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Unions say rails should forgo buybacks, spend on safety

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:11:46 GMT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Rail unions want railroads to take some of the billions they’re using every year to buy back their stock and spend it to improve safety in the wake of several high-profile derailments and hire more workers.The 12 unions that represent all of the more than 100,000 workers across the industry said Friday that collectively the six biggest freight railroads spent over $165 billion on buybacks — well above the $119 billion they spent on upgrading and maintaining their track and equipment between 2015 and last year. At the same time, their safety record worsened as they cut costs and eliminated nearly one-third of all rail jobs.“I think it has become increasingly apparent that the priorities of the railroads are out of whack,” said Greg Regan, president of the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department coalition that includes all the rail unions.The fiery Feb. 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train that led to evacuations and health fears near the Ohio-Pen...

Chile leader wants state to share in any lithium extraction

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:11:46 GMT

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — President Gabriel Boric announced a plan Thursday to require that private companies take Chile’s government on as a partner in the extraction of lithium, which is in high demand around the world for use in electric batteries.Boric, who spoke on a national media network, said the state will participate in the entire lithium production cycle in a “public-private collaboration” that the government will control.“Any private company, whether foreign or local, that wants to exploit lithium in Chile must partner with the state,” he said.Chile has the world’s third largest lithium reserves, at 9.6 million tons, behind Bolivia with 21 million and Argentina with 19.3 million, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. But Chile was the world’s second largest producer last year with an estimated 39,000 metric tons, after Australia, with 61,000 tons.Boric wants to create a National Lithium Company to partner with private companies, but he conceded that likely will not...

Climate activists stage slow march through German capital

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:11:46 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — German climate activists best known for bringing traffic to a standstill by gluing themselves to the road instead staged a rare protest on the move Friday, marching through Berlin and causing gridlock in parts of the capital. Members of the group Last Generation have repeatedly blocked roads across Germany in the past year in an effort to pressure the government to take more drastic action against climate change. On several occasions, they have glued themselves to the roads, enraging some motorists and prompting accusations of extremism from conservative politicians.Friday’s protest saw hundreds of activists gather at a major road in the east of Berlin, then march very slowly toward the center, singing along the way. Police tried to get protesters to move off the road but later agreed to let the march continue along a set route.The group said earlier this week that its members would step up their actions in the coming days and try to “peacefully bring the city to...

Judy Blume, on top of the world (and her Key West bookstore)

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:11:46 GMT

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — At Books & Books, the nonprofit store Judy Blume and her husband have run for the past seven years, you will find her own work in various sections: from general fiction, among the other “B”-named authors, to a shelf dedicated to her — a name unto herself.For more than 50 years, Blume has been a proud member of the literary community. She is also a literary celebrity of the rarest kind, who has not only sold millions of books, but also moved young readers so profoundly that, as adults, they approach her in tears and thank her.“I remind them of their childhood,” she likes to say.Now 85, Blume has never been forgotten, but is currently enjoying renewed interest. For the first time, one of her books has been adapted into a major Hollywood film: “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig. Premiering next week, it stars Abby Ryder Fortson as the preteen from New Jersey with a lot of questions about religion, boys and her ...

Lisa LaFlamme to join CityNews for special coverage of the Coronation of King Charles III

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:11:46 GMT

Renowned Canadian journalist Lisa LaFlamme will be returning to CityNews as a special correspondent for the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.LaFlamme will be in London, England leading the in-depth coverage alongside reporter Cynthia Mulligan. Starting on May 3, they’ll be reporting daily for CityNews, Breakfast Television, CityNews 680 and 98.1 CHFI. They will bring unique perspectives from Canadians in Britain, royal experts, and more.“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to bring this historic event to Citytv viewers across Canada,” shared LaFlamme. “Most – including myself – have never seen a coronation with traditions dating back a thousand years so this is a rare event.”LaFlamme first joined CityNews as a special correspondent for coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September. She interviewed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon, among others, on the impact of Qu...

