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Ticker: Bird flu still taking toll on industry; Russian consumers feel themselves in a tight spot as high inflation persists

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:39 GMT

More than 1.3 million chickens are being slaughtered on an Ohio egg farm as the bird flu continues to take a toll on the industry.The U.S. Department of Agriculture said all 1.35 million chickens on the farm in Ohio’s Union County will be slaughtered to help limit the spread of the highly contagious virus after a case was confirmed in the flock this week.The outbreak that began in early 2022 has been much less severe this year as fewer cases of the virus are being found among the wild birds that spread it. But there have still been 8.1 million birds killed this year to help control the spread of the disease and 5.8 million of those have come just this month as several large egg farms have been struck. That includes 1.2 million birds at one Iowa egg farm and another 940,000 chickens at one Minnesota egg farm that had to be killed.Russian consumers feel themselves in a tight spot as high inflation persistsThe shelves at Moscow supermarkets are full of fruit and vegetables, chees...

‘Disgusting’ fight at the Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:39 GMT

A “disgusting” fight broke out at the Kowloon Restaurant on Route 1 in Saugus on Thanksgiving eve that forced the popular eatery to close down for the night.Saugus police said they rushed to a call for a fight in progress on Wednesday night at 10:30 p.m. Six Police officers who were already working a detail at the restaurant, were quickly alerted and able to “de-escalate” the brawl.That’s when restaurant management decided to close the bar and restaurant early for the evening.Several young men who were involved in the fight were detained and questioned by police but were not arrested — with some needing medical treatment.Although no arrests were made, the investigation is ongoing. Charges may be forthcoming, as one individual used a glass bottle in the fight which is a felony, police said in a statement Friday.“The Kowloon is a family friendly restaurant, unfortunately a few unruly patrons ruined a nice evening for many others. A disturbance such ...

Daryl Hall is suing John Oates over plan to sell stake in joint venture. A judge has paused the sale

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:39 GMT

By JONATHAN MATTISE and MARIA SHERMAN (Associated Press)NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Daryl Hall has sued his longtime music partner John Oates, arguing that his plan to sell off his share of a joint venture would violate the terms of a business agreement the Hall & Oates duo had forged.The move quickly prompted a judge to temporarily block the sale while legal proceedings and a previously initiated arbitration continue.A Nashville chancery court judge issued the temporary restraining order on Nov. 16, writing that Oates and others involved in his trust can’t move to close the sale of their share of Whole Oats Enterprises LLP to Primary Wave IP Investment Management LLC until an arbitrator in a separately filed case weighs in on the deal, or until the judge’s order expires — typically within 15 days, unless a judge extends the deadline.Chancellor Russell Perkins issued the order the same day Hall filed his lawsuit, which was largely brought forth under seal, o...

Mexico cancels conference on 1960s and 1970s rights violations raising claims of censorship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:39 GMT

Mexico’s Department of the Interior reportedly revoked funding on Friday for a conference on the government’s violent anti-insurgency policy from the 1960s to the 1980s, raising claims of censorship.The conference had been scheduled to begin in two days time. Organizers said they were forced to cancel the event, which would have focused on the period known in Mexico as the “dirty war.”The decision has caused confusion among academics, some of whom have accused the government of censoring debate about an infamously violent period of modern Mexican history.The event, hosted by the Colegio de Mexico, would have included presentations from historians from the United Kingdom to Argentina, members of Mexico’s “dirty war” inquiry panel, and officials from the Department of the Interior itself.One of the speakers, academic and human rights activist Sergio Aguayo, first announced the news on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, claiming a government official had e...

Appeals court says Georgia may elect utility panel statewide, rejecting a ruling for district voting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:39 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that Georgia can keep statewide elections for its five-member commission regulating utilities, overturning a lower court judge who found statewide elections illegally diluted Black votes.The ruling is important beyond Georgia’s Public Service Commission because it could help protect certain statewide elections in other states subject to scrutiny for racial discrimination under the Voting Rights Act. It also could signal limits to a new wave of voting rights litigation after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a key part of the law this year in an Alabama case.In August 2022, U.S. District Judge Steven Grimberg had ordered Georgia’s commissioners elected by district, the first time a statewide voting scheme had been overturned by a federal judge. But a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Grimberg went too far.“Georgia chose this electoral format to protect critical policy interests and there is no ev...

