Author: Justin M. Larson

A Moldovan oligarch and former senior politician has been extradited from Greece accused of involvement in the theft of $1bn (£748m).Vladimir Plahotniuc, 59, was flown from Athens to Chisinau on Thursday morning and then taken to a detention centre in Moldova’s capital, local officials said.The tycoon, who faces several long-running criminal cases in Moldova, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has vowed to prove his innocence.His extradition comes days before Sunday’s parliamentary elections, with President Maia Sandu warning that Moldova’s independence and European future are in danger because of attempts by Russia to foment violence and spread disinformation.Vladimir Plahotniuc fled…

You might be in the habit of putting all your perishables in the fridge, but the truth is that not everything needs—or benefits from—an immediate cooldown. Some foods can actually spoil faster when refrigerated, while others lose texture or flavor when chilled.  Here are 15 foods dietitians say are better stored outside the fridge. 1. Avocados Cold halts the ripening process of avocados and makes them hard and flavorless, Diane Lindsay-Adler, MS, RDN, CDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Boston Children’s Health Physicians and assistant professor at New York Medical College, told Health. Once they’re ripe, you can put them in…

The French navy has seized nearly 10 tonnes of cocaine, worth $610m (£540m) off the coast of West Africa, French authorities have said.Two French naval vessels operating as part of Operation Corymbe intercepted the enormous cocaine haul from an unflagged fishing vessel on Monday, acting on a tip-off from maritime intelligence, anti-drug authorities and the British National Crime Agency.The Corymbe naval mission has been deployed by France in the Gulf of Guinea since 1990 to ensure security in an area where piracy is fairly common.The French navy said that 54 tonnes of drugs had been intercepted in the area since…

A vegan diet excludes animal-based foods like eggs, meat, and dairy, which are high-quality proteins. However, you can still get enough protein with a well-planned vegan diet. High-protein vegan foods include whole grains, legumes (lentils, beans, and peas), soy foods, nuts, and seeds. Roast edamame with olive oil and spices at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes. You can also make hummus from boiled edamame. The soybean is low in calories, low in fat, and high in fiber. Spread peanut butter on apple slices for a high-protein, high-fiber snack. Sprinkle hemp seeds for extra protein and added crunch. Peanut butter can…

The artist’s blockbuster survey across nearly five decades at the Royal Academy of Art in London tackles Black history in all its complexity. Source link

Image source, NASAImage caption, Hurricane Gabrielle underwent rapid intensification as it passed to the southeast of BermudaCredit NASAByChris Fawkes Lead Weather PresenterHurricane Gabrielle is forecast to hit the central Azores early on Friday morning with red weather warnings in force for torrential rain, damaging wind gusts and enormous waves.The President of the Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro has ordered the closure of public services ahead of the storm arrival saying “The absolute priority is to protect people’s lives and safety.”According to the Portuguese forecasting authority IPMA (Instituto do Mar e da Atmosfera), wind gusts will reach up to…

The Mediterranean diet is known to provide a number of benefits—from supporting heart health to preserving cognition—but new research suggests it may also protect against gum disease. “Gum disease is often seen as purely a hygiene issue, but our findings suggest that what we eat can play a supporting role,” Luigi Nibali, PhD, senior author and a professor of Periodontology at King’s College London, told Health. “A balanced, plant-rich diet may help reduce inflammation and support healthier gums alongside regular oral care.” For the study, published in the Journal of Periodontology, researchers looked at data from 200 hospital patients—including results…

The airstrikes came a day after the Houthi militia launched a drone at the Israeli city of Eilat, wounding 20 people. Source link

Police in Bolivia have arrested the country’s former counternarcotics czar after finding a cocaine lab on one of his properties, although it is not yet clear if he was aware of its existence.Felipe Cáceres was the head of the government department for controlled substances from 2006 to 2019 and in that role was in charge of Bolivia’s fight against illegal drugs. The arrest of Cáceres is the latest scandal to hit Bolivia’s anti-drugs agencies with one former head of the counternarcotics police currently awaiting trial in the US on charges of drug smuggling and another already in jail for drug…

