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Book Review: Sandra Newman puts a feminist spin on ‘1984’ with ‘Julia’

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:11:00 GMT

Rejoice, comrades! Almost 75 years after George Orwell’s “1984” was published in 1949, readers can return to Airstrip One with its Newspeak and Ministries of Truth, Peace, Love and Plenty. On second thought, maybe it’s not a place anyone wants to revisit. Maybe Orwell’s depiction of an ultra-totalitarian society in which “doublethink” — “Truth is Hate. Plenty is Hate. Peace is Hate. Love is Hate” — rules, hits a little too close to the real world in 2023.But don’t let that argument dissuade you from reading Sandra Newman’s remarkable new novel, “Julia.” Marketed as a “retelling” of “1984” (Orwell’s estate actually approved its publication), it’s not quite as bleak as its progenitor. And the omniscient third-person feminist perspective from inside the head of Winston Smith’s lover, Julia, is refreshing.Julia is a mechanic in the Ministry of Truth’s Fiction Department, “perpetually fascinated by the plot machinery, how it worked and the ways it could go wrong.” When we first meet her,...

No one injured in shooting near Mississippi home of US Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:11:00 GMT

BROOKHAVEN, Miss. (AP) — Federal and state law enforcement agencies are investigating a shooting near the Mississippi home of U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, state investigators announced Monday.No one was injured in the shooting Sunday afternoon near Hyde-Smith’s Lincoln County home in south Mississippi, investigators said in a news release. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is working with federal and local law enforcement agencies to investigate the shooting. Investigators did not reveal whether the home was struck by bullets, what type of firearm was used, or whether they have identified a suspect, citing the ongoing investigation. Hyde-Smith has represented Mississippi in the U.S. Senate since 2018. “The Senator and her family were not harmed,” Hyde-Smith’s office said in a statement Monday. “Senator Hyde-Smith is grateful for the concern shown by many and the good work of federal, state, and local law enforcement.” The Associated Press

Qatar Airways CEO will step down after nearly 3 decades leading carrier

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:11:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker is stepping down after 27 years leading the company.Al Baker’s retirement will go into effect Nov. 5, Qatar Airways said Monday. He will be succeeded by Badr Mohammed Al-Meer — who currently serves as the chief operating officer of Hamad International Airport in Doha, the hub of Qatar’s national carrier.In Monday’s announcement, Qatar Airways said that it “has grown to become one of the most recognisable and trusted brands globally” under Al Baker’s leadership. The company pointed to seven “World’s Best Airline” wins, among other allocates.During his tenure at Qatar Airways, Al Baker became known for being one of the most outspoken leaders in the airline industry — with a hard-changing, sometimes confrontational approach that carried into negotiations with manufacturers and others.Al Baker has also made some controversial comments over his career — including suggesting that women can’t r...

Movie Review: A holiday movie with some bite in Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers’

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:11:00 GMT

Alexander Payne brings audiences to a New England boarding school in 1970 in “ The Holdovers,” a textured, nostalgic and often funny piece about three lonely and mismatched souls stuck together over Christmas break. It’s a keeper and possibly even destined to become a classic.The holiday movie genre is suspect — even the most well-intentioned entries can be too saccharine, too wistful, too “Lifetime.” But Payne, working with a sharp script written by David Hemingston, keeps “The Holdovers” grounded and real. Even absent your own memories of smoking indoors or handsewn outerwear, this is the kind of thoughtful, precisely constructed movie where you can almost taste the cigarette smoke and feel your fingers numbing through drafty wool mittens.With its knowingly retro production titles starting the film, “The Holdovers” lets you settle in and submit to something that could very well have been made in the time it was set, which was one of Payne’s goals. Similarly, the recurring Da...

Man killed in crash involving semi on I-55

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:11:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was killed in a crash on the Stevenson Expressway involving a semi-truck early Monday morning.The accident happened on I-55 between Harlem Avenue and Central Avenue around 2:06 a.m.According to Illinois State Police, troopers responded to the scene of the two-vehicle crash involving a semi and a Honda HR-V. ISP said the Honda rear-ended the semi.The driver of the Honda, a 31-year-old man from Summit, was pronounced dead on the scene. The man's identity has not yet been released.Preliminary information indicates that speed was a contributing factor.All outbound lanes were closed for an investigation at Central Avenue for nearly six hours Monday morning. 12-year-old boy killed in shooting on South Side; $15K reward offered for info leading to arrest No further details have been provided at this time.

