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Ukraine, Russia and the tense U.N. encounter that almost happened – but didn’t

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:47 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — It was a moment the diplomatic world was watching for — but didn’t get. In the end, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov avoided staring each other down Wednesday across the U.N. Security Council’s famous horseshoe-shaped table. Zelenskyy left before Lavrov arrived.The near-miss was somewhat to be expected. Yet the moment still spoke to the U.N.’s role as a venue where warring nations can unleash their ire through words instead of weapons. The choreography also underscored the world body’s reputation as a place where adversaries sometimes literally talk past each other. Zelenskyy denounced Russia as “a terrorist state” while Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia sat facing him near the other end of the table’s arc. As Zelenskyy launched into his remarks, the Russian briefly looked at his phone, then tucked the device away. Zelenskyy left before Lavrov’s arrival, which came as U.S. S...

Woman found dead in South Side garage was strangled; death ruled a homicide: autopsy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:47 GMT

CHICAGO — The death of a woman found unresponsive in the city's Grand Crossing neighborhood has been ruled a homicide.The 30-year-old woman, identified as Sierra Jamison, was found in a garage on the the 7800 block of South Indiana around 6:30 p.m. Monday. She was pronounced dead on the scene.An autopsy revealed Jamison died of strangulation and her death was ruled a homicide. Police: Romeoville murders of 4 family members was not random No further details have been provided at this time.

Police: Man holding knife to woman in suburban basement shot by officers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:47 GMT

ROUND LAKE, Ill. — A man holding a knife to a woman inside a Round Lake basement was shot by officers Tuesday night during a hostage situation, according to police.At around 6:35 p.m., Round Lake officers were dispatched to a home in the 700 block North Park Road. A 911 caller told police they were needed but hung up before additional questions were asked.Officers at the scene were told a woman in the basement of the home needed help.Round Lake officers approached a basement door, where a 33-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman lived in a garden unit, and could hear what sounded like people, according to police.As officers attempted to make contact, a cop outside saw the man holding a knife to the woman's neck from a basement window. Police said they tried to de-escalate the situation, but the man continued holding the knife to the woman and refused to let her go.A regional SWAT team was dispatched to the scene. Members of the SWAT team also attempted to de-escalate the situation. A...

Chicago City Council committee in favor of eliminating subminimum wage for tipped workers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:47 GMT

CHICAGO — Tipped workers in Chicago would see a change in how they are paid under a bill before a City Council Committee on Wednesday. City Council's Workforce Development Committee passed an ordinance impacting tipped workers paid the subminimum wage. The group is currently paid 60% of the minimum wage.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: City council members propose plan to eliminate sub-minimum wage for tipped workers  Under the measure, the workers would receive 8% annual pay increases, beginning July 1, 2024 until they reach the minimum wage level on July 1, 2028. The five-year phase was negotiated with the support of 'One Fair Wage,' as well as crucial restaurant industry leaders. The plan makes good on a campaign promise by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to eliminate the subminimum wage. Minimum wage workers to receive wage bump coming July 1 While the change would be massive, strong opposition remains from some restaurants and bars and even some tipped workers, who worry customers will not ...

WATCH LIVE: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on FOMC's attempt of 'soft landing' for U.S. economy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:47 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday for the second time in its past three meetings, a sign that it’s moderating its fight against inflation as price pressures have eased. But Fed officials also signaled that they expect to raise rates once more this year.The move to leave its benchmark rate at about 5.4% suggests that the Fed thinks it has time to wait and see if the 11 rate hikes it unleashed starting in March 2022 will continue to cool rising prices.Consumer inflation has dropped from a year-over-year peak of 9.1% in June 2022 to 3.7% last month. Yet it’s still well above the Fed’s 2% target, and its policymakers made clear Wednesday that they aren’t close to declaring victory over the worst bout of inflation in 40 years.Besides forecasting another hike by year’s end, their projections showed they envision keeping rates high deep into 2024. They expect to cut interest rates just two times in 2024, down from four rate cuts they had e...

Moe's Southwest Grill giving out free queso nationwide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:47 GMT

(WSYR) – A restaurant chain is celebrating National Queso Day by giving out free cups of the "liquid gold."Moe's Southwest Grill is celebrating National Queso Day, which is Wednesday, Sept. 20, with a multi-day promotion filled with free cheese: Now through Sept. 24, all guests can get a free cup of queso (one per day) at participating Moe’s locations nationwide, no purchase necessary.  SNAP benefits are increasing Oct. 1: Here’s how much Of course, there's a small catch. In order to get the free queso, customers have to be members of the Moe's Rewards program. Thankfully for queso lovers, it's free to sign up by just downloading the smartphone app and creating an account. (Moe's Southwest Grill)In addition, Moe’s is offering a queso gift card promotion now through Oct. 1. Guests who buy $20 in gift cards will receive an eReward for a free cup of queso to be redeemed in the app through Oct. 15.Moe's currently has 628 locations in 37 states. More information about the chain's Queso...

‘We’re in the abyss’: How the UAW strike could hit the economy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:47 GMT

(The Hill) – While the current economic impact of a targeted strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) is limited, the threat of a full walkout looms over contract negotiations with auto giants Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.Right now, that threat is hard to quantify — any estimate will depend on the length of the strike and how many more workers are called to the picket line. Even so, the economic impact of a full-fledged 10-day strike against the Big Three could top $5 billion, the Anderson Economic Group estimated in an August report. A months-long work stoppage could also eat into the Big Three’s cash holdings, Fitch Ratings warned Friday, particularly if the targeted strikes balloon to a widespread shutdown.And autoworkers are already being laid off by some companies, as thousands more UAW members brace for making just $500 per week on the picket line.“Nobody knows now. We’re in the abyss,” Pete DeVito Jr., and automotive director of the United Service Workers Union, told Th...

Twins’ Carlos Correa placed on injured list, Royce Lewis to get MRI

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:47 GMT

CINCINNATI —The Twins are in line to clinch the American League Central in the coming days in large part because of their depth, which has helped them remain competitive even in the face of injuries. They’ll need that depth in the coming days with both members of the left side of their infield hurting.Carlos Correa, who further aggravated the plantar fasciitis in his left foot that he has dealt with for most of the season, was placed on the injured list, while Royce Lewis, who left Tuesday’s game with left hamstring tightness, hopes to avoid it.“You’ve seen it throughout the entire year, a lot of guys have gone down. You bring up the young guys from Triple-A and they’ve stepped up big time and they made a name for themselves,” Correa said. “I don’t see it being any different now. We’re not going to be in the lineup, but we have a lot of talent in this clubhouse in order for us to accomplish the mission that we have right now.”While Correa will not be eligible...

Enjoy a nighttime walk under the full moon at Grafton Lakes State Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:47 GMT

GRAFTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Want to enjoy an educational walk under the full moon? The Grafton Lakes State Park is offering a nighttime hike through the park on Friday, September 29, from 6 to 7 p.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Participants can observe the full moon while listening to a tale of fascinating facts and fantastic fiction about the moon. The event is suitable for participants ages seven and up. Registration is required and costs $5 per person. To register, contact (518) 279-1155.

2023 Halloween events, ghost tours in the Capital Region

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:47 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- It's only September, but many cities and towns are starting to get into the Halloween spirit. Some spooky attractions start September 22 and 23 including Troy's Field of Horrors, Schenectady's Hollowed Harvest and Ballston Spa's Double M Haunted Hayrides. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Other attractions, such as Halloween events and ghost tours, will also be taking place around the area. Here's where you can some of these in the Capital Region. More spooky events will be added to this article as they are announced. AlbanyAll-Hallow e’en FestivalAlbany’s All-Hallow e’en Festival returns for 2023 with a myriad of events throughout October including ghost-themed tours, pumpkin carving, parties and more. Ghost tours take place around Albany, including downtown, Shaker Cemetery, and Cherry Hill. You can view the full schedule on the Discover Albany website. Haunted attractions in the Capital Region for 20...