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Blinken arrives Beijing on high-stakes mission to cool soaring US-China tensions

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:14:48 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Beijing early Sunday on a high-stakes diplomatic mission to try to cool exploding U.S.-China tensions that have set many around the world on edge. Blinken was to begin two days of talks with senior Chinese officials in the afternoon. He is the highest-level American official to visit China since President Joe Biden took office and the first secretary of state to make the trip in five years.The trip comes after he postponed plans to visit in February after the shootdown of a Chinese surveillance balloon over the U.S.Yet prospects for any significant breakthrough on the most vexing issues facing the planet’s two largest economies are slim, as already ties have grown increasingly fraught in recent years. Animosity and recriminations have steadily escalated over a series of disagreements that have implications for global security and stability.Blinken plans to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Sunday, top dipl...

Man in life-threatening condition after being pulled from water at Humber Bay

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:14:48 GMT

A man is in life-threatening condition after being pulled from the Humber Bay area in Toronto’s west end Saturday evening, officials say.Toronto paramedics and police officers were called to an area near Marine Parade Drive, east of Lake Shore Boulevard West and east of Park Lawn Road, just after 6:20 p.m. after receiving reports someone was in distress.A Toronto Paramedic Services spokesperson told CityNews crews were taking the man to a local hospital.In an update posted on the Toronto Police Service’s Twitter account, a spokesperson said officers were still investigating the circumstances of the incident.More to come.MARINE RESCURE:(UPDATE)Marine Parade Dr – E/O Humber Bay Park– @MarineUnit have located a body in the water– man pulled from water– life saving measures commenced– @TorontoMedics transporting to hospital in life-threatening condition– ongoing investigation#GO1392778^sc— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) J...

Male critical after CTA Red Line shooting near Cermak-Chinatown stop

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:14:48 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is in the hospital after a shooting happened aboard a CTA Red Line train near the Cermak station in Chinatown Saturday afternoon.According to the Chicago Police Department, a 21-year-old male victim was on a CTA train in the 100 block of West Cermak Road around 3:45 p.m. when he was approached by an offender, who pulled out a handgun and shot him in the calf.The 21-year-old man was taken from the scene to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he is reported as being in good condition. Body pulled from Chicago River near Salt Shed ID’d "As soon as I found out he had a gun, I just gave my son to my man and we ran," said Nyla Brackett, who said she witnessed the shooting. "It was so scary because I was right there. As soon as I crossed the threshold, he shot him."Police said the offender has been taken into custody and a weapon was recovered from the scene of the crime.Charges are pending as area detectives continue to investigate the incident.

Hyde Park Summerfest brings top hip hop talent to South Side, fundraises for the community

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:14:48 GMT

CHICAGO — Music, culture and community are taking place this weekend in Hyde Park.Hyde Park Summerfest — what was once known as Hyde Park Brew Fest several years ago — is being held at Midway Plaisance Park, and features a lineup of popular hip-hop and soul artists performing Saturday and Sunday."This weekend is going to be amazing. This weekend, literally, we have Clipse, 2 Chainz, " said Festival Partner Nosa Ehimwenman.Sunday's headliner features Lil Kim and a Chicago tribute to hip hop's 50th anniversary featuring Vic Mensa, Twista and Crucial Conflict. Singer/Songwriter Shab shares her story of being an Iranian refugee On top of the top flight talent on stage, the festival also partners with organizations in the community to help fundraise for various projects."Proceeds from the Summerfest are going to go to grants to help empower youth," Ehimwenman. "When we talk about crime, how do we combat that? We have to give them funding."Hyde park Summerfest runs until 10pm Saturday a...

2-year-old giraffe 'Asha' makes debut at Brookfield Zoo

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:14:48 GMT

BROOKFIELD, Ill. — One of Brookfield Zoo’s newest residents is already 10 feet tall and still growing. Asha (pronounced Ah-shah), a 2-year-old female reticulated giraffe arrived recently and can now been seen in the outdoor area at Habitat Africa! The Savannah with the herd.Since her arrival on May 6, she has been behind the scenes acclimating to the animal care staff and being introduced to the other giraffes—Potoka, 9; Ato, 7; Jasiri, 17; and Arnieta, 16. Staff describe Asha as a confident and curious giraffe, who will be a great addition to the herd. Her coat is lightly colored and she has a delicate and expressive face.A close up of Asha, Brookfield Zoo's newest giraffe resident!A second look at Asha, Brookfield Zoo's newest giraffe resident!Asha, roaming an exhibit at the Brookfield Zoo.Asha with the rest of the giraffe herd at the Brookfield Zoo.A medium shot of Asha at the Brookfield Zoo.A close up of Asha eating some tasty leaves in her exhibit at the Brookfield Zoo.An iconi...

