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What are China’s alleged ‘secret overseas police stations’?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Police in New York have arrested two men for allegedly setting up a secret police station for a Chinese provincial police agency to collect information on opponents of the ruling Communist Party. Such offices have been reported across North America, Europe and in other countries where Chinese communities include critics of the Communist Party who have family or business contacts in China. China denies that they are police stations, saying that they exist mainly to provide citizen services such as renewing driver’s licenses.Party leader and head of state Xi Jinping has waged a campaign against corruption that has also targeted criticism of his regime at home and abroad, while seeking to chase down those accused of financial crimes. The arrests Monday in New York came alongside charges against 34 officers with China’s national police force in China for using social media to harass party critics in the United States, authorities said Monday.Below is a look at the a...

Millennial Money: Young adults traveling on fiscal thin ice

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

Prices for travel remain stubbornly high. The cost of airfare in February was 27% higher than the same month a year earlier, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data . And rental car prices — having shot up during the pandemic — remain high today, as they’re 37% pricier in February than they were in the same month in 2019.Yet costlier travel is not deterring younger Americans who are eager to hit the road (and the skies) this year. A whopping 87% of 18-to-29-year-olds and 90% of 30-to-44-year-olds intend to travel this summer, according to a March survey by The Vacationer. If the economy is slowing, younger travelers aren’t heeding the memo.“When I meet with folks, they’re not budgeting,” says Dylan Snowden, a financial coach . “Most will just think about hotels and flight, but not the fact that they need to feed themselves three times a day.”Ignoring the broader economic trends (like the rising cost of eating out) could mean stormy financial waters ahead for these vacation...

German climate activists pledge new wave of blockades

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Climate activists said Tuesday that they will stage further protests in Berlin in an effort to force the German government into doing more to curb global warming.The announcement came as courts are taking a tougher stance against members of the group Last Generation who have repeatedly blocked roads across Germany in the past year.The group said at a news conference in Berlin that it would begin to stage open-ended protests Wednesday in the government district. From Monday onward, members will try to “peacefully bring the city to a standstill,” it said.Last Generation accuses the German government of breaching the country’s constitution, citing a supreme court verdict two years ago that found too much of the burden for climate change was being placed on younger generations. The government under then Chancellor Angela Merkel subsequently raised its targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but activists say the measures aren’t consistent with the Paris climate...

Tuesday Forecast: Temps in upper 50s with mostly sunny conditions

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

CHICAGO — Warmer conditions and mostly sunny Tuesday. Winds: WNW 10-15 G20. High: 57Partly cloudy tonight. Winds: E 5-10. Low: 42. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Wednesday Forecast: Mainly cloudy, 40% thunderstorm chance, wide temp range. Winds: SE 10-15 G30. High: 68.Full forecast details at the WGN Weather Center

Georgetown High School students getting jump on summer job opportunities

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – The Georgetown Independent School District will host a job fair for students at one high school Tuesday.Georgetown High School students looking for summer work and internship opportunities will be able to meet with more than 100 local businesses.The job fair will be at the school Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.This was the second of two job fairs the district held in April. It held one on Monday at East View High School. The district also has an online tool for students to find work year-around on the GISD High School Job Board.  

Austin middle schoolers engineer tool for visually impaired

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — What started off as a middle school science project could soon make a major impact helping those who are visually impaired.Two 8th-graders at the Harmony School of Endeavor have engineered a ‘smart cane’ with sonar sensors that detect obstacles up to five feet away.Ahyan Hassan and Hasan Rizvi call it their Pathfinder Project.Not only did they win the middle school division on their own campus, but they also finished first at the Austin Energy Regional Science Fair. This allowed them to advance to the Texas Science & Engineering Fair at Texas A&M's Student Center, where they won first place in the Junior- Engineering Technology: Statics and Dynamics category."We were only aiming to get to the State Fair,” Rizvi said. “I guess we got that trophy and we were really excited for that.”"We put blood, sweat and tears into this, very literally, and we really wanted to win,” Hassan said. “If we didn't win, we just worked a long time for no reason."The boys have been ...

NYSP: Man acting as power of attorney steals over $260K

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Saratoga Springs man was arrested for stealing over $260K from a person's bank account, who he was acting on behalf of, according to New York State Police. Ivan Gerdwagen, 65, is charged with second-degree grand larceny. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Tuesday, April 11, around 5:38 p.m., troopers received a complaint that over $260,000 was missing from the victim's bank account. Police say an investigation determined Gerdwagen, who was acting as the victim's power of attorney at the time of the theft, removed over $260,000 from August 2022 through January 2023 without permission or a justifiable purpose benefitting the victim.Gerdwagen was arrested and processed at Mayfield State Police. He was taken to the Schenectady County Correctional Facility to await arraignment.

Off the Beaten Path: UPshining Houseplants

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - UPshining is an indoor houseplant store in Schenectady that specializes in rare plants. They offer a collection of more than 200 different plants, and if you can't find one you're looking for, ask Owner Angie Cheng for help! She says she can work on getting you a cutting to propagate your own plant. Off the Beaten Path: Butterfly Plant Studio Besides plants, they offer a wide variety of different ceramic and clay pots for plants. They also offer preserved flowers available in bouquets."A lot of people just want to try the indoor plants especially the younger generation because people realize how important the plants are... it can purify the air, it can make you relax and it's a very very important element to your home decoration,” said Angie. Off the Beaten Path: Matt’s Refillery UPshining Houseplants located at 1707 Union Street in Schenectady. The store is open from Wednesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Due to demand, the store is looking into ...

5 things to know this Tuesday, April 18

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Tuesday! We are unfortunately getting more or less the same weather as yesterday. According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, we can expect more cloudy, cool, and breezy conditions. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! A 20-year-old woman was shot and killed after she and her friends mistakenly went to the wrong address, according to law enforcement. Deputies say when she went to the wrong address, the property owner opened fire at her vehicle without provocation. The homeowner is now in custody. Also, a juvenile was arrested on Monday for making a false bomb threat at Mont Pleasant Middle School, which caused students to be redirected. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Tuesday morning. 1. Man charged in fatal mistaken address shootingA 20-year-old Schuylerville woman is dead after allegedly being shot by a homeowner in Hebron. The Washington County Sheriff says it al...

Cambridge Valley Balloon Festival changes Saturday night venue

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:59:22 GMT

CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Cambridge Valley Balloon Festival, which will take place Friday, June 2 through Sunday, June 4, is changing the location for its Moon Glow event on Saturday night. The event will now be held at the Cambridge Central School. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to an online statement from the Cambridge Valley Balloon Festival, the move will help make for a less congested area for the inflation of the balloons, a safer place for the pilots, and more participation for the balloons. This move will also allow for fewer wires and no close surrounding trees.