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Italy’s Meloni rejects criticism from Canada’s Trudeau over LGBTQ+ rights at G7 Summit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:59 GMT

ROME (AP) — Italy’s far-right Premier Giorgia Meloni on Sunday rejected criticism from her Canadian counterpart at the G7 Summit about her government’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights.A reporter asked Meloni about the criticism at a news conference early Sunday in Hiroshima, Japan, which is hosting the annual summit of leaders from seven of the world’s leading industrialized nations. On television Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau told Meloni — right before they began private, bilateral talks during the summit — that “Canada is concerned about some of the positions Italy is taking on in terms of LGBT rights.” He added that he was looking forward to talking with the Italian premier about that. Meloni looked annoyed, twiddled her thumbs and listened in silence, while Trudeau switched to French to sum up his English remarks. Then camera operators left the room, and the two leaders commenced their close-door talks.Earlier this year, Meloni’s government told city halls to stop ...

Israelis protest government’s plans to weaken Supreme Court amid talks for compromise

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:59 GMT

TEL AVIV (AP) — Thousands of Israelis protested on Saturday against contentious plans by their hard-line government to overhaul the judiciary, as the protest campaign showed no signs of abating nearly five months on.The main protest took place in Tel Aviv, Israel’s economic hub on the Mediterranean, with smaller other rallies across the country. Last Saturday, organizers of the grassroot demonstration cancelled the weekly protest due to security concerns as Israel traded fire with militants in the Gaza Strip.The protesters want the plans that were proposed by the most hard-line government in Israel’s history to be scrapped rather than delayed as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in March.Earlier this week, Israel’s president hosted representatives of the government and opposition parties for talks about the legal changes as parties tried to reach a compromise.The plans plunged Israel into one of its worst domestic crises, ripping open longstanding societal rifts and creati...

'I need you one time only and I pay nice:' Bond set for woman attempting to send narcotic-soaked paper to boyfriend in Cook County Jail

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:59 GMT

COOK COUNTY, Ill. — A couple faces multiple felonies for attempting to sneak narcotic-soaked paper into the Cook County Jail, according to reports.The Cook County Sherrif's Office charged Dwain Johnson 20, and his girlfriend, Kasandra Claudio, 23, with attempting to bring contraband into a jail and bribing a public official.The sheriff's office said on April 3, Johnson approached a correctional officer about bringing drug-soaked paper into the jail, offering to pay him $1,500 to do so. In a bond court hearing, it was stated that Johnson handed a handwritten note to the correctional officer with Claudio's phone number. It is alleged that the note said to text the word "Zorpion" to the number and say "Tell Zo lmk," to let Claudio know that the deal is on, prosecutors allege. The note also said "I need you one time only and I pay nice," according to court documents.Prosecutors alleged that in a phone call between Johnson and the undercover cop, Johnson said the correctional officer wou...

2 men injured, 1 in custody after shooting, Elgin police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:59 GMT

ELGIN, Ill. — Police reported that two men were shot Friday night in Elgin.Elgin police said the two men were located with gunshot wounds around 9:15 p.m. near the 100 block of East Chicago Street. Former Kane County Clerk found dead in office less than month after indictment Police said the men were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident is being actively investigated and a subject is in custody. Father found Naperville Snapchat predator hiding in daughter’s closet, police say There is no threat to the community, police said. If there is any information that may assist, call 847-289-2600.

This Las Vegas neighborhood has streets named after a 90s video game franchise

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:59 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Tucked into a neighborhood in Henderson, Nevada, sits an area of dirt lots awaiting construction. Part of the city’s Cadence master-planning community, a portion of the area has already been developed, with homeowners fully moved in.  The air is still filled with the hum of construction equipment. But street signs posted at various intersections throughout the site indicate a quaint neighborhood-in-the-making — and one that appears to be a bit fantastical, as well.Serenity Place, the newest project by Harmony Homes, includes an area with rather unique street names: They’re all inspired by Pokémon. You read that correctly. Not too far in the future, Nevada homeowners will be living on a street named for one of The Pokémon Company’s creatures. Photo: Justin Walker (KLAS)As the Las Vegas valley has continued to expand, seeing new developments pop up has become routine for residents. Neighborhoods are continuing to grow, and as they do, m...

