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Macron launches 500-day countdown to Paris Olympics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:21 GMT

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron launched the 500-day countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics on Tuesday, bringing the public up to date with his government’s hopes for the Games, including the ambitious use of the Seine.Macron addressed hundreds of officials at a “speech of thanks” in the Paris police headquarters, saying that though plans are advancing “nothing should be taken as a guarantee.”“All that remains for us are 500 short days that separate us from the extraordinary events that are the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games, (where) we are going to host the world,” Macron said.In the speech and on Twitter, Macron thanked the 45,000 volunteers mobilizing to make the Games “a success” and again trumpeted the 5,000 new sports grounds that are in the works. Officials are pushing to get infrastructure and sites ready in time, with projects pockmarking many of Paris’ boulevards.Macron also made reference to the ambitious 1.4-billion-euro ($1.5 bi...

Polish Church defends John Paul sainthood after abuse claims

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:21 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The leaders of Poland’s Catholic Church on Tuesday defended the late John Paul II’s sainthood and fast-track canonization process in response to a Polish TV report alleging that he covered up clergy sex abuses while archbishop in Poland.The Polish Church figures also said that a commission of experts in various fields — lawyers, doctors, psychologists and historians — will be formed soon to investigate cases of past abuse of minors by the clergy.A report last week on TVN24, which is owned by the U.S. company Warner Bros. Discovery, named three priests whom John Paul allegedly moved around during the 1970s after they were accused of abusing minors. The report cited communist secret security documents but also included interviews with abuse survivors.Speaking after a two-day meeting of the entire Episcopate, the leaders stressed that — although unusually quick — the process that led to announcing Polish-born John Paul a saint was done with utmost care and honesty...

Here's when the Lollapalooza 2023 lineup is expected to drop

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:21 GMT

* The video above originally aired on July 28, 2022 when Lollapalooza Founder Perry Farrell announced a ten year contract extension with the City of Chicago.CHICAGO — Lollapalooza has announced the date when the 2023 lineup will be revealed. According to the music festival, this year's summer concert lineup will drop on March 21 at 10 a.m. on the Lollapalooza website. A presale code for first access tickets is also available through the site.The annual event will be held at Grant Park in downtown Chicago from Thursday, Aug. 3 to Sunday, Aug. 6. Lollapalooza extends Chicago contract 10 more years, founder Perry Farrell says Last year's headliners included Metallica, Dua Lipa, J. Cole, Green Day, Doja Cat, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Baby and Kygo.For more information, go to: Lollapalooza.com

The longest-tenured player on the Bears is back for 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:21 GMT

LAKE FOREST - One example of the incredible amount of turnover in the Bears' organization over the past few years is a look at their longest-tenured player.It's the team's long snapper, who has been one of the few consistent things in an era of much change for the franchise.Patrick Scales will continue to hold that title after the Bears gave him another contract for this upcoming season.A couple of internal moves for the Bears today:.FB Khari Blasingame gets a 2-year contract extension..Long snapper Patrick Scales & offensive lineman Dieter Eiselen get one-year contracts..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/zBs8crm1c9— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) March 14, 2023The team is bringing back the long snapper on a one-year deal, which is one of three moves they announced with their current players on Tuesday. It comes ahead of the start of the new NFL year on Wednesday.Fullback Khari Blasingame got a two-year contract extension through 2025 while offensive lineman Dieter Eiselen got a one-...

Jury selection begins in ComEd bribery trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:21 GMT

CHICAGO — Jury selection began Tuesday in the ComEd bribery trial.The four defendants, charged in November 2020, are former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore; former ComEd Vice President and lobbyist John Hooker; Jay Doherty, a former ComEd contractor and President of the City Club of Chicago; and Michael McClain, a former ComEd lobbyist and consultant who, for decades, has been a close confidant of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.Federal prosecutors allege the four defendants “conspired with outside consultants to corruptly influence and reward” Madigan, who, as House Speaker, exerted heavy influence on legislation at the state capitol. Four plead not guilty in ComEd bribery scheme It is alleged that, in exchange for legislation favorable to the utility, the four defendants arranged for jobs and contracts for Madigan’s allies, “even in instances where those people performed little or no work that ComEd purportedly hired them to perform.”The trial is expected to last two mo...

