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Indonesia is set to launch Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway, largely funded by China

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:23:28 GMT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia is launching Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway, a key project under China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative that will cut travel time between the capital and another major city from the current three hours to about 40 minutes.The project has been beset with delays and increasing costs, and some observers doubt its commercial benefit, but President Joko Widodo has championed it and will be inaugurating the 142.3-kilometer (88.4-mile) railway as it begins commercial operations Monday. The Chinese-made bullet train, called “Whoosh,” will connect Jakarta with Bandung, the heavily populated capital of West Java province. Widodo, along with other high-ranking officials, is expected to ride the Whoosh from its first station, Halim KCBJ in eastern Jakarta to Bandung’s Tegalluar station, the last of the line’s four stations.The $7.3 billion project, largely funded by China, was constructed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China, known as ...

Powerball draws number for giant $960 million jackpot

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:23:28 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The numbers were drawn Saturday night for an estimated $960 million Powerball jackpot and players across the country are waiting to see if there’s a big winner.The winning numbers announced were: 19, 30, 37, 44, 46 and red Powerball 22.Lottery official usually take several hours to determine if any player has won the giant jackpot.The $960 million jackpot is for a sole winner who opts for payment through an annuity, doled out over 30 years. Winners almost always take the cash option, which for Saturday’s drawing would be an estimated $441.4 million.Those winnings would be subject to federal taxes, and many states also tax lottery winnings.The jackpot now ranks as the world’s ninth-largest lottery prize of all time, behind earlier prizes in the Powerball and Mega Millions games that all topped $1 billion.The jackpot has grown so large because there have been 29 consecutive drawings without a big winner, dating back to July 19. Powerball’s terrible odds of 1 in...

Promoting tradition as well as beans, Ethiopian coffee shops find fans far from home

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:23:28 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Growing up in Ethiopia, Yared Markos would often start his days the same way: with coffee. Family members, neighbors and passersby would be drawn in by the strong aroma of fresh beans roasting in a pot, often made by his mother or another family member. Regardless of who they were, all were welcome.And this tradition wasn’t limited to the morning. Coffee, or buna in Amharic, is typically drunk at the end of each meal. Drinking coffee was a communal experience for Markos, so when he first immigrated to London from Ethiopia 23 years ago, the culture shock hit hard.“They sell our coffee in Starbucks and other places but they don’t follow our traditions,” said Markos, who has owned Kaffa Coffee since 2004. The shop, now in the East London neighborhood of Dalton, hosts coffee ceremonies every weekend in the summer, as well as during cultural events year round, and special orders.“Tourists will walk by and smell the coffee and come in asking questions,” Markos said. “It make...

1 dead, 1 injured after boat runs aground along Fox River in McHenry

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:23:28 GMT

MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. — An investigation is underway on Saturday night after a boat crash on the Fox River in McHenry left one person dead and another injured, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).According to Sgt. Eric Schreiber from the IDNR, law enforcement officials were called to the scene after a boat ran aground near the 600 block of Country Club Drive, just off the Fox River.IDNR officials say one person was pronounced dead at the scene and another was taken to the hospital. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Connor Lively, a resident who lives nearby, says it was around 5:45 p.m. when he heard a big crash. Lively says he went outside and found the badly damaged boat out of the Fox River, flipped upside down."Walked out, saw a big boat in my neighbor's yard, flipped over, cracked in half," Lively said.Lively says he alerted someone to call 911 and began trying to move the boat off of a badly injured man and a woman.According to Lively, the ...

Saturday Forecast: Mostly clear & mild

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:23:28 GMT

Saturday night: Mostly clear & mild for the season. Patchy fog after midnight. SE 0-5 mph. Near: 60Sunday: Sunny & warm. Cooler by the lake.  SSE 0-5 mph. Highs low 80s, cooler lakeside. Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Extended outlook calls for sunshine and temps in the mid to low 80s for Mon/Tue and possibly Wednesday too as we see increasing clouds. Showers and possible thunderstorms look likely for Thursday with temps in the mid 70s and wind developing. Some rain at times and highs near 70 for Friday. 

Annual AIDS Run & Walk returns to Chicago's lakefront

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:23:28 GMT

CHICAGO — Over the years, thousands have supported Chicago's annual AIDS Run & Walk, which helps raise millions of dollars for the cause.Outside of Soldier Field, the tradition of taking steps along Chicago's lakefront to fight the aids epidemic continued on Saturday. 20 years ago Friday, the Bears opened new Soldier Field Money raised over the years has gone to support HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and communities impacted by the virus.WGN's Sean Lewis has more on the annual event.

APD investigating homicide near I-35

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:23:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department said in a Saturday night social media post that it is investigating a death near I-35 as a homicide.According to that post, the homicide occured on the South I-35 Frontage Road, near where that road intersects with Rundberg Lane.No other details were provided by APD in the post.This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.

The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 4: Last-minute moves

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:23:28 GMT

UPDATE: 10:46 p.m. Saturday The most notable news tonight has come out of Las Vegas, where quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. If you are a fantasy maven who was counting on Jimmy G, then you should have been looking for a replacement long before now.Giants RB Saquon Barkley is now considered doubtful for Monday night’s game against Seattle. So you shouldn’t count on him and need to procure a replacement before tomorrow’s noon kickoffs.One new injury popped up. Cleveland tight end David Njoku suffered burns in a home accident and is considered questionable for this week. Time, again, to hit the Sunday morning waiver wires for a quick replacement from a meager TE talent pool.UPDATE: 12:36 a.m. Saturday The Loop, for one, was all excited about the prospect of watching ancient Andy Dalton face the Vikings’ defense on Sunday in Carolina. Even made him our Deepest Sleeper. But alas, No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young has been cleare...

Ukrainian Festival celebrates and supports

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:23:28 GMT

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Organized by 518 Ukrainians, an emotional afternoon of Ukrainian spirit and culture was held at the Ukrainian American Citizens Club. NEWS10’s Lydia Kulbida emceed the event and shared personal stories of her heritage.Attendees filled the nearby streets to park. Those who came out were grateful to see all the support for those thousands of miles away. "That’s what it’s all about. We got to do it. Any positivity and positive stuff we can put out there is for the benefit of everybody," said Peter Urban, a local Ukrainian. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Ukraine will benefit from the festival, with proceeds providing aid to those suffering from Russia’s war. Ukrainian Congress Committee President, Dr. Andrij Baran, wants to keep attention on the war.“More importantly, we are trying to raise funds for Ukraine. It’s falling out of the headlines. Putin is not sleeping. Every day, Ukrainian boys are dying on th...

CSU Rams drop Utah Tech behind Tory Horton’s three TDs, career-high 227 receiving yards

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:23:28 GMT

FORT COLLINS — Tory Horton’s out to make his 1,131-yard season last year look like a warm-up.The Rams pulled away from Utah Tech late on Ag Day at Canvas Stadium, 41-20, using Horton’s unstoppable performance to earn back-to-back wins for the first time in head coach Jay Norvell’s tenure.Horton reeled in 10 catches for a career-high 227 yards, and his two first-quarter touchdowns gave the Rams enough early cushion on a night where they played far from perfect. Then, the senior’s third TD catch turned the game into a rout in the fourth quarter.Horton’s performance was CSU’s first 200-yard receiving game since Warren Jackson put up 214 yards at New Mexico on Oct. 11, 2019. The Rams star is on pace for a blistering 1,600-yard season, which would surely put him in the conversation for the Fred Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s top receiver, and in the mix to be the next CSU pass-catcher in the NFL.CSU got another imperfect but productive ...