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Nigeria’s leader replaces security chiefs in major shakeup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:56 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — President Bola Tinubu has replaced the chiefs of all of Nigeria’s security services in a major shakeup that takes effect immediately, the presidency said Monday.A statement from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s office said replacements were named to lead the military and police as the West African nation’s struggles with conflicts in several regions as well as violence crime.The shakeup changed the heads of the army, air force, navy, police and defense intelligence.Nigeria is confronted by a variety of security problems, including an Islamic extremist insurgency linked to the Islamic State group in the northeast, rebels in the northwest and secessionists in the southeast. Thousands have been killed in the last year amid worsening fighting.Tinubu took office as president in May with security as a top priority of his administration. On his first day in office, he said: “We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means ...

In Mexico, primary candidate proposes central role for president’s son in next administration

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:56 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A primary candidate for Mexico’s June 2024 presidential elections proposed Monday giving the president’s son a central role in the next administration. The proposal by candidate Marcelo Ebrard raised the specter of a national political dynasty being born in Mexico, where traditionally they were frowned on. Ebrard said that if he wins the nomination of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s Morena party, he would appoint the president’s son, Andrés Manuel López Beltrán — better known as Andy — to a newly created Cabinet post to ensure his father’s legacy. While López Beltrán has not publicly commented on the proposal, it would appear to be a way to solve a central problem for Morena.The young, disparate party was largely found around, and centered on, López Obrador’s personal popularity and charisma, which all the contenders to succeed him lack. The six-way primary race will be decided in September by a series of polls.The inclusion of his son was an obvious...

4 wounded after man with axe attacks diners at 3 New Zealand restaurants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:56 GMT

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Four people were hospitalized in New Zealand after a man armed with an axe began attacking diners at random at three neighboring Chinese restaurants, according to police and witnesses.Police said the man began the attack at about 9 p.m. Monday in the north Auckland suburb of Albany. They said they arrested a 24-year-old suspect at the scene and had charged him with wounding and intending to cause grievous bodily harm. Police did not immediately offer a motive for the attack.Auckland City Hospital said Tuesday one patient from the attack remained there in a stable condition. North Shore Hospital said it had one patient with moderate injuries and a second with minor injuries, both of whom were in a stable condition, and had earlier discharged a third patient. A diner told the New Zealand Herald newspaper he was eating dinner with a friend when the man walked in and started attacking his friend, who was seriously injured.“I was in shock. When I realized w...

No investigation of political interference allegations in SNC-Lavalin affair: RCMP

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:56 GMT

OTTAWA — The RCMP says it is not investigating allegations of political interference in the federal handling of criminal charges against engineering firm SNC-Lavalin.In a statement today, the Mounties set the record straight after a recent response to a public interest group’s Access to Information request suggested the Mounties were conducting such a probe.In 2015, SNC-Lavalin Group and two of its affiliates, SNC-Lavalin Construction and SNC-Lavalin International, were charged with corruption of a foreign public official and fraud stemming from business dealings in Libya. SNC-Lavalin had unsuccessfully pressed the director of prosecutions to negotiate a special settlement — known as a remediation agreement — out of concern the company could be barred from federal contracts for a decade if convicted of criminal charges.In early 2019,  the Globe and Mail newspaper reported that prime ministerial aides leaned on Jody Wilson-Raybould, who was the federal attorney general at the t...

1 dead, 3 wounded after drive-by shooting in South Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:56 GMT

CHICAGO — A drive-by shooting in South Chicago claimed the life of a 20-year-old male and left three others hospitalized, Chicago police said Monday. According to police, at around 2:35 p.m., in the 3200 block of W. 79th Street, the four males were traveling inside a vehicle when occupants of a car driving in the opposite direction opened fire. SEE ALSO: Minutes after reported Near West Side shooting, crowds twerk & taunt copsThe victim's vehicle struck a semi-truck at the intersection of W. 79th Street and Columbus. The offending vehicle then fled the scene, police added. The 20-year-old male suffered a headshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The three remaining victims — ages 21, 19 and 16 — were struck in various limbs and taken to separate hospitals.Four weapons were also recovered from the scene, police said. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesNo one is in custody.Anyone with information may leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.SkyCam9 flew above the scene...

