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Party switch gives GOP veto-proof control in North Carolina

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:51 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A Democrat in the North Carolina state House switched to the Republican Party on Wednesday, giving the GOP veto-proof control in both chambers of the legislature and handing Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper a setback in trying to block hardline conservative policies in his final two years in office. The party switch announced by Rep. Tricia Cotham, of Mecklenburg County, means Republicans now hold the 72 seats required in the 120-seat House to hold a veto-proof majority. Republicans had already held 30 of the 50 seats in the Senate needed to override vetoes if party members are present and voting, but until Wednesday, they were one seat shy of a similar advantage in the House following the November elections.Recently improving margins for Republicans in the General Assembly, capped off by Cotham’s switch, have emboldened the North Carolina party to try again on topics such as gun rights, immigration and voting. Republicans also are interested in further restrict...

Turkey closes airspace to flights using north Iraqi airport

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:51 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey closed its airspace to flights to and from an airport in Kurdish-administered northern Iraq, a top Turkish official announced Wednesday, citing an alleged increase in Kurdish militant activity threatening flight safety.Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tanju Bilgic said the Turkish airspace has been closed to flights taking off and landing at Suleimaniyah International Airport, in northern Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, since Tuesday.The closure was in response to an alleged increase in the activities of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, in Suleimaniyah as well as its “infiltration” into the airport, Bilgic said in a written statement.The decision comes weeks after two helicopters crashed in northern Iraq, killing Kurdish militants on board. The incident fueled claims that the PKK was in possession of helicopters which infuriated Turkish authorities.The main U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led force in northeastern Syria later said it lost nine fight...

Japan police arrest 2 in food prank at beef bowl diner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:51 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese police have arrested two men who posted a video on social media showing one eating pickled ginger with his chopsticks directly from a communal container at a famous beef bowl restaurant chain, part of a series of pranks that have hit sushi chains and became known as “sushi terrorism.”Osaka prefectural police on Wednesday said Ryu Shimazu and Toshihide Oka were arrested on suspicion of obstructing business and destroying and dirtying property. In a video shot by Oka and shared on social media, Shimazu is seen holding a condiment container up to his face and shoveling pickled ginger — a popular topping for beef bowls — into his mouth with his chopsticks. Customers are supposed to use an attached serving utensil to add ginger to their food.Shimazu told police that he wanted to make people laugh. Oka said he had encouraged Shimazu to do something funny, and he shared the video because it was funny and he wanted people to see it, police said, adding that they had no...

Man in custody after allegedly chasing people with knife in downtown Toronto

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:51 GMT

A suspect is in custody after he allegedly chased people with a knife in downtown Toronto.Officers responded to the area of Ontario Street and Queen Street East around 8:40 a.m. Wednesday after getting reports that a man with a knife was chasing people.Police located a male suspect at the scene and placed him in custody. He is described as a man in his 60s.No injuries were reported.PERSON WITH A KNIFE: UPDATEOntario St + Bridgen Pl– Police are on scene– Male has been located and is in custody– No reports of injuries at this time^lb— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) April 5, 2023

Canadian merchandise trade surplus slips to $422M in February: StatCan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:51 GMT

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the country’s merchandise trade surplus fell to $422 million in February as exports fell more than imports.The federal agency says the result compared with a revised surplus of $1.2 billion for January. The initial reading for the first month of the year put the surplus at $1.9 billion.For February, total exports fell 2.4 per cent to $65.0 billion as exports of metal and non-metallic mineral products decreased 5.4 per cent and motor vehicles and parts dropped 4.4 per cent.Meanwhile, total imports fell 1.3 per cent to $64.6 billion in February. The drop came as imports of industrial machinery, equipment and parts fell 8.7 per cent after hitting a record high in January.Imports of motor vehicles and parts lost 5.3 per cent in February, while consumer goods rose 6.9 per cent to partly offset the overall drop.In volume terms, total exports fell 0.9 per cent, while imports fell 0.8 per cent.This report by The Canadian Press was first published April ...

