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Help arrives to battle wildfire in Washington state near Columbia River Gorge

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:18:16 GMT

UNDERWOOD, Wash. (AP) — Authorities have more than doubled the number of people battling a wildfire that has burned structures and forced the evacuation of homes in southwestern Washington near the Columbia River Gorge. The blaze that began Sunday in the unincorporated area of Underwood across from Hood River, Oregon, had burned about 546 acres (221 hectares) and was 5% contained as of Wednesday, according to a post on an interagency Facebook page backed by the state Department of Natural Resources.Nearly 375 people are fighting the fire, with more on the way including an elite firefighting crew to work in challenging terrain on the fire’s western edge, according to the post. The National Weather Service’s red flag warning remained for the area through 11 p.m. Wednesday, with hot, dry and unstable conditions that could cause the fire to spread rapidly.Fire activity increased Tuesday afternoon on the western edge of the fire, with helicopters and air tankers helping keep ...

Son of jailed Belarusian presidential hopeful handed 8-year sentence

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:18:16 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — The son of a jailed Belarusian presidential hopeful was convicted and sentenced Wednesday on charges that he and other activists rejected as trumped up.The Minsk District Court sentenced Eduard Babaryka, 34, to eight years in prison for “organizing mass riots” and “inciting hatred” — accusations that he denied. “I have not committed a single crime I am accused of,” said Babaryka, who has been in custody since his arrest more than three years ago. “The investigation did not find a single piece of evidence of my guilt.”He is the son of Viktar Babaryka, an aspiring presidential candidate who sought to challenge Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in a 2020 election but was denied registration for the race and later handed a 14-year prison sentence.The condition of the older Babaryka hasn’t been known for over two months, and his supporters suspect he was beaten and put in a prison hospital.The August 2020 vote that handed a sixth te...

1 dead, others injured as gunfire erupts at Fourth of July gathering in Englewood

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:18:16 GMT

CHICAGO — Five people were shot, one fatally, early Wednesday in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. According to Chicago police, a group was gathering in the 5600 block of South Ada Street Tuesday for what neighbors said was a Fourth of July block party.Police said shots were fired around 4:45 a.m. Wednesday and five people were struck. According to police, a 35-year-old man was shot in the chest and taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. A 21-year-old man was beaten and sustained injuries to his head. He remains in critical condition, following an update from Chicago police. Additionally, police said, a 23-year-old man was struck in the abdomen and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. A 27-year-old man was shot in the leg and taken to the hospital in stable condition.A 21-year-old woman was struck in the leg and taken to the hospital where she was stabilized. A 29-year-old man was stuck in the foot and leg and taken to the hospital where he was stabilized. ...

Woman dead, children seriously injured in Elmhurst head-on crash

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:18:16 GMT

ELMHURST, Ill. — A woman died and two children were seriously injured following a head-on crash Wednesday morning in Elmhurst.Just after 5:05 a.m., authorities responded to the call of a serious crash on St. Charles Road near Hill Avenue. At the scene officers located a Chevrolet SUV and an Audi SUV both with significant front-end damage.The driver of the Chevy, a woman, was pronounced dead at the scene. A 4-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl were transported from the SUV with serious injuries.The driver the Audi, another woman, was transported with serious injuries.Police believe the Chevrolet SUV was traveling eastbound on St. Charles Road when it drifted over the center line and struck the Audi.The road was closed until 11:30 a.m.

West Town man missing more than a week may need medical aid, police say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:18:16 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago police seek the public's help locating a missing 26-year-old man who may require medical attention. Police on Wednesday said Regan Lucas, of Chicago's West Town neighborhood, has been missing since June 26. He was last seen in the 1900 block of W. Race wearing blue jeans and a short sleeve purple paisley shirt. Lucas, who may also frequent the 1st Police District, stands 5"7', weighs 125 pounds, and has green eyes and black hair. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesAnyone with information on Lucas's whereabouts can call (312) 744-8266.

