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Barbie mania sweeps Latin America, but sometimes takes on a macabre tone

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:52 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Latin America is taking Barbie mania to an extreme, with everything from pink-colored tacos and pastries, commercial planes bearing the Barbie logo, political ads and even Barbie-themed protests.But it’s not all high heels and pom-poms: Barbie mania in the region has taken on a darker, macabre tone.In Peru, anti-government demonstrators this week dressed up two women in pink and put them in giant Barbie boxes in the main square of Lima, the capital, to protest current President Dina Boluarte, under whose administration police have often clashed with protesters.One actress, whose box was labeled “Barbie Dictator,” held a pink gun. The doll, according to the box legend, “includes tear gas and dum-dum bullets.” Another protester’s box was labeled “Genocidal Barbie.”Meanwhile, stores, street vendors and restaurants throughout Latin America are offering up all sorts of Barbie-themed goodies.In Mexico, there are Barbie tortillas (the corn dough is colored pink with beet...

Family expresses gratitude after body believed to be missing girl found; search for boy continues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:52 GMT

WASHINGTON CROSSING, Pa. (AP) — The family of a 2-year-old girl swept away along with another child by a flash flood that engulfed their vehicle on a Pennsylvania road is expressing gratitude at the discovery of a body believed to be hers. The body was found early Friday evening in the Delaware River near a Philadelphia wastewater treatment plant about 30 miles (50 kilometers) from where Matilda Sheils was carried away, authorities said Friday night. The Philadelphia medical examiner’s office plans an autopsy. The search continues for Matilda’s 9-month-old brother, Conrad.“We are grateful that our little Mattie has been brought home to us. We are still praying for the return of Conrad,” the family said in a statement posted Saturday by Upper Makefield Township police. Family members also expressed “continued gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and concern from the community and from people around the country as rescue workers have worked tirelessly to f...

Charges dismissed against white woman who spat on Black woman during protests in Connecticut

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:52 GMT

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A judge Friday dismissed hate crime and other charges against a white woman who spat on a Black woman during competing protests at the Connecticut state Capitol, then was allowed to resolve the case through probation. The victim called the outcome “being spit on once again.” “The justice system has failed me,” Keren Prescott told the court. Yuliya Gilshteyn had faced charges including deprivation of rights, which is a hate crime, in the 2021 encounter. Then she was granted a special probation program that lets first-time offenders avoid a criminal record if they complete certain requirements. Hers included 100 hours of anti-hate instruction. The two women, both in their 40s, crossed paths as people rallied at the Capitol for various causes on Jan. 6, 2021, the start of a new state legislative session. It was also, as it turned out, the date of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and it was in the thick of the coronavirus pandemic. Prescott was taking p...

Man arrested after sexually assaulting person at medical centre

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:52 GMT

Toronto police have arrested a man after a sexual assault at a medical centre in the Finch Avenue West and Norfinch Drive area.On Thursday police responded to a call reporting a sexual assault at approximately 12:15 p.m. at the Norfinch Medical Centre.The victim was seeking medical treatment at the centre when the accused allegedly sexually assaulted her.Md Arifur Rahman, 47, of Toronto, has been arrested and charged with sexual assault.He appeared in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on Friday.

Counties with the worst commutes in Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:52 GMT

(Stacker) -- Commuting easily ranks as one of the least enjoyable parts of a person's day. Commuters encounter more physical health problems, and low-income commuters are less likely to gain financial stability—among a host of other negative impacts. And yet, America's commutes keep getting longer as people move farther away from the office, according to Census Bureau data.Stacker compiled a list of counties with the worst commutes in Illinois, using 2021 data from the Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by longest average commute time in 2021 among workers over the age of 16, excluding those who work from home. Think you have a long trip to work? Read on to compare it against the worst commutes statewide.#49. Lee County (tie)- Average commute to work: 24.2 minutes- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.1%- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 40.9%- Means of transportation to work:--- Drove alone: 84.3%--- Carpooled: 8.8%--- Public transportation: 0.8%--- Walked: 1.3%-...

How much do you need to be a 'one-percenter' in your state?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - Data shows the wealthiest 1% of Americans control over a third of nation’s total wealth. But what it takes to be a “one-percenter” can vary based on where you live, a new analysis has found. Personal finance website SmartAsset reviewed data from the IRS and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate how much income it takes to be among the top earners in each state. Nationally, households earning just over $652,650 are considered the wealthiest. When it comes to individual states, SmartAsset found the requirement to be among the top 1% ranging from $368,000 to nearly $1 million.  Here’s the richest person in your state, according to Forbes States with the highest floor to be a one-percenter were primarily along the coasts while those with the lowest floors were primarily in the center of the country. Technically, it was our capital that had the highest 1% threshold, not a state. The top earners in Washington, D.C. earn at least $1,013,698, SmartAss...

Counties with the highest unemployment in Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:52 GMT

(Stacker) -- While significantly lower than the alarming pandemic peak of 14.7% experienced in April 2020, unemployment rates remain a subject of concern, though experts' views on a potential recession are mixed. The last economic recession—the Great Recession of 2007-2009—sent rates up to 10% as of October 2009. It was not until the spring of 2019 that unemployment finally went down to the same level it sits at now.As of May 2023, national unemployment is at 3.4%, with little change from April. Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates by state demonstrate a rather sizable spectrum, ranging from just 1.9% in South Dakota to 5.4% in Nevada.Stacker compiled a list of counties with the highest unemployment rates in Illinois using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Counties are ranked by their preliminary unemployment rate in May 2023, with initial ties broken by the number of unemployed people within that county, though some ties may remain. County-level unemployment rates are not seasonal...

Tony Bennett: New Yorkers remember singer's passion for the arts, frequent order at Italian restaurant

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:52 GMT

NEW YORK (WPIX) – Tony Bennett sang about leaving his heart in San Francisco, but he never left New York City.From Central Park to Ditmars Boulevard, people from New York are remembering the world-famous singer — and sharing stories.Bennett grew up in Astoria, Queens. In more recent years, he lived in an apartment across from Central Park, but he and his family would often travel across the Queensboro Bridge to his old neighborhood.In 2001, he and his wife helped start the Frank Sinatra School for the Arts in Astoria. He visited the school many times since."His face lit up and you could tell this was a passion project for him,” Gideon Frankel, the school's principal, said. Gilgo Beach murders: Inside the investigation that led to Rex Heuermann’s arrest One of Bennett’s favorite restaurants, Manducatis, in Long Island City, Queens, was also the "most authentic Italian restaurant in the U.S.," as far as he was concerned."[He'd order] a little eggplant, a little bit of fettuccini, w...

PetCon 2023 comes to Chicago, showcasing most famous pets in the world

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:52 GMT

PetCon makes its way to Chicago for its first time this weekend showcasing some of the most famous pets in the world. Loni Edwards Lunau, founder of PetCon, joins us on WGN Weekend morning News to share more on what to expect over the weekend long event.

Can you filter 'forever chemicals' out of your water at home?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:40:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – So-called "forever chemicals" that are linked to cancer and numerous health problems can be found in at least 45% of the nation's tap water, according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey survey, but is it possible to eliminate them at home?Known collectively as PFAS, the synthetic chemicals are used to make so many things that it would be nearly impossible to rid your house of them. They go into nonstick pans, food packaging, to-go boxes, furniture, rugs, clothing and more.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in March proposed the first federal drinking water limits on six forms of PFAS, or per- and polyfluorinated substances, which remain in the human body for years and don't degrade in the environment. A final decision is expected later this year or in 2024. Majority of states will see a hot August, forecast predicts: Will you be impacted? But the government hasn't prohibited companies using the chemicals from dumping them into public wastewater systems, said Scot...