No injuries reported after helicopter crashes into Cedar Lake

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:56 GMT

CEDAR LAKE, Ind. -- A helicopter crashed into a Northwestern Indiana lake Monday afternoon.According to the Federal Aviation administration (FAA), a Robinson R-22 helicopter crashed into Cedar Lake in Cedar Lake, Indiana, around 2 p.m. on Monday, June 19. Pregnant woman drowns in lake in NW Indiana, ID’d Two people were reportedly onboard the helicopter. Both were able to able to make it out safely and are expected to recover.Crews were able to pull the helicopter out of the water.The NTSB are expected to provide more information as it becomes available. Emergency crews remain on scene at this time.The investigation is ongoing.Stay with WGN as this story develops.

'I knew what I was inheriting,' says Mayor Johnson after another violent weekend in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:56 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson held an event celebrating funding for a memorial to those who were victims of police torture. It’s what he wanted to talk about today, but questions about summer violence remain on the front burner. Johnson highlighted something good in the city — grant money for eight new monuments. But the news comes after another reminder this past weekend that violence persists in Chicago.  Minutes after reported Near West Side shooting, crowds twerk & taunt cops At least 10 people died and 60 were shot across the city over the Juneteenth weekend. In all, Chicago police say 271 people have been murdered and there have been 1,074 shootings."Look, I knew what I was inheriting when I became the mayor of the city of Chicago," Johnson told reporters. "I knew it."For Chicago police, despite adjusting to a new interim superintendent and new mayor, the department continues to try and stem the tide.One commander, explaining a Father’s Day incident where five ...

Gage Park Fieldhouse expected to house over 300 migrants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:56 GMT

CHICAGO -- The field house in Gage Park will become temporary housing by July 1 for more than 300 migrants who are currently staying in area police stations.Alderman Raymond Lopez led the plan after proposing the idea under certain circumstances: The center must be safe, healthy, and temporary.Lopez said the work will get done alongside Mayor Brandon Johnson's Administration and several community agenices.Gage Park's campus would remain open and accessible to the public for various league games and general park use.Before the July 1 move-in date, Lopez said a number of improvements will be made to the 100-year-old structure.The center will have a dining hall, two separate shower rooms, activity rooms and other spaces for health, cultural and educational usage.Alderman Raymond Lopez stressed Monday that the center will be a temporary shelter:"We are moving heaven and earth to be able to welcome over 300 of the individuals who are currently existing in police stations into Gage Park. ...

After additions, what are the expectations for the 2023 Bears?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:56 GMT

CHICAGO — A new year & several new additions bring more expectations for the Bears in 2023, but how much is realistic to expect from this group?There are more pieces in place than there were a year ago when general manager Ryan Poles shed payroll in his start to reconstructing the team. A No. 1 overall pick netted a top wide receiver along with future draft capital while a few positions were bolstered by the addition of veterans. Certainly quarterback Justin Fields has better protection and a deep threat with D.J. Moore while the defense solidified what could be a linebacker group to build on. Yet this is a team coming off of a 3-14 season and still is looking to fill holes along with adding depth to the current roster. Players are still trying to perfect a new defensive system brought by head coach Matt Eberflus and defensive coordinator Alan Williams while the offense continues to grow under second year coordinator Luke Getsy.Both are factors in weighing what's realistic to ex...

'Death Star' bill signed by Gov. Abbott, here are some of the impacts in Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:13:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A bill dubbed the 'death star' bill by opponents -- which was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott last week -- will nix some local rules like mandatory water breaks for construction workers, eviction moratoriums and protections against predatory lending. HB 2127 will not allow local governments to have laws more strict than the state's in several areas including labor and environment. Democratic lawmakers fought the bill, saying it targets progressive ordinances passed by city lawmakers. Those behind the bill say it's a solution to a years-long push from the business community to make it easier to comply with rules and regulations across the state. Austin-aimed bills in the legislative session: What’s headed to the governor, what’s not "It was really disappointing to see that the governor signed that bill. I think that for cities throughout the state, it's gonna tie their hands in setting policies that are meant to protect the citizens of their areas," Rep. Vikki Goodwin,...