Youth hockey team from Ukraine in Chicago area to play, raise funds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:21 GMT

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. — A youth hockey team from Ukraine arrived in the Chicago area this week to raise money to rebuild their ice rink that was destroyed by Russian bombs.Most of the players on the team are 12 and 13-years-old. One is young as 7 and one is celebrated his 18th birthday Tuesday.The team arrived in Chicago Monday after three days traveling from Ukraine.It is the first time they’ve been outside of their country since the Russian invasion a year ago.Their home ice rink in Kharkiv was destroyed early on in the war, so many of these players have not been able to practice the way they normally would.Tuesday, they practiced ahead of a three day tournament that begins on Friday in Romeoville. They’ll be playing against teams from the United States, Canada and some others from other parts of the world.The main focus is not only the playing but also the fundraising.The entry fee for the tournaments will go toward rebuilding that ice rink in Kharkiv. They will also be taking do...

Henry Winkler spotted in Central Illinois

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:21 GMT

UPTOWN NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) -- There's been another celebrity sighting in Central Illinois. Actor Henry Winkler was spotted in Uptown Normal on Monday. According to the Uptown Normal Facebook page, Winkler was in town for a speaking engagement, then he grabbed some refreshments at The Coffeehouse in Uptown after he shopped at the Children's Discovery Museum's store in Normal. Will Ferrell spotted in Central Illinois This Central Illinois celebrity sighting comes one week after actor-comedian Will Ferrell was spotted in Pekin.

Chipotle adds new protein option to menus worldwide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:21 GMT

(KTLA) – Chipotle customers can now customize their tacos, burritos, salads and quesadillas with a new protein option.The chain announced Tuesday that restaurants worldwide will be adding chicken al pastor to menus for a limited time. The debut of chicken al pastor marks the first time Chipotle launched a new menu innovation globally, a news release said.Chicken al pastor is a new, craveable protein at Chipotle featuring the savory, satisfying flavor of adobo, Morita peppers and ground achiote with a splash of pineapple and fresh lime. (Chipotle) The company didn’t announce how long chicken al pastor would be available. Chipotle has been testing the item since at least Sept. 2022, when customers at restaurants across Denver and Indianapolis were given a preview of the new protein, Nexstar's KDAF reported at the time. Chipotle gives in, will allow customers to order viral quesadilla ‘hack’ “Guests are looking to restaurants for unique menu items they cannot make at home, and al pas...

Cartel Twitter use spiked after Musk takeover: report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:21 GMT

(NewsNation) — Elon Musk’s reduced Twitter safety oversight has allowed Mexican cartel members to flaunt their lifestyles online, post violent content and recruit new members, according to a new study.Several previously banned accounts of known cartel members are again open and active on Musk’s Twitter, according to a report published last week by the Alliance to Counter Crime Online (ACCO). Online, cartel members will often flaunt their crimes, at times boasting publicly that they’re wanted by the FBI while glamorizing their “gangster lifestyle,” according to the report. Illegal crossings at the US-Canada border rising: Official Additionally, high-profile cartel members use the platform to recruit new members and post violent videos, said retired ICE Special Agent Victor Avila. Some accounts are used to send threats to government officials, civilians and rival gang members. "They're terrorizing the rest of the people that are watching these videos — the citizens, the government o...

Coors Light launches beer-flavored popsicle in time for March Madness

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:48:21 GMT

(WFLA) — Just in time for the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament, Coors Light is unveiling its new non-alcoholic "Coors-icles" — a frozen beer-flavored treat for basketball and Coors Light fans ages 21 and older.Starting Tuesday, March 14, customers can buy Coors-icles online, while supplies last. The brand said it will release a limited number of Coors-icles every weekday at noon ET through March 24.(Credit: Coors Light)The company said Coors-icles will only be available during the tournament season.Coors Light is also giving away six-packs of Coors-icles now through April 3. One hundred winners will be selected after the final game on April 4, according to the brand. Find out how to enter here."For passionate basketball fans, March is pure chaos," the beer maker said in its announcement. "It's an emotional rollercoaster, and it's hard to keep your cool when your bracket goes up in flames."The popsicles will also be available at 800 bars nationwide throughout the tournament, ...