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US House leader, Taiwan president meet as China protests

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:21:32 GMT

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — Risking China’s ire, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy welcomed Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen to a high-level meeting on U.S. soil as a “great friend of America” on Wednesday in a fraught show of U.S. support.More than a dozen Democratic and Republican lawmakers, including the House’s third-ranking Democrat, joined Republican McCarthy for the talks at southern California’s Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, against a backdrop of rising tensions between the U.S. and China.The members of Congress rose to their feet to greet the Taiwanese leader at a long table lined with bouquets. The formal trappings of the meeting, and the senior rank of some of the elected officials, in themselves threatened to run afoul of China’s position that any interaction between U.S. and Taiwanese officials is a challenge to China’s claim of sovereignty over the island.McCarthy said he wanted the Taiwan president to see that “this is a bipartisan meeting o...

Randy Bachman to showcase more than 80 of his guitars at NMC exhibit in Studio Bell

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:21:32 GMT

TORONTO — Randy Bachman is shedding light on his incredible guitar obsession with a new temporary exhibit set to open at Calgary’s National Music Centre inside Studio Bell next month.Organizers say the Guess Who co-founder and “Taking Care of Business” hitmaker will showcase more than 80 of his prized axes for “Randy Bachman: Every Guitar Tells a Story.”The exhibit will include instruments from every part of Bachman’s career and feature videos of the 79-year-old musician telling the stories behind them.Highlights include the first guitar Bachman purchased from a Sears catalogue at 13 years old and his signature 1959 Les Paul electric guitar, which was used on the Guess Who’s beloved hits “These Eyes,” “No Time” and “American Woman.”Also planned for the display is his rare first-year white Stratocaster, which he played on numerous Bachman-Turner Overdrive albums, and his 1957 Gretsch electric guitar, which ...

WATCH LIVE: Procession nears medical examiner's office for fallen CFD firefighter

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:21:32 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago firefighter died Wednesday following a high-rise fire in Gold Coast. He is the second CFD member to die in as many days.At around 7:20 a.m., CFD tweeted that they responded to the 1200 block of North Lake Shore Drive, which is near the intersection of Division, for a still-and-box response.Then a short time later, a mayday response was called for a firefighter down. Chicago fire said Lt. Jan Tchoryk, 55, was making his way up the stairs to the 27th floor when he went down.Jan Tchoryk, courtesy Patrick QuaryHe was rushed by colleagues to the lobby where life-saving measures were performed. He died as a result of his injuries, CFD said.Three other firefighters were taken to the hospital in fair condition and two civilians were injured as well.The fire department said the fire was initially out and they were just battling hot spots. However at around 8:55 a.m., the fire reignited and large flames were shooting out of another unit. Tchoryk's equipment, courtesy Patr...

Bulls will have an MVP in their organization in 2022-2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:21:32 GMT

CHICAGO — There will be a member of the Bulls' organization who takes the floor to play this season that will have the honor of being named a Most Valuable Player. While some of his time has been spent in Chicago, it's Carlik Jones' work in the G-League that's gotten some hardware.The Chicago Bulls have an MVP Award winner in the organization in 2022-2023..Guard Carlik Jones of the @windycitybulls has been named the G League Most Valuable Player. .He averaged a league-high 26.1 points per game..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/iglyAh4MdJ— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) April 5, 2023The guard who has split time between the NBA Bulls and the Windy City Bulls, was named the 2022-2023 NBA G League Most Valuable Player on Wednesday after a vote by the league's 30 head coaches and general managers. Jones led the G League with 26.1 points in his 24 regular season games with the Windy City Bulls while also picking up 4.4 rebounds, seven assists, and 1.7 steals per contest as well. That included...

After cancer scare, Hugh Jackman urges fans to use sunscreen

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:21:32 GMT

(KTLA) — Actor Hugh Jackman is using his platform to express the importance of using sunscreen after his recent skin cancer scare. The "Wolverine" star posted a video on Instagram where he revealed he had two biopsies for spots on his nose. They may be cancerous. "I know you’ve heard me talk about my basal cell carcinomas before. I’m going to keep talking about them if need be," his caption read. "And if it reminds even one person to put on sunscreen with a high SPF, then I’m happy."He then explained that basal cell carcinoma is the "least dangerous" in the world of skin cancers, but he still issued a warning to his followers. "Please wear sunscreen. It is just not worth it, no matter how much you want a tan. Trust me!" he said in the video. "If I can just take this opportunity to remind you summer is coming, for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, please wear sunscreen."He then pointed at his bandaged nose and said, "This is all stuff that happened 25 years ago, and it's coming...

Families of Alzheimer's patients call for better care

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:21:32 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Texas lawmakers are considering legislation to require more training for assisted-living facility employees who care for Alzheimer's and dementia patients.State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) presented House Bill 1673 to the Texas House Committee on Human Services Monday. The bill would require every staff member who interacts with residents in an assisted living facility to receive four hours of training about Alzheimer's and related disorders like dementia. Staff would be required to pass an exam proving they understand the delicate care the disease requires and are capable of caring for these residents.Those who have watched dementia impact their family say the additional requirements are crucial."My mom had younger-onset Alzheimer's," Mike McGuff said. He testified on the bill Monday, recalling his experience watching his mom be diagnosed when she was just 53 years old. "I had her in an assisted living facility, and I saw then we had issues with care....

Jennifer Garner honored by Texas Senate for work with Save the Children

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:21:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Beloved Houston-born actress Jennifer Garner was honored at the Texas Capitol Wednesday for charity work she's done throughout the duration of her nearly 20-year career. A resolution, written by Senator Carol Alvarado, was presented on the senate floor honoring Garner for her work with Save the Children, a global organization founded in 1919 with the goal of improving children's lives worldwide, according to its website. The resolution states that Garner has worked with the organization for 15 years, first joining as an artist ambassador, then in 2014 she became a member of the board and serves on its Program Impact and Marketing Committees. Garner traveled to Kentucky in 2022 after devastating floods to "fundraise, draw attention to suffering, and assist teachers in making classrooms ready again," according to the resolution. Further, the resolution said Garner has "promoted the organization's literacy efforts and heightened awareness of the challenges faced by youn...

Volkswagen recalls 143,000 Atlas model SUVs over faulty passenger-side front airbag

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:21:32 GMT

David Matthews | (TNS) New York Daily NewsVolkswagen issued a recall Tuesday of more than 143,000 Atlas SUVs because of faulty passenger-side front airbags and warned owners not to let anyone ride shotgun until the issue is fixed.The recall affects 143,053 model year 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles that may have faulty wiring in a weight sensor that causes the front passenger air bag to deactivate even when someone is in the seat.The passenger occupant detection system issue in the seven-seat SUV could prevent the airbag from deploying, leading to increased risk of serious injury in the event of a crash, according to the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.About 3% of Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models in the U.S. are affected.“Until the free recall repair is developed and completed, owners should not allow anyone to sit in the front passenger seat. Volkswagen is currently developing a remedy and will notify affected owners as soon as the repair is...

Pablo López stellar in return but Twins fall to Marlins

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:21:32 GMT

MIAMI — Against his former teammates, in his former home, with one of his childhood heroes, Johan Santana, looking on, Pablo López put on a show that was well worth the price of admission.For seven innings Wednesday, López stymied his old friends, capping his second outing of the season with a trio of swinging strikeouts. For his efforts, he took a no-decision as the Twins fell 5-2 in the series finale to the Miami Marlins on Wednesday afternoon at loanDepot Park thanks in large part to two home runs from Marlins designated hitter Jorge Soler.López was matched by his good friend Jesús Luzardo, who held Twins hitters quiet, striking out 10 in his seven innings for the Marlins. But the game was decided by the bullpens, and after Twins reliever Griffin Jax gave up a pair of hits in the eighth, Caleb Thielbar came on and allowed a single to Bryan De La Cruz to give the Marlins the lead and a three-run homer to Soler to provide the knockout blow.Prior to that, López and Luzardo had kept ...

Coaldale Panthers athlete signed to Kodiaks women’s volleyball team

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:21:32 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsLocal volleyball player Kourtney Serfas, of Turin, Alta., will be taking her skills to the Lethbridge College Kodiaks women’s volleyball team this fall.The 5’10” outside hitter currently plays for the U18 team for the Panthers Volleyball Club near Coaldale. After graduating from Vauxhall High School this spring, Serfas is headed to Lethbridge College to study in the college’s Bachelor of Nursing program, and join the Kodiaks. Serfas is the co-captain of the Panther Volleyball Club’s U18 team this year and recently won the “best teammate of the season award” after being nominated by her teammatesSerfas added that this sense of team camaraderie made Serfas’s decision, “extremely easy.”“I chose the Kodiaks because of the competitive atmosphere and their willingness to be their best. Every practice I’ve participated in has inspired me to be better and I think it’s so cool that lots of the older girls have made me feel so included and a part of their team ...