Singer/Songwriter Shab shares her story of being an Iranian refugee

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:14:48 GMT

WGN's Sean Lewis recently sat down with Iranian singer and songwriter Shab, who shared her story of being an Iranian refugee during Pridefest, and explained how she empathizes with the oppression felt by the LGBTQIA+ community through her own experiences.

'Lucky to be alive': Florida deputy sucked into 100-foot drainage pipe while saving man

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:14:48 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A deputy of Florida's northwestmost county risked life and limb Friday to save a stranded motorist trapped amid torrential downpours and rising flood waters.Escambia County Deputy William Hollingsworth was on patrol in the early morning hours of June 16 to help stranded motorists caught in rapidly rising waters. Spotting a trapped citizen, Deputy Hollingsworth approached, unaware of the life-threatening incident about to unfold. ‘Go Away Green’: The color Disney paints things it doesn’t want you to see at its parks Seconds later, the citizen disappeared underwater. Deputy Hollingsworth rushed to his aid but would succumb to the same fate.For 30 seconds, the two men held their breath as torrents of rainwater sucked them into a drainage pipe traveling underneath the four-lane roadway of Hwy 98. For nearly 100 feet, the men clawed at anything they could reach for a last attempt at life.Then it was over.The men emerged on the other side visibly shaken, but otherwi...

Most Black Americans believe US racism will get worse in their lifetime: poll

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:14:48 GMT

(The Hill) — Most Black Americans believe racism in the United States will get worse during their lifetime, according to a new poll. A Washington Post-Ipsos poll released Friday showed that 51 percent of Black respondents said they expect racism will get worse, while 37 percent said they expect it will stay about the same. Only 11 percent said it will get better. This was mostly consistent across age groups of Black respondents. Those 50 to 64 were the most likely to say they expect racism to get worse, with 57 percent saying so, while those 30 to 39 were the least likely, with 43 percent saying so.  Americans’ confidence in science dropped in 2022: survey But no more than 13 percent of any age group said they expect racism to get better. The results contrast somewhat with respondents overall. Almost 40 percent each of all respondents said they expect racism to get worse and they expect it to remain about the same. About a fifth said they expect it to improve. Nearl...

Here's the richest person in Illinois, according to Forbes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:14:48 GMT

(NEXSTAR) -- Can you name the richest person in Illinois? Unless you have a billion dollars in your bank account, we can promise it isn’t you. As of 2023, nearly every state has a billionaire resident, according to Forbes, which released its list of the wealthiest people in the U.S. for the first time since 2019 on Thursday.Only three states are without a billionaire, as of June 2023: Alaska, Delaware and West Virginia. This wasn’t always the case for the latter, the outlet explains, pointing to Gov. Jim Justice, who lost his status as the result of heavy debts two years ago.Lacking a billionaire isn’t a problem for other states, especially California, Florida, New York and Texas. According to Forbes, there are 179 billionaires in California, 130 in New York, 92 in Florida and 73 in Texas. Texas earns an extra jewel in its crown, considering the richest person in the U.S. and the world -- Elon Musk -- now calls the Lone Star State home. Including Musk, the five richest peo...

Do you say 'pop' or 'soda'? Regional dialect across the U.S. explained

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:14:48 GMT

(WXIN/NEXSTAR) — Do you say "pop," "soda," or "Coke" when you're talking about carbonated beverages? Chances are where you live affects how you ask for a soft drink — and that has everything to do with your vernacular.But what does regional vernacular actually mean? ‘Go Away Green’: The color Disney paints things it doesn’t want you to see at its parks Regional vernacular or dialect is defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary as a language that's native to a region rather than one that belongs to a culture or country. It's often distinguished by unique vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation depending on the person speaking.These idiosyncrasies happen as parents pass down their way of speaking to their children and those children eventually pass it along, too. Sometimes this becomes complicated if children are raised elsewhere and have parents from different regions.Regional Dialect ExamplesDialectRegionCharacteristicsSouthern American EnglishSouthern United StatesUse of monophthongal ...