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MI5 hikes Northern Ireland terror threat level to ‘severe’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The U.K.’s MI5 intelligence service on Tuesday raised the terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland’ to “severe” amid an increase in activity by dissident Irish republican militants.Severe is the second-highest rung on a five-point scale and means an attack is considered highly likely. The threat had stood one notch lower at “substantial” for the past year.Paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland laid down their arms after the 1998 Good Friday peace accord largely ended three decades of violent conflict between Irish republican and British loyalist groups and U.K. security forces that killed more than 3,600 people. But small Irish Republican Army splinter groups have continued to launch sporadic attacks on security forces.U.K. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said that “in recent months, we have seen an increase in levels of activity relating to Northern Ireland-related terrorism, which has targeted police officers serving their communities and also put a...

French court refuses to extradite former Italian militants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

France’s top court has ruled against extraditing 10 former far-left Italian militants who were convicted for attacks carried out in the 1970s and 1980s.The two women and eight men fled Italy after their convictions and before they could be sent to prison. Now ranging in age from 62 to 79, they have lived freely in France for decades.The crimes for which they were convicted include the killing of a Carabinieri paramilitary general and the kidnapping of a judge, both in 1980.Resistance by French authorities to incarcerating the Italians has long been a thorny issue between Paris and Rome.Over the years, Italy has sought the extradition of around 200 convicted former militants believed to be in France over the years.The Associated Press

Small businesses weigh banking options amid bank turmoil

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Sarah Walker, owner of Nuance Interior Design Showroom in Bellevue, Washington, thought she had her banking arrangements fairly well protected. She kept deposits at Wells Fargo and a brokerage account at Fidelity under the federal insurance cap of $250,000.But after the recent banking turmoil, she moved about 5% of her total savings into Certificate of Deposits, or CDs, at Barclays. They offer 5% interest rates on deposits, much higher than traditional accounts, if a customers keeps money in the CDs for a year. She also invested more in Treasury bonds.“Those are two very stable things, we didn’t put a ton of money in them, but it’s more than a rainy day fund, it would cover us for a year,” she said. “I do feel better about having diversification. The unfortunate thing is there is only so much you can do.”The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, and the bailout of First Republic, was a jolt for small businesses of all stripes, spurring many to scrutiniz...

Planting a garden from seed is easy and can start now

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

The catalogs have been thumbed through, and the seed racks are sprouting like weeds at local nurseries and garden centers.There is now enough daylight across the country to start garden seeds without the aid of artificial lights. Some seeds can be planted directly outdoors. Others will have to be started inside.Either way, where I come from you are not a real gardener unless you start at least one thing you grow from seed. Sure, you can always buy already started plants, but seeds give you bragging rights.The fact of the matter is that starting seeds is easy. Everything the plant needs to germinate is in the seed. All you have to do is put it into damp soil and not let it dry out while it does its thing. If there are any special requirements, they will be noted in the simple instructions on the back of every seed packet.The one thing you might not find in those instructions is the suggestion to roll larger seeds in mycorrhizal funghi, or to sprinkle some on smaller seeds. You shoul...

Suu Kyi’s party faces dissolution in military-ruled Myanmar

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — The political party led by Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi is expected to face automatic dissolution by the military-appointed election commission on midnight Tuesday because it declined to register for a planned general election it denounced as a sham. Critics say the polls will be neither free nor fair in a country ruled by the military that has shut free media and arrested most of the leaders of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy. “We absolutely do not accept that an election will be held at a time when many political leaders and political activists have been arrested and the people are being tortured by the military,” said Bo Bo Oo, a former party lawmaker. Suu Kyi, 77, is serving prison sentences totaling 33 years after being convicted in a series of politically tainted prosecutions brought by the military. Her supporters say the charges were contrived to keep her from actively taking part in politics.The party won a landslide victory in the N...

Joliet man accused of shooting father to death during argument

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. — A Joliet man has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting his father to death.Just before 4 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of Fairlane Drive on the report of a shooting. At the scene, officers discovered a 50-year-old man who had been shot in a garage. He was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Following a preliminary investigation, authorities took Jakeem Williams, 32, into custody at Route 53 and Hoff Road near Elwood.Authorities allege he shot his father during an argument. Earlier at the scene, three other family members safely exited after officers established a perimeter. Postal carrier robbed of mail keys in Westchester Williams has been charged with first-degree murder. His father has not been identified at this time.

After 32 years, a view gets a 2nd chance at 'The Grand Prize Game'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

CHICAGO — The luck was with her on that special day at the WGN studios in 1991, but the timing wasn't great. While in the audience on "The Bozo Show," Michelle Kunath held the number picked by the "Bozoputer" to play "The Grand Prize Game." The problem was that she was only three, so her older sister Jenny was the one who got to play "Bozo Buckets" while she sat on her mother's lap.Well 32 years later, she got her second chance to play.Appearing with Jenny on WGN Morning News on Tuesday, as part of WGN's 75th anniversary celebration, Michelle's 32-year wait to play the "The Grand Prize Game" ended as she tested her skills on the "Bozo Buckets."You can watch this edition of "Second Chance Grand Prize Game" from the March 28 show in the video above. 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.

RV destroyed in east Austin fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Firefighters responded early Tuesday morning to an RV fire in east Austin. The Austin Fire Department responded around 6 a.m. to the fire, which happened in the 4000 block of Veldt Road. That area is off of FM 969 near Blue Bluff Road.AFD said there were occupants inside the RV but they got out safely. No injuries were reported. The RV was badly damaged, but the fire was put out. AFD said crews worked to keep the fire from spreading to other RVs. RV destroyed in east Austin fire (Image courtesy: Austin Fire Department) RV destroyed in east Austin fire (Image courtesy: Austin Fire Department) RV destroyed in east Austin fire (Image courtesy: Austin Fire Department) The fire marshal is being requested to investigate the fire due to the extent of the damage.

Police looking for missing Vermonter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

PANTON, Vt. (NEWS10) -- The Vermont State Police are currently searching for a missing 25-year-old from Panton, Vermont. Police say Colby Johnson was last seen leaving his residence around 11 a.m. to go to a local store in Addison County but never returned home. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Image via Vermont State PolicePolice describe Johnson as 6'2", and 185 pounds. They say he has short blonde hair and green eyes. He is believed to be wearing a blue zip-up hoodie with dark blue jeans and navy blue slip-on sneakers. Police say Johnson was accompanied by his dog, a German Shepard named "Koko." Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks at (802) 388-4919.

Crash on I-90 NYS thruway eastbound after exit 24

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:53 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An injury crash on I-90 - NYS Thruway eastbound after exit 24 is slowing traffic, according to 511 NY. The right shoulder is closed off at this time. The crash was first reported around 7:42 this morning. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Information regarding the crash at this time is limited. Stick with NEWS10 as more information regarding the crash becomes available.