Month: January 2023

Treasurer Welcomes Renewal of Australia’s AAA Credit Rating Amid Challenging Economic Conditions

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said that the renewal of Australia’s AAA credit rating by rating agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) proves the effectiveness of the Albanese government’s “responsible economic management” in the previous year. On Jan. 30, S&P Global announced that Australia had retained its AAA credit rating while expecting the country to avoid…


US Issues Another Warning of Possible Terrorist Attacks in Turkey

ISTANBUL—The U.S. embassy in Turkey warned Americans on Monday of possible attacks against churches, synagogues, and diplomatic missions in Istanbul, marking its second such notice in four days, following Koran-burning incidents in Europe. In an updated security alert, the U.S. embassy said “possible imminent retaliatory attacks by terrorists” could take place in areas frequented by…


3 EMTs Fired After Video Released of Tyre Nichols’ Arrest

The Memphis Fire Department said it fired three employees following the release of video footage that showed the deadly arrest of Tyre Nichols and the immediate aftermath. Nichols, 29, died in hospital on Jan. 10, three days after his violent encounter with Memphis police officers when they tried to arrest him in a traffic stop gone…


‘The Devil and Miss Jones’ From 1941: Fighting for What’s Right

Commentary Any film with the word “devil” in its title is sure to capture one’s attention. For instance, the title “The Devil and Miss Jones” is sure to raise anyone’s curiosity. Who is Miss Jones, and what happened when she met the devil? Don’t let the title mislead you. This is a very cheerful, lighthearted…


$2.4 Million Crane Vandalised in State’s Youth Crime Blitz

A north Queensland business is reeling after youths heavily vandalised a $2.4 million (US$1.68 million) crane while bragging about it on social media. Business managers say an excavator worth $500,000 was also damaged in the attack on the weekend, which comes amid a tide of violent criminal incidents involving juveniles in the state. In a…


Tropical Storm Leaves 30 Dead, 20 Missing in Madagascar

ANTANARIVO, Madagascar—Flooding and landslides caused by the passage of tropical storm Cheneso across Madagascar caused 30 deaths, left 20 people missing and affected tens of thousands across the Indian Ocean island nation, according to a provisional assessment Monday. The storm made landfall in the northeast of the island last Thursday and impacted close to 89,000…


Russian Businessman Goes on Trial on US Hack-and-Trade Charges

BOSTON—A Russian businessman with ties to the Kremlin made tens of millions of dollars trading on secret financial information obtained by hackers about multiple companies before it was public, a U.S. prosecutor said Monday at the start of his trial. Vladislav Klyushin, 42, and his associates made nearly $90 million trading stocks based on yet-to-be-announced…


Doctor Gets Nearly 17 Years in Prison for Vast Opioid Scheme

DETROIT—A Detroit-area doctor was sentenced Monday to nearly 17 years in prison and ordered to pay $30 million for leading a scheme to bill Medicare and private insurers for unnecessary painkiller injections and write prescriptions for millions of opioids. Frank Patino’s fraud lasted years and was one of the most egregious health care schemes in…


Japan, Greece Step up Security Ties as ‘Strategic Partners’

TOKYO—Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, agreed on Monday to strengthen their security, defense and economic ties and pledged to cooperate in responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and other threats in Europe and Asia. They said they agreed to upgrade their nations’ relations to a “strategic partnership,” with defense…


Lone Assailant Injures 3 in Brussels Subway Stabbing Attack

BRUSSELS—A lone assailant wielding a knife injured three people in Brussels on Monday during a rush-hour rampage through a subway car before being detained by police in the station under the European Union’s headquarters, officials said. The Brussels prosecutor’s spokesperson, Martin Francois, said one of the three injured people was taken to hospital and remained…