Crowns, sceptres, rings, ampulla and more: The coronation regalia explained

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:11:46 GMT

King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will be crowned at Westminster Abbey in London, England, on May 6 – the first coronation to take place in the United Kingdom in nearly 70 years.Although the procession and solemn ceremony — conducted by Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury — are expected to be more low-key than Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in June of 1953, it will be steeped in ancient history and traditions that include royal regalia from the Crown Jewels. Most of the regalia dates back to the 17th century but at least one item is from the 12th century.“The Coronation Regalia are sacred and secular objects which symbolize the service and responsibilities of the monarch,” Buckingham Palace states on its website.A woman looks at the St. Edward’s Crown and Orb, part of an exhibition at the The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries, in Westminster Abbey in London, England, on May 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)During the coronation ceremo...

Statistics Canada says retail sales down 0.2% in February

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:11:46 GMT

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says retail sales fell 0.2 per cent to $66.3 billion in February as a drop in sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors and general merchandise stores led the way lower.The agency also says that its early estimate for March points to a decline of 1.4 per cent for that month, though it cautioned the figure would be revised.For February, retail sales were down in four of the nine subsectors as sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors fell 5.0 per cent for the month and general merchandise retailers lost 1.6 per cent.Meanwhile, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rose 0.9 per cent in February.Core retail sales — which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers — increased 0.1 per cent helped by a 4.4 per cent gain in sales at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers.In volume terms, overall retail sales fell 0.7 per cent in February.This report by The Canadian Press was f...

Former Olympic skier known as 'The Icon' found dead in Utah correctional facility

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:11:46 GMT

CEDAR CITY, Utah (KTVX) – A former Olympic skier was found dead at a correctional facility in Utah on Wednesday morning.Officials discovered Jeremy Nobis, 52, alone and unresponsive at the Iron County Correctional Facility in Cedar City on April 19, according to the Iron/Garfield/Beaver/Kane Critical Incident Task Forces. Task Force officials say no foul play is suspected, and the incident remains under investigation. Mikaela Shiffrin breaks Alpine skiing record for World Cup victories Court documents show that Nobis was convicted of driving under the influence, a third-degree felony, on March 7. His sentencing hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, April 25. U.S. Ski & Snowboard (USSS) staff extend their condolences to Nobis' family and friends. Nobis made it onto the U.S. Alpine Ski Team in the late 1980s, according to USSS. He went on to claim two World Junior Championships in 1988 and 1989. Nobis finished ninth in the giant slalom at the 1994 Olympic Winter Games.Nobis report...

A few comedy shows highlight 'Dean's Weekender'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:11:46 GMT

CHICAGO — If you're a fan of comedy, then you have plenty of choices this weekend when it comes to seeing a show.A number of performers are taking the stage around the Chicago area to entertain audiences from the city to the suburbs. That includes Pat McGann, Marlon Wayans, Kelsey Cook, and others figure to get a laugh or two out of the crowds.Those shows are featured in this week's "Dean's Weekender" on Friday's WGN Morning News as Dean Richards previews some of the events going on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.Along with comedy, he takes a look at a few concerts, musicals, plays, and other things to keep you occupied the next few days.You can watch this edition of "Dean's Weekender" from April 21's WGN Morning News.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

'She's doing amazing things': Girl born with fused legs takes first steps

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:11:46 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (WXIN) — A 2-year-old Indianapolis girl is beating the odds after being born with a condition that strikes one in 100,000 children in this country.Harper Gray has sirenomelia, also known as mermaid syndrome. Her legs were fused when she was born.Her journey did not start with an immediate separation of her legs. That would come almost a year after she was born. The more pressing issues were the placement of an ostomy for waste and repairing damage to her esophagus when a tube had to be inserted while she was in the hospital. Americans bought almost 60 million guns during the pandemic She spent weeks in the NICU but made it home and has grown. Last year, Dr. Gregory Borschel, the chief of plastic surgery at Riley Children’s Hospital, determined the time had come to do the leg separation. “We had to make sure she had a blood supply to both her legs and then, if the legs were separated, would that blood supply be enough to keep those little legs alive,” said Dr...