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Wildlife unseen casualty as forests burn in worst wildfire season of the century

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:22 GMT

As wildfires from coast to coast scorch large swaths of forest, sometimes changing it irreversibly, experts have zeroed in on an often overlooked casualty of the blazes: wildlife.Spring fires, such as the ones now burning across the country, are unusual and will possibly affect several species, said Karen Hodges, a biology professor at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus.“If the tree with a nest burns, those eggs or chicks obviously will not survive. The adults may be able to escape the fire, but the chances that they would reproduce again somewhere else is unlikely for this year. I think one immediate impact is that many individuals will fail to breed this year. Some will die,” she said in a recent interview.“Obviously, animals that can move away ahead of the fire will do so. But that depends how fast the fire is moving — whether the animals can outrun it. It’s really difficult to gauge that one.”Emergency Preparedness Minister B...

Government sought out ‘impartial’ military college review board members

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:22 GMT

OTTAWA — The majority of the board tasked with reviewing Canada’s military colleges will be people who have not attended one of the schools and have not publicly expressed a strong opinion on their future, according to a recruitment posting.A job posting on the Department of National Defence’s LinkedIn page states that the seven-member board will include five people who are not members of the public service or National Defence and two members “from the defence team.”The five external recruits will include people with expertise in adult education, young adult development and cultural evolution and organizational change, the posting says.The board was created in response to a report from former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour in May 2022. As part of her review of sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, Arbour examined the culture at the two military colleges in Kingston, Ont., and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.“The governance structure at the ...

More foreign firefighters expected to arrive today to help Canada battle wildfires

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:22 GMT

More firefighters from abroad are expected to arrive today to help battle Canada’s worst wildfire season of the 21st century. Quebec’s public safety minister says more reinforcements are to come from Portugal and Spain.François Bonnardel said Tuesday the fire effort has also been bolstered by the arrival this week of two contingents of firefighters from the United States. Storms across the country could bring much needed rain, but meteorologists say it’s not enough to stop the wildfire threat. A rainy forecast in Quebec was bringing hope for progress in battling the blazes, as more than 7,200 people remained out of their homes due to fires. Rain is also in the forecast for a large portion of Western Canada, but thunderstorms and a risk of lightning come along with it. About 14,000 people remained out of their homes in Alberta.This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 14, 2023.The Canadian Press

Daily horoscope for June 14, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:22 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Taurus.Happy Birthday for Wednesday, June 14, 2023:Your confidence makes you want to get involved and take charge of a situation. This is because you are a natural leader and you see solutions quickly. Take inventory of your life this year. It’s time to let go of people, places and things from the past that have held you back. Take time to commune with nature.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★This is a poor day to discuss money, earnings or cash flow, as well as expenditures related to children, vacations or social events. People are sensitive and emotional today, and these topics will be particularly touchy. Steer clear of them. Tonight: Stay mum.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★Once again, the Moon is in your sign; however, today it is at odds with Venus and Mars, which is poor for socializing. It makes dealings with others a bit strained and possibly defensive or guarded. Don’t push issue...

'Massive missile attack' by Russia kills at least three in Ukraine's Kryvyi Rih

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:22 GMT

Russia launched a "massive missile" attack overnight on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, killing at least three people and wounding 25 and damaging civilian infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said early on Tuesday (13 June).Rescue operations were under way in a burning five-storey apartment building and in a destroyed warehouse, Serhiy Lysak, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region where Kryvyi Rih is located said on the Telegram messaging app."There are still people under the rubble of a building. There was a fire there," Lysak said, giving the preliminary casualty figures, and posting a photograph of the apartment block with smoke pouring out of some of the blown out windows.City mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said at least seven people were believed to be trapped under the rubble, without providing more details. Reuters could not independently verify the report.Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who was born in Kryvyi Rih, also condemned the attack on his hometown."Russian k...

Miss Manners: Am I wrong to reply sarcastically to their terse texts?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:22 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When texting or emailing friends or clients, I often start off with “Good morning” or “How are you?” and end with “Have a great day.”I always get short, right-to-the-point answers back, like “OK,” and they don’t usually start with “Good morning” or end with “Have a good day.” So sometimes, I sarcastically reply “Good morning to me, too,” which I know people don’t like.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: The way this man sits bothers me no end Advice | Miss Manners: Is it just a verbal tic or is she insulting me? Advice | Miss Manners: I’m insulted when they imply my profession makes me a monster Advice | Miss Manners: Would this combo party be too peculiar? And what about gifts? Advice | Miss Manners: They ram my shopping cart and then just stare at me Am I too sensitive? I am old-s...

Dear Abby: He gets mad if I say his driving scares me

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:22 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I’m married to a wonderful man, but his driving is very stressful for me.He usually drives 10 to 30 miles over the speed limit. Sometimes, he’ll approach a turn that’s marked 25 doing 48. His car has a large digital readout of the speed, and I can easily see it.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My wife is secretive about her meals out, and it makes me suspicious Advice | Dear Abby: This shoplifting incident may be the last straw for my marriage Advice | Dear Abby: How do I tell her I’ve been secretly cleaning her house? Advice | Dear Abby: Our poker wives’ group has been hijacked by a pious new member Advice | Dear Abby: My mausoleum plan has alienated my children If I say anything he gets very angry, and as he’s getting older — mid-70s — his reaction time isn’t optimal.Help! I don’t know what to do.— STRESSED SPOUSE IN PENNSY...

The Bacon Brothers return to rock Rams Head in Annapolis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:22 GMT

Hear our full chat on my podcast “Beyond the Fame with Jason Fraley.” toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews the Bacon Brothers at Rams Head (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); It’s become an almost annual tradition for WTOP to chat with Michael and Kevin Bacon when they play in the area.The Bacon Brothers return to Rams Head in Annapolis, Maryland, for four shows this Friday and Saturday.“We love t...

Conforto leads Giants against the Cardinals following 4-hit performance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:22 GMT

San Francisco Giants (35-32, third in the NL West) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (27-41, fifth in the NL Central)St. Louis; Wednesday, 1:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Anthony DeSclafani (4-6, 3.89 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 53 strikeouts); Cardinals: Jordan Montgomery (3-7, 3.88 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 66 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -141, Giants +120; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants play the St. Louis Cardinals after Michael Conforto had four hits against the Cardinals on Tuesday.St. Louis has a 27-41 record overall and a 13-20 record at home. The Cardinals have a 17-11 record in games when they did not give up a home run.San Francisco has a 17-15 record on the road and a 35-32 record overall. Giants hitters have a collective .327 on-base percentage, the 10th-best percentage in the majors.Wednesday’s game is the seventh time these teams square off this season. The Giants hold a 5-1 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Paul Goldschm...

Walker leads Diamondbacks against the Phillies after 4-hit outing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:22 GMT

Philadelphia Phillies (33-34, third in the NL East) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (41-26, first in the NL West)Phoenix; Wednesday, 9:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Ranger Suarez (1-2, 4.70 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 28 strikeouts); Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly (8-3, 3.16 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 82 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Diamondbacks -139, Phillies +118; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Philadelphia Phillies after Christian Walker’s four-hit game on Tuesday.Arizona has a 41-26 record overall and a 21-15 record at home. The Diamondbacks have gone 17-7 in games when they hit at least two home runs.Philadelphia has a 33-34 record overall and a 14-23 record on the road. The Phillies have the eighth-best team slugging percentage in MLB play at .424.The matchup Wednesday is the sixth time these teams square off this season. The Diamondbacks hold a 3-2 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Corbin Carroll leads Arizona with 14 home ru...