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Macron shuns parliament to raise French retirement age

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 GMT

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron imposed a highly unpopular bill raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 on Thursday by shunning parliament and invoking a special constitutional power. Lawmakers were shouting, their voices shaking with emotion as Macron made the risky move, which is expected to trigger quick motions of no-confidence in his government. Riot police vans zoomed by outside the National Assembly, their sirens wailing. The proposed pension changes have prompted major strikes and protests across the country since January. Macron, who made it the flagship of his second term, argued the reform is needed to keep the pension system from diving into deficit as France’s population ages and life expectancy lengthens.The decision to invoke the special power was made during a Cabinet meeting at the Elysee presidential palace, just a few minutes before the scheduled vote, because Macron had no guarantee of a majority in France’s lower house of parliament.Then, as...

Kingston police release video of brutal unprovoked bus stop beating

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 GMT

Kingston police have released a video clip that shows part of a brutal, unprovoked group attack at a bus stop last week.Police say the victim was standing at the bus transfer station at 945 Gardiners Road in the city’s west end on Friday, March 10, at around 3:15 p.m. when he was attacked by half-a-dozen suspects.“The six suspects attacked the victim without provocation while the victim was standing at the bus transfer,” police said in a release.The brief video clip shows the victim in the corner of the bus stop shelter, surrounded by several suspects. One of them throws several punches to the victim’s head and body. Near the end of the clip, a second suspect joins the attack, throwing hard hammering blows to the cowering victim’s head.Police say a brave bystander interjected and confronted the attackers, prompting them to flee south on foot.Inc #23-9228Video footage of assault suspects at west end bus transfer station.Anyone with information in regards...

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

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:34 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.