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Travel: Taking a superyacht to tour the Galapagos Islands in luxury

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

By Norma Meyer, special to Southern California News GroupSunbathing Godzilla monsters clogged my path. As waves crashed against ancient lava rocks, I scrambled off an inflatable panga dinghy, regained my balance and then haphazardly side-stepped a jillion long-clawed, spiky, crusty-scaled sci-fi creatures blending into the rugged, black volcanic terrain. Like other iconic animals in these wildlife-wondrous Galapagos Islands, the marine iguanas appeared to care less about the clodhopper Homo sapiens in their midst. But then, I was a humble bystander in an eco-paradise where boobies are birds and the sexiest ones have the brightest blue feet.Marine iguanas, native to the Galapagos Islands, are horrifically endearing. These seafaring lizards were on Fernandina Island. (Photo by Norma Meyer)Primeval giant tortoises would plod slo-mo beside me. The world’s rare northernmost penguins splashed by. My heart turned mushy as I strolled alongside dozens of darling sea lion pups nursing their m...

Due date for first report by foreign interference inquiry extended to May

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

OTTAWA — A federal inquiry into foreign interference has been granted a nearly two-month extension to deliver its first report after Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue requested more time to conduct her work.Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc granted Hogue’s wish to have the report due by May 3 instead of the end of February as was previously required.LeBlanc says in a statement that opposition parties were also notified of Hogue’s request. The commissioner requested the extra time last week saying it will give “meaning and purpose” to preliminary hearings, and allow more time to maximize transparency. She added that ensuring classified information is put into a form that can be released to the public is a long and complicated process.The commission will begin holding public hearings late next month, looking at attempted meddling by China, Russia and other foreign states, as well as non-state actors, in recent Canadian elections.This report by The Canadian Pr...

Christmas baby for endangered southern resident killer whales

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

A new calf has been born to the J pod of British Columbia’s endangered southern resident killer whales.The U.S.-based Center for Whale Research says the calf was first spotted in Washington state’s Puget Sound on Dec. 26, and was a newborn since it wasn’t with the pod when it was observed three days earlier.It says in a statement the calf was seen near an adult female known as J40, making her the likely mother, something researchers hoped to confirm.The sex of the calf isn’t known.Salmon-eating southern resident killer whales live in the Salish Sea off British Columbia and Washington in three pods known as J, K and L. An annual census by the Center for Whale Research put the southern resident population at 75 orcas this year, including 25 in J pod.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 28, 2023. The Canadian Press

American-Canadian-Israeli woman believed to be held hostage in Gaza pronounced dead

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A hard-hit Israeli kibbutz on Thursday announced the death of Judith Weinstein — an American-Canadian-Israeli woman who had been thought to be held hostage in Gaza.The news came six days after Weinstein’s husband, Gad Haggai, was also pronounced dead.Weinstein, 70, and Haggai, 73, were taking an early morning walk near their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on the morning of Oct. 7 when Hamas militants burst across the border into Israel, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping 240 others. In the early hours of the morning, Weinstein was able to call emergency services and let them know that both she and her husband had been shot and send a message to her family. Weinstein and her husband had been thought to be among the hostages still held in captivity in Gaza. But six days ago, the kibbutz announced that Haggai was killed Oct. 7 and his body was taken to Gaza.On Thursday, the kibbutz said it had learned that Weinstein was also killed on Oct. 7 and her body is...

2023’s problems and peeves are bid a symbolic farewell at pre-New Year’s Times Square event

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — One person wanted to get past anger issues. Others sought to turn the page on medical bills, work stress, insecurities, taxes, regrets, bad habits, bad hair days, COVID-19, worrying about what other people think, and “all negativity of 2023.”People hoping to shed those and other problems converged on Times Square Thursday for “Good Riddance Day,” a promotional pre-New Year’s Eve event that offers a chance to, at least symbolically, cast away burdens, peeves and bad memories. “The whole world is going through this. There’s lots of people going through bad experiences. Wars, inflation, life has been rough. I’m just hoping for 2024 to just give everyone a break from those terrible things,” Angel Villaneuva of Washington said after watching his personal banes — bad relationships and negative energy and experiences — go up in smoke. Previous iterations of “Good Riddance Day” have involved shredders and a dumpster. But this year, Magician Devonte Rosero t...

