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Iran-US prisoner swap appears in motion as nearly $6B in once-frozen Iranian assets reaches Qatar

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:47:09 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran and the United States will exchange prisoners on Monday after nearly $6 billion in once-frozen Iranian assets reached Qatar, a key element of the planned swap, officials said.Despite the deal, tensions are almost certain to remain high between the U.S. and Iran, which are locked in various disputes, including over Tehran’s nuclear program. Iran says the program is peaceful, but it now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani was the first to acknowledge the swap would take place Monday. He said the cash sought for the exchange that had been held by South Korea was now in Qatar. An individual with direct knowledge of the deal, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity given the exchange had yet to be concluded, later said that both Iranian and U.S. officials had been notified by Qatar that the money had been transferred to the Gulf Arab nation, which serv...

Trial in Cyprus for 5 Israelis accused of gang raping a British woman is to start Oct. 5

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:47:09 GMT

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — BodyThe trial of five Israelis accused of gang raping a British woman in a Cyprus hotel room is scheduled for next month, when they will enter pleas to charges including rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and abduction, Cypriot police said Monday.Police said the trial will begin Oct. 5. Defense lawyers objected to a prosecution request for the suspects to remain in custody until then. A Famagusta District court judge is to rule Tuesday on whether to keep the suspects in detention or release them.Yannis Habaris, a lawyer representing three of the suspects, said there are “many contradictory” points which “undermine the veracity of the claims” in the alleged victim’s statement to police.Habaris said his clients will plead not guilty to the charges because “as things now stand, we don’t think that any crime has been committed.”Lawyers representing the other two suspects didn’t immediately respond to attempts for comment. A police inve...

Military drone crashes during test flight in Iran, injuring 2

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:47:09 GMT

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — A military drone crashed during a test flight in northern Iran on Monday, wounding two people and damaging buildings, state media reported.Debris fell in different parts of the northern city of Gorgon, according to the official IRNA news agency.The semiofficial Tasnim news agency released a video showing white smoke rising from different areas and the sound of anti-aircraft batteries.Defense Ministry spokesman Reza Talaeinik told state TV that the test flight in a remote area went off track due to a “technical failure.” He did not specify the type of drone, but images of the wreckage circulating on social media suggested it was the type that carries bombs. Iran is a major producer of both civilian and military drones, and has supplied attack drones to Russia for its war on Ukraine.The Associated Press

China’s foreign minister heads to Russia after meeting with US national security adviser

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:47:09 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China’s top diplomat is heading to Russia for security talks after two days of meetings with U.S. President Joe Biden’s national security adviser over the weekend in Malta.Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who simultaneously holds the ruling Communist Party’s top foreign policy post, will be in Russia from Monday to Thursday for China-Russia strategic security consultations, the Foreign Ministry said in a brief statement.The U.S. and China are at odds over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. China has refrained from taking sides in the war, saying that while a country’s territory must be respected, the West needs to consider Russia’s security concerns about NATO expansion. It has accused the U.S. of prolonging the fighting by providing arms to Ukraine, weaponry that the U.S. says is needed to defend against Russian aggression.Wang’s trip to Moscow comes a day after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un left Russia following a six-day visit that i...

Hundreds of flying taxis to be made in Ohio, home of the Wright brothers and astronaut legends

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:47:09 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The same Ohio river valley where the Wright brothers pioneered human flight will soon be manufacturing cutting-edge electric planes that take off and land vertically, under an agreement announced Monday between the state and Joby Aviation Inc. “When you’re talking about air taxis, that’s the future,” Republican Gov. Mike DeWine told The Associated Press. “We find this very, very exciting — not only for the direct jobs and indirect jobs it’s going to create, but like Intel, it’s a signal to people that Ohio is looking to the future. This is a big deal for us.” Around the world, electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL aircraft are entering the mainstream, though questions remain about noise levels and charging demands. Still, developers say the planes are nearing the day when they will provide a wide-scale alternative to shuttle individual people or small groups from rooftops and parking garages to their destinations, while avoiding the congested thorough...

