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North Korea’s Kim Jong Un may meet with Putin in Russia this month, US official says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:44 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. official said Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may travel to Russia soon to meet with President Vladimir Putin as the Kremlin tries to acquire military equipment for use in its war in Ukraine. The official, who was not authorized to address the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. expects Kim will make the trip within the month. The official said the U.S. isn’t sure exactly where or when the meeting would take place, but the Pacific port city of Vladivostok would be a likely possibility given its relative proximity to North Korea.National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson noted Monday that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu traveled to Pyongyang last month and tried to persuade North Korea to sell artillery ammunition to Russia. Watson said, “We have information that Kim Jong Un expects these discussions to continue, to include leader-level diplomatic engagement in Russia.”She ad...

Ontario Premier Doug Ford asks Bank of Canada to halt rate hikes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:44 GMT

TORONTO — A second provincial premier is making a direct appeal to the Bank of Canada to stop raising interest rates.Ontario Premier Doug Ford issued a social media post on Monday saying he had written directly to the central bank’s governor Tiff Macklem the day before. He said his plea was necessary because of the toll current rates are taking on the province’s families and businesses.“Over the last 18 months, we’ve suffered ten interest rate hikes which have had a devastating impact on people who are already struggling to get by,” the letter read.Ford is now the second provincial leader to voice objections to further hikes after British Columbia Premier David Eby sent a similar letter to Macklem last week.The Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate to five per cent in July, citing projections suggesting it will take longer for the national inflation rate to reach the bank’s target of two per cent. Ford’s letter urges Macklem to “...

Thousands march in North Macedonia over claims cancer hospital staff stole drugs meant for patients

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:44 GMT

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Thousands of people protested Monday outside the government headquarters in North Macedonia ‘s capital, Skopje, over allegations that patients at a state cancer hospital missed life-saving treatment because staff were stealing the expensive drugs to sell on the black market.Chanting “Murderers,” demonstrators demanded the resignation of the country’s health minister and the hospital management. Among the protesters were several people who said their relatives had died after being given placebos instead of proper chemotherapy because the drugs had been stolen.“My mother had breast cancer and her condition worsened a week after she was admitted to the clinic,” one young man told the crowd. “Unfortunately, she didn’t survive.” The man, who didn’t give his name, described the hospital’s alleged behavior “monstrous.”The government and hospital officials have sought to assure the public that cancer patients are not at risk, whil...

'It seemed to be the only choice': Suspect allegedly leaves note inside victim's car after violent attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:44 GMT

HARWOOD HEIGHTS, Ill. — Police say they plan to pursue additional charges against a man accused of beating a woman and zip tying her neck during a carjacking in Harwood Heights, Illinois on Wednesday.Court documents allege that 24-year-old Reese Miller attacked and strangled a 61-year-old woman while she was outside of her house in the 4400 block of North Natchez Avenue early Wednesday morning, leaving the victim on life support. Child, teen among those wounded in weekend shootings The victim, who has been identified as Ma Operio, died from her injuries on Sunday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.24-year-old Reese MillerAccording to a bond proffer from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, a neighbor who witnessed the attack told police that he had seen Operio lying face up in the road in front of her blue Toyota as he was preparing to leave for work around 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The witness told officers that he had seen a person in a black hoodie, who...

Chicagoans hit the beaches on a hot and humid Labor Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:44 GMT

CHICAGO — It's the last day for beaches to be open across Chicago for the season, and locals took full advantage of a beautiful Labor Day to soak in all the toasty sunshine."We've just been hanging out, having fun and spending time together," said McKenzie Dalcerro, who was at the beach with her family.Beach-goers have until 7 p.m. Monday to hit the beach, at which point all 22 beaches run by the Chicago Park District will be officially closed for the season. Starting Tuesday, lifeguards that man the beaches will be moved to indoor pools for the Fall season, as the Chicago Park District shifts to its autumn programming. More from Alyssa: ‘Skip-the-Line’ program kicks off Friday at Illinois DMVs Still, most at beaches around Chicago Monday weren't thinking about the end of summer. As temperatures soared into the low-to-mid 90's, many were thankful the summer heat stuck around late into the season.""You know because you just can't get any better than this," said Liz Kimball, another...

'What happened? What made you do that?': Ex-boyfriend of Carlee Russell talks about kidnapping hoax

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:44 GMT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — "This is my last time talking about this situation."That's what Thomar Latrell Simmons, the former boyfriend of Carlee Russell, made clear during his podcast, "205 Boyz," when he discussed how she faked her kidnapping in July. Russell has since been arrested on suspicion of filing false police report charges.During the podcast, which debuted Friday, Simmons was joined by friend and co-host Marcus Moody, who asked Simmons about what his life had been like since Russell's admitted hoax, as well as the online rumors about him having a part in her going missing for several days before walking home."[I'm] trying to get back to my normal life, but it’s never going to be normal for me," Simmons said. "I can’t even go around Birmingham without people knowing who I am. It’s crazy, bro." Timeline of Carlee Russell’s disappearance, return and the ongoing investigation into what happened to her On July 13, Russell called the police in Hoover, Alabama, claiming that s...

Driver crashes into a Texas Denny's, injuring 23 people

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:44 GMT

Rosenberg, TX (AP) — A driver plowed through a wall of a busy East Texas restaurant, injuring 23 people.Police in the Houston suburb of Rosenberg, Texas said a man crashed his SUV into a Denny's restaurant just off the highway late Monday morning. The vehicle slammed into the restaurant's south wall leaving patrons with injuries ranging from minor cuts to “severe injuries” that don't appear to be life-threatening, police said in a statement. Victims ranged in age from 12 to 60 years old.The driver of the SUV was not injured, police said. The cause of the crash was not immediately released.Video of the aftermath shows a red vehicle fully inside the restaurant, with the wall and windows around it demolished.

Zero sugar, two choices: What's the difference between Coke Zero and Diet Coke?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:44 GMT

(BLOOM) — Coke Zero and Diet Coke are go-to options for soda lovers who want to cut the sugar but not the fizz. But wait a minute — they're both zero-calorie, both from Coca-Cola, and both claim to offer the classic Coke taste without the sugar. So what sets them apart?The Origin Story: More Than Just a NameDiet Coke was introduced in 1982, when the Coca-Cola Company recognized a growing demand for lower-calorie beverages as consumers became more health-conscious. Diet Coke was not just a sugar-free version of the classic Coca-Cola, but a completely new formula. It was the first extension of the Coca-Cola trademark and was aimed primarily at Baby Boomers who were starting to seek healthier options. Over the years, Diet Coke has undergone several rebranding and repackaging efforts, including the introduction of various flavors like Cherry, Lime, and more recently, Ginger Lime and Feisty Cherry.Coke Zero: The Millennial MagnetFast forward to 2005, and the landscape had changed again. ...

Pflugerville ISD joins lawsuit taking issue with new A-F school ratings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Pflugerville Independent School District has joined a lawsuit against the Texas Education Commissioner, saying the new rules for how the state will grade schools and districts were not provided before the school year they will be applied to.The 2023 A-F accountability ratings will go public on Sept. 28. The lawsuit asks a judge to prevent the Texas Education Agency from releasing scores that use the newest metrics.Seven school districts, including Del Valle ISD, are already a part of the lawsuit alleging the TEA violated state law by not providing districts with the new methods and metrics earlier.The districts said new methods will dramatically decrease campus and district scores statewide.“I’d recommend that we go ahead and join the lawsuits,” Pflugerville Superintendent Dr. Douglas Killian said during an Aug. 17 meeting. “It’s time for folks to hear that the fairness of the accountability system is in question right now.”TEA officials said they can’t comment o...

More self-driving cars are coming to Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — More self-driving cars will be cruising through Austin soon.Waymo will be the newest company to add these autonomous vehicles to the streets around the city."I think this is something I can really get behind," said Ayush Vajhala.Vajhala said he welcomes more self-driving car companies, adding he recently rode in one and was impressed."I took a trip to get some food downtown and it was really nice," Vajhala said.Self-driving cars are popping up in cities across the nation, but not everyone is excited to see them."I don't think I am comfortable to drive in one of these vehicles without a driver," said Omar, who drives for UBER. "We are trying to do our job, but unfortunately the self driving, AI are going to take our jobs." Cruise driverless cars turning heads in Austin Omar said he worries with more companies coming to Austin he could miss out on money, but he also has concerns about safety."They block the traffic, they don't stop properly," Omar added.Videos and pi...