Monday Forecast: Temps in mid 60s with chance of showers

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:11:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Mostly cloudy Monday with isolated showers possible. Wind: S 5-15 G25. High: 63. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Partly cloudy tonight with isolated showers. Winds: SSW 10-15 G25. Low: 56.Tuesday Forecast: Mostly sunny, increasing clouds, 20% shower late day, SSW 15-20 G35. Low: 76.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Blink-182 announces US concert dates for 'One More Time Tour'

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:11:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR/WCMH) – Just days after the release of their latest album, Blink-182 has announced plans to exhibit their shenanigans to an even greater audience of pop-punk enthusiasts across North America – including some Midwest stops.The group, which had just wrapped the 2023 leg of their current world tour, has announced 30 additional dates for summer 2024 on what they’re now calling the “One More Time Tour.”The newly added concert dates, all but one of which are located within the U.S., have been scheduled for June, July and August, after the band wraps up its stops in Australia, South America and Mexico.Blink-182 will be supported by California-based band Pierce the Veil at the newly announced dates, according to the tour announcement. Best and worst states for securing concert tickets As of Monday morning, Blink-182’s “One More Time Tour” had announced the following scheduled stops:June 20 – Amway Center, Orlando, FloridaJune 21 – Kaseya Center, Miami, FloridaJune 24 – Frost Bank...

MedWatch Digest: Childbirth costs are rising — and more

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:11:00 GMT

For Monday, Oct. 23, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Telehealth pancreatic cancer trialA first-of-its-kind clinical trial will use telehealth to study pancreatic cancer. The trial by the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center involves people with a genetic trait called fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs). FGFRs can mutate, causing cancers to proliferate and invade other body parts. Ohio State researchers are creating drugs that target the gene mutation. For this study, an oral pill will be shipped to patients' homes and all follow-up will be done through telehealth. Researchers say the remote follow-up allows the study to be open to more people nationwide. Roseland Community Hospital launches mobile mammography serviceOn Monday, Roseland Community Hospital launched a mobile mammography service on the Far South Side. Hospital officials say it will provide the same features as mammography units inside hospi...

Daily rain chances continue

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:11:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Showers and thunderstorms moved into Caldwell and Hays Counties before 4:30 this morning. There was also light rain on the west side of Mason County. These are the first showers and thunderstorms that will affect Central Texas this week.Moisture from former Hurricane Norma has been moving into our area to combine with surface moisture from the Gulf to saturate the atmosphere. This morning's map also shows an upper-level low over California that will move to the Baja Peninsula then head to Texas. This will keep rain/thunderstorms chances from tomorrow into the weekend.Updated projected rain totals Most of the thunderstorms will remain below severe criteria but the Storm Prediction Center does have Gillespie, Llano, Mason, and San Saba Counties in a Marginal Risk for severe storms on Wednesday.Most thunderstorms should remain below severe limitsThe Weather Prediction has Mason and San Saba Counties under a Marginal Risk for flash flooding on Wednesday.Marginal flash f...

Sheriff's office: 29-year-old man killed in Wells Branch shooting overnight

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:11:00 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN Live’s top morning headlines for Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Travis County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a 29-year-old died in the Wells Branch area overnight Sunday into Monday morning. Just before midnight Sunday night, a TCSO patrol deputy was flagged down by a man parked on the roadway in the 1700 block of Wells Branch Parkway and directed to the victim, who had multiple gunshot wounds, in the backseat of a car, according to a release from TCSO. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. This is the same area where a woman was found dead last month. The woman's brother was arrested in connection to her death. TCSO arrests suspect accused of killing sister in Wells Branch The man who flagged down the deputy was taken into custody while the investigation continues. According to TCSO, he and the victim knew each other. TCSO said in the release evidence suggests th...