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Book Review: Genevieve Gornichec spins a fun yarn with ‘The Weaver and the Witch Queen’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:08:36 GMT

“The Weaver and the Witch Queen” by Genevieve Gornichec (Ace)They say your second book is the hardest one to write, but Genevieve Gornichec — leaning on her Norse mythology love yet again as with debut “The Witch’s Heart” – performs a magic hat trick with her sophomore novel. Historical fantasy “The Weaver and the Witch Queen” finds its footing immediately as tween friends Gunnhild and less well-off sisters Oddny and Signy reunite for a special celebration on their Norwegian fjord, only to be horribly separated by a seeress foretelling that one of them will destroy the other two’s lives without naming the culprit. As a result, ambitious Gunnhild runs into the night with the witch in order to get away from her cruel mother and forge her own destiny, while the sisters stay at their father’s’ farm with no prospects, until a decade later a violent raid tears them apart as well. The now young women’s journeys come together once again as cross paths with the charismatic if unwieldy ...

Russia declares independent TV channel ‘undesirable,’ banning it from country

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:08:36 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian prosecutor-general’s office on Tuesday declared independent TV channel Dozhd to be an undesirable organization, continuing the country’s wide crackdown on news media and groups regarded as threats to Russia’s security.The designation outlaws Dozhd from operating in Russia and exposes its journalists, staff and donors to potential criminal charges.Dozhd, which is often critical of the Kremlin, closed its operations in Russia soon after the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, moving first to Latvia and then to the Netherlands. The prosecutor-general’s office said Dozhd had spread extremist material and discredited authorities.The channel frequently offended authorities with its coverage of Russia’s political opposition and criticism of the Kremlin. It was removed from Russian cable TV systems in 2014 after conducting a controversial poll of whether viewers thought the Soviet Union should have surrendered in the World War II siege of Leningrad...

China removes its outspoken foreign minister, fueling rumors of rivalries within the Communist Party

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:08:36 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China removed outspoken Foreign Minister Qin Gang from office on Tuesday and replaced him with his predecessor, Wang Yi, in a move that has already fueled rumors over the personal lives and political rivalries of China’s Communist Party elite. In its announcement on the national evening news, state broadcaster CCTV gave no reason for Qin’s removal. He had dropped out of sight almost a month ago and the Foreign Ministry has provided no information about his status. That is in keeping with the ruling Communist Party’s standard approach to personnel matters within a highly opaque political system where the media and free speech are severely restricted.The ministry made no comment at its daily briefing on Tuesday. The move comes amid a foreign backlash against China’s increasingly aggressive foreign policy, of which Qin was a chief proponent. Adding to the mystery around Qin’s removal, it was approved at an unusually scheduled meeting of the Standing Com...

Woman stabbed to death in South Shore apartment

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:08:36 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman was stabbed to death Monday night inside an apartment in South Shore.At around 9 p.m., officers responded to the 2400 block of East 74th Place on the report of a stabbing.A woman, whose age and name is not available at this time, was discovered with multiple stab wounds to the body. She was pronounced dead at the scene.Police said it happened in the kitchen of a third floor apartment. CPD officer in hospital after being shot in Englewood A man is in custody and CPD believes the incident was possibly domestic in nature.

Time running out to file for $725M Facebook settlement: How to claim your payment

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:08:36 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Facebook users (and ex-Facebook users) have one month left to claim their piece of a massive $725 million class action lawsuit settlement announced earlier this year.Facebook parent company Meta recently agreed to pay the sum to settle claims it allowed people’s personal data to be shared with third parties. The most famous third party to get access was Cambridge Analytica, a consulting firm that supported Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.  Facebook’s $725M settlement is huge, but how much will you actually get? Meta agreed to the payout, but denies any wrongdoing.The deadline to file a claim is Aug. 25, 2023. If you file a claim by mail, it has to be postmarked by that date. If you file it online, it needs to be done by 11:59 p.m. the night of Aug. 25. Who qualifies for a payment?The settlement amount is huge, but so is the number of people who qualify for a payment. The criteria is pretty simple: “If you were a Facebook user in the United States between...

