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Book Review: Richard E. Grant’s emotional roller coaster memoir, ‘A Pocketful of Happiness’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

“A Pocketful of Happiness” by Richard E. Grant (Simon & Schuster)The title of Richard E. Grant’s memoir, “A Pocketful of Happiness,” is both misleading and utterly truthful. On the one hand, the book is full of charming anecdotes which are indicative of the Swaziland-born, British actor’s sunny disposition, but, on the other, it charts the grim journey of losing his wife of 35 years to lung cancer in the span of 10 months.As iconic director Eileen Fisher asks Grant — in one of the book’s anecdotes — Why would anyone write their memoir in the day and age of the internet? — he finds a cogent answer in his own. The book is not so much a memoir as it is the anatomy of a love story and partnership. The 10 chapters are each based on a month starting with December 2020 when the couple got the grim news until Joan Washington, dialect coach to the stars extraordinaire, died in September 2021.The most career-related information is given to his awards campaign experience on “Can You Ever F...

EU leader cites Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to warn against China’s aggression in Asia

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The leader of the European Union’s executive commission cited Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to warn against China’s increasingly assertive actions in disputed Indo-Pacific waters and against Taiwan and said Monday that the EU would not tolerate aggression in either region.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke at a joint news conference with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after holding talks in Manila that aimed to bolster trade, economic and security relations.The leaders announced the 27-nation bloc would resume negotiations with the Philippines on a free trade agreement that stalled in 2017 under Marcos’s predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.Von der Leyen also stressed the need for security cooperation, saying Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine showed how authoritarian leaders “are willing to act on their threats.”“Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine shakes the foundation of the international...

Suspect riding e-bike sought after woman shot in Toronto’s east end

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

Toronto police are searching for a suspect riding an e-bike after a woman was shot in the city’s east end.Police responded to the scene on Eastmount Avenue near Danforth and Broadview avenues just before 8:30 a.m. on Monday.Officers located a woman in her 50s with a gunshot wound. Paramedics say she was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.Police say the suspect at-large is male with short black hair and wearing all black clothing. He was seen riding an e-bike with flat tires.More to come. Developing story.SHOOTING: Eastmount Ave & Cambridge Ave area– 8:22 am– 1 fml victim located with gunshot wound– police o/s– fml transported to hospital – ongoing investigationGO#1777547^av— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) July 31, 2023

Biden goes west to talk about his administration’s efforts to combat climate change

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will travel to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah next week and is expected to talk about his administration’s efforts to combat climate change as the region endures a brutally hot summer with soaring temperatures, the White House said Monday. Biden is expected to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, America’s most significant response to climate change, and the push toward more clean energy manufacturing. The act aims to spur clean energy on a scale that will bend the arc of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.July has been the hottest month ever recorded. Biden last week announced new steps to protect workers in extreme heat, including measures to improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible.Members of Biden’s administration also are fanning out over the next few weeks around the anniversary of the landmark climate change and health care legislation to extol the administration’s successes as the Democratic pres...

3 injured, 2 critically, after building fire on Northwest Side

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

CHICAGO — Three people were injured, two critically, after a fire at an apartment building on the city's Northwest Side.The fire started on the third floor of a building located at 2112 North Marmora around 5 a.m. Monday.According to the Chicago Fire Department, firefighters removed three people from the fire. Fire officials said smoke detectors were working because one resident heard the alarm go off. The resident was able to get most tenants out while suffering from smoke inhilation. Woman killed, 8 others injured in shooting at party on West Side Firefighters had to rescue people from inside the building. One person was found collapsed on the floor and another was found in bed.Both individuals were taken to area hospitals in critical condition and suffered cardiac arrest, but doctors were able to get their hearts beating again. The third person is in fair condition.The fire has been struck and is under investigation.