Chow and Ford to hold face-to-face meeting at Queen’s Park

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:47:09 GMT

Toronto’s deficit and shelter crises could be among the topics discussed as Mayor Olivia Chow and Premier Doug Ford meet Monday for the first time since Chow took office.Chow is expected to press Ford for funding help or possibly a new fiscal arrangement to help deal with the city’s ballooning budget shortfall, which is expected to top $1.5 billion over the next year.City staff say at least $1 billion of the city’s annual budget is related to services downloaded to Toronto from other levels of government, including emergency shelters, welfare, and other social services.The City has suggested that a municipal sales tax for Toronto would be a good way to raise funds, which would require the approval of the provincial government. In the past, Ford has suggested that is not something he is willing to do.The province’s plans to revitalize Ontario Place could also be on the agenda. Some of the land owned by the City is involved in the project, and Chow has expresse...

Liz Weston: Why retirees may want to buy an immediate annuity now

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:47:09 GMT

An immediate annuity is an insurance product that provides guaranteed income: You give an insurer a chunk of money, and the company gives you a stream of payments that can last for life. The payments begin within 12 months of purchase.Now may be a good time for retirees to buy an immediate annuity, since payouts are the highest they’ve been in a decade, says Rob Williams, managing director of wealth management at Charles Schwab.But buying an immediate annuity — also known as an income annuity or a fixed immediate annuity — is effectively irreversible, so you’ll want to choose carefully.WHY YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER AN IMMEDIATE ANNUITYOne of the big risks in retirement is outliving your savings. Having enough guaranteed income to cover basic expenses can give you assurance that you’ll keep a roof over your head and food in the fridge, no matter what.A major source of guaranteed income is Social Security, and some people still have traditional pensions. If you don’t have enough guar...

Kosovo’s prime minister blames EU envoy for the failure of recent talks with Serbia

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:47:09 GMT

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo’s prime minister on Monday accused the European Union special envoy in the normalization talks with Serbia of not being “neutral and correct” and “coordinating” with Belgrade against Pristina.Prime Minister Albin Kurti said EU envoy Miroslav Lajcak had coordinated with Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic in the EU-facilitated talks held last week in Brussels.EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who supervised the talks in Brussels, blamed the latest breakdown on Kurti’s insistence that Serbia should essentially recognize his country before progress could be made on enforcing a previous agreement reached in February.Borrell has warned that the lack of progress could hurt both Serbia’s and Kosovo’s hopes of joining the bloc.Serbia and its former province of Kosovo have been at odds for decades. Their 1998-1999 war, which ended after a 78-day NATO bombing forced Serbian military and police forces pull out of Kosovo, left more than 10,000 people dead, mo...

4 people, including 2 children, found fatally shot in Romeoville

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:47:09 GMT

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. — Four people, including two children, were found fatally shot in Romeoville.Police were conducting a well-being check around 8:40 p.m. Sunday on the 500 block of Concord Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered four deceased individuals, two adults and two children, with gunshot wounds.The identities of the victims have not yet been released.According to police, investigators believe the shooting happened sometime early Sunday morning.Police are expected to hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Monday. 14-year-old boy fatally shot after Hillcrest HS football game ID’d: Police Anyone with information is urged to contact the Romeoville Police Department at: 815-886-7219.No further information has been provided at this time.

Monday Forecast: Temps in low 70s with lake effect rain showers

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:47:09 GMT

CHICAGO — Mostly sunny Monday with isolated showers and patchy fog. Winds: ENE 5-10. High: 70. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Mostly cloudy today with a few showers. Winds: S 0-5. Low: 55.Tuesday Forecast: Mainly cloudy to overcast, showers and thunderstorms. Winds: SSW 5-10 G20. High: 68.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog