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Tennessee eyes 18+ gun-carry age with court or Capitol deal

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:17 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Two years after Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee led the charge to allow residents 21 and older to carry handguns in public without a permit, younger adults could soon have the same privilege, with or without the governor’s signoff.A gun rights group sued after the law was passed in 2021, arguing that the age limit should be lower. Then late last year, the state’s top lawyer moved to negotiate a settlement rather than defend the law, citing last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling expanding gun rights. In January, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti proposed a deal that would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to carry handguns publicly.A judge put the arrangement on hold for a 30-day period that ends Friday. What will happen then is unclear. Conflicting opinions on the settlement within the state are a reflection of a broader U.S. political divide over who should be allowed to have guns — a debate that rages on against a backdrop of continual headlines about dea...

Hungary pressures EU by delaying Finland, Sweden NATO vote

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:17 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Sweden and Finland dropped their longstanding military neutrality and quickly signaled their intentions to join NATO, in a striking sign of how powerful Europe’s security fears had become in the shadow of Moscow’s war. But nearly a year after the Nordic countries officially applied to join the military alliance, their admission remains unresolved because two of the 30 NATO members — Turkey and Hungary — still haven’t approved their bids. Although Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly raised specific objections to the countries — especially Sweden — joining NATO, Hungary’s populist prime minister, Viktor Orban, has long signaled that his country’s support for expansion and has repeatedly promised its parliament would soon vote to ratify. “We have already confirmed to both Finland and Sweden that Hungary supports” their NATO bids, Orban said at a meeting of Centr...

NDP praises David Johnston, as Tory, Bloc bemoan interference watchdog appointment

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:17 GMT

OTTAWA — Opposition parties continue to call for a public inquiry into foreign interference, but the NDP is welcoming Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s choice of a special rapporteur.On Wednesday, Trudeau announced that former governor general David Johnston will look into allegations of foreign meddling in Canada’s last two federal elections and recommend what the Liberal government should do about it.Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says in a statement that “Trudeau must end his cover up,” noting that Trudeau referred to Johnston as a “family friend” in 2017.Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet says Johnston is “close” to Trudeau, and called the idea a “superfluous” waste of time since opposition parties will still demand a public inquiry.Yet NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Johnston is a “non-partisan” official known for his integrity, and the New Democrats welcome his work while still pushing for an i...

Police say suspect in deadly shooting of 2 Edmonton officers killed himself

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:17 GMT

Edmonton police say two officers were shot and killed while responding to a family dispute at an apartment complex.Police Chief Dale McFee says Const. Travis Jordan, 35, and Const. Brett Ryan, 30, were shot by a man when they arrived and did not have the chance to use their guns.He says other officers rushed the two wounded officers to hospital, where they were pronounced died.McFee says it’s believed the suspect died of self-inflicted wounds.A woman at the scene was also taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and is in stable but serious condition.McFee says the police service is devastated and condolences have been pouring in from other forces across the country.The Canadian Press

How French government’s special power to impose a bill works

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:17 GMT

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron chose on Thursday to shun parliament and impose his unpopular pension reforms via a special constitutional power, the so-called “Article 49.3.”The procedure has been regularly used in the past by different governments. But this time it’s drawing a lot of attention and prompting much criticism because of the massive public opposition to the increase in retirement ages.Here’s a look at how and why the special power is used. WHAT’S ARTICLE 49.3? Article 49, paragraph 3 of the French Constitution provides that the government can pass a bill without a vote at the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, after a deliberation at a Cabinet meeting.In response, lawmakers can file a no-confidence motion within 24 hours. If the motion gets approval from more than half the seats, the text is rejected and the government must resign.If not, the bill is considered adopted and passes into law. Since the Constitution was established ...

Researchers document 55 more white sharks in Cape Cod waters

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:17 GMT

The scientific nonprofit that tracks the white shark population in Cape Cod waters identified 55 sharks never before documented in the area during its most recent research season, but experts say that’s no reason for tourists who flock to the vacation hotpsot every summer to be afraid of going in the water.The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy has now has documented more than 600 of the apex predators since it began monitoring the population in 2014, staff scientist Megan Winton said Wednesday. Many of the sharks return to the area year after year to feed on the abundant seals that call Cape Cod home.Scientists during last year’s research trips from mid-June until early November documented the return of 63 sharks that had previously been spotted in the area, the nonprofit announced this month.Don’t worry. Identifying more sharks does not mean there are more of them out there and does not mean a greater risk to the public.“It’s not necessarily indicative of there being mor...

Eric Carter selected as CPD's interim superintendent

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:17 GMT

CHICAGO — First Deputy Supt. Eric Carter has been selected to lead the Chicago Police Department on an interim basis following the resignation of David Brown.Carter has served in second-in-command of CPD since July 2020. During his time as first deputy superintendent, he oversaw all deployment operations — which include the bureaus of patrol, detectives, counterterrorism and special operations, CPD said."It is my privilege to serve as Interim Superintendent and lead the brave men and women of CPD," said Interim Superintendent Carter. "We will continue the progress we made under the leadership of Superintendent Brown to build trust in our communities and strengthen safety across every neighborhood."Carter is a 30-year veteran of the department and has served in various areas of CPD. He is a veteran of the Marines and holds a master’s degree in public and non-profit corporate management from Saint Xavier University.On Wednesday, WGN Investigates reported that David Brown checked out o...

Metra train hits vehicle near Berwyn

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:17 GMT

BERWYN, Ill — A vehicle was struck by a Metra train near Berwyn Thursday morning.The accident happened around 10 a.m. involving Metra BNSF train No. 1223. According to Metra, inbound and outbound train movement is halted near Berwyn.It is unknown at this time if there are any injuries.Metra says extensive delays are possible as well as rolling delays for other trains on the BNSF Line.For the latest updates, check out Metra.com.

Little Village discount mall vendors assemble caravan to protest eviction

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:17 GMT

CHICAGO — The 25th alderman led a group of vendors to Novak Construction, demanding a new agreement to avoid them from being evicted from the Little Village discount mall. The caravan included street vendors as well as those who rent from the discount mall in Little Village.In February, some vendors were given until March 26th to move out of the mall. Vendors say they were told by P K Mall management to liquidate their merchandise after a proposed rent increase in the lease renewal offer was found to be unreasonable and unsustainable. Ravinia Festival announces 2023 summer lineup Novak Construction is planning renovations that will include new building facades and roofs, a new surface parking lot and lighting and signage."To shut down half of the businesses in this discount mall is unacceptable," Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez said. The caravan of 70 vehicles will meet up at the discount mall Thursday morning, hoping it will bring enough awareness to the issue and allow vendors to stay ...

Benedictine University student faces felonies for child porn: Police

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:37:17 GMT

LISLE, Ill. — A Benedictine University student faces felony charges for possessing and spreading child pornography Thursday, according to Lisle Police. According to the state's attorney, investigators received information on an IP address possibly engaging in child pornography. Police say 20-year-old Joseph Wilke was allegedly found engaging in child pornography in October 2022. Geneva man pleads guilty in DUI crash that killed man, 73, who was loading fridge onto truck Police say Wilke turned himself in and he was charged accordingly. There is no further information on this incident.