France blames Russia for a digital effort to whip up online controversy over Stars of David graffiti

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:59:10 GMT

France blames Russia for a digital effort to whip up online controversy over Stars of David graffiti PARIS (AP) — France says it has been the target of a Russian online destabilization campaign that used bots to whip up controversy and confusion about spray-painted Stars of David that appeared on Paris streets and fed alarm about surging antisemitism in France during the Israel-Hamas war.The 250 or so quickly erased blue stars are now the subject of French police investigations seeking to determine whether the graffiti were antisemitic, as Paris’ police chief and others initially suspected, and if they were organized from outside France. The stars’ stenciling on walls in Paris and its suburbs last month quickly fomented debate and alarm on social media and concerns about the safety of France’s Jewish community, the largest in Europe.Since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, triggering their latest and deadliest war, French authorities have counted more than 1,150 antisemitic acts. That’s nearly three times more than all acts against French Jews in 2022, the Int...

British judge says Prince Harry’s lawsuit against Daily Mail publisher can go to trial

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:59:10 GMT

British judge says Prince Harry’s lawsuit against Daily Mail publisher can go to trial LONDON (AP) — A British judge ruled Friday that a lawsuit by Prince Harry, Elton John and five other celebrities accusing a newspaper publisher of unlawful information-gathering should go to a full trial.The claimants, who include John’s husband David Furnish and actors Liz Hurley and Sadie Frost, accuse the publisher of the Daily Mail of paying private investigators to illegally bug homes and cars and to record phone conversations.Harry said the publisher targeted him and the people closest to him by unlawfully hacking voicemails, tapping landlines, obtaining itemized phone bills and the flight information of his then-girlfriend, Chelsy Davy.The publisher, Associated Newspapers Ltd., asked the judge to throw out the case. At hearings in March its lawyers argued that the claims -– which date as far back as 1993 — were brought too late and that claimants were relying on confidential evidence the papers turned over to a 2012 public inquiry into tabloid wrongdoing.Judge Matthew N...

Drinks giant Diageo sees share price slide after warning about sales in Caribbean and Latin America

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:59:10 GMT

Drinks giant Diageo sees share price slide after warning about sales in Caribbean and Latin America LONDON (AP) — Spirits and beer giant Diageo PLC saw billions wiped off its market value on Friday after it warned that a sharp slowdown in its business in Latin America and the Caribbean was hitting sales and potential profits.In early trading in London, the company’s share price was down by 14% after it told investors that it expects growth in the first half of the current financial year to be slower than the previous half-year. It blamed a “materially weaker” outlook in Latin America and the Caribbean as a result of “macroeconomic pressures” and customers downtrading to cheaper products. The region accounts for around 11% of Diageo’s total sales.That was a surprise for investors as the company, which counts Johnnie Walker whisky, Captain Morgan rum and Guinness among its stable of brands, had previously indicated a “gradual improvement” in sales growth.The group highlighted that it still expects an improvement in growth in North America, while its businesses in E...

How to talk to older people in your life about scams

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:59:10 GMT

How to talk to older people in your life about scams NEW YORK (AP) — This summer, Daniel Goldstein’s 86-year-old mom got an email that looked like it was from her bank. She was alarmed because she hadn’t spent the money it mentioned, so she called a help number on the email. The person on the other end of the line asked for her bank account information and made her believe she would get her money back. Instead, she lost $600 to a scammer.Last year, consumers of all ages were scammed out of $8.8 billion. And older adults lost the most money compared to other age groups, according to the Federal Trade Commission. While everyone wants to protect their parents and grandparents from scammers, sometimes these conversations can be complicated to navigate. “We encourage people to think in multigenerational approaches. Everyone is getting scammed, it’s just a different way that scammers go after you,” said Genevieve Waterman from the National Council on Aging. From having a lot of empathy to knowing how to report a scam, experts shared their r...

Live updates | Blinken says more needs to be done to save Palestinian lives and for more aid

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:59:10 GMT

Live updates | Blinken says more needs to be done to save Palestinian lives and for more aid U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says “far too many” Palestinians have died and more needs to be done to save lives and get aid where it’s most needed. Speaking in New Dheli Friday, Bliken said the U.S. “appreciates” Israel’s steps to minimize civilian casualties but that’s not enough. He said the U.S. has proposed additional ideas to the Israelis about how to accomplish that including longer “humanitarian pauses” and expanding the amount of assistance getting into Gaza.Blinken’s remarks come as the Israeli military pushed deeper into dense urban neighborhoods in its battle with Hamas militants.The fighting is prompting increasing numbers of civilians to flee south, and growing numbers of people have been living in and around hospitals, hoping it will be safer than their homes or United Nations shelters in the north, several of which have been hit repeatedly. Gaza’s largest city is the focus of Israel’s campaign to crush Hamas following its deadly Oct. 7 incursion in sou...

