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Sweden’s prime minister “extremely concerned” as new applications to burn religious books pour in

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:03:41 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden’s prime minister said Thursday that police have received several permit applications for the burning of religious texts in the country next week, and that he fears this may escalate tensions further with the Muslim world.In his first public comments since the start of the Quran burning crisis that has severely strained Stockholm’s ties with Muslim nations, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told Swedish news agency TT he was “extremely concerned” about a new wave of desecrations.“It’s the police that make those decisions, not me. If they (permits) are granted, we face a number of days with the obvious risk of serious things happening,” Kristersson told TT. A recent string of public Quran desecrations by a handful of anti-Islam activists in Sweden – and more recently in neighboring Denmark – has sparked angry demonstrations in Muslim countries.Sweden does not have a law specifically prohibiting the burning or desecration of the Quran or other religious...

Greek wildfires trigger blasts at ammunition dump. EU agency records a huge carbon emissions spike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:03:41 GMT

RHODES, Greece (AP) — Wildfires caused explosions Thursday at an air force ammunition dump in central Greece that had been safely evacuated in advance, as strong gusts of wind caused flare-ups around the country.The fires have raged across parts of Greece during three successive Mediterranean heat waves over two weeks, leaving five people dead, including two firefighting pilots, and triggering a huge evacuation of tourists over the weekend on the island of Rhodes.A blaze in the region of Volos, in central Greece, reached an ammunition dump outside a major military air base in Nea Anchialos, triggering a series of large explosions that broke windows in a surrounding area.The air force said the site, about 6 kilometers ( about 4 miles) north of the airbase, had been evacuated well in advance and no injuries were reported. Several villages in the broader area were ordered evacuated as a precaution.The wildfire burned on two fronts and forced a section of Greece’s busiest highway to clo...

Presidents of Indonesia and China meet to discuss joint projects and regional politics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:03:41 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in southwestern China for talks about joint projects, including the development of Indonesia’s capital.Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the governments of China and Indonesia signed several agreements, including a memorandum of understanding on exchanging knowledge and experience for the development of Nusantara.During their meeting in Chengdu, the two leaders also were discussing investments, cooperation in areas such as health, research and technology, and regional issues, including China’s relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to a statement from Widodo.“The Indo-Pacific is a strategic area that we must protect as a peaceful and stable area,” said Indonesia’s president, whose country is chairing the ASEAN this year. Widodo is on a three-day visit to China and also plans to meet with Chinese businesspeople to discuss possible investm...

S&P/TSX composite inches lower in late-morning trading Thursday, U.S. markets rise

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:03:41 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s main stock index inched lower in late-morning trading, weighed down by telecoms and utilities, while U.S. markets rose. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 4.34 points at 20,557.30.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 34.07 points at 35,554.19. The S&P 500 index was up 24.73 points at 4,591.48, while the Nasdaq composite was up 167.69 points at 14,294.98.The Canadian dollar traded for 75.77 cents UScompared with 75.64 cents US on Wednesday.The September crude oil contract was up US$1.27 at US$80.05 per barrel and the September natural gas contract was down 10 cents at US$2.59 per mmBTU.The August gold contract was down US$25.40 at US$1,944.70 an ounce and the September copper contract was down three cents at US$3.86 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD=X)The Canadian Press

Nearly two months into his term, Nigeria’s leader finally proposes cabinet to legislators

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:03:41 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu on Thursday forwarded 28 ministerial nominees to federal legislators for confirmation as he seeks to finally set up his cabinet to lead Africa’s most populous country.The long-awaited list featuring six women was presented to the Nigerian Senate by Tinubu’s chief of staff Femi Gbajabiamila, a day before the deadline and nearly two months after the Nigerian leader took office. On the list with no assigned portfolios are four former governors and three presidential aides. It also features prominent professionals such as Muhammed Ali Pate, a former Nigerian health minister and former director at World Bank who recently turned down an appointment to lead the global vaccine alliance Gavi.Tinubu on May 29 took the reins of Africa’s largest economy, a nation of more than 210 million people, after promising to build on the achievements of his successor and end chronic bad governance that has stifled development. In addition to his ...

Boy, 14, charged with 7 armed robberies in less than hour: Chicago police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:03:41 GMT

CHICAGO — A 14-year-old boy has been charged in seven different armed robberies that occured in less than an hour on Tuesday.The boy faces 12 felony counts of armed robbery with a firearm, one misdemeanor count of criminal trespass to a vehicle and one misdemeanor count of battery.Police said the teen was arrested Tuesday after being identified as the offender who took property at gunpoint from multiple victims earlier that morning.The incidents occurred at the following times and locations: 1:50 a.m. - 1100 block of W. Taylor (12th District); a 29-year-old male victim  1:55 a.m. - 1100 block of S. Canal (1st District); 38-year-old female & 45-year-old male victims  2 a.m. - 700 block of W. Taylor (12th District); 36-year-old female & 24-year-old male victims   2:20 a.m. - 2400 block of S. Canal (9th District); 28-year-old female victim  2:24 a.m. - 2500 block of S. Halsted (9th District); 4...

WATCH LIVE | Biden looks to provide relief from extreme heat as record high temperatures persist across the US

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:03:41 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — With heat waves spreading across the United States, President Joe Biden on Thursday plans to unveil new steps to protect workers, improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible, the White House says.The announcement comes as nearly 40% of the U.S. population faces heat advisories, according to the National Weather Service. High temperatures have already scorched the Southwest this month, and more heat is expected in the Midwest and the Northeast in the coming days. Washington won't be spared, and the heat index could reach 110 on Friday. It's a worldwide problem, and scientists calculate that July will be the hottest month on record.Biden's plans represent an effort to address the immediate effects of climate change as he faces pressure from fellow Democrats and labor groups to do more to safeguard vulnerable populations. The steps supplement his long-term agenda for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and deploying clean energy technology, policie...

WATCH LIVE | 'Skip-the-Line' program coming to all Illinois DMVs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:03:41 GMT

ILLINOIS — Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is implementing a Skip-the-Line program across Illinois.Giannoulias first discussed the idea for such a program two years ago when he was simply a candidate for the Secretary of State position. In his announcement at the time, he described an online booking system available at all driver's license facilities in Illinois which would allow user to make an appointment and avoid walk-in lines. He added walk-in customers would still be welcome. Thursday Forecast: Heat Advisory issued for parts of area, isolated storms possible tonight His predecessor had implemented a pilot of a similar program at some suburban DMVs, however Giannoulias wants to see the online scheduling statewide in addition to increasing the number of services offered online and over the phone.The Secretary of State is scheduled to announce details of the Sept. 1 program launch Thursday morning.WGN plans to livestream the announcement within this story beginning at appr...

2018-2023 Nissan Leaf EV recalled for cruise-control acceleration flaw

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:03:41 GMT

(Green Car Reports) -- Nissan is recalling 2018-2023 Leaf electric cars to address a potential issue that could cause vehicles to accelerate unintentionally after using cruise control.The recall covers Leafs manufactured from September 29, 2017, to March 15, 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall population of 66,159 vehicles represents every Leaf built for the U.S. market during that time.Faulty programming logic in the vehicle control modules of affected vehicles could cause an application of torque if the driver applies and releases the accelerator pedal within eight seconds of deactivating cruise control, adaptive cruise control, or ProPilot Assist (essentially adaptive cruise control plus automated lane centering), shifting from “D” to “B” or Eco mode, or activating the Leaf’s e-Pedal regenerative braking feature.2023 Nissan LeafNissan and the NHTSA appear to be saying that vehicles will keep accelerating until the brake pedal ...

Man finds nearly 10-foot long boa constrictor in backyard in Virginia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:03:41 GMT

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – A slithering surprise shocked one Virginia Beach man while he was mowing his yard.Michael Peck is used to seeing critters pop up in his backyard. What he was not expecting was a nearly 10-foot snake slithering around while he was cutting the grass."At first I just kind of shrieked as a normal person would, seeing a snake of that size," Peck told Nexstar's WAVY. Is this summer’s extreme heat the new normal? Peck froze and contemplated his next move."I have a little miniature dachshund. A snake that size could easily strangle and swallow my dog," Peck said.That's when he recognized the snake was a red-tailed boa constrictor — a non-venomous species."I love snakes. Venomous snakes are one thing. I used to own a red-tailed boa that almost got to the size that he or she was. I'm very comfortable around those types of animals. Its just very scary seeing it out in the wild out of nowhere," Peck explained.Peck told WAVY the snake appeared to be in distress and...