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US says ‘the time is now’ for Sweden to join NATO and for Turkey to get new F-16s

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

OSLO, Norway (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday the “time is now” for Turkey to drop its objections to Sweden joining NATO but said the Biden administration also believed that Turkey should be provided with upgraded F-16 fighters “as soon as possible.”Blinken maintained that the administration had not linked the two issues but acknowledged that some U.S. lawmakers had. President Joe Biden implicitly linked the two issues in a phone call to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.“I spoke to Erdogan and he still wants to work on something on the F-16s. I told him we wanted a deal with Sweden. So let’s get that done,” Biden said.Still, Blinken insisted the two issues were distinct. However, he stressed that the completion of both would dramatically strengthen European security.“Both of these are vital, in our judgement, to European security,” Blinken told reporters at a joint news conference in the northern Swedish city of Lulea with Sweden’s Pri...

Lollapalooza 2023 aftershows announced

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

CHICAGO — The slate of Lollapalooza 2023 aftershows was released on Tuesday.Carly Rae Jepsen kicks things off at the Metro on Tuesday, Aug. 1.Some other notable shows are Thirty Seconds To Mars, Slyvan Esso, and Portugal. The Man.Tickets for the aftershows go on sale on Friday at 10 a.m.Lollapalooza will be held at Grant Park in downtown Chicago from Thursday, Aug. 3 to Sunday, Aug. 6. Full schedule of aftershows Headliners include Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Odesza, Lana Del Rey, Karol G, The 1975 and Tomorrow X Together.

MedWatch Daily Digest: Scientists explore the link between sugar and Alzheimer's disease

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

For Tuesday, May 30, WGN's Dina Bair has the latest on new information, including the following: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch The link between sugar and Alzheimer's High blood sugar levels have long been associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. But the specific cellular mechanisms behind this link were unclear until now. A study by researchers at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina looked at KATP channels, which are present in brain cells and change with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found disabling those channels prevented the formation of brain-damaging plaques caused by high blood sugar. It paves the way for new treatments that target specific channels. Human metapneumovirus virus on the rise A deadly virus shot up to record levels this spring. It's called Human metapneumovirus or HMPV.The virus can have the same effects as the flu and Covid but it won't appear in those tests. It can be detected at the hospital, but no vacci...

Chick-fil-A's DEI leader sparks calls for boycott

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — News of Chick-fil-A having vice president of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) has some conservative groups calling for a boycott. The fast food giant has been a favorite among many over the years, due in large part to its religious roots and sporadic financial support of anti-LGBTQ organizations, but a previous announcement of Erick McReynolds, VP, DEI, who has been with the company's DEI segment since 2020, has some claiming the company has "gone woke." It's unclear why news of Chick-fil-A's previous DEI initiatives took off on social media Tuesday, though it may possibly be due to several viral posts.Loosely defined, DEI is a variable set of principles that organizations and companies are increasingly incorporating in their work environments. As explained by job resource outlet Indeed, DEI "is often used to describe the programs and initiatives a company has in place to improve those areas." DEI actions can include actions like hiring more diverse employees, ma...

LIVE: Capitol Closeout: A look at what happened, and didn’t happen, on top legislative priorities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) – Hours after lawmakers adjourned sine die for the end of the regular legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott called them back to return Monday at 9:00 p.m. — in what he said will be the first of multiple special legislative sessions after chamber divisions got in the way of key Republican legislative priorities like property tax relief.“More must be done for the people of Texas. Many critical items remain that must be passed. Several special sessions will be required,” Gov. Abbott said.The Governor designated two topics for the legislature to address: property taxes and human smuggling. Only the Governor can convene the legislature outside of the regular session period, during which lawmakers may only pass legislation relating to topics the governor defines.A look at what happened and didn’t happen on top legislative priorities Cutting Property TaxesHouse and Senate leaders failed to strike a deal on legislation to lower property taxes after months of tense divi...

Ballston Spa Public Library drops late fees

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

BALSTON SPA , N.Y. (NEWS10) — Starting Thursday, the Ballston Spa Public Library will stop charging overdue fines for books. They're hoping to enrich their community without financial barriers. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The library still wants items to be returned on the due date. Even so, they're waiving all previous overdue fines on June 1, too. Contact the library at (518) 885-5022 if you have any questions about their new fine-free initiative.

Gabby Barrett to play Vermont State Fair

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

RUTLAND, Vt. (NEWS10) — Gabby Barrett will be playing the Vermont State Fair this summer. Rutland's Paramount Theatre announced that they were adding a second headliner to the fair on Tuesday morning. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Barrett will take the stage at the Diamonds and More Grandstand on August 17. Now 23, she is a country singer who won third place on American Idol in 2018, the first season on ABC after a two-year hiatus. Her 2019 single "I Hope" reached No. 1 on the country charts, No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is certified seven-times platinum.Barrett joins a lineup fronted by country star Jake Owen, who takes the stage two days after her. Tickets for Barrett go onsale June 2 at 10 a.m. Tickets for Owen, meanwhile, are still available online at the Paramount Theatre website.

Drag performance and story hour set for Albany in June

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Drag performers Frieda and Carmie are taking the stage at the Huxley Theater at the New York State Museum during Pride Month in the Capital Region. They're hosting a drag cabaret and story hour for kids on June 24 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! You can find the New York State Museum is at 260 Madison Avenue in Albany. The free family event promises fun stories told through song for kids of all ages.The Pride Center of the Capital Region organized the event. One social media, they said, "Drag queens and kings are the epitome of dress-up, and that's something all children understand. Drag isn't dangerous, it is a creative and colorful way to express yourself." Albany drag queens host ‘Drag Away the Stigma’ event to stop suicide All fields of art and performance feature a range of content. For example, some stand up comedians or songs feature explicit content meant for adults, w...

Illinois man found dead in Wood River Creek

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

ALTON, Ill. - A South Roxana, Illinois, man was found submerged last week in Wood River Creek.According to a report from the office of Madison County Coroner Stephen Nonn, police received a 911 call around 6:05 p.m. on Friday, May 26.Alton police officers found the man at Wood River Creek and East Broadway. He was identified as 33-year-old Trever Oliver. Woman ‘saving up’ as Ferguson PD cracks down on expired tags Oliver was known to frequent the area.The coroner's office did not find overt signs of "nefarious involvement." However, the Alton Police Department and Madison County Coroner's Office are continuing their investigation to determine a final cause of death.Gray Funeral Home of Wood River is handling the funeral arrangements.

Man charged in St. Louis double murder case nearly one year later

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A man accused in a St. Louis double murder case faces felony charges nearly one year later. Prosecutors have charged Edd Johnson, 31, with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action in an investigation that dates back to June 21, 2022. Angela Kabugu, 27, and Nelson Hall Jr., 28, died after a shooting and car crash. Woman ‘saving up’ as Ferguson PD cracks down on expired tags The incident unfolded in the 1300 block of Temple Place near Page Boulevard. Investigators say they found a black SUV that had hit a fire hydrant upon arrival. Two people inside the SUV, later identified as Kabugu and Hall, suffered from multiple gunshot wounds.Police issued a warrant for Johnson's arrest on Tuesday, and he will be jailed without bond, per Missouri court records.