Huge surf pounds West Coast and Hawaii, flooding some low-lying areas

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Powerful surf rolled onto beaches on the West Coast and Hawaii on Thursday as a big swell generated by the stormy Pacific Ocean pushed toward shorelines, causing localized flooding.Forecasters urged people to stay off rocks and jetties, and to not turn their backs to the ocean because of the danger of “sneaker waves” — occasional much bigger waves that can run far up the sand and wash someone off a beach.A high surf warning for parts of Northern California said waves would range from 28 to 33 feet (8.5 to 10 meters) and up to 40 feet (12 meters) at some locations, the National Weather Service said, adding that there were reports of flooding in low-lying coastal areas.In Aptos on the north end of Monterey Bay, surf overran the beach and swept into a parking lot, leaving the area strewn with debris. Santa Cruz County issued warnings for people in several coastal areas to be ready to evacuate.“Mother Nature’s angry,” said Eve Krammer, an Aptos resident for several ye...

Man charged in fatal crash that killed Wauconda math teacher

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

WHEELING, Ill. — A 28-year-old man has been charged in connection with the death of a Wauconda math teacher who was struck and killed earlier this month.Guillermo Salgado of Palatine appeared in court Thursday. According to a statement from the Wheeling Police Dept, Salgado is charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI stemming from the crash that occurred on December 10 at East Palatine Road and Wheeling Road. Police believe Bob Gillen, 53, was traveling westbound on Palatine Road when his vehicle was struck head-on by a Toyota Camry driven by Salgado, according to police. Gillen died as a result of the crash. Previous Coverage: Wauconda math teacher dies after being struck head-on by alleged intoxicated driver Police say Salgado drove his car into the westbound lanes of Palatine Road against the flow of traffic in the wrong lane. He then sped east before striking Gillen's car.Bob GillenPolice said Salgado's blood alcholo content was in excess of .08 at the time of the cra...

Idaho killings home demolished despite families' objections

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

MOSCOW, Idaho (NewsNation) — Demolition of the home where four University of Idaho students were fatally stabbed last year is complete, despite objections from the victims' families.Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Maddie Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were found dead inside an off-campus rental home in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022.The demolition started around 9:30 a.m. ET, despite some insisting the house is a crucial piece of evidence. At least two of the victims' families have argued that it should be postponed until after the trial of suspect Bryan Kohberger. Idaho victim’s dad: Why is evidence ‘destroyed’ before trial? Neither the defense nor the prosecution are contesting the demolition this week. The university is trying to complete it before students resume classes after the winter break. Detailed documentation, including extensive 3D imaging, photos and measurements has been compiled from inside the property.Critics argue the crime scene should be preserved in ...

Illinois' new e-cigarette ban takes effect on New Year's Day

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

ILLINOIS - Starting on New Year's Day, e-cigarette use will no longer be permitted in indoor public spaces in Illinois. It's part of an amendment to the Smoke Free Illinois Act taking effect next year. The new law also bans the use of e-cigarette devices within 15 feet of a public entrance.The Illinois Department of Public Health supports the intent of the new law, one of several taking effect in the new year that will improve public health across the state.“E-cigarettes contain nicotine and other chemicals which can be harmful to both those who use them and those who are exposed to them,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Just like smoking, vaping can lead to lung damage and nicotine addiction. We applaud the General Assembly and Gov. Pritzker for their leadership to ensure that public spaces in Illinois are safe, clean environments for everyone.” Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines The update to the Smoke Free Illinois Act is just one of several new laws that take effec...

Nikki Haley forced to respond to controversy sparked by Civil War comments

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is fighting back after critics hit her for comments about the Civil War.It was at a town hall in New Hampshire on Wednesday night when Haley's surging presidential campaign hit a snag. During the Q&A portion of the event a voter asked her, "What was the cause of the United States civil War?""Well, don't come with an easy question, right? I mean, I think the cause of the Civil War was basically how government was going to run, the freedoms and what people could and couldn't do," Haley responded. She continued her answer by speaking about government, individual freedom, and capitalism. The voter replied by telling Haley he was astonished she didn't mention slavery. "What do you want me to say about slavery?" Haley asked. "You answered my question. Thank you," the voter said. While Haley moved on to the next question, the exchange sparked backlash. On social media platform X, Pre...