CPD, OEMC, city agencies hold news conference on partnership for safety

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:18:16 GMT

CHICAGO — Over 50 people were shot in Chicago over the July Fourth weekend, police said.Chicago police said 57 people were shot from 6 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.Eight people died in those shootings. A ninth person died from blunt force trauma.The Chicago Police Department, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety plan to hold a news conference Wednesday at 1 p.m. to “highlight the citywide partnership.”Video of the full news conference will be available shortly.

'Phineas and Ferb' co-creator calls Disney Imagineer after Disneyland ride breaks down

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:18:16 GMT

(KTLA) -- When a ride malfunctions at Disneyland, it’s unlikely that guests can call a Disney Imagineer to talk about the inconvenience.However, that’s exactly what Dan Povenmire, co-creator of Disney’s animated series “Phineas and Ferb,” did when he and members of the show went to visit the "Happiest Place on Earth" on June 26, WDW News Today reported.While on the popular Rise of the Resistance attraction in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Povenmire documented the moment when the ride temporarily broke down and shared it on TikTok. Disneyland pauses general ticket sales for Oogie Boogie Bash amid technical issues Instead of waiting on Disneyland cast members to solve the problem, as most guests would, Povenmire decided to call in the big guns. He made a FaceTime call to Scott Trowbridge, senior creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering.In the video, Povenmire stated that Trowbridge oversees “all the Star Wars stuff at Disneyland” and shared snippets of their conversation when he j...

Philippines considers banning 'Barbie' movie over South China Sea map

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:18:16 GMT

(KTLA) – Another country may ban the upcoming "Barbie" movie because it features a map depicting China’s disputed claims on territory in the South China Sea. Officials with the film review board in the Philippines are deliberating on whether to show "Barbie" in the country after it was revealed the movie features a map that shows the "nine-dash line."The nine-dash line, which China has claimed as its maritime border, has brought about tense confrontations with countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines, who reject China's assertions. New, taller Barbie doll is aimed at kids as young as 3 The nine-dash line was “repudiated in an international arbitration ruling by a court in The Hague in 2016,” according to Reuters. “China refuses to recognize the ruling.”On Tuesday, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board of the Philippines posted a message to its website about the movie. Vietnam banning ‘Barbie’ movie: Here’s why “We co...

Rick Hahn has a major decision to make with White Sox ahead of trade deadline

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:18:16 GMT

CHICAGO — Anyone who looks at the calendar and the standings in the American League Central division knows that a big decision is looming for White Sox general manager Rick Hahn.His club is in the midst of a second-straight disappointing year and, after Tuesday's loss, currently 13 games under .500. Thanks to a mediocre American League Central division, the White Sox are only seven games out of first place - with all of this happening when they should be in a championship window. Now Hahn has to decide whether he closes that in 2023 and becomes a seller for the first time since the end of the last decade. He could also keep faith that the club could make a turnaround, deciding to make a deal to strengthen the current group.Either way, Hahn knows he's got a critical evaluation coming up."We've got big decisions to make by the end of this month or August 1st," said Hahn on Tuesday before the White Sox loss to the Blue Jays at Guaranteed Rate Field. "I've seen quotes from players, I've...

Singer, songwriter Coco Lee dies: siblings

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:18:16 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — Coco Lee, a Hong Kong-born singer and songwriter who had a highly successful career in Asia, has died by suicide, her siblings said Wednesday. She was 48.The star had been suffering from depression for several years, Lee’s elder sisters Carol and Nancy Lee said in a statement posted on Facebook and Instagram, with her condition deteriorating drastically over the last few months.“Although CoCo sought professional help and did her best to fight depression, sadly that demon inside of her took the better of her,” the statement read.Lee attempted suicide at home over the weekend and she was rushed to a hospital, her sister said. They said that she was in a coma and died on Wednesday.Lee, who was born in Hong Kong but later moved to the U.S. where she attended middle and high school, had a highly successful career in Asia as a pop singer in the 1990s and 2000s, where she was known for her powerful voice and live performances.Lee, who was initially a Mandopop singer, branc...