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Nobel winner Maria Ressa acquitted of tax evasion though she faces 2 more legal cases

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:00 GMT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa was acquitted of a final tax evasion charge Tuesday though she still faces two remaining legal cases she believes the former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte used to muzzle her critical reporting.Ressa and her online news organization Rappler had faced five tax evasion charges but a court acquitted her of four of the charges in January. A different court heard the fifth charge and acquitted her Tuesday.“Facts wins, truth wins, justice wins,” she told reporters outside the courthouse. Ressa and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov were awarded the 2021 Nobel for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression by fighting for the survival of their news organizations and defying government efforts to shut them.She had said the charges against her were politically motivated as Rappler was critical of Duterte’s brutal crackdown on illegal drugs that left thousands of mostly petty drug suspects dead. The International Crimi...

Stock market today: Asian shares trade mixed after Big Tech rally on Wall Street

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:00 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were trading mixed Tuesday following a Big Tech rally on Wall Street, as investors awaited an update on U.S. consumer prices set for later in the week. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 surged 1.0% to 32,776.37. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.2% to 7,206.90. South Korea’s Kospi shed 0.8% to 2,536.80. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 0.2% to 18,056.17, while the Shanghai Composite fell nearly 0.2% to 3,137.73. The Federal Reserve is weighing whether to keep raising interest rates steady in its effort to get inflation back to 2%. On Wednesday, the U.S. government will offer the latest monthly update on prices consumers are paying across the economy, and the forecast is they were 3.6% higher in August than a year earlier.“Upcoming U.S. data will be crucial leading up to the Federal Reserve’s decision next week,” Anderson Alves of ActivTrades said in a commentary.The Fed has already hiked its main interest rate to the highest level in more ...

Joint statement on solidarity with Morocco

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:00 GMT

Joint statement by the President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, the Chair of the African Union and President of the Comoros, Mr. Azali Assoumani, the President of the French Republic, Mr Emmanuel Macron, the President of the World Bank, Mr Ajay Banga and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Ms Kristalina Georgieva."Following the earthquake of 9 September, we express our full solidarity with the Moroccan authorities and people, and offer our condolences to the families of the victims."We also express our desire to support Morocco in the best possible way."We have been and continue to be committed partners of Morocco, supporting the authorities as they have built an inclusive and resilient economy with strong institutions."This strength will serve the Moroccan people well as they recover from the devastation of the earthquake."With all our international partners, we stand by Morocco to provide ...

Four-bedroom home sells in San Jose for $3.6 million

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:00 GMT

1216 Lockhaven Way – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 1200 block of Lockhaven Way in San Jose has new owners. The 2,645-square-foot property, built in 1965, was sold on Aug. 18, 2023. The $3,621,000 purchase price works out to $1,369 per square foot. This two-story home offers a spacious layout with four bedrooms and four bathrooms. Inside, a fireplace adds character to the home. Additionally, the house comes with a two-car garage, allowing for convenient vehicle storage and additional storage space.Additional houses that have recently changed hands close by include:In September 2022, a 1,332-square-foot home on Lockhaven Way in San Jose sold for $2,090,000, a price per square foot of $1,569. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 1,128-square-foot home on the 1100 block of Lynbrook Way in San Jose sold in August 2022, for $2,330,000, a price per square foot of $2,066. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Friar Court, San Jose, in February 2023, a 1,296-squ...

Alex Chiasson hopes to stick with Bruins

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:00 GMT

Alex Chiasson may not be the most coveted player in the National Hockey League, but he tends to grow on teams when given the chance.Chiasson, 32, recently signed a professional tryout contract with the Bruins, making it the fifth time in the last seven years the former Boston University Terrier entered an NHL training camp without a contract. But in the previous four times he started a camp on a PTO, he has wound up being on an NHL roster by the end of the season.It’s not an easy way to make a living. Chiasson has another way to describe the PTO process.“It sucks,” said the 6-foot-4, 208 pound right wing with a wry smile. “It’s tough… But I have a good support system at home. My wife’s been great. But it doesn’t get any easier. I think as I’ve gotten older, I realize that it’s a privilege to play in the NHL. You can’t take this for granted. I know one day when I’m done playing, whenever that is, that I’ve really put it all ...

Boston College to host Florida State in ACC opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:00 GMT

Boston College must transition from barely beating the fifth-ranked FCS team in the nation to hosting the third-ranked program from FBS.Eagles’ middle linebacker Vinny DePalma recovered a fumble with 1:10 remaining in the fourth quarter to preserve a 31-28 victory over the unintimidated Holy Cross Crusaders last Saturday at Alumni Stadium.The Eagles (1-1) open the ACC portion of the slate on Saturday when they host the resurgent national powerhouse Florida State Seminoles (2-0).The Seminoles claimed the No. 4 ranking in the AP poll with a 45-24 victory over LSU in the season opener and jumped a spot with last Saturday’s 66-13 dismantling of Southern Mississippi.BC coach Jeff Hafley feels the Seminoles’ ambition to replace Clemson as the dominant force in the ACC starts at the top with head coach Mike Novell.“Florida State obviously, what are they, three right now? And certainly could be one or two depending on who you ask,” said Hafley Monday at the Yawkey Center.“I think the bigges...

Div. 1-2 field hockey preview: Andover eyes 3-peat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:00 GMT

Third time’s the charm?There’s a good chance at least one team will find out if that’s true by the end of this MIAA field hockey season, but in Div. 1, it’s hard to predict which way.Coming off consecutive state titles, it could be the first three-peat for Andover – even after head coach Maureen Noone retired. New coach Bridget Morris has proven players, led by defensive anchors Rose Memmolo and Scarlett Glass, midfielders Lucy MacLean and Bella DiFiore, and forwards Casey Michael and Mia Batchelder.Early frontrunner Walpole makes an even better case, looking to avenge consecutive one-goal losses in that state final. The Porkers feature premier players in versatile senior Kerin Birch, junior Caitlyn Naughton, Katie Colleran and goalie Abby Johnson, along with Elena Govoni, Izzy Adams and Taylor Carter within a group of nine returners.Fellow state semifinalists Wachusett and Shrewsbury have both been ousted by the finalists in consecutive years. Wachusett returns leading scorer...

A timeline of the complicated relations between Russia and North Korea

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:00 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia to see President Vladimir Putin. It will be the two isolated leaders’ second meeting. Their governments have not confirmed an agenda, but U.S. officials say Putin may ask for artillery and other ammunition for his war in Ukraine. Such a request would mark a reversal of roles from the 1950-53 Korean War, when the Soviet Union provided ammunition, warplanes and pilots to support communist North Korea’s invasion of the South, and the decades of Soviet sponsorship of the North that followed.Despite their often aligning interests, relations between Russia and North Korea have experienced highs and lows. A timeline of some key events:1945-1948 — Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula ends with Tokyo’s World War II defeat in 1945 but the peninsula is eventually divided into a Soviet-backed north and a U.S.-backed south. The Soviet military installs future dictator Kim Il Sung, a former guerri...

UN food agency warns of ‘doom loop’ for world’s hungriest as governments cut aid and needs increase

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:00 GMT

ROME (AP) — The World Food Program warned Tuesday that humanitarian funding cuts by governments are forcing the U.N. agency to drastically cut food rations to the world’s hungriest people, with each 1% cut in aid risking to push 400,000 people toward starvation.The agency said the more than 60% funding shortfall this year was the highest in WFP’s 60-year history and marks the first time the Rome-based agency has seen contributions decline while needs rise.As a result, the WFP has been forced to cut rations in almost half its operations, including in hard-hit places like Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia and Haiti. In a statement, WFP warned that 24 million more people could slip into emergency hunger over the next year as a result.WFP’s executive director, Cindy McCain, said with starvation at record levels, governments should be increasing assistance, not decreasing it. “If we don’t receive the support we need to avert further catastrophe, the world will undoubtedly see more conflict, mo...

Taiwan says it spotted 22 Chinese warplanes and 20 warships near the island after US sailed through

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:45:00 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan said Tuesday it spotted 22 Chinese military aircraft and 20 vessels near the island over the previous 24 hours, as Beijing steps up its military activities in the area. Over the weekend, the United States and Canada sailed warships through the Taiwan Strait in a challenge to China’s sweeping territorial claims. On Monday, China sailed a naval formation led by its aircraft carrier Shandong, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) to Taiwan’s southeast. The vessel was expected to conduct drills simulating aircraft, submarine, warship and land attacks, according to Chinese state media.Thirteen of the Chinese military aircraft reported on Tuesday had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial demarcation zone between China and Taiwan, according to Taiwan’s defense ministry.China claims Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy, as part of its territory to be reunited by force if necessary. Over the past year, Beijing has stepped up military activities ar...