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Tunisian journalist sentenced to 5 years in prison for counterterrorism reporting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:27 GMT

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — A Tunisian appeals court has sentenced a journalist to five years in prison for revealing details of a counterterrorism operation and refusing to reveal his sources, according to his lawyer, prompting outcry from media rights advocates.Khalifa Guesmi’s lawyer said he would appeal to Tunisia’s highest court. More than 30 rights groups issued a statement denouncing the conviction and expressing concern about a growing crackdown on dissent.It appeared to be the worst sentence against a journalist in Tunisia since the 2011 Arab Spring revolution pushed out a long-serving autocrat and ushered in a new democratic system with more media freedom.Guesmi had been sentenced to one year in prison by a lower court. Counterterrorism judges at the Tunis appeals court on Monday upheld the conviction and toughened the sentence to five years, Guesmi said in a Facebook post Tuesday.Guesmi was convicted of intentionally divulging sensitive security information in an article about ...

Russia poised to decide if Ukraine’s grain deal survives. That’s a risk to global food security

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:27 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — The United Nations is racing to extend a deal that has allowed shipments of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea to parts of the world struggling with hunger, helping ease a global food crisis exacerbated by the war Russia launched more than a year ago.The breakthrough accord that the U.N. and Turkey brokered with the warring sides last summer came with a separate agreement to facilitate shipments of Russian food and fertilizer that Moscow insists hasn’t been applied. Russia set a Thursday deadline for its concerns to be ironed out or it’s bowing out. Such brinkmanship isn’t new: With a similar extension in the balance in March, Russia unilaterally decided to renew the deal for just 60 days instead of the 120 days outlined in the agreement. The last ship participating in the deal left Ukraine on Wednesday hauling corn to Turkey. No vessels have been cleared to enter the country’s three open ports since May 6.U.N. officials and analysts warn tha...

Man with loaded gun arrested at Yorkdale Mall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:27 GMT

A man is under arrest after he allegedly brought a loaded gun to a busy Toronto mall.Officers were called to Yorkdale Mall shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday for reports of someone with a gun near the Louis Vuitton store.The male suspect was located and arrested inside the mall. A loaded gun was recovered at the scene.Police say no one was injured.PERSON WITH A GUN: UPDATEYorkdale Mall– Police are on scene @TPS32Div– The suspect was located and arrested in the mall– A loaded firearm has been recovered– No reports of anyone injured^lb— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) May 16, 2023

Five dead as heavy rains in northern Italy burst riverbanks, flood towns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:27 GMT

ROME (AP) — Officials in northern Italy warned residents to get to higher ground Wednesday amid fears that rain-swollen rivers would again burst their banks, after flooding killed at least five people, forced the evacuation of some 5,000 and suspended some train services.Days of heavy rain stretched across a broad swath of northern Italy and the Balkans, where “apocalyptic” floods, landslides and evacuations were also reported in Croatia, Bosnia and Slovenia.Italian Civil Protection Minister Nello Musemeci said five people were confirmed killed by flooding that struck Emilia-Romagna particularly hard, forcing the evacuation of 24 towns. At a briefing, Musemeci said he hoped those still reported missing would turn out to be false alarms. The mayor of the city of Cesena, Enzo Lattuca, posted a video early Wednesday on Facebook to warn that continued downpours in the Emilia-Romagna region could flood the Savio river and smaller tributaries for a second day. He urged residents to move t...

4 teens killed in multi-vehicle crash in Wheeling

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:27 GMT

WHEELING, Ill. — At least four teenagers were killed in a three-vehicle crash in Wheeling.According to police, the crash happened around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Dundee and Schoenbeck roads.Four teens, between the ages of 16 and 18, were killed. Their identities have not yet been released.Seven people were extricated and transported to local hospitals, police said. Police said speed and a disregard for traffic signals seem to be the primary factors of the crash. Police investigate after reported shooting on I-290; all lanes closed at Central The fatal crash is under investigation. No further information has been provided at this time.Anyone with information regarding the crash is urged to contact the Wheeling Police Department at 847-459-2632.

Police investigate after reported shooting on I-290

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:27 GMT

CHICAGO — Illinois State Police are investigating after a reported shooting on Interstate 290 Wednesday morning.The incident was reported around 6 a.m. on the expressway near the Cicero Avenue ramp. Reports say a person was shot in the leg.EB I-290 is a mess. All lanes remain closed at Central for shooting investigation. Delays now go back to Mannheim. pic.twitter.com/KMR6t27lCg— Sarah Jindra (@SarahJindra) May 17, 2023All lanes were closed at Central Avenue as police investigated and canvased the area, but reopened just before 7 a.m. Wednesday.No further details have been provided.This is a developing story. Check back for details.

Japan's economy rebounds on healthy consumption as COVID restrictions ease, tourists arrive

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:27 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s economy grew at an annual pace of 1.6% in the quarter through March as private demand rebounded after COVID-19-related restrictions were eased, according to data released Wednesday.Real gross domestic product, which measures the sum value of a nation’s products and services, grew 0.4% in January-March on-quarter in the world’s third largest economy, the government Cabinet Office said.That was the strongest GDP growth pace since April-June 2022 marked a 1.1% growth. It was also better than the market consensus forecast of 0.2%.The annualized pace shows what the growth would have been if what was marked during the quarter had continued for a year.The biggest contributor to growth was private demand, surging an annual 3.1%, with consumer spending and private investment showing a healthy rebound. The recent opening of borders to tourists and other incoming travel has also helped consumption perk up. Public demand grew at an annualized 1.8%.“Japan’s economy appe...

The Weeknd now going by Abel Tesfaye after saying he wants 'to kill The Weeknd'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:27 GMT

(KTLA) -- The Weeknd is apparently "Six Feet Under."A week after announcing plans to rid himself of the famous stage name, Abel Tesfaye has begun using his birth name on social media. While his Instagram and Twitter handles still say The Weeknd, he has Abel Tesfaye prominently typed out as the display name. In a recent interview with W Magazine, the "Blinding Lights" singer revealed he wanted to "kill The Weeknd."“It’s getting to a place and a time where I’m getting ready to close The Weeknd chapter," he told the magazine. "I’ll still make music, maybe as Abel, maybe as The Weeknd. But I still want to kill The Weeknd. And I will. Eventually. I’m definitely trying to shed that skin and be reborn.”That change comes as he’s wrapped up filming the highly anticipated HBO series “The Idol,” where he stars alongside Lily-Rose Depp. The Toronto native plays the character Tedros, the self-help guru and love interest of Depp’s character Jocelyn. The Weeknd wants ‘to kill’ his alter ego By p...

Texas School for the Blind students create touchable, inclusive art show

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A group of Austin artists opened their first fine art show this weekend—all while still in school. This show is special as all art is touchable, removing the no-touch rule at most fine art galleries. Students from Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired worked with Austin art organization Almost Real Things to curate the show. "I want them to learn that you can always create anything that you want when you put your mind to it," said senior art student Larry, who was inspired by the Moral Combat video games. He wants art goers to see his emotions in his work. Senior student Larry molds a trident. (KXAN Photo/Christian Marcelli)"I've learned about how to express myself through art," said Jazmin, an 11th grade student creating a paper mache Stitch character. Natalie Earhart, the editor-in-chief and founder of Almost Real Things, said she wanted to give the students a fine art gallery experience. Earhart said students learned how to price their work, prepare it ...

Texas AG: Marriott agrees to disclose fees and rates to guests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Attorney General's Office said Tuesday it entered a settlement with Marriott International to make sure the company discloses fees and rates consumers would pay in advertisements and during the room booking process. According to the Attorney General's Office, the settlement would prohibit Marriott from taking part in "unlawful, unfair, and deceptive trade practices in violation of Texas law with respect to the advertising of hotel room prices".The office said the terms of settlement include the following requirements for Marriott: Disclose clearly and conspicuously all “resort fees” and the total price of rooms as the most prominently displayed price.Display room reservation search results for rooms by total price on its website.List “resort fees” separately from taxes or other governmental or imposed fees.Disclose "clearly and conspicuously" the goods and services covered by such fees.“My office has worked diligently to ensure that hotel chains and other c...