These areas of the US at 'elevated' risk of blackouts this summer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:59 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Large swathes of the U.S. could suffer blackouts this summer, according to the annual assessment from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).The report, which forecasts how prepared the energy grids that power air conditioners, medical devices, lights and other vital resources are, found that roughly two thirds of the country are at an "elevated risk" of power loss.Those regions include the entire continental U.S. from Texas to the West Coast, along with large portions of the Midwest and New England. (Courtesy: NERC)Despite the extensive areas flagged by the nonprofit, there is some positive news. In contrast to last year's report, there are no "high risk" regions where normal peak conditions could max out operating reserves. In 2022, the NERC map showed many states under the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), such as Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, either entirely or partly at high ...

Texas to charge EV owners $400 to register vehicles, $200 every year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:59 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Texas drivers looking to drive cleaner will have to fork out more money to do it, starting Sept. 1. Earlier this week, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 505 into law, which will establish a $400 fee to register an electric vehicle in Texas — in addition to a $200 annual fee.That's in addition to annual Texas vehicle registration fees, which cost $50.75 for most passenger vehicles/trucks. In total, a new EV owner could pay over $650 the first year. What causes those ‘unexplainable’ traffic jams? The bill was approved by the Texas Senate in March and approved by the state House last month. The author of SB 505, Republican Sen. Robert Nichols, said the law aims to make sure EV owners are paying their fair share of state highway funding, which is paid for by gasoline/diesel fuel tax dollars."We recognized some time ago that each time an all-electric vehicle does get on the road and displaces a gasoline or diesel vehicle that the state highway fund loses money," Nichols s...

Austin is now the 10th largest US city, census data estimate shows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — In recently released 2022 population estimates, the U.S. Census Bureau said Austin was now the 10th largest U.S. city, with an estimated population of 974,447.“Austin expanded its population by 12,547 residents, growing at a rate of 1.3%,” the Census Bureau said.According to the data, the Austin metro was the No. 26 most populous metro area in the country and saw the sixth largest numeric increase in population between 2021 and 2022. Texas continues to top the charts with fastest-growing cities “These population estimates show the city of Austin gaining momentum in population growth and continuing to contribute to the rapid growth in the region,” City of Austin Demographer Lila Valencia said.The Census Bureau said the newly released data was crucial in determining how the federal government proportionately distributes billions of dollars in grants and program funding for social services, community development, and the construction of schools, roads and hospitals.

APD searching for suspect in east Austin shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police released information surrounding a shooting in east Austin in the evening hours of May 14.At approximately 7:30 p.m., APD said officers responded to a shooting call in the 40 block of Comal Street, which is near the intersection of Nash Hernandez Road and Comal Street.According to APD, officers at the scene were told a victim was taken to a hospital with life-threatening gunshot wounds.During an investigation, APD said officers discovered that a small car club event took place at the intersection of Comal Street and Dilly Street, and during the event, a verbal disturbance escalated into a shooting.Police said the suspect was in a gray, four-door vehicle described as a possible Hyundai Sonata or Elantra.Image of vehicle driven by shooting suspect (APD photo)The suspect was described as a heavy-set Hispanic man with a dark complexion and black, bushy hair, styled in a bowl cut.Austin Police asked that anyone with information about this incident or other v...

St. Louis Co. Council passes bill to ban standing, sitting or walking on roadways

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:59 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - The St. Louis County Council passed a bill earlier this week that aims to change how pedestrians navigate the streets, specifically one that would make it illegal to stand, sit or walk on roadways in most cases. Bill No. 86, recently introduced by St. Louis County Councilman Ernie Trakas proposes the ban. After some back-and-forth discussions about the bill, the county council narrowly approved it Tuesday with a 4-3 vote. According to the bill, pedestrians would not be allowed to stand, sit or walk on roadways when a sidewalk is present. The bill does include some exceptions for first responders, a person legally helping with a car or health emergency or person getting on and off public transportation buses. New top prosecutor leaves high-powered law firm for public service This legislation is now on the desk of St. Louis County Executive Sam Page for consideration. It's unclear how soon it might take effect if signed into law. The bill also proposes, in si...