Colorado funeral home owners where decomposing bodies found returned to state to face charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:39 GMT

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The owners of a defunct Colorado funeral home where 190 sets of decomposing human remains were found have been returned to the state to face hundreds of felony charges.Carie Hallford appeared in District Court in Colorado Springs via video on Wednesday. District Judge Samorreyan Burney maintained her bail at $2 million cash during the advisement hearing, KRDO-TV reported. Jon Hallford’s advisement hearing was Friday and his bail also remained at $2 million.Carie Hallford’s public defender had asked for her bail to be reduced to $50,000, citing her lack of a criminal record, but Burney noted she faced more than 250 felony charges. Both Hallfords face 190 counts of abuse of a corpse, over 50 counts of forgery, five counts of theft and four counts of money laundering, federal court records said.Neither entered a plea. Their next court appearances are set for Dec. 5.Court records say the Hallfords are both being represented by the public defend...

Navy Pier celebrates 'Light up the Lake 2023'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:39 GMT

CHICAGO — If you're looking for a fun way to spend the holiday season, Navy Pier has transformed into a magical winter wonderland, thanks to thousands of holiday lights decorating the pier.One of the winter activities set up includes an ice-skating rink, where visitors can skate for free if they bring their own skates, or pay $15 to rent a pair.If Chicagoans are looking to let out a little aggression, there is also outdoor ax throwing, which participants can chip in $5 for five axes, or $12 for 12.Indoors at Navy Pier, visitors can find the Future Frost Exhibit highlighting work from local artists and a market called "Lolita's Bodega Artisan Markets," which showcases local vendors from across the City. More from Jewell: The busiest travel day around Thanksgiving, by the numbers "This is my first winter in Chicago and we were just looking at things to do," said Suzi Katz, a visitor at Navy Pier Friday. "We were like, 'we have to go skating,' so here we are, enjoying the cold weathe...

Hamas frees 24 hostages in exchange for 39 Palestinian prisoners

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:39 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas on Friday released 24 hostages who had been held captive in Gaza for weeks, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison in the first stage of a swap under a four-day cease-fire deal.The freed hostages included 13 Israelis, 10 people from Thailand and one from the Philippines, according to Qatar.The agreement opened the way for sorely needed aid to flow into Gaza for beleaguered residents. It was also a moment of hope for families in Israel and elsewhere worried about loved ones taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, which triggered the war.With the truce’s start Friday morning, Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians saw quiet for the first time after seven weeks of relentless Israeli bombardment, which has killed thousands, driven three-quarters of the population from their homes and flattened vast swaths of residential areas. Rocket fire from Gaza militants into Israel went silent as well. Israel allows for temporary ceasefire...

Corey Perry sits again as Blackhawks remain quiet about forward's status

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:39 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Corey Perry was a healthy scratch for Chicago's game against Toronto on Friday, and Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson declined to provide any update on the forward's status with the team.The 38-year-old Perry has four goals and five assists in 16 games in his first season with the team. He skated for almost 15 minutes during a 3-2 loss to Buffalo on Sunday, and then was a healthy scratch for Wednesday night's 7-3 loss at Columbus.“He won't be in the lineup today,” Richardson said before the matchup with the Maple Leafs, “and I'm unable to give any more information at this time.” Korchinski scores in OT and Dickinson gets hat trick as Blackhawks beat Maple Leafs 4-3 Asked if Perry's absence was his decision or coming from above him, Richardson responded: “That's just going to be kept internal for now in the organization. Hopefully we'll be able to give updates soon, but we can't give a timeline on that.”Perry was acquired in a June trade with Tampa Bay. He then agreed...

Korchinski scores in OT and Dickinson gets hat trick as Blackhawks beat Maple Leafs 4-3

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:39 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Rookie defenseman Kevin Korchinski scored 4:30 into overtime, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 on Friday to stop a five-game slide.Jason Dickinson scored three times for Chicago, completing his first career hat trick 15 seconds into the third period. Arvid Soderblom finished with 34 saves.“There’s been a lot of emotions going around,” Dickinson said. “A positive win at home, doing the right things, details, all of that leads to a really good feeling to head forward.” Blackhawks’ Taylor Hall is expected to miss the rest of the season with a right knee injury The last-place Blackhawks improved to 4-10-0 in their last 14 games.“We needed this and really dug down and got it,” coach Luke Richardson said. “We were more into the battle.”Calle Jarnkrok, Ryan Reaves and Nicholas Robertson scored for Toronto, which had won four in a row. Max Domi had two assists and Ilya Samsonov made 30 stops.The Maple Leafs had a 3-1 lead midway through the second...