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UN extends arms embargo on South Sudan over protests from world’s newest nation and 5 abstentions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:48 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A divided U.N. Security Council extended an arms embargo on South Sudan Tuesday over protests from the world’s newest nation and abstentions from Russia, China and the council’s three African nations sympathetic to its demands that sanctions be lifted.The 10-0 vote with five abstentions on the U.S.-drafted resolution was the same as the vote on the previous sanctions resolution adopted last May.In a report to the Security Council earlier this month, U.N. experts monitoring the arms embargo and a travel ban and asset freeze on targeted individuals said South Sudan is facing violent clashes and increasing disillusionment and frustration as it struggles to implement the most challenging provisions of a fragile 2018 power-sharing agreement.They pointed to difficulties integrating rival military forces, drafting a new constitution and preparing for the country’s first election as an independent nation in December 2024, they said.The resolution welcomes “encour...

Florida art dealer gets 2 years, 3 months in Warhol forgery scheme

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:48 GMT

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A South Florida art dealer was sentenced Tuesday to two years and three months in federal prison in connection with a scheme involving the sale of fake Andy Warhol paintings.Daniel Elie Bouaziz, 69, was sentenced in Fort Pierce federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in February to a single count of money laundering, while prosecutors agreed to drop 16 other counts related to fraud and embezzlement. Bouaziz was fined $15,000, and a restitution hearing is scheduled for Aug. 16.Prosecutors said Bouaziz, the owner of Danieli Fine Art and Galerie Danieli in Palm Beach County, sold counterfeit artworks to a customer in October 2021 including pieces purportedly by Warhol. Bouaziz told the customer that the pieces, which he was selling for between $75,000 and $240,000, were authentic originals and that some were signed by the artist, investigators said.Officials said the customer gave Bouaziz a $200,000 down payment that was deposited into Boua...

Get a free donut on National Donut Day at Dunkin'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:48 GMT

(WSYR) -- In anticipation for National Donut Day, on Friday, June 2, Dunkin' is reminding its donut fans that they can get a free donut during this celebration.Last year, some missed out on their free donut, so Dunkin' is sounding the alarm early so everyone can have their free donut, and here's how. Dunkin’ adding ‘adored’ seasonal drink to year-round menu after 10 years On National Donut Day, Dunkin' goers can enjoy a classic donut of their choice -- whether it be a classic glazed donut, a creamy Boston creme, or a fun strawberry frosted donut with sprinkles -- with a beverage purchase.Photo provided by Dunkin'Photo provided by Dunkin'“Friends don’t let friends miss out on free donuts,” said Jill McVicar Nelson, Chief Marketing Officer, Dunkin’. “This June, we’re rallying donut fans nationwide to end donut FOMO for good. So gather your friends, grab your favorite donut on us, and indulge in the sweet delight of National Donut Day!”  Dunkin' customers can purchase their...

Third man charged in death of Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay, 21 years later

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:48 GMT

NEW YORK (WPIX) -- A third man has been arrested for the 2002 murder of Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.A superseding indictment was filed against 48-year-old Jay Bryant of Queens, who was being held on federal drug charges in an unrelated case, officials said.The hip-hop star, whose real name is Jason Mizell, was shot in the head and killed in his recording studio in Queens on Oct. 30, 2002. He was 37. Mizell’s friend, Tony Rincon, was hit by one bullet in the leg and the next bullet hit Jay in the head, killing him. Mizell's fellow group members, Joseph “Run” Simmons and Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, were not in the second-floor studio on Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica when the gunfire broke out. Iconic rock and soul singer Tina Turner dies When authorities indicted two other men, Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington, in August 2020, they said Mizell's death involved a drug deal gone bad.In a letter filed with t...

Check your phone: Popular Android app reportedly started spying on users, making recordings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:48 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - A screen recording app available in the Google Play store that was installed over 50,000 times functioned normally for months before it started spying on users, researchers say.The app, iRecorder – Screen Recorder, was first uploaded to the Google Play store on September 19, 2021, according to Lukas Stefanko, a malware researcher with cybersecurity firm ESET.Stefanko said that the app had no harmful features until a later update changed the code, likely in August 2022. After that date, malicious code allowed bad actors to make secret audio recordings and secretly transfer images, videos, saved web pages, and other files off of devices, according to ESET. Trader Joe’s addresses ‘conspiratorial theories’ about its small parking lots Anyone who had downloaded the app before August 2022, might still have been exposed if they updated the app manually or automatically. It's not yet clear if the developer or another actor is responsible for the update that converted the app ...

Woman dies after an auto-pedestrian crash in San Marcos

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On May 17, an auto-pedestrian crash killed a 51-year-old woman, according to the San Marcos Police Department. Denise Sumbling, 51, was walking to work when she was hit by a pickup truck near the intersection of Highway 123 and East Access Road, per preliminary reports from the San Marcos Police Department Collision Investigation Team. The driver of the pickup truck, Daniel Verdin, 66, did not remain on the scene, according to SPMD. SMPD officers arrived on the scene around 9:45 p.m. on May 17 and pronounced Sumbling dead, a press release said. While SMPD was investigating the incident, Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office stopped Verdin's vehicle for speeding. Verdin was arrested on second-degree felony charges, per SMPD. This was San Marcos' third fatality collision of 2023. The San Marcos Police Collision Investigation Team said it is continuing its investigation.

+270 payroll errors for Hays County employees, budget office to takeover payroll duties from treasurer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:48 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - There have been hundreds of payroll errors for Hays County employees in the recent months. "We have identified 273 payroll corrections that are still pending after the May 15, 2023 payroll," said Hays County Auditor Marisol Villarreal-Alonzo. KXAN is waiting to hear back from the county if the 273 corrections have been made. Employees' frustrationSome employees brought their complaints to the attention of the Hays County Commissioners Court during the May 23 meeting. "The deposits to my retirement fund had not been made in over a month despite my contribution still being deducted," said one county employee. They said it feels like their money has gone missing. "My husband, who also works for Hays County, received a check that was noticeably less than usual. His overtime pay was excluded but was told a paper check would be cut the next day," said another county employee. It's an issue that Hays County Commissioner Walt Smith said concerns him. "We've got f...

House passes Abbott-backed property tax relief, adjourns special session

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:48 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On the first full day of the first special legislative session, the House passed the two bills Gov. Greg Abbott called on lawmakers to pass, allowing for the Speaker to adjourn indefinitely Tuesday evening after the Senate passed conflicting legislation.In a dramatic 24 hour span, House and Senate lawmakers completed the regular session late Monday evening after hours of failed negotiations on a property tax relief deal that stalled both chambers from gaveling out for the session. Less than three hours after the 88th Legislative Session concluded, Abbott called them back to the Capitol with demands for property tax relief and border security bills.Senators passed a property tax plan quickly that included steps to expand the state's homestead exemption, the amount of a home's value that is exempt from property taxes. The Senate then recessed until Friday.Hours later, the House Speaker Dade Phelan said House lawmakers would not take up the Senate bill, saying it wa...

Authorities searching for missing Inver Grove Heights man in Afton State Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:48 GMT

Authorities are asking for help in the search for Andrew Dropik, 31, of Inver Grove Heights. His vehicle was found near Afton State Park on May 20, 2023. (Courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office)Authorities are asking for help in the search for a missing Inver Grove Heights man whose vehicle was found near Afton State Park earlier this month.Andrew Dropik, 31, was last seen May 16 at a gas station in Inver Grove Heights.Four days later, family members found his unoccupied vehicle near Afton State Park, where he often hikes, according to a press release from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.When Dropik did not show up to a family event on Saturday afternoon, relatives contacted law enforcement.Family members and law enforcement officials believe Dropik may be undergoing a mental health crisis, and a handgun is missing from his house, the release states.Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, along with law enforcement officials from the Minn...

Kevin O’Connell not concerned with Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson missing OTAs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:48 GMT

Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson has been conspicuously absent from organized team activities at TCO Performance Center. Not that Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell seems too concerned.Asked about the situation, O’Connell noted that he has had an open dialogue with Jefferson this spring. Though he wouldn’t divulge the details of those conversations, O’Connell made it clear that he and Jefferson are on the same page about everything.In the meantime, O’Connell is happy to push forward with the players who are present, knowing Jefferson will easily acclimate whenever he returns.“I think our participation among our whole team has been so good that we’ve been able to get great work in,” O’Connell said. “As we work towards minicamp we’ll have a real clear cut plan of what that looks like, and hopefully get him some work, and I know a lot of the guys will be excited to see him.”It’s unclear why the soon-to-be 24...