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Australian jury records first conviction of foreign interference against a Chinese agent

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian court on Tuesday recorded the first conviction under the nation’s foreign interference laws with a jury finding a Vietnamese refugee guilty of covertly working for the Chinese Communist Party.A Victoria state County Court jury convicted Melbourne businessman and local community leader Di Sanh Duong on a charge of preparing for or planning an act of foreign interference.He is the first person to be charged under federal laws created in 2018 that ban covert foreign interference in domestic politics and make industrial espionage for a foreign power a crime. The laws offended Australia’s most important trading partner, China, and accelerated a deterioration in bilateral relations.Duong, 68, had pleaded not guilty. He was released on bail after his conviction and will return to court in February to be sentenced. He faces a potential 10-year prison sentence.Prosecutors had argued that Duong planned to gain political influence in 2020 by cultivatin...

Turkey links Sweden’s NATO bid to US approving F-16 jet sales and Canada lifting arms embargo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership by Turkey’s parliament hinges on the U.S. Congress’ approval of Turkey’s request to purchase F-16 fighter jets, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, calling on the two legislatures to act “simultaneously.”In comments reported on Tuesday, Erdogan also said Canada and other NATO allies must lift arms embargoes imposed on Turkey.“Positive developments from the United States regarding the F-16 issue and Canada keeping its promises will accelerate our parliament’s positive view on (Sweden’s membership,)” Erdogan said. “All of these are linked.”He made the comments late Monday while returning from a visit to Hungary. Hungary and Turkey are the only two NATO members not to have formally approved Sweden’s bid to join the trans-Atlantic military alliance.Erdogan’s comments were reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency.He told reporters that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has raised the issue of a simultane...

Serbia’s ruling populists say weekend elections were fair despite international criticism, protests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia’s ruling populists insisted on Tuesday that weekend snap elections were free and fair despite criticism from international observers who noted multiple irregularities and unjust conditions for parties during the vote. Political tensions in Serbia soared over the snap parliamentary and local election on Sunday. Several thousand people rallied on Monday to protest alleged fraud at the ballot for municipal authorities in Belgrade, the capital. More protests are planned Tuesday.Early results showed victory of President Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party in both ballots. But its main opponents, the Serbia Against Violence alliance, say they were robbed of a win in Belgrade. Opposition leaders said they will not recognize the result in Belgrade, called protests and demanded that the vote be annulled and held again. The populists rejected the claims. “We are very happy how the election day went,” Milos Vucevic, the leader of the right-wi...

Millennial Money: 5 financial New Year’s resolutions for 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

The new year is upon us, and it’s a great time to plan for your financial future. Here are five financial resolutions to consider for 2024.1. GET A HIGH-INTEREST SAVINGS ACCOUNTInterest rates are still high on savings accounts right now, especially high-yield online savings accounts. Some accounts are offering more than 5% annual percentage yield, which is 10 times more than the national average on savings accounts. Take advantage of this “free” money by opening a new account with a high rate or upgrading your current one. Just make sure you avoid fees as much as possible, and choose a bank or credit union that is easy for you to access, either through remote customer service or in person. 2. FOCUS ON STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENTFor many, student loan payments resumed in 2023. If you’re feeling anxious or uncertain about how much you owe, it’s best to face the numbers head-on and see if there’s any way you can reduce your payments. For example, if you earn less money now than you did befo...

Meta’s initial decisions to remove 2 videos of Israel-Hamas war reversed by Oversight Board

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

MENLO PARK, Calif. (AP) — A quasi-independent review board is recommending that Facebook parent company Meta overturn two decisions it made this fall to remove posts “informing the world about human suffering on both sides” of the Israel-Hamas war. In both cases, Meta ended up reinstating the posts — one showing Palestinian casualties and the other, an Israeli hostage — on its own, although it added warning screens to both due to violent content. This means the company isn’t obligated to do anything about the board’s decision. That said, the board also said it disagrees with Meta’s decision to bar the posts in question from being recommended by Facebook and Instagram, “even in cases where it had determined posts intended to raise awareness.” And it said Meta’s use of automated tools to remove “potentially harmful” content increased the likelihood of taking down “valuable posts” that not only raise awareness about the conflict but may contain evidence of human...

Man, teen critical after apartment fire in Back of the Yards

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

CHICAGO —Two people are hospitalized following a massive fire at an apartment complex on the city's Southwest Side.The fire started around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday at a building on the corner of 47th Street and Wolcott Avenue in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.Chicago fire transported two victims to Stroger Hospital; a 47-year-old man and 14-year-old girl who are both listed in critical condition with severe burns. The fire was struck around 5 a.m. Woman arrested after crashing into Forest Park storefront It is unclear what caused the fire. An investigation is underway.

Tuesday Forecast: Cold with temps in low 30s, increasing clouds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

CHICAGO — Cold conditions with temperatures in low 30s. Increasing clouds. Winds: SSW 5-10 G20. High: 33. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Mostly cloudy tonight. Winds: SSW 5-10 G20. Low: 31.Wednesday Forecast: Mostly sunny Wednesday. Winds: ESE 5-10 G15. High: 41.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Rain chances begin midweek, continue through holiday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Today will likely be our driest day of the next seven as a stretch of daily rain chances begins tomorrow.Afternoon highs will return to the mid-60s today under a partly sunny sky. Filtered sunshine will take off a few degrees compared to yesterday's temperatures, but overall, expect a pleasant Tuesday.Overnight, southerly winds will bring up enough Gulf moisture to allow for the possible development of fog and drizzle. We'll keep a low chance for a spot shower in the forecast through the day Wednesday, but most areas are expected to stay dry.Change in the weather patternA powerful Pacific storm system continues to churn off the West Coast through midweek. Out ahead of the main storm, a few disturbances will begin to increase rain chances Thursday and Friday.Daily rain chances begin midweek and continue through Christmas DayAs of now, it looks like there will be at least two defined rounds of rain - the first beginning late Thursday into Friday and the second coming ...

Bennington Police increasing DUI checkpoints amid holiday season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) -- The Bennington Police Department will be increasing the number of DUI sobriety checkpoints on the roads during Christmas week in the town of Bennington. Along with Vermont and County Law enforcement, the goal will be to get impaired drivers off the roadway, as well as increase seatbelt enforcement, and reduce crashes overall. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! If you plan on drinking, you are urged to have a designated driver and always wear a seat belt.

Annual 'Shop with a Cop' program taking place today

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

FARMINGTON, Mo. - The region's largest 'Shop with a Cop' program is taking place Tuesday in Farmington.In a couple hours, more than 500 kids will get to go on a shopping spree alongside law enforcement and first responders. It's a day where law enforcement officers and first responders come together to spread holiday cheer.Last year, the St. Francois County Shop with a Cop program served 584 children, providing them with gifts they might not have received otherwise. Around 200 police officers and other first responders from throughout the state are known to participate. This year's event is taking place at the Walmart on Walton Drive in Farmington. You Paid For It: St. Charles City employees to receive paid holiday break The St. Francis County Shop with a Cop program receives support from all corners of the region, including St. Louis.The i-b-e-w/{neek-uh} Neca Electrical Connection has been a generous supporter for almost three decades. They've donated $5,000 for the cause this y...