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Travel: 15 interesting and underrated European museums

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:44:58 GMT

Scott Hartbeck | TravelPulse (TNS)For every world-famous European museum like the Louvre or Prado, there’s one that flies under the radar. The following collection is made up of both quirky and unusual museums and those that are home to world-class collections but just aren’t as well known as they should be.Bottle Peter’s Museum, DenmarkDenmark’s Aero Island is known primarily for its windswept beaches and collection of colorful, cute-as-a-button cottages, but this quirky museum dedicated to one man’s passion for ships in bottles also pulls in the crowds. Bottle Peter — as he came to be known — was an accomplished sailor and managed to build more than 1,700 bottle ships in his lifetime, and they’re now on display here for all to enjoy.Fondation Louis Vuitton, FranceA beautiful space dedicated to contemporary art and culture designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry, Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris is a pure work of art itself. You’ll be amazed at the...

Frances Sternhagen, Tony Award-winning actor who was familiar maternal face on TV, dies at 93

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:44:58 GMT

By MARK KENNEDY (AP Entertainment Writer)NEW YORK (AP) — Frances Sternhagen, the veteran character actor who won two Tony Awards and became a familiar maternal face to TV viewers later in life in such shows as “Cheers,” “ER,” “Sex and the City” and “The Closer,” has died. She was 93.Sternhagen died peacefully of natural causes Monday her son, John Carlin, said in a statement posted to Instagram on Wednesday. “Fly on, Frannie,” he wrote. “The curtain goes down on a life so richly, passionately, humbly and generously lived.” Sternhagen’s publicist confirmed the death and said it occurred in New Rochelle, New York.Sternhagen won a Tony for best featured actress in a play in 1974 for her role in Neil Simon’s “The Good Doctor” and a second one in 1995 for a revival of “The Heiress.” Her last turn on Broadway was in “Seascape” in 2005.She was nominated for Tonys fo...

Two horses in 'poor condition' abandoned at Tijuana River Valley Regional Park

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:44:58 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) said two horses "in poor condition" were found abandoned in the span of a week at Tijuana River Valley Regional Park.The first horse was found on Tuesday, Nov. 21, and the second the following Sunday, officials confirmed. Both horses were taken to SDHS’s Escondido campus for treatment."Sadly, following a detailed examination and X-rays, the medical team determined that the second horse was experiencing such severe pain that the only option was to alleviate his suffering through humane euthanasia," SDHS stated in a news release on the matter. Thanksgiving rescue: Baby sea lion saved from highway The surviving horse, described as male Quarter mix, will remain at the North County campus until he deemed healthy. From there, SDHS said next steps are to be determined pending an investigation into the animal abandonment. SDHS's Humane Law Enforcement is now searching for answers, and is asking the public for their help in identifying thos...

Skateboarder critically injured after colliding with minivan: police

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:44:58 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A skateboarder was critically injured after colliding with a minivan in Linda Vista Tuesday, said the San Diego Police Department.Shortly before 7:20 p.m., an 18-year-old man was riding his skateboarder eastbound on the 6900 block of Osler Street, on the south side of the Genesee Avenue intersection, against a red light, authorities explained. RV fire leaves family displaced, 2 dogs dead At that same time, a 45-year-old man was driving a Chrysler Pacifica minivan southbound on the 2700 block of Genesee Avenue in the left lane. SDPD said the driver had a green light and struck the skateboarder as he crossed Genesee Avenue. The driver struck the skateboarder with the left front corner of the vehicle, projecting him to the left. At that point, authorities said the skateboarder collided with a Nissan Altima driven by a 25-year-old man, who was stopped at the red turn arrow in the northbound left turn lane.The skateboarder came to rest south of the Nissan Altima in the nor...

Toronto plans to implement better accessibility standards for sidewalks in construction sites

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:44:58 GMT

Construction projects are plentiful across the City of Toronto and these sites change how Torontonians are able to get around.As a result, the City of Toronto is now working to make construction sites more accessible for all pedestrians, including mobility device users and people with invisible disabilities and will make it clear what it and isn’t acceptable at a site.The city said uneven sidewalks, temporary boards and mazes forcing pedestrians onto street level is not acceptable.The Infrastructure and Environment Committee adopted a motion Wednesday requesting the General Manager of Transportation Services to work with construction companies to ensure each site is safe for all pedestrians.This includes ensuring clear notification and signage, on which both the 311 phone number and construction zone phone number are listed, along with planned accommodations for safe, accessible and clearly marked pedestrian routes through them.Anthony Frisina with the Ontario Disabi...

