austin and Travis County, which is why APH and Integral Care launched a public awareness campaign called "Ask, Listen, Talk, Repeat." The campaign aims to help parents and caregivers start critical conversations with children and youth about mental health. According to APH, suicide deaths among children and youth in the City of Austin rose by 65% in five years.  Suicide was the underlying cause of death for 33 people aged 24 and younger in 2022.  In that same year, children and youth in Travis County visited emergency departments a total of 40,254 tim...

Hail, damaging winds possible late Friday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:15:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A quiet and dry morning, but we'll likely finish our Friday with storms, some of which could be severe.Mainly sunny skies will help temperatures return to the low 90s this afternoon. It's not until late afternoon (4-5 p.m.) do we start to see a few isolated storms bubble up in the northwest Hill Country.Friday afternoon forecast highsAs the afternoon turns to evening, storms will grow in coverage and intensity. Well-developed thunderstorms will be capable of large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall causing flooding concerns.Friday's severe risk: 2 out of 5A few isolated storms begin to develop in the Hill Country late afternoon / early eveningStorms grow in coverage and intensity Friday evening and night ‘Potentially significant’ El Niño to begin by summer Behind Friday night's cold front, high temperatures drop to the low 80s this weekend. Only a few isolated showers are expected during your weekend plans.FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Cent...

Oliver and Charlotte top the list of Minnesota baby names for 2022

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:15:32 GMT

Welcome to the world, Oliver. Here’s to Charlotte, Henry and Olivia, too.The U.S. Social Security Administration has released the most popular new baby names in Minnesota for 2022, and Oliver and Charlotte top the list for boys and girls, respectively, followed by Henry, Olivia, Theodore, Emma, Liam, Evelyn, Jack and Nora.That’s a bit of a departure from the national rankings, which put Liam at the top of the list of most popular baby boy names in the U.S. for six years in a row, and Olivia at the top for girls for four years in a row.Nationally, the dynamic duo were followed by Noah, Emma, Oliver, Charlotte, James, Amelia, Elijah and Sophia.The Social Security Administration, which recently unveiled a fresh homepage and website design, began compiling the baby names list in 1997 with names dating back to 1880.Related ArticlesLocal News | ‘Avoid prolonged time outdoors’: Air quality alert from wildfires expanded to all of Minnesota until Friday ...

Stillwater’s sunken garden is a hidden gem in need of repair, garden club members say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:15:32 GMT

One of downtown Stillwater’s hidden gems is a small city-owned garden and fountain on Second Street, across from the Lowell Inn. It’s called the Henry Clay Farmer Sunken Garden and Fountain, and it’s a popular site for wedding and prom photos.Members of the Trillium Chapter of the Perennial Garden Club of Stillwater operate and maintain the garden, which was designed and built in the early 1930s, but club members say it needs some TLC. The fountain hasn’t been turned on, the pond’s water feature isn’t working, and some of the stone stairs leading down to the garden are crumbling, members say.On Monday evening, the Trillium Chapter of the Perennial Garden Club is holding a garden party – which is open to all – to raise awareness and interest in the garden. They’ve invited city officials to attend and hope that they’ll soon sign off on restoration plans for the garden.“So many people have a stake in this garden – adjoining businesses, community members who use the garden f...