Ground stops at O'Hare, Midway airports due to severe weather across Chicago area

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:51 GMT

CHICAGO — A ground stop has been issued at Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports due to severe weather across the area Wednesday, according to the FAA.A number of watches and warnings have been issued:A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for the Chicago area until 11 a.m.A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Porter County IN until 8:45 a.m.A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been for La Porte IN, Westville IN and Trail Creek IN until 8:45 a.m.A Severe Thunderstorm Warning for areas including Valparaiso IN, Chesterton IN and South Haven IN until 8:45 a.m. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Winds could gust up to 70-75 mph, hail could reach 2” in diameter or greater and there is the threat of a few tornadoes as well. Non-thunderstorm winds could gust up to 45-50 mph.A Wind Advisory is also in effect between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. for the highlighted counties in the map below. Southwest winds 20-30 mph with gusts 45-50 mph are expected. Winds could blow a...

WATCH LIVE: Firefighter 'very critical' as CFD battles Gold Coast fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:51 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Fire Department is currently battling a high-rise fire on inner Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast that has injured two firefighters, one critically.At around 7:20 a.m., CFD tweeted that they responded to the 1200 block of North Lake Shore Drive, which is near the intersection of Division, for a still-and-box response.Initially, CFD said two firefighters have been injured. Then a short time later, a mayday response was called for a firefighter down. One firefighter is in "very" critical condition and another is in fair condition.CFD said the main body of the fire is out and the mayday response has been secured. However they are still addressing hot spots.On Tuesday morning, the department lost one of their own, 49-year-old Jermaine Pelt, in a South Side house fire. He had been with the department since 2005. WGN News will update this story once more information becomes available.

Florida college student faces charges after accidentally shooting himself on campus

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:51 GMT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) – A Florida college student is in critical condition after police say he accidentally shot himself while walking on campus Tuesday.According to WESH, 39-year-old Joseph Delbuono, a student at Daytona State College, shot himself while he was walking through the parking lot. The Daytona Beach Police Department said no one else was injured during the incident. “This appears to be an accidental discharge resulting in a gunshot wound to the upper thigh,” Daytona Beach police Chief Jakari Young said Tuesday. Officers found Delbuono unconscious, laying on top of a 9 mm handgun.Authorities are still trying to figure out why Delbuono was illegally carrying a gun on campus, WESH reported. ‘Shameful’: White House criticizes DeSantis for signing permitless carry into law The Daytona Beach Police Department said Delbuono was running later for class and surveillance footage showed him pulling into the parking lot and began heading toward a building. Seconds later, the...

Power outage temporarily closes ACC Round Rock campus Wednesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:51 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Austin Community College Round Rock campus is closed temporarily Wednesday due to a power outage. The school tweeted at 8:17 a.m. that the campus was closed due to a power outage. The campus is expected to reopen at 11 a.m., and the school said an update would be shared by 10:30 a.m.All other ACC campuses remain open. ACC did not say what the cause of the outage was, but a line of storms pushed through Central Texas early Wednesday morning, which could have contributed.

Weather: 60s in the forecast — and 70s, too

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:51 GMT

It may not feel like it outside today, but it’s about to get warm.The National Weather Service is forecasting much more spring-like weather this weekend, with a high near 62 on Saturday and 66 on Sunday. Those would be the first 60-degree days of the season.Next week could start, dare we say it, summer-like, with sunny skies and a high near 72 on Monday and 73 on Tuesday.Unfortunately, we will have to contend with a bit of cold first.Wednesday is expected to see falling temperatures from a morning high near 36. There will also be a chance for flurries.Thursday is expected be sunny with a high near 38 and Friday should also be sunny and warmer, with a high near 49.Related ArticlesLocal News | Obituary: Vera Tanasichuk, church founder and benefactor, never took no for an answer Local News | Further postponement pushes proposed Fairview-Sanford merger into summer Local News | Ramsey County appoints director of Financial Assistance Servic...