1 person without vital signs after being pulled from apartment fire in North York

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:44:58 GMT

One person is without vital signs after they were pulled from a three-alarm apartment fire in North York.Toronto Fire Services were called to the high-rise building on York Mills Road east of the Don Valley Parkway just before 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. TFS said crews arrived to heavy smoke and fire from the fifth-floor unit, where one occupant was without vital signs. Life-saving measures were performed by first responders.Toronto police said shelter buses have been ordered for displaced residents, and roads are currently blocked on York Mills for emergency vehicles.It’s unclear what caused the fire.My photos/videos pic.twitter.com/Xsso8KJadW— Timmy Martini ???????? (@TimmyMartini) November 29, 2023

Quebec legislature unanimously condemns human rights commission’s Christmas criticism

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:44:58 GMT

Quebec’s legislature has unanimously adopted a motion in defence of Christmas.Christopher Skeete, the province’s anti-racism minister, introduced the motion today condemning the Canadian Human Rights Commission for describing Christmas as an “obvious example” of systemic religious discrimination linked to Canada’s history of colonialism.In an October discussion paper, the commission described statutory holidays related to Christianity as examples of religious discrimination because they are the only statutory holidays linked to religious holy days.It says that, as a result, those who celebrate other religions may need to request special accommodations.The motion, a copy of which will be sent to the rights commission and to Parliament, denounces attempts to “polarize” events that unite Quebecers and that have been part of the province’s heritage for generations.All 109 members of the national assembly who were present voted in favour of...

New technology installed beneath Detroit street can charge electric vehicles as they drive

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:44:58 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Crews have installed what’s billed as the nation’s first wireless-charging public roadway for electric vehicles beneath a street just west of downtown Detroit.Copper inductive charging coils allow vehicles equipped with receivers to charge up their batteries while driving, idling or parking above the coils.The quarter-mile segment of 14th Street will be used to test and perfect the technology ahead of making it available to the public within a few years, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.Demonstrations were held Wednesday at Michigan Central innovation district, a hub for advancing technologies and programs that address barriers to mobility. The district also is where Ford Motor Co. is restoring the old Michigan Central train station to develop self-driving vehicles.The technology belongs to Electreon, an Israel-based developer of wireless charging solutions for electric vehicles. The company has contracts for similar roadways in Israe...

Mandatory CanCon contribution could prompt investment cuts, Spotify tells CRTC

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:44:58 GMT

GATINEAU, Que. — Audio streaming platform Spotify says that requiring it to make a contribution aimed at supporting Canadian content could force the company to cut its existing investments in order to maintain its financial viability.The company says Canada is the only country looking into requiring streamers to make such payments and it hopes other jurisdictions don’t follow that lead.Spotify presented at a hearing Wednesday afternoon amid the CRTC’s public consultations in response to the Online Streaming Act, which is meant to update federal legislation to require digital platforms to contribute to and promote Canadian and Indigenous content.The commission is exploring whether streaming services should be asked to make an initial contribution to the Canadian content system and whether this would help level the playing field for local companies, which are already required to support Canadian content.Nathan Wiszniak, head of artist and label partnerships for Spotify Can...

‘Nearly hit by a car’: 911 call released after impaired driver caught going wrong way on Hwy. 407

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:44:58 GMT

Durham Regional Police have charged one man with impaired driving and released audio of a 911 call after he was allegedly caught driving the wrong way on Highway 407 last weekend.Authorities received several 911 calls just after 11 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25, regarding the driver of a black Honda sedan travelling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Highway 407 at Harmony Road North in Oshawa.One caller indicated the vehicle was travelling at a very high rate of speed. “I’m on the 407 going east, and I was nearly hit by a car driving on the 407 east, going west,” the caller said. “He was speeding. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see him; he was driving west of Enfield.”“He must have been going 160. 180… I could only see this car driving towards me, so I moved into the right lane. It almost made me feel like I was going the wrong way, but he was going the wrong way,” the caller added.The driver was eventually located by a local RIDE unit....