A growing number of voices have warned about the impact that a “run” on stablecoins could have on traditional financial markets.Just_super | Istock | Getty ImagesPlans by a consortium of European banks to launch a new stablecoin could draw the region’s crypto-averse investors into the digital assets fold — and potentially speed up efforts to roll out a digital version of the euro.UniCredit, ING, Banca Sella, KBC, Danske Bank, Dekabank, SEB, CaixaBank and Raiffeisen said Thursday they plan to roll out a new euro-denominated stablecoin in the second half of next year.Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency designed to provide…

Most adults experience an average of 2-3 colds yearly. Cold symptoms can be uncomfortable and may include a stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, mild body aches, sneezing, and coughing. While there is no cure for the common cold, evidence suggests that zinc may help reduce the severity and duration of colds. Zinc is an essential trace mineral the body needs for immune function. It plays a key role in healing wounds and fighting bacteria and viruses. It also helps your body build proteins, produce DNA, and maintain good vision and a sense of taste. Adequate zinc levels are especially important…

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Overpayment scams are on the rise, and they can leave victims thousands of dollars in debt. The setup usually looks harmless: someone sends you a check for more than the agreed amount, asks you to forward the difference and disappears once the check bounces. Below are five of the most common overpayment scams you need to watch for today.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide –…

Here’s what to know. Source link

Masoud Pezeshkian began his remarks by upholding the importance of equality and mutual respect among all peoples. “The bedrock of all divine religions and of the human conscience is this golden maxim: that which you would not approve for yourself, do not approve for others,” he said.He noted, however, that the past two years have seen genocide in Gaza, destruction of homes in Lebanon – and the repeated violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the devastation of Syria’s infrastructure, assaults on Yemen, and the assassination of Iranian scientists.He asked leaders, “Would you countenance such things for yourselves?”‘Grave betrayal of diplomacy’Mr.…

A year ago, Mr. Al-Sharaa was leader of a rebel group based in Syria’s northwest before leading a rapid military offensive in late 2024 which toppled the Assad regime in Damascus.“From the very moment the former regime fell, we set out a clear strategic policy built upon three pillars – balanced diplomacy, security and stability, and economic development,” he said.He pledged that Syria was now “rebuilding itself through establishing a new State, building institutions and laws that guarantee the rights of all without exception.”Mr. Al-Sharaa said commissions had been created for transitional justice and to investigate the fate of missing…

China has embarked on a campaign to use more robots in its factories, transforming its manufacturing industries and becoming the dominant maker. Source link

After more countries recognized a Palestinian state, President Trump told Mideast and Muslim powers that he would not permit Israel to annex the territory, people familiar with the matter said. Source link

“Intensified strikes on Gaza City, including on tents, residential buildings, infrastructure continue to inflict heavy casualties,” the UN aid coordination agency, OCHA, said.In an update, the UN agency also noted that several health facilities have shut in Gaza City in the north of the enclave this month along with community kitchens, which have also closed as the Israeli military operation continues. The development followed an urgent warning about the catastrophic impact of the war on Gaza’s children – “killed while sleeping, playing, queuing for food and water, seeking medical care” – from the UN’s top aid official, Tom Fletcher.“They’ve been bombed, maimed,…

Thomas Lohnes | Getty ImagesThe European Commission launched an antitrust probe into German software behemoth SAP on Thursday, citing concerns about the company’s practices in software support services.According to the Commission, the investigation will assess “whether SAP may have distorted competition in the aftermarket for maintenance and support services related to an on-premises type of software, licensed by SAP, used for the management of companies’ business operations.”SAP, in a statement on Thursday, said it believed its policies and actions were fully compliant with EU competition rules.”However, we take the issues raised seriously and we are working closely with the EU Commission to…

A Nvidia RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition on display during VivaTech 2025 tech conference in Paris, France.Chesnot | Getty ImagesBritish artificial intelligence infrastructure firm Nscale is raising heaps of cash as it looks to ramp up the deployment of AI data centers across Europe.Nscale, which is based in London, said Thursday that it has raised $1.1 billion in a bumper Series B funding round. The investment was led by Aker, the Norwegian industrial investment company, with additional participation from a raft of firms including Nvidia, Nokia and Dell.