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The bodies of 8 migrants have been found off Tunisia after their boats sank

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:18 GMT

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Eight bodies of migrants have been recovered over the past two days off the coast of the Tunisian port city of Sfax after their boats sank trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea toward Europe, according to Sfax court’s spokesperson.Faouzi Masmoudi, the spokesperson, said on Sunday that civil protection rescuers and coast guards are finding migrants’ bodies almost every day on the beaches of Sfax, washed up by the waves of a very rough sea in recent days.The comments come as dozens of migrants were dramatically rescued by Italy on Sunday as they foundered in the sea or clung to a rocky reef after three boats launched by smugglers from northern Africa shipwrecked in rough waters in separate incidents over the weekend.Tunisian authorities estimate that some 17,000 sub-Saharan people are concentrated in the Sfax area, which is the starting point for most attempts to cross to Italy, some 190 kilometers (118 miles) away, and to some other parts of Europe.On Thur...

‘Barbie’ joins $1 billion club, breaking another record for female directors

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:18 GMT

(AP) — Greta Gerwig should be feeling closer to fine these days. In just three weeks in theaters, “Barbie” is set to sail past $1 billion in global ticket sales, breaking a record for female directors that was previously held by Patty Jenkins, who helmed “Wonder Woman.”“Barbie,” which Gerwig directed and co-wrote, added another $53 million from 4,178 North American locations this weekend according to studio estimates on Sunday. The Margot Robbie-led and produced film has been comfortably seated in first place for three weeks and it’s hardly finished yet. Warner Bros. said the film will cross $1 billion before the end of the day.In modern box office history, just 53 movies have made over $1 billion, not accounting for inflation, and “Barbie” is now the biggest to be directed by one woman, supplanting “Wonder Woman’s” $821.8 million global total. Three movies that were co-directed by women are still ahead of “Barbie,” including “Frozen” ($1.3 billion) and “Frozen 2” ($1.45 billion) bo...

Sunday Brunch: Burgers with eMeals

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:18 GMT

Check out Sunday Brunch with eMeals where they share ways they distribute meal plans on their platform.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Weekend Break: Jeff Fest

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:18 GMT

Weekend Break with Jeff Fest.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Electric vehicle prices collapse even as overall used car market stabilizes

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:18 GMT

(iSeeCars) -- Used car pricing appears to be stabilizing, with overall prices down 3.6 percent year-over-year in June, according to a new iSeeCars.com study. This follows price drops of 2.9 percent in May and 3.6 percent in April, along with drops of 6 to 8 percent from January to March. But used electric vehicle prices are collapsing even as overall used car prices stabilize. June saw used EV prices drop 29.5 percent from a year earlier, after falling 28.9 percent in May, 24 percent in April, and 16.8 percent in March. iSeeCars analyzed over 1.8 million 1- to 5-year-old used cars to identify the latest used car pricing trends.“A year ago, used EV prices were on the upswing, rising faster than the average used car,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “Electric vehicle prices are now falling at nearly 10 times the rate of the average used vehicle, reflecting a clear shift in EV supply and demand.”Year-over-Year Change in 1-5 Year-Old Used Car Prices - iSeeCars StudyMon...

Oak Grove wildfire estimated at 400 acres, 30% contained; 1 home destroyed

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:18 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — At least one home was destroyed and multiple homes were evacuated after a wildfire in Hays County started Saturday. Officials said no more evacuations were in place Sunday. Officials responded to the fire, named the Oak Grove Fire, shortly after 3 p.m., according to the Hays County Office of Emergency Services website. PHOTOS: Oak Grove Fire burns in Hays County The fire was first reported to be near Oak Grove Road near San Marcos. It is estimated at 400 acres and 30% contained as of Sunday morning, according to the Hays County Office of Emergency Management and the Texas A&M Forest Service.On Sunday, officials said firefighters would map the fire in daylight. Walter Flocke, a spokesperson for the Texas A&M Forest Service, said there was no fire growth overnight. There are no current evacuations, but Flocke said people should stay up-to-date on fire information and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. He said Sun...

Churches in San Marcos, Wimberley opened doors for Oak Grove Fire evacuees

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:18 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Those who evacuated their homes Saturday due to the Oak Grove Fire burning near San Marcos sought shelter at two churches in the area.As of Sunday morning, no evacuation orders were in place, according to the Hays County Office of Emergency Management. Promised Land Church, located at 1650 Lime Kiln Road in San Marcos, and First Baptist Church of Wimberley at 15951 Winters Mill Parkway opened their doors for evacuees to stay until they were allowed back in their homes. FIRE UPDATES: Crews fight wildfire in Hays County KXAN reporter Grace Reader spoke with Erica, a representative from Promised Land Church."We have a team of people here ready to help," Erica said. "We've been fortunate to have the Red Cross here with us to help coordinate things and help us have the resources to help the community."Officials responded to a large outside fire, known as the Oak Grove Fire, in Hays County Saturday, Aug. 5. | Jake Sykes/KXAN NewsOfficials responded to a large...

‘A beautiful and magical experience’: Barton Hill Farms permanently closes

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:18 GMT

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — On Wednesday, Barton Hill Farms announced it has permanently closed.“We would like to thank the entire community and the families that visited our farm venue throughout the years. Since 2012, it has been a delightful experience serving you all. We are especially grateful for those families and individuals that made visiting our events an annual tradition,” Barton Hill Farms said.The owners said the farm was "a beautiful and magical experience” for those who attended and worked during its fall and spring events.“To all our "AMAZE-ing" employees, Bastrop County First Responders, Bastrop ESD No.1, The County of Bastrop, and to all those that assisted in helping us provide a safe and fun event to our guests, we want to send a special message of gratitude to you! We were honored to have worked beside all of you,” the farm said.Barton Hill Farms was located at 1115 Farm-to-Market Road 969 in Bastrop.

National Weather Service tracking tropical storm off Southern California coast 

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:18 GMT

The National Weather Service is watching the development of a tropical storm system off the Southern California coast. According to the NWS, Tropical Storm Eugene is weakening, but the remnants of the storm will “be the main focus this week” for most of the region. The storm, which is currently several hundred miles off the coast of Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, is forecast to travel in a northwesterly direction up the Baja California Peninsula before turning back towards land on Wednesday.  Click here to view the forecast for your community “[The] threat of precipitation [will be the greatest between] Tuesday and Thursday, with [the] best chances on Wednesday,” NWS said on Twitter. As of Sunday morning, Tropical Storm Eugene had maximum sustained winds of 70 miles per hour. 

Nonprofit organizations partner to provide home repair services to local veteran 

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:18 GMT

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County partnered with Heroes Linked, a local veteran support nonprofit organization, to help a veteran in Anaheim with much needed home repairs. The two organizations teamed up to help Paulnhu “Paul” Nguyen, who served on active duty from 2007 to 2010, including multiple deployments to Iraq and Kuwait. Nguyen, a Purple Heart recipient, was forced to end his military career due to a disability that now impacts his ability to perform necessary repairs and maintenance on his home, the nonprofits said in a release. “Heroes Linked and Habitat for Humanity of Orange County are organizing a team of dedicated volunteers...to repaint the exterior of Paul’s home, restoring its beauty and ensuring a safe and comfortable living environment for him and his family,” the organizations said.  Winning $82 million Super Lotto Plus ticket sold in Southern California KTLA 5’s Erin Myers spoke with Nguyen at his home on Sunday morning, where he expressed g...