Month: December 2021

CAIRO (AP) — An Egyptian lawyer says a court in Cairo has sentenced one of the country’s most prominent activists to five years in prison on charges of spreading false news. Alaa Abdel-Fattah was first sentenced in 2014 on charges of taking part in an unauthorized protest and allegedly assaulting a police officer. He was

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — People in crisis and those trying to help them will have a new three-digit phone number, 988, to reach the national suicide prevention network starting in July. Federal health officials announced Monday more than $280 million to smooth the transition from the current 10-digit number, 800-273-8255. Three-digit

By LARRY NEUMEISTER and TOM HAYS Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — The sex trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell is speeding to a conclusion. The jury began deliberations late Monday in Manhattan federal court. The jury went home after less than an hour. Earlier, a prosecutor said during closing arguments that the 59-year-old Maxwell is

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME Associated Press JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has returned to work following a week of isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. His office announced Monday that Ramaphosa had mild symptoms and was treated at his official residence in Cape Town by South Africa’s military health service as the country

LONDON (AP) — The government of Belarus says it has summoned a British diplomat in protest after its embassy in London was “attacked” and a diplomat injured. The Belarus Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday that a group of people smeared the facade of the embassy building and then physically assaulted Belarusian diplomats who

By DAVID BAUDER AP Media Writer NEW YORK (AP) — When he sat down at his parents’ house to write a simple, melodic song for his band Fleet Foxes’ debut album, Robin Pecknold had no idea he’d be writing a modern-day holiday standard. But unexpectedly, that’s what “White Winter Hymnal” has turned into, a staple

By TOM MURPHY AP Health Writer Biogen is slashing the price of its Alzheimer’s treatment months after the drug debuted to widespread criticism for an initial cost that can reach $56,000 annually. The drugmaker said Monday that starting in January it will cut the wholesale acquisition cost of the drug by about 50%. That means

By MATT O’BRIEN AP Technology Writer MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA, Mass. (AP) — When Microsoft urges shareholders to reject an activist investor’s proposal, shareholders almost always abide. So it was a shock when nearly 78% of shareholders at Microsoft’s Nov. 30 annual meeting voted to demand accountability from the company in responding to sexual harassment complaints, including allegations

VIENNA (AP) — Austria has reported fewer than 2,000 new coronavirus cases as the last few regions in the country reopened restaurants and hotels. It’s the lowest number since October and stands in stark contrast to rising cases across much of Europe. Austria went into a 20-day lockdown on Nov. 22 in response to a

By LEANNE ITALIE AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK (AP) — More than a decade ago, Matthew Viragh was a Texan with a dream. He wanted to serve moviegoers booze and prepared food as they sat in their seats. In Brooklyn. But he had a state Prohibition-era liquor ban to contend with first. Viragh hired a