Siena men's season comes to a close against Rider

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:59:10 GMT

Siena men's season comes to a close against Rider LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Siena Men's Soccer saw its 2023 season come to a close in the MAAC Semifinals on Thursday, dropping a 2-0 decision as the No. 2 seed to No. 3 Rider at Hickey Field. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! After beginning the season 0-6, the Saints mounted a furious rebound with eight wins in their final ten regular season matches to match their highest finish in program history, set a new program record with eight MAAC wins, and clinch a first-round bye in the 2023 MAAC Championship. Rider entered the contest following a 3-1 win over No. 6 Marist in the MAAC Quarterfinals.Both teams began to wake up offensively following roughly 20 minutes of shot less play on a grey, chilly afternoon in the Capital Region.Boasting the MAAC Rookie of the Year and three members of the First Team All-MAAC squad, Rider broke through on the board following a Siena turnover in its offensive zone in the 37th minute that was...

Saint Rose women donut No. 4 Ravens in semifinal action

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:59:10 GMT

Saint Rose women donut No. 4 Ravens in semifinal action ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The College of Saint Rose women's soccer team advanced to the Northeast-10 Conference Championship final with a 2-0 win against Franklin Pierce this evening at Sullivan Field.  Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! After the two squads played a scoreless 70 minutes, freshman midfielder Sydney Myers scored twice in nine-minute span to provide the Golden Knights a late multi-goal lead.Myers first score came off a corner kick scramble that saw senior back Sanna Rein provide the assist before Myers headed home the opening goal.The freshman would complete the brace when she converted a Mia Klammer throw in that flicked off the head of freshman midfielder Brielle Zink.The top-ranked Golden Knights will battle Adelphi for the league championship on Sunday at 2:00 pm at Sullivan Field. The Panthers, who are the second seed in the NE10 bracket, earned their spot in the title mat...

Shen and CBA football to battle in Class AA championship game for third straight season

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:59:10 GMT

Shen and CBA football to battle in Class AA championship game for third straight season TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- If the second installment of CBA and Shenendehowa is as good as the first that we saw earlier this season, fans are in for a treat Friday night in the Section II, Class AA football championship game. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Since Bob Burns' arrival at CBA, the Brothers have owned Class AA, taking the last two section titles. As they prepare for a third straight championship game appearance, this team has their own spin on the Super Bowl."The guys call it the "CBA Invitational,"" said Burns. "I mean…that's kind of what it's been."Shen has been on the losing end of both those championship games. A chance to bring a section title back to Clifton Park this year has led to an unprecedented drive from that group."The energy that they bring to practice is exponential," said head coach Brian Clawson. "We've never had a team like this.""This game means a lot to us," added senior wide receiver and outside l...

Siena women's basketball storms on the scene in season opener

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:59:10 GMT

Siena women's basketball storms on the scene in season opener VESTAL, NY (NEWS10) – It has already been widely covered that Siena Women's Basketball was picked to finish second and contend for a conference title in the 2023 MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. After months of speculation, the Saints (1-0) finally got the chance to prove why they were so highly regarded to start the season. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Holding as large as a 28-point lead, the Green and Gold took care of business to begin the 2023-24 season, taking a 73-64 victory over Binghamton (1-1) on the Dr. Bai Lee Court in Vestal, New York.Using only seven players on the evening, the Saints cruised to their second straight 1-0 start under head coach Jim Jabir and recorded their first victory in a road opener in nine years, while completing the program's first consecutive 1-0 starts to a season in 20 years.Both teams opened the contest trading buckets, but the home program took the upper hand in the better ...

9 Brothers sign letters of intent at CBA signing day

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:59:10 GMT

9 Brothers sign letters of intent at CBA signing day ALBANY, NY (NEWS10) -- Nine Brothers signed their national letters of intent at Christian Brothers Academy on Thursday to make their college commitments official. The full list of athletes and where they are heading can be found below. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! BASEBALL:Colin McMahon - Hamilton CollegeMatthew Sgambati - Stony Brook UniversityBrian Carrothers - St. Bonaventure UniversityLACROSSE:Francesco Raso - Iona UniversityChristian Lewis - Coast Guard AcademyBenjamin Keens - Clarkson UniversityDixon Van Epps - Salve Regina UniversitySWIMMING:Finnegan McFarland Binghamton UniversityTRACK & FIELD:Nathan West - Columbia University