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Belarus arrests a prominent journalist in continued crackdown on dissent

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:25:08 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Authorities in Belarus have arrested a prominent journalist working with the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the latest step in a yearslong crackdown on opposition figures, independent journalists and human rights activists.The Belarusian Association of Journalists said Ihar Karnei, 55, was arrested in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, on Monday. His apartment was raided, with police seizing phones and computers, Karnei’s daughter, Polina, told The Associated Press. The authorities have offered no explanation for the arrest and the searches. However, RFE/RL has been labeled extremist in Belarus, and working with it or spreading its content is punishable by up to seven years in prison. Karnei has worked with RFE/RL’s Belarusian and Russian services since 2000, but hasn’t been using his byline in recent years. Belarus’ oldest and most prominent human rights group, Viasna, reported that Karnei has been placed in the Akrestina pretrial detention center,...

Thousands died in the Philippines’ ‘war on drugs.’ An international probe will now go ahead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:25:08 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court ruled Tuesday that an investigation into the Philippines’ so-called “war on drugs” can resume, rejecting Manila’s objections to the case going ahead at the global court.The court’s investigation was suspended in late 2021 after the Philippines said it was already probing the same allegations and argued that the ICC — a court of last resort — therefore didn’t have jurisdiction.The Philippines launched its appeal after judges in January agreed with the court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, that deferring the investigation to Manila was “not warranted.” At the time, judges ruled that the domestic proceedings did not amount to “tangible, concrete and progressive investigative steps in a way that would sufficiently mirror the court’s investigation.”At a hearing Tuesday, Presiding Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut said that the five-judge appeals panel, in a majority decision, agreed and rejected the Phi...

The Biden administration announces a cybersecurity labeling program for smart devices

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:25:08 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration and major consumer technology players on Tuesday launched an effort to put a nationwide cybersecurity certification and labeling program in place to help consumers choose smart devices that are less vulnerable to hacking.Officials likened the new U.S. Cyber Trust Mark initiative — to be overseen by the Federal Communications Commission, with industry participation voluntary — to the Energy Star program, which rates appliances’ energy efficiency.“It will allow Americans to confidently identify which internet- and Bluetooth-connected devices are cybersecure,” deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger told reporters in a pre-announcement briefing. She listed Amazon, Best Buy, Google, Samsung and Logitech as among industry participants.Devices including baby monitors, home security cameras, fitness trackers, TVs, refrigerators and smart climate control systems that meet the U.S. government’s cybersecurity requirements will bear the “Cyber...

PHOTOS: Australian sailor and his dog lost at sea for 3 months rescued by tuna boat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:25:08 GMT

MANZANILLO, Mexico (AP) — An Australian sailor who had been adrift at sea with his dog for three months has been rescued by a Mexican tuna boat in international waters, the fishing vessel's owner said Monday.Timothy Lyndsay Shaddock, 54, was aboard his incapacitated catamaran Aloha Toa in the Pacific about 1200 miles (1900 kilometers) from land when the crew of the boat from the Grupomar fleet spotted them, the company said in a statement.In this July 12, 2023 photo provided by Grupomar/Atun Tuny, Australian Tim Shaddock sits with his dog Bella after being rescued by a Mexican tuna boat in international waters, after being adrift with his dog for three months. Haddock and his dog, Bella were aboard his incapacitated catamaran Aloha Toa some 1,200 miles from land when they were rescued. (Grupomar/Atun Tuny via AP)In this July 12, 2023 photo provided by Grupomar/Atun Tuny, Australian Tim Shaddock has is blood pressure taken after being rescued by a Mexican tuna boat in international w...

No Powerball winner yet, jackpot hits $1 billion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:25:08 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - The Powerball jackpot rose yet again to an estimated $1 billion after no winning ticket was sold for the latest drawing.No ticket for Monday’s drawing matched the white balls 5, 8, 9, 17, 41 and red Powerball 2. The jackpot was estimated at $900 million.The new jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing would be the third highest in U.S. history and will keep growing until someone wins. Ticket buyers have a chance at $1 billion paid out in yearly increments or a $516.8 million one-time lump sum before taxes.Three people won $2 million after matching all five numbers plus the Power Play, lottery officials said. The winning tickets were sold in Arkansas, Georgia and Texas.Five people won $1 million after matching all five numbers. The winning tickets were sold in Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, New York and Pennsylvania.The game’s abysmal odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to build big prizes that draw more players. The largest Powerball jackpot was $2.04 billion Power...

2 dead after crash on SH 71

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:25:08 GMT

GARFIELD, Texas (KXAN) – The Department of Public Safety said Tuesday two people died after a crash between a tanker truck and a Chevy Tahoe on State Highway 71 late Monday night. According to Austin-Travis County EMS, the crash happened around 11 p.m. in the westbound lanes of 71 near Albert Brown Drive in Garfield in Eastern Travis County.DPS told KXAN the Chevy Tahoe was crossing westbound lanes of 71 to go to Albert Brown Drive. According to DPS, the Tahoe failed to yield right of way to the Mack tanker truck and the truck's front end hit the Tahoe's right side. DPS said both the driver and the passenger of the Chevy Tahoe were pronounced dead the scene. ATCEMS said a third patient refused transport. ATCEMS said paramedics, Travis County Fire Rescue and the Austin Fire Department responded to the crash. DPS said westbound lanes of 71 were shut down overnight. A KXAN photographer at the scene said the highway reopened at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Siena's Valencia Fontenelle-Posson embraces leadership role

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:25:08 GMT

LOUDONVILLE, NY (NEWS10) -- The Siena women's basketball team is in the midst of it's offseason program. When observing the workouts, one thing is abundantly clear. Junior guard Valencia Fontenelle-Posson continues to be leader for this Saints team. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The Guilderland graduate was named a captain last season as just a sophomore. The leadership role is one she continues to embrace, as one of just three upperclassmen this season. "I take a lot of pride in that because I just love seeing people around me succeed," said Fotenelle-Posson. "When London [Gamble] hits that max and we're all hype, I just love the energy with that, or Savannah [Wilson]'s running and she's sprinting that whole mile and we're all super-duper hyped for each other, that's the feeling that I work for every single day so I just love it."Head coach Jim Jabir says that while Fotenelle-Posson has grown a lot, she had a great found...

Christian Brothers Academy sues NYSPHSAA, Section 2

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:25:08 GMT

ALBANY, NY (NEWS10) -- Christian Brothers Academy has shown plenty of fight on the football field, winning back to back Section 2 Class AA titles. Now they're taking that fight to the courts. CBA is suing both the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and Section 2. The lawsuit seeks to overrule the decision to punish CBA for violating NYSPHSAA's Recruitment and Undue Influence rule. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! In January, Section 2's Athletic Council voted unanimously to place CBA on probation for three years, and suspend the football for Week Zero of the upcoming season. CBA appealed the decision on March 14, but the appeal was denied by NYSPHSAA. CBA filed the lawsuit in the Albany County Supreme Court through the law firm Girvin & Ferlazzo. The alleged violation stems from communication a junior varsity football coach had with the father of a student in the Saratoga Springs City School District...

'Heat storm' stretches into southern Europe, health alerts issued

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:25:08 GMT

Italy issued hot weather red alerts for 16 cities on Sunday (16 July), with meteorologists warning that temperatures will hit record highs across southern Europe in the coming days.Spain, Italy and Greece have been experiencing scorching temperatures for several days already, damaging agriculture and leaving tourists scurrying for shade.But a new anticyclone dubbed Charon, who in Greek mythology was the ferryman of the dead, pushed into the region from north Africa on Sunday and could lift temperatures above 45 Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) in parts of Italy early this week."We need to prepare for a severe heat storm that, day after day, will blanket the whole country," Italian weather news service Meteo.it warned on Sunday."In some places ancient heat records will be broken."Greece closed the ancient Acropolis during the hottest part of the day on Friday to protect tourists.Italy's Health Minister Orazio Schillaci said people needed to take care visiting Rome's famous ruins."Going to th...

Horoscopes July 18, 2023: Vin Diesel, win the respect and support you require

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:25:08 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Chace Crawford, 38; Priyanka Chopra, 41; Kristen Bell, 43; Vin Diesel, 56.Happy Birthday: Lift any barriers holding you back and prepare to forge ahead enthusiastically. Act, live up to your promises and influence those searching for a better lifestyle. Don’t make unnecessary physical changes or give a false impression to the people you want to impress. Be yourself, follow through with your plans, and let your charm and intelligence win the respect and support you require to reach your goal. Your numbers are 6, 13, 17, 25, 36, 40, 44.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Let your actions send an encouraging message to others to pitch in and help. Get involved in an event that makes you feel passionate about a cause and hopeful about the future. Mix business with pleasure, and you’ll connect with someone interesting. 5 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Reevaluate along the way, and you’ll make better decisions. Concentrate on what’s necessary i...