'Sweetness Day': Celebrating Walter Payton's 69th birthday

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:08:36 GMT

CHICAGO — There are many who could call Tuesday "Sweetness Day" in Chicago since it is the birthday of one of the greatest professional athletes in the history of the city.Walter Payton was born 69 years ago Tuesday on July 25, 1954, in Columbia, Mississippi to parents Peter and Alyne Payton. He was one of three children for the couple, the first 21 years of his life in that state before moving to Chicago to build his incredible career in the National Football League. Selected fifth overall by the Bears in the 1975 NFL Draft, Payton would grow into the best player in the history of the Bears' franchise. Payton was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, five-time first team NFL All-Pro, and three times made the All-Pro second team. The running back led the NFL in rushing in 1977 with 1,852 yards in 14 games, earning the league's Most Valuable Player, offensive player, along with Man of the Year Award in helping the Bears to the playoffs. The latter honor, which salutes a player for contribu...

Warren County hosting additional preparedness training

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:08:36 GMT

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Warren County Office of Emergency Services has scheduled a second "Citizens Preparedness Corps" training session for Thursday, August 17, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The training will be held at the Warren County Sheriff's Office training room, at 1400 Route 9 in Queensbury. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! This preparedness training will educate attendees on what to do during emergencies and disasters, and how to respond accordingly and recover quickly to pre-disaster conditions. The training will be hosted by New York State Emergency Management personnel. There is no charge to attend, however, registration is urged. Walk-ins are welcome. Two dead in Mendon head-on crash “We were glad to see the community interest in our first training, and wanted to make sure everyone who wants this important information can take part in one of these sessions," said Ann Marie Mason, Warren County Director of Emerg...

Chip supplier using $300M St. Charles expansion to meet high demand

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:08:36 GMT

O'FALLON, Mo. - A national shortage, and now the St. Louis region is leading the way. The MEMC plant on Pearl Drive is creating a whole new type of higher technology and a whole new extension of the facility. The work they’re doing and creating will help both the local and global economies.On Monday, the MEMC group and many partners gathered to discuss and celebrate the work being done in the area. The $300 million investment from the corporation is taking shape. From the outside, tons of heavy machinery filled the new extension of the building; meanwhile, inside, classes were going on, and employees heading into the clean room."This is exactly the kind of project that shows what our team is made of," said Karla Chaney, the site manager of MEMC, O'Fallon, Missouri.It's not just what they're made of, but what they can create… The world's only plant producing 300-millimeter wafers. Furniture store closes without warning, customers want their money back "Our SOI wafers are used in ch...

Denver weather: Temps rising to 99 degrees with light, brief afternoon thunderstorms

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:08:36 GMT

The heat wave wilting much of the nation will hit metro Denver and most of Colorado again Tuesday, bringing sizzling temperatures under sunny blue skies — with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms but only light, brief rain, according to the National Weather Service.The high temperature in Denver will be 99 degrees, decreasing at night to 66 degrees, weather service forecasters said. On Wednesday, the high temperature is expected to be 94 degrees.Meteorologists estimated the likelihood of rain at 30%.Later this week through Saturday, temperatures are expected to hit 93 degrees or higher, forecasters said.Any thunderstorms forming over the mountains and foothills Tuesday will spread across metro Denver and the urban Interstate 25 corridor in the late afternoon and evening, forecasters said. These may kick out wind gusts at speeds up to 50 miles per hour and lightning but probably not heavy rain.Hot today with scattered late day thunderstorms. Storms will produce strong gusty wi...

Portion of Santa Monica bluffs in danger of falling onto PCH

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:08:36 GMT

Santa Monica officials are preparing to have a crumbling portion of the bluffs above Pacific Coast Highway removed.The crack in the cliff was noticed by residents, including Suzzane Yankovic, wife of musician "Weird Al" Yankovic.A portion of the Santa Monica bluffs that appears to be in danger of collapsing is seen on July 25, 2023. (KTLA)Yankovic posted a video of the bluff that was seen by Los Angeles County supervisors who decided to alert the City of Santa Monica. If the cliffside was to give way it would be catastrophic to those driving on the freeway below. It is unclear as to whether a collapse could occur within days or years, so officials have decided to take action right away. 4-day-old baby with medical emergency airlifted from Palmdale A crane will be brought in to break apart the top portion of the unstable bluff with debris being hauled away in dump trucks. That will require the closure of PCH and a portion of the 10 Freeway approaching the coast. A map shows the cl...