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Montenegro, an EU hopeful, to vote on a new government backed by anti-Western and pro-Russian groups

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:56 GMT

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — After months of political bickering, the parliament in NATO member and EU candidate Montenegro is set to vote Monday on a proposed new government that will hinge on support from pro-Russian and anti-Western groups.A recently formed centrist “Europe Now” coalition that advocates the small Balkan country joining the European Union won early parliamentary elections in June, but without enough support to form a government on its own.Following months of negotiations, the winning coalition received backing from staunchly anti-Western groups under the condition that one of their leaders, Andrija Mandic, was elected as the speaker of parliament — an influential political position.The coalition agreement also includes the condition that the pro-Serbian groups will join the government within a year with their government ministries.Mandic had called for close ties with Russia rather than the EU, criticized Montenegro’s NATO membership and was against splitting from...

Feds ban WeChat, Kaspersky apps from government-issued devices over security concerns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:56 GMT

OTTAWA — The federal government is banning WeChat and Kaspersky applications from its phones over security concerns.WeChat is a social network, messaging and payments app from Chinese company Tencent, while Kaspersky was founded by Russian entrepreneur Eugene Kaspersky and offers cybersecurity and antivirus software.The government says both apps will be removed from its devices today and users will be blocked from downloading WeChat or Kaspersky products in the future.It says it made the move because the chief information officer of Canada determined that the WeChat and Kaspersky apps present “an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security.”The officer says the apps’ data collection methods provide considerable access to the contents of any mobile device they’re on and the government wanted to ensure their networks and data remain secure.The government says it has no evidence that information has been compromised as a result of employees using the apps...

Landlord pleads not guilty in brutal killing on 6yo. Muslim-Palestinian boy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:56 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — The landlord accused of brutally stabbing a six-year-old Palestinian-Muslim boy to death and injuring his mother, pleaded not guilty Monday following his indictment by an Illinois grand jury.Joseph Czuba, in a red jail jumpsuit, remained silent during his appearance inside Will County Courthouse Monday morning. The 71-year-old Air Force veteran pleaded not guilty to eight counts against him.Last week a Will County grand jury indicted Czuba on first-degree murder, attempted murder, battery and hate crime charges.Joseph Czuba, 71, in Will County Courthouse Monday morning Czuba is accused of fatally stabbing a Palestinian Muslim boy and seriously hurting his mother who were his tenants in unincorporated Plainfield Township. ‘He was my best friend’: Mother recuperates after 6-year-old boy killed in attack police call a hate crime Prosecutors said 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume was stabbed 26 times. His mother, Hanaan Shahin, was stabbed at least a dozen times.Investig...

Snow likely in Chicago area on Halloween

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:56 GMT

Snow is on the way for Halloween!Snow is set to arrive in the Chicago area around lunchtime Tuesday.Less than an inch is expected for most of the Chicago area by Thursday. With lake effect snow, portions of Northwest Indiana could see about an inch. Tuesday’s it's arrival is right on the money in terms of Chicago climatology. Historically, the first flakes have flown on or about October 31st over the years.Modeling suggests there may even be enough to stick on colder outdoor surfaces. It wouldn't last long given the environment in which its falling, and any accumulation would likely be limited to colder outdoor surfaces--like grass.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog Monday was the coldest morning of the season so far.It was a bit nippy Monday morning--in fact, the chilliest morning in the Greater Chicago area of the autumn 2023 season to date and the coldest morning lows in the city in 6 months!The low temps bottomed out at 33 in the city at both O'Hare an...

'Friends' casting director: 'I know a different side of Matthew'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:56 GMT

(NewsNation) — In an exclusive interview, Leslie Litt, casting director for the iconic TV show "Friends" and a close friend of the late Matthew Perry, opened up about her deep connection with the beloved actor. Litt, who joined “NewsNation Prime,” couldn't hide her emotions as she reminisced about her long-standing professional and personal relationship with Perry. Litt revealed a side of the actor that few had the privilege to see. “I know Matthew in a very different way. I had a very personal relationship. And he was just a very, very incredibly giving, loving, beautiful-hearted person,” Litt said. When Litt first met Perry, she said she saw his incredible talent, humor and charisma. She described her intuitive recognition of his unique qualities as a casting director, recognizing something special in him long before "Friends" made him a household name.  5 movies you forgot Matthew Perry starred in She shared a touching story about Perry's unwavering support durin...

Education Department withholding payment to student loan servicer after billing statement errors

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:56 GMT

(The Hill) -- The Department of Education announced on Monday it is withholding millions of dollars in payment to the student loan servicer Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) over billing statement errors it made. The department said MOHELA “failed to meet its basic obligation” of getting the statements out in a reasonable timeframe, resulting in 2.5 million borrowers getting late statements. Some of the borrowers only got their bill days before their payment was due. As a result, more than 800,000 borrowers were put into delinquency status under MOHELA over the error. Education Secretary reminds students: ‘Your identity matters’ in post about the importance of names The department is withholding $7.2 million in its October payment to MOHELA due to the error and told the student loan servicer to put all borrowers affected by this issue in forbearance until it is resolved. Any borrower on an income-driven repayment plan won’t have the months counted against th...

Vikings confirm that quarterback Kirk Cousins has torn Achilles tendon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:56 GMT

Less than 24 hours after it happened, the Vikings confirmed everybody’s worst fear.Kirk Cousins underwent an MRI on Monday morning that revealed he has indeed torn his Achilles tendon.That was the assumption after Cousins had to get carted off the field on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field. He suffered the major injury while trying to step up in the pocket with the Vikings well on their way to a 24-10 win over the Green Bay Packers. He hopped off the field without putting any weight on his right foot before eventually making his way to the medical tent.This is devastating news for the Vikings, to say the least, especially considering they had won three games in a row to get themselves back into the NFC North race. Now they are left to pick up the pieces without Cousins at the helm.The details for his upcoming surgery will be determined at some point this week.Related ArticlesMinnesota Vikings | Vikings could be turning to rookie quarterback Jaren Hall for foreseeabl...

A scary Halloween forecast: After incoming snow, trick-or-treaters should bundle up on Tuesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:56 GMT

Over the weekend, as shoppers waited in a checkout line at Target in West St. Paul, talk turned to the weather.A shopper who identified himself as new to Minnesota asked if anyone had been around for that storm in 1991.You know the one, right?Halloween on Tuesday will share some (but not all) of the characteristics of the infamous Halloween blizzard of 1991 that many Minnesotans — including those in line at Target on Saturday — never seem to tire of talking about, especially this time of year.“Unfortunately, it will be one of our colder Halloweens,” says Brent Hewett, a meteorologist with the Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service. “Temperatures will be falling into the upper 20s by sunset, which means it’s probably a good idea to bring the warmer costumes out.”Light snow is expected to begin after 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, according to the Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service. While the snow wraps up on the ...

Wild send Jujhar Khaira, Daemon Hunt back to Iowa

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:56 GMT

The Wild reassigned forward Jujhar Khaira and defenseman Daemon Hunt back to AHL Iowa on Monday. They had been called up to help the team get through injury issues on a three-game, east coast road trip during which the Wild went 0-2-1.Minnesota was confident last week that forward Matt Boldy, sidelined by an upper-body injury suffered Oct. 14, would return to practice this week, and hoped defenseman Jared Spurgeon would do the same.Spurgeon, the team’s veteran captain, has been out since being checked into the boards during a preseason game in Chicago, a major absence for a team that ranks dead last among NHL teams in goals against — 37 in nine games.Khaira, who signed a free-agent deal days before training camp started on Sept. 21, played only 8 minutes, 5 seconds during a 6-2 loss at Philadelphia last week and was a healthy scratch for games at Washington and New Jersey. The team played with 11 forwards and seven defensemen in those games.Hunt, 21, made his NHL debut in a 3-2 shoo...

After 3 years, Drink Albany returning to NYS Museum

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:14:56 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- After three years, the Capital Craft Beverage Trail is bringing its Drink Albany event back to the New York State Museum. The event is set for Friday, November 3 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Drink Albany is a pop-up craft beverage tasting event. Tickets include a souvenir tasting glass and tasting from participating producers.Many products will also be available to buy by the can, bottle and growler to take home. Tickets for Designated Drivers are $5 with no beverage sampling, but drivers can enjoy the exhibits and food vendors.  Albany Pump Station closes as Common Roots takes over "Exploring the Capital Craft Beverage Trail’s Drink Albany event is like embarking on a journey through the heart of flavor, where every sip is a toast to craftsmanship, community, and the art of savoring life's finest moments," said Alejandro del Peral, Founder of...