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The Air Force’s new nuclear stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, has taken its first test flight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:58 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The B-21 Raider took its first test flight on Friday, moving the futuristic warplane closer to becoming the nation’s next nuclear weapons stealth bomber. The Raider flew in Palmdale, California, where it has been under testing and development by Northrop Grumman. The Air Force is planning to build 100 of the warplanes, which have a flying wing shape much like their predecessor the B-2 Spirit but will incorporate advanced materials, propulsion and stealth technology to make them more survivable in a future conflict. The plane is planned to be produced in variants with and without pilots. “The B-21 Raider is in flight testing,” Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said.Such testing is a critical step in the campaign to provide “survivable, long-range, penetrating strike capabilities to deter aggression and strategic attacks against the United States, allies, and partners,” Stefanek said.The B-21 Raider is the first new American bomber aircraft in more than ...

An EU plan aimed at fighting climate change will go to final votes, even if watered down

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:58 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union institutions and conservationists on Friday gave a conditional and guarded welcome to a major plan to better protect nature and fight climate change in the 27-nation bloc. The plan is a key part of the EU’s vaunted European Green Deal that seeks to establish the world’s most ambitious climate and biodiversity targets and make the bloc the global point of reference on all climate issues. Yet it has had an extremely rough ride through the EU’s complicated approval process and only a watered-down version will now proceed to final votes. Late Thursday’s breakthrough agreement between parliament and EU member states should have normally been the end of the approval process. But given the controversy the plan had previously stirred, the final votes – normally a rubberstamp process – could still throw up some hurdles. The plan has lost some of its progressive edge during negotiations over the summer because of fierce opposition in the ...

A Belarusian dissident novelist’s father is jailed for two weeks for reposting an article

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:58 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A noted Belarusian dissident author said Friday that his father has been sentenced to two weeks in jail for reposting an article from an opposition website.Alexander Filipenko was seized by police Thursday in a raid on his apartment and later “given 13 days for reposting some kind of article from Zerkalo,” his son Sasha Filipenko said on Facebook. Zerkalo is a website based outside the country that is critical of the authoritarian government of President Alexander Lukashenko. Sasha Filipenko, who lives outside Belarus, is a popular novelist and one of the most prominent voices opposing Lukashenko, who has harshly cracked down on dissent and independent media since a wave of huge protests broke out in 2020.Those protests started after a disputed presidential election whose results gave another term to Lukashenko, who has ruled since 1994. Lukashenko unleashed harsh measures against the protesters, with police detaining around 35,000 people and beating thousand...

City Council approves ordinance that guarantees 10-day paid leave

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:58 GMT

CHICAGO -- Another victory for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s progressive agenda with an ordinance that gives workers in Chicago a totally of 10 days off.The vote came just after 6 p.m. Thursday, the version of the ordinance that passed was a compromise from the initial one introduced. Invest in Kids Act to expire as Illinois legislative session comes to close Starting January 1, 2024, employers must give full time workers five sick days and another five days for any reason. Larger companies with more than 100 workers will have to pay out up to seven sick days when an employee leaves. Whereas medium size businesses, will have a two year faze-in period and companies with 50 or fewer employees will be exempt from the payout. Labor unions are among the policy supporters whereas, Ald. Brendan Reilley whose ward includes downtown said on the council forum that many restaurant groups have told him they won't continue investing. Mayor Johnson suggested the policy be a work in progress and alde...

SZA leads the 2024 Grammy nominations as women outpace men in the leading categories

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:58 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Killing her ex? That’s a bad idea. Writing “Kill Bill” and releasing her critically acclaimed sophomore album “SOS” earlier this year? That was a great one. SZA is the lead contender for the 66th Grammy Awards, with nine nominations announced Friday.“Kill Bill,” her revenge anthem cloaked in an R&B ballad, earned her nods for record of the year, song of the year, and best R&B performance. “SOS” is also up for album of the year and best progressive R&B album. The 2024 ceremony will mark the second time SZA has been nominated for record, album, and song of the year in the same year.And just like at the box office, “Barbie” will be seen — and heard — at the Grammys. Music from the hit film’s soundtrack earned 11 nominations, including nabbing four of the five slots in the visual media song category.If there is an overall trend in the 2024 nominations, it’s that female acts outperformed their male counterparts. ...

Arrests made in burglaries of Lincoln Ave businesses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:58 GMT

CHICAGO — An 18-year-old and a 15-year-old are facing charges in a string of smash and grab crimes in the North Center and Lincoln Square neighborhoods.Police say Vernon Edwards, the juvenile and three other people carried out more than a dozen thefts at bars, restaurants and other businesses earlier this week.According to police, a group targeted at least eight businesses along Lincoln Avenue in North Center and Lincoln Square starting around 11:40 p.m. into the 1 a.m. Tuesday. Previous Coverage: Lincoln Ave businesses targeted in North Side burglaries In at least three locations the group smashed the front door of the businesses and attempt to damage and take the register.Edwards faces five burglary counts, and one count of attempted armed robbery.The juvenile faces four felony burglary counts.

Dean's Weekender: My Morning Jacket, Blue Oyster Cult and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:58 GMT

Check out Dean's Weekender for the latest events coming to the Chicagoland area this weekend.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!

The cost of migrant health care in Cook County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:58 GMT

COOK COUNTY, Ill. — They are arriving by the busload — migrants from the southern border whose journey began even farther away. The steady stream of people, many of whom had not seen a doctor in months or even years, began in August. As the numbers grew, so did the cost and the need for more healthcare providers in Cook County.At Cook County Health’s new arrivals clinic, some were eager to share their story with WGN’s Medical Watch team like Jeferson, a young father whose children – all six of them -- survived the three month trek from Venezuela to Chicago. The youngest born along the way in the jungle.For others, it’s been a journey too painful to talk about.Katherine and her family arrived in Chicago at the end of August. They, too, walked from Venezuela in search of a better life for their 6-year-old son, Christian.Jaime Martinez was 12-years-old when he arrived in the United States from Mexico. Now the registered nurse manages the clinic devoted to migrants.“I can just see mysel...

Wife of Hamilton's Miguel Cervantes on book 'Normal Broken' about death of 3-year-old daughter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:58 GMT

Kelly Cervantes is a writer, speaker, advocate and a mom.She and her husband, Miguel Cervantes, now live in New Jersey. Miguel starred in the title role in "Hamilton" for three years, something that he's currently doing on Broadway.In 2019, after fighting numerous epileptic seizures for three years, their daughter Adelaide died a few days before her 4th birthday due to a rare neuro-degenerative condition.Now, Kelly is trying to help others who may be faced with he same kind of pain. Watch her full interview in the video player aboveGet 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!

Trump takes credit for Manchin retirement

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:10:58 GMT

(The Hill) - Former President Trump took credit for Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) retirement in a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday.“Because I Endorsed Big Jim Justice of West Virginia for the U.S. Senate, and he has taken a commanding lead, Democrat Joe Manchin has decided not to seek re-election. Looking good for Big Jim!” Trump wrote. Earlier on Thursday, the West Virginia Democrat announced that he would not be seeking reelection – capping off months of speculation over where he would run or not. He faced two GOP challengers: Gov. Jim Justice, who has the backing of the Senate GOP campaign arm, and Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.), who Trump endorsed in his House race last year. “After months of deliberation and long conversations with my family, I believe in my heart of hearts that I have accomplished what I set out to do for West Virginia. I have made one of the toughest decisions of my life and decided that I will not be running for re-election to the United States ...