2 shot — 1 critically — in road rage incident on DuSable Lake Shore Drive

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman is in critical condition after two people were shot in a road rage incident on DuSable Lake Shore Drive Sunday evening, according to the Chicago Police Department.Police said a 37-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man were driving northbound in the 2200 block of South DuSable Lake Shore Drive at around 8:08 p.m. when a 2015 Nissan sedan cut them off in traffic.Police said the victims beeped at the driver of the Nissan sedan, who then pulled up alongside the victim's vehicle and someone inside the Nissan opened fire.The 37-year-old woman was shot in the neck and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. The 26-year-old man was grazed in the back by a bullet and refused medical attention on scene. Two teens in the hospital, one critical, after shooting in Austin neighborhood, CPD says Police have no in custody.If you or someone you know has information that could help police make a breakthrough in the investigation of this incident, anonymous ti...

Hundreds of Loretto Hospital workers on strike Monday

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

CHICAGO — At least 200 workers at Loretto Hospital on the city's Southwest Side walked off the job Monday morning."The strike will start tomorrow (Monday() morning," said Erica Bland-Durosinmi, executive vice president of SEIU Healthcare, the union representing the workers who are prepared to strike. "We've been at the table … proposals have gone back and forth, but we've been unable to reach an agreement at this time."Mental health workers, radiology technicians and housekeepers make up the bulk of the group. The workers claim they're underpaid and understaffed, which is reflected by the turnover rate at Loretto Hospital — a number that stands at nearly 60%."People don't stay because they're not investing in the staff in a real way," Bland-Durosinmi said. "It’s unfortunate that we’ve gotten here, where management is unwilling to bargain in good faith." More from Bronagh: Local Chicago leaders advocate for immigration, work permit reform Bland-Durosinmi told WGN that some pay rais...

Blaze offering free pizza for kids every Tuesday in August

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

CHICAGO — Blaze is offering free pizza for kids every Tuesday in the month of August.The company is offering kids one free 11-inch cheese pizza, known as their "Simple Pie," with the purchase of any full-priced pizza.Kids also can collect a Blaze Pizza limited edition sticker while supplies last.There are locations in Tinley Park, Niles, Evanston, Berwyn, Woodfield Mall in addition to four stores in Chicago.

Olive-Harvey College offering free course to prep for aviation career

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

CHICAGO — Olive-Harvey has partnered with the Chicago Department of Aviation to offer a free course designed on helping students begin an aviation career.The two-hour virtual class, entitled "Chicago Department of Aviation Career Prep," will be taught from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays for four consecutive weeks. It begins on August 5 and concludes August 26."This collaboration between the CDA and City Colleges has launched a transformative continuing education program that will introduce students to the multitude of diverse and exciting careers within the aviation sector, empowering our students to reach new heights and promising careers," said Mayor Brandon Johnson.The course will cover the history of the Chicago Department of Aviation, aviation terminology and current trends and career paths in the industry. Video shows crop dusting plane nearly clipping semi-truck in Northwest Indiana The course objectives and outline are below, according to the City Colleges of Chicago.Objecti...

'Whitney at 60': Houston estate announces 2nd annual gala

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:31 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — This year Whitney Houston would have turned 60, and a special celebration to raise money for a good cause is being planned for her birthday.Houston's estate, Sony and Primary Wave Music will host the second annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love on Aug. 9, which will benefit the late singer's foundation aimed at helping young people.Houston’s close friends BeBe Winans and Kim Burrell will perform at the gala at Atlanta's St. Regis Hotel, as will Whitney’s brother, Gary, who toured with her for three decades.“When I turned 50, Whitney gave me two celebrations — one in Ireland and one in London. I always tell everyone now that one of them was for her,” says Pat Houston, Whitney Houston’s sister-in-law and the executor of her estate. Houston died in February 2012 at age 48. “This year is Whitney at 60 — we’re all looking forward to being a part of the power of love in that room.”Founded by the singer in 1989, the Whitney Houston Foundation for Children aims to empower...