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Conservative Muslims in Indonesia protest Coldplay concert over the band’s LGBTQ+ support

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:56:40 GMT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — More than 200 conservative Muslims marched in Indonesia’s capital on Wednesday, calling for the cancellation of a Coldplay concert that night over the British band’s support for the LGBTQ+ community.The protesters, marching about 1 kilometer (half a mile) away from the concert venue in Jakarta where the band was set to perform, held a large banner that read: “Reject, cancel and disband Coldplay concerts.” It described the band as an LGBTQ+ “propagandist,” saying its stance damages “faith and morals.”The same protest group also staged demonstrations last week at several locations in Jakarta, including the British Embassy.Indonesia is secular and has a long history of religious tolerance, but a small extremist fringe has become more vocal in recent years.Coldplay is renowned for interlacing its values with its shows, such as the band’s push for environmental sustainability. Lead singer Chris Martin has been known to wear rainbow colors and wave ga...

New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy announces run for US Senate seat in 2024

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:56:40 GMT

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy on Wednesday launched a bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in next year’s contest.Her candidacy, announced Wednesday, puts her in the running to become the first woman elected to the Senate from New Jersey. The Democratic primary already features Rep. Andy Kim and could include Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, who has lost significant party support amid federal bribery charges but has not ruled out a run in 2024. “We need a senator who will work every single day to lower the cost of living, protect abortion rights, end the gun violence epidemic, and defend our democracy,” she said in a roughly four-minute-long video posted online. Murphy, 58, is a constant at events alongside her husband, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, and has taken on maternal and infant health and the environment as her top issues during her time as first lady — issues she highlighted in her announcement.A Virginia native, and University ...

Loblaw reports $621M Q3 profit, up from $556M a year ago, revenue up 5%

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:56:40 GMT

BRAMPTON, Ont. — Loblaw Cos. Ltd. reported its third-quarter profit and revenue rose compared with a year ago.The parent company of Loblaws and Shoppers Drug Mart reported a profit available to common shareholders of $621 million or $1.95 per diluted share for the 16-week period ended Oct. 7.The result compared with a profit of $556 million or $1.69 per diluted share in the same quarter a year earlier.Revenue for the quarter totalled $18.27 billion, up from $17.39 billion in the same quarter last year.The increase came as food retail same-stores sales rose 4.5 per cent and drug retail same-store sales gained 4.6 per cent, helped by front store same-store sales growth of 1.8 per cent and pharmacy same-store sales growth of 7.4 per cent.On an adjusted basis, Loblaw says it earned $2.26 per diluted share, up from an adjusted profit of $2.01 per diluted share a year earlier.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:L)The Canadian P...

Want to buy now, pay later this holiday season? Ask yourself these 5 questions first

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:56:40 GMT

Shoppers gearing up for the 2023 holiday season won’t have to look hard for a convenient way to pay for all those presents.“ Buy now, pay later,” a type of payment plan that divides the total cost of your purchase into smaller installments, is offered at most major retailers, including Walmart, Target and Amazon. It’s expected to fuel $17 billion in online holiday spending this year – up almost 17% from 2022 – according to forecast data from Adobe Analytics, an analytics and measurement tool from software company Adobe.The short application, immediate approval decision and no hard credit check can make buy now, pay later seem like a no-brainer financing option, but experts say it’s risky. Ask yourself these five questions before opting in.1. DOES THIS PLAN CHARGE INTEREST?While most shoppers will encounter zero-interest pay-in-four plans — which divide the cost of your purchase into four equal installments with the first due at checkout, and the remaining three due every two weeks —...

Greta Thunberg denies public order offense after she was arrested at a London protest

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:56:40 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Climate activist Greta Thunberg on Wednesday denied a public order offense after she was arrested last month at a demonstration against a major oil and gas industry conference in London. The 20-year-old Swedish environmental campaigner was among more than two dozen people charged after protesters sought to block access to the luxury InterContinental Hotel in central London during last month’s Energy Intelligence Forum, attended by some of the industry’s top executives. Thunberg was charged with breaching a section of the Public Order Act that allows police to impose limits on public assemblies. She and four other Fossil Free London protesters pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. Thunberg confirmed her details in court, but her address in Stockholm was not read out due to concerns over alleged threats she has received.The protesters were granted unconditional bail ahead of a trial in London scheduled for February 2024. The court...

3.6 magnitude earthquake reported in north central Illinois

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:56:40 GMT

STANDARD, Illinois —  An earthquake struck north central Illinois early Wednesday morning. The 3.6 magnitude quake was centered about a mile southeast of Standard, Illinois — which is southwest of La Salle, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.A WGN News viewer in Spring Valley said his entire house shook around 4:45 a.m.So far, there are no reports of any damage.This is a developing story. Check back for details.

Man charged in attack that critically injured woman on Michigan Avenue

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:56:40 GMT

CHICAGO — A man has been charged in the attack that critically injured a woman on Michigan Avenue.Bruce Diamond, 52, is facing one felony count of aggravated battery/great bodily harm.Police said he was arrested Monday after being identified as the offender who, moments earlier, threw a large object at a woman in the 600 block of North Michigan Avenue.The woman was struck in the head and transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. Woman in critical condition after being attacked on Michigan Avenue Diamond was quickly placed into custody, according to police.He is scheduled to attend a detention hearing Wednesday.

Wednesday Forecast: Temps in mid 60s with mild and dry conditions

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:56:40 GMT

CHICAGO — Sunny skies and southwest winds will push temperatures into the mid-60s Wednesday.  It will stay dry tonight as temperatures fall into the lower 40s under mostly clear skies.  Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Thursday Forecast: Increasing clouds and temperatures, along with breezy SSW winds gusting up to 30 mph. Thursday's highs are expected to reach the mid to upper 60s.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Are school report cards doing enough to assess kids' progress?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:56:40 GMT

Nearly nine out of 10 parents believe their child is performing at grade level despite standardized tests showing far fewer students are on track, according to a poll released Wednesday by Gallup and the nonprofit Learning Heroes.Report cards, which many parents rely on for a sense of their children's progress, might be missing the whole picture, researchers say. Without that knowledge, parents may not seek opportunities for extra support for their children.“Grades are the holy grail,” said Bibb Hubbard, founder and president of Learning Heroes. “They’re the number one indicator that parents turn to to understand that their child is on grade level, yet a grade does not equal grade-level mastery. But nobody’s told parents that.”In the Gallup survey, 88% of parents say their child is on grade level in reading, and 89% of parents believe their child is on grade level in math. But in a federal survey, school officials said half of all U.S. students started last school year beh...

Deadly crash shuts down eastbound Highway 71 near Austin airport

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:56:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A deadly crash shut down eastbound Highway 71 near the Austin airport early Wednesday morning. The crash happened around 6 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of Hwy 71 near its intersection with Highway 183. All traffic headed east is being diverted onto Highway 183. As an alternate route, drivers could use Burleson Road to FM 973, to Hwy 71 to access the airport. According to the Austin Fire Department, one person died after a motorcycle crashed. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said on social media drivers should expect huge traffic delays getting to the airport and plan for extra time to arrive. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.