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Conervatives prevail in key vote for new Chile constitution

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:50:50 GMT

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A far-right party led in the vote count Sunday night after Chileans cast ballots for a 50-member commission that is to draft a new coonstitution after voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposed charter last year that was considered one of the world’s most progressive.It was a major defeat for Chile’s center-left president, Gabriel Boric, with the vote also widely viewed as a referendum on his government, which currently has an approval rating of around 30%.With 91% of polling stations reporting, the Republican Party, led by far-right José Antonio Kast, who lost the presidential runoff to Boric in 2021, led with 35% of the vote. The Republican Party has long opposed changing the constitution that was imposed by the dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet.A coalition of left-leaning parties allied with Boric, Unity for Chile was in second place with 28% of the vote. A center-right alliance, Safe Chile, was in third with 21%. Null or blank votes made up 21% of the t...

Boat capsizes in southern India, at least 20 people dead

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:50:50 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — Twenty people, including women and children, died after a boat carrying more than 30 passengers capsized on Sunday night near a beach in India’s southern state of Kerala, local media reported. “The boat is being hauled ashore and more bodies are expected to be recovered from inside,” Sports Minister V Abdurahiman told the Press Trust of India news agency, adding that four people in critical condition were admitted to a hospital. Rescuers had reached Tanur, a coastal town in the state’s Malappuram district, where the capsizing occurred near Thoovaltheeram beach. It’s not clear what caused the boat to overturn.The Associated Press

Former Liberal cabinet minister Marc Lalonde has died at age 93

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:50:50 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed that former federal Liberal minister Marc Lalonde has died at age 93.Lalonde was the principal secretary to former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau from 1968 to 1972.Trudeau said in a tweet on Sunday evening that Lalonde “was brilliant” and that his death represents an “enormous loss” to Canada.Trudeau says Lalonde “ultimately transformed the way we thought about health and, in doing so, he no doubt changed — and saved — countless lives.”The Canadian Museum of History says Lalonde interrupted a legal and academic career to serve as a special legal adviser to former prime minister John Diefenbaker’s minister of justice, E. Davie Fulton, from 1959 to 1960.The museum says Lalonde also became a special adviser to former prime minister Lester Pearson in 1967 and successfully ran for Parliament in 1972, serving as minister of national health and welfare from 1972 to 1977.

Fire in gold mine kills at least 27, Peruvian officials say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:50:50 GMT

LIMA, Peru (AP) — A fire broke out deep in a gold mine in southern Peru and killed at least 27 workers during an overnight shift, Peruvian authorities reported.The Yanaquihua mining company said in a statement that a total of 175 workers had been safely evacuated after the accident, which happened late Friday or early Saturday. It said the 27 dead worked for a contractor that specializes in mining.Government officials said the cause of the incident was under investigation. Some news reports said preliminary investigations indicated an explosion might have been set off by a short circuit in a part of the mine about 100 meters (330 feet) below the surface.Relatives of the victims were brought by buses to the mine in Yanaquihua in the Arequipa region, where they were briefed by security agents. Some sat in front of posters at the entrance to the mine to wait for the bodies of their loved ones.Marcelina Aguirre said her husband was among the dead. She said he had told her there were ris...

IL Congressman hosts virtual panel on constitutional sheriffs movement

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:50:50 GMT

A virtual panel convened Sunday night where members discussed the history of the 'Constitutional Sheriff's Movement' and how dangerous they believe the movement is considered. Hosted by Illinois Congressman Sean Casten (6th District) and Professor Jason DeSanto from the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, the panel described the movement as being comprised of people who believe local sheriff's should hold higher authority in their home counties than any other person or government body."Often framed in terms of liberty, [it] may often be a threat to our liberty," DeSanto said.The movement picked up steam in Illinois following the January signing of the 'Protect Illinois Communities Act' (PICA) signed by Governor JB Pritzker.PICA came about following the Highland Park Mass Shooting and carries penalties for anyone who "carries or possesses … manufactures, sells, delivers, imports, or purchases any assault weapon."It wasn't long before the PICA faced opposition though."Illi...

After a chilly start to May, warmer temps could be in store for the next week and a half—but the third week of May could be cooler than average

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:50:50 GMT

WGN weekly climate report:The first week of May in the books for Chicago and after a chilly start to the month—temps have jumped to well above normal in the last few days. Our first 80 of May happened Sunday, and with some mugginess we really haven't seen so far this spring.Our latest pollen report shows high levels of tree pollen. Mold spores and grasses are low—but warm breezy days like today can lift the large grass pollen quite a bit and maybe even right into your sinuses. Grass pollen typically will rise as tree pollen starts to fall off later this month.Days are getting longer as we get closer to summer solstice next month. By next Friday, Chicagoland will see our first sunset of the year after 8 pm. Enjoy the longer days!Rainfall has been lacking in the first 6 days of the month. May is typically our wettest month of the year so that's why we're already down 3/4 of an inch of rain. The lack of rain in the Great Plains continues to cause some serious to extreme dry condit...

Austin voters approve proposition expanding police oversight

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:50:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Voters in Austin overwhelmingly approved expanding police oversight. Proposition A received 79% support in Saturday's election. "It's a really big victory. There's a strong mandate for improving police oversight and transparency in the city," said Equity Action Board President Chris Harris. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Austin Police oversight vote: early voting results are in What happens now?The measure expands civilian oversight over the Austin Police Department in several ways. It allows the Office of Police Oversight to participate in investigations of officer conduct including anonymous complaints. It also gives its members direct access to all police records. "They should have full, unfettered access to all the information around issues around incidents of misconduct and throughout investigations," Harris said. Harris said now that Prop A passed, the city can implement those changes on its own. But there are other parts of the proposition that don't align with current...

Former head of board that oversaw St. Louis police weighs in on possible return of state control

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:50:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS – With violence swirling around St. Louis, debate is ongoing in Jefferson City on whether the state should take over the city’s police department.The state ran the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department until 2013, when citizens voted to return control of police to the police. But the department’s disputes with St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, who recently announced she’ll step down June 1, and other issues has led many lawmakers to believe police would be better off if Jefferson City ran things rather that St. Louis officials.St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones is dead set against losing control of the police and having that go to the state of Missouri, much like Kansas City.The Ethical Society of Police, which represents Black officers, is in agreement with the St. Louis Police Officers Association that a state takeover would be for the best.Chris Goodson, a former head of the city police board, oversaw the department under state control. He was appointed to the boar...

PHOTOS: Phoenix Suns 129, Denver Nuggets 124 in Game 4 of NBA Western Conference semifinals

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:50:50 GMT

All of Nikola Jokic’s brilliance couldn’t out-shine the Suns in Game 4 here Sunday afternoon.Serve: Held. Series: Tied. From here: Best of three beginning Tuesday in Denver for a trip to the Western Conference Finals.Related ArticlesDenver Nuggets | PHOTOS: 20th annual Longmont Cinco de Mayo celebration at Roosevelt Park Denver Nuggets | PHOTOS: Phoenix Suns 121, Denver Nuggets 114 in Game 3 of NBA playoffs series Denver Nuggets | PHOTOS: Uber and Lyft drivers hold protest, calling for change in working conditions Denver Nuggets | PHOTOS: Denver Nuggets 97, Phoenix Suns 87 in Game 2 of NBA playoffs series Denver Nuggets | PHOTOS: Colorado Avalanche knocked off by Seattle Kraken in Game 7, NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs This is where the Nuggets and Suns find themselves after Devin Booker and Kevin Durant dazzled for 36 points apiece and Phoenix ran past Denver, 129-124 to level the series at two home wins apie...

DU women’s lacrosse rolls to third straight Big East title, will host NCAA Tournament regional for first time

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:50:50 GMT

The University of Denver women’s lacrosse team isn’t just chasing a national title, it’s chasing perfection.The Pioneers moved to 19-0 after taking down No. 24 UConn 11-6 on its own field in the Big East championship game in Storrs, Conn on Sunday. With the win, the Pios have now won three consecutive Big East Tournament titles.Next up is the NCAA Tournament, which the Pios will enter as the No. 5 overall seed with a first-round matchup against Southern California (16-3-0) at 3 p.m. Friday in Denver. It marks the first time the DU women have hosted a regional at Peter Barton Stadium.DU goaltender Emelia Bohi was named the tournament’s most outstanding player after making 13 saves in the title game, including 6 of 8 free-position shots. She’s the first keeper to win the award since Loyola’s Kerry Stoothoff in 2012.The Pios outshot UConn 39-26 and held a 16-5 edge in draw controls, led by Abby Jenkins’ seven.Senior Julia Gilbert scored a game-high f...