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Polish opposition denounces new commission to probe Russian influence

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:35 GMT

Poland’s parliament narrowly passed a law setting up a commission to investigate Russian political influence in the country, but the opposition denounces the effort as a political witch hunt aimed at hurting it before this fall’s parliamentary election.After a stormy debate, parliament passed the bill late Friday, overturning the upper house Senate’s rejection of the legislation.The ostensible goal is to examine the Kremlin’s influence from 2007 to 2022 — a period covering the 2007-2015 governments of the Civic Platform party led by Donald Tusk as well as the current Law and Justice (PiS) party government. But the concern is that the current government, embroiled in a battle with the European Commission over accusations that it’s backsliding on rule of law and democracy, will use it as a bludgeon against its political foes.The government insists the legislation has no ulterior motive.“I would like all Poles to be aware that today, at this particul...

Dick Hoyt memorial 5K kicks off in Hopkinton days after Rick Hoyt’s death

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:35 GMT

The inaugural Dick Hoyt Memorial “Yes You Can” Run Together is taking place in Hopkinton on Saturday, just days after the death of Rick Hoyt. Rick was part of the father-son duo who were staples of the Boston Marathon for decades, and Team Hoyt is continuing to carry on their legacy.Rick passed away earlier this week at the age of 61 due to complications with his respiratory system. There was some debate on whether the race should go on, as Rick was the race organizer, but the family decided to go forward as planned. Rick wanted to honor his father with this race, race organizers said.Team Hoyt, with Dick pushing son Rick, who lived with cerebral palsy, finished the Boston Marathon 32 times together. They competed in their final marathon in 2014. Dick died at the age of 80 in 2021 of heart failure. The pair inspired others to believe in themselves, set goals and push the limits of what can be done.We’re going to do our best to make him proud of the work he’s done to hono...

Avalanche in northern Pakistan kills 11 members of nomadic tribe

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:35 GMT

GILGIT, Pakistan (AP) — A snowy avalanche in northern Pakistan killed 11 people Saturday, including a 4-year-old boy, and injured 25 from a nomadic tribe as they crossed a mountainous area with their goat herds, police said.The avalanche struck the nomads in the Chambeli area of Shounter Pass that connects the Astore district of the Gilgit Baltistan region to the bordering Azad Kashmir region.Four women and a 4-year-old boy were among the dead, said Gilgit Baltistan senior police officer Ziarat Ali.The nomads were taking their herds of goats on foot from the Kel area of Azad Kashmir to Astore, when they were caught in the avalanche of snow in the early morning hours, Ali said. Tufail Mir, a deputy police chief in the region, said rescuers were facing problems in reaching the avalanche-hit area and troops were helping local authorities.A rescue operation that included two military helicopters faced rough terrain and an altitude of some 14,000 feet (4,270 meters) above sea level. The ...

Hong Kong denies knowledge about Uyghur student, slams Amnesty for saying he disappeared at airport

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:35 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong on Saturday criticized rights group Amnesty International’s accusation that a Uyghur student disappeared after being interrogated at the airport, and said that government records showed that he had not entered or been refused entry to the city. Amnesty International said Friday that Abuduwaili Abudureheman, who was born in Xinjiang in western China, had traveled to Hong Kong from South Korea to visit a friend on May 10 but has since gone missing after he texted the friend about being interrogated after his arrival. He spent the last seven years studying in Seoul, completing a Ph.D. in sports and leisure in 2022, according to the group.In a statement, the government strongly condemned Amnesty’s “groundless and unfounded remarks” as an attempt to smear it. “In fact, the records of the HKSAR Government show that the person has not entered or been refused entry by Hong Kong,” the statement read, referring to the official name of the Hong Kong Special Adm...

Pope Francis resumes regular appointments after canceling schedule with a fever

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:35 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis resumed regular appointments on Saturday, one day after canceling his schedule due to a fever.The pontiff held a number of private meetings, including with visitors from Georgetown University who were in town for a conference with a Jesuit-run journal. Francis later was captured on video arriving at the studios of the state broadcaster RAI to tape an interview, smiling animatedly at well-wishers outside.The Vatican’s confirmation of the 86-year-old pope’s fever sparked concerns about Francis’ health. The last time he spiked a serious fever, in March, the 86-year-old pontiff was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with acute bronchitis. He received intravenous antibiotics and was released three days later.The Vatican has confirmed that the pope will preside over Pentecost Mass on Sunday, and will meet with Italy’s president, Sergio Mattarella, on Monday.The Associated Press

As Elizabeth Holmes heads to prison for fraud, many puzzle over her motives

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:35 GMT

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — As Elizabeth Holmes prepares to report to prison next week, the criminal case that laid bare the blood-testing scam at the heart of her Theranos startup is entering its final phase.The 11-year sentence represents a comeuppance for the wide-eyed woman who broke through “tech bro” culture to become one of Silicon Valley’s most celebrated entrepreneurs, only to be exposed as a fraud. Along the way, Holmes became a symbol of the shameless hyperbole that often saturates startup culture.But questions still linger about her true intentions — so many that even the federal judge who presided over her trial seemed mystified. And Holmes’ defenders continue to ask whether the punishment fits the crime.At 39, she seems most likely to be remembered as Silicon Valley’s Icarus — a high-flying entrepreneur burning with reckless ambition whose odyssey culminated in convictions for fraud and conspiracy.Her motives are still somewhat mysterious, and some supporters say fed...

Weekend Gardening with Tim Joyce: Kale growing, germinating seeds and more

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:35 GMT

Check out WGN Weekend Morning news segment, Weekend Gardening with Tim Joyce for tips on kale crops, germinating seeds and more.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

DeSantis says he would push to repeal Trump criminal justice reform if elected

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:35 GMT

(The Hill) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Friday that if elected president, he would call on Congress to repeal the criminal justice reform bill signed into law by then-President Trump, his latest attack on Trump from the right.DeSantis, appearing on "The Ben Shapiro Show," criticized the First Step Act, a bipartisan bill passed in 2018 that reduced mandatory minimum sentences, expanded credits for well-behaved prisoners looking for shorter sentences and aimed to reduce recidivism.The Florida governor, who officially entered the 2024 White House race on Wednesday, called the legislation "basically a jailbreak bill." Five takeaways from Ron DeSantis’s glitch-ridden campaign launch "So one of the things I would want to do as president is go to Congress and seek the repeal of the First Step Act," he said. "If you are in jail, you should serve your time. And the idea that they're releasing people who have not been rehabilitated early, so that they can prey on people in our socie...

Stock car driver's husband charged after attack at Hickory Motor Speedway

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:35 GMT

HICKORY, N.C. (WJZY) – Fans attending last Saturday’s weekly NASCAR-sanctioned race at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina may have gotten more than they bargained for — both on the track and in the spotter’s stand. Stock car drivers Landon Huffman and Annabeth Barnes-Crum only had a few laps left in the Advance Auto Parts Series event when Huffman performed a bump-and-run on the No. 12 car, after Barnes-Crum squeezed him to the wall. Barnes-Crum then attempted to strike back in return, but spun herself out instead.  Landon Huffman speaks with Nexstar's WJZY about the circumstances surrounding the attack on his father at last Saturday's race. (WJZY)Shortly after, Barnes-Crum’s husband and fellow stock car driver Jake Crum, who was acting as his wife’s spotter, allegedly went over to former driver Robert Huffman, Landon’s father and spotter, and attacked him.  “He was busted up,” Landon Huffman told Nexstar's WJZY on Thursday. “His nose was busted up. His eyes were beat up. Wher...

3 major animal shelters in Austin holding weeklong, joint adoption event

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:35 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Pets Alive!, Austin Humane Society and Austin Animal Center will hold a “300 Homes” adoption promotion beginning Saturday and running through June 4.APA! said the goal of the partnership was to find loving homes for 300 animals in just one week.“The adoption fees for most animals at all three shelters will be waived throughout the week, aiming to provide as many animals as possible with a second chance at a happy life,” APA! said.According to the shelters, the waived fees were to help encourage people to provide a second chance to as many animals as possible."The savings help families purchase all the supplies needed to give their new pet a cozy home," APA! said.Image of "Rascal" from Austin Animal CenterImage of "Cat Stevens," an adoptable pet, from Austin Animal CenterImage of "Red ," an adoptable pet from, Austin Humane SocietyImage of "Ringpop" from Austin Humane SocietyImage of "You're My Butter Half " from Austin Pets Alive!Image of Margie, a former Aust...