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Hollywood strikes may put spotlight on local talent at TIFF: filmmakers, programmers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:53 GMT

TORONTO — Canadian filmmakers and programmers say homegrown talent could draw more attention at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival as Hollywood strikes disrupt the industry.TIFF brass celebrated the Canadian lineup Thursday at an event in Toronto, where CEO Cameron Bailey acknowledged facing “unique challenges” planning the festival as U.S. labour action continues.Kelly Boutsalis, an associate programmer who focuses on Canadian feature films, said that although she loves a buzzy red carpet, there may be more media and audience spotlight on Canadians this year since the strikes prevent many U.S. actors from doing publicity for their projects.“I love the buzzy films as much as anyone else. I love the red carpet. But I always thought that we should be celebrating our talent more than we have previously,” said Boutsalis after a press event at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. “We have so much content that we should be celebrating and I think we can find the silver l...

Senegalese opposition leader in intensive care nearly three weeks into hunger strike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:53 GMT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Jailed opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was put in intensive care Thursday, nearly three weeks into a hunger strike to protest criminal charges brought against him by Senegal’s government, his party said.Sonko was put in detention July 31 in advance of a trial in which he faces charges of calling for insurrection, conspiracy against the state and other alleged crimes.Since Aug. 6, he has been at the Main Hospital in downtown Dakar, the capital, because of ill effects from his hunger strike. After fainting during the night, Sonko was rushed into an intensive care unit in the same hospital, where he eventually regained consciousness Thursday, said El Malick Ndiaye, a spokesperson for the now-dissolved Patriots of Senegal party led by Sonko. Sonko had refused medical care the previous five days, and allies are trying to persuade him to change his mind about the hunger strike, Ndiaye said. “We’re doing everything to get him to stop, because it’s a question of ...

Critically endangered African antelope born at Brookfield Zoo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:53 GMT

CHICAGO — Brookfield Zoo is celebrating the birth of a male addax calf, the third born at the facility in just over a year. The unnamed antelope was born Aug. 8 at 15 pounds. The male calf is the first for mother, Ivy, and the fifth for dad, Ishnala.According to zoo officials, the critically endangered African antelope species is at risk of becoming extinct in the wild, with fewer than 100 remaining. Brookfield Zoo named 5th best zoo in new poll A male addax calf with his mother, 4-year-old Ivy. The calf was born at Brookfield Zoo on August 8, 2023. The African antelope is critically endangered in its native Africa due to uncontrolled hunting for their impressive spiraling horns, meat, and hide and disturbance to its habitat for oil exploration. (Photo credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)A male addax calf with his mother, 4-year-old Ivy. The calf was born at Brookfield Zoo on August 8, 2023. The African antelope is critically endangered in its native Africa due to unc...

Chicago-based groups help with Maui relief efforts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:53 GMT

CHICAGO — Several local groups are working together to show their support for the wildfire victims in Maui.Isabel Lee, the owner of Aloha Eats, has been serving up Hawaiian-style plate lunch food in Lincoln Park for almost 20 years. Maui residents fill philanthropic gaps while aid makes the long journey to the fire-stricken island After hearing about the deadly wildfires on the island of Maui, she was left in disbelief."Even though we're technically 4,000 miles away, it still hits close to home," Lee said. "My friends and family are predominately in O'Hau. But that doesn't mean the hurt kind of stops because I don't know anyone personally.With her roots in Hawaii, she still feels connected to the tragedy. Lee, determined to provide support, is donating 20% of her sales from Tuesday to Sunday to help efforts in Maui.As the devastation in Maui continues, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Lutheran Disaster Response in Chicago is working with a Maui bishop in their congregation...

FEMA support arrives in Chicago, provides update for flooding victims

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:53 GMT

CHICAGO -- Mayor Brandon Johnson along with state and federal leaders provided an update on Thursday to those impacted by July's flooding on how they can access federal relief funding.President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that federal funding is now available to Cook County residents, after record setting rain and storms hit the Chicago area more than a month ago.Biden approved Gov. JB Pritzker’s Illinois disaster declamation, opening up low cost loans for uninsured property losses, and grants for temporary housing and home repairs. Federal disaster declaration made for Cook County FEMA conducted damage assessments on the west side, as well as west suburban Cicero and Berwyn, where nine inches of rain fell on July 2 and $25,000 homes were damaged by flood water.There are three ways residents can apply for assistance: by going to disasterassistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app, or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 16.After residents apply, an inspec...

MedWatch Daily Digest: Exercise in a shot — and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:53 GMT

For Thursday, Aug. 17, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Injection of specific blood factor can replicate benefits of exercise in the brain University of Queensland researchers found platelets, the tiny blood cells critical for clotting, secrete a protein that rejuvenates neurons. Physical activity also increases the production of new neurons in the brain critical for learning and memory. Platelets are involved in that process circulating in the blood after exercise. Now, scientists say by injecting those platelets, they can achieve the same exercise-induced response in the brain that includes cognitive improvement. Study: New breast cancer genes could identify women at increased riskNew breast cancer genes may help give more women an indication of their enhanced risk for the disease. For years, doctors have been able to test for BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 genes. But these only account for a small number of breast cancer c...

Tim Anderson apologizes to team, fans for fight vs Guardians

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:53 GMT

NEW YORK — Nearly two weeks after his fight in a game against the Guardians in Cleveland, Tim Anderson found out the verdict on his appeal of a lengthy suspension.In the end, he got a minor reduction - and came out with an apology.On Thursday afternoon, Major League Baseball announced that Anderson's suspension has been reduced one game, and he will now have to sit out five games after throwing punches with Cleveland's Jose Ramirez at Progressive Field on August 5.It's unknown if the fine he received in the fight was either reduced or rescinded.After that announcement, Anderson took to his Instagram account to apologize for the fight and suspension."I want to apologize to the entire White Sox organization, my teammates, manager and coaches and to the fans for my part in the altercation which took place in Cleveland," said Anderson in a statement posted to his Instagram story. "This has been an incredibly disappointing season for me personally and for our team. I will not get into th...

NOAA releases fall weather predictions for Chicago, Illinois

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:53 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Sick of the summer heat? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has got some bad news for you. The agency released its 90-day forecast Thursday, predicting the broad weather conditions we expect to see around the country between September and November. For the vast majority of the country, it's looking like a hot summer will transition into a warm fall. The Northeast and Southwest have the highest chances of seeing above-average temperatures this fall, according to NOAA. Odds of a ‘strong’ El Niño grow again: Will you feel it locally? No states are expecting a colder-than-average fall season, but a swath of the Midwest and Plains states have equal chances of warm or cool weather. For some states, those hot temperatures are expected to be paired with clear skies – or at least few rain clouds. Only the Southeast and Alaska are expecting above-average precipitation. Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes and part of the Southwest are expected to ...

GOP state lawmaker calls for special session in Georgia to probe Fani Willis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:53 GMT

(The Hill) – A Republican state senator is calling for a special session of the Georgia Legislature to investigate Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D), who charged former President Trump and others this week with attempting to overturn the 2020 election in the state.State Sen. Colton Moore, who represents the northwest corner of Georgia, said Willis’s “political persecution” of Trump and her conduct following the indictment merits a thorough investigation.“The Legislature has this great check and balance when it comes to controlling the purse. Ultimately, from what I've seen, I think she should completely be defunded of any state dollars. People in northwest Georgia and Georgians all over don't want their tax dollars going to fund this type of political persecution,” Moore told The Hill. “If it turns out that she's doing some corrupt things, then absolutely impeach her,” he said.Moore is pressing for a probe into Willis's conduct due to poor conditions at Fulton Cou...

Hurricane Hilary poised to be 'high-impact event' in southern California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:11:53 GMT

SAN DIEGO (KXAN) -- Rapidly-intensifying Hurricane Hilary in the eastern Pacific is expected to reach category four intensity with winds of up to 140 miles per hour. While the storm is not expected to impact Texas, it may bring rare direct impacts to southern California, including damaging wind and flooding rainfall.Satellite image of Hurricane Hilary Thursday afternoon"The combination of heavy rainfall, the potential for flash flooding, and strong winds could very well make this a high-impact event for Southern California," the San Diego National Weather Service office warned in their Thursday afternoon forecast discussion."It's pretty rare, but not unheard of," Megan Healy, weather anchor at KSWB in San Diego, said.Eastern Pacific hurricanes are common, but they don't typically track due northward into southern California as Hurricane Hilary is expected to. Hurricane Hilary's forecast track and tropical storm/hurricane wind field as of Thursday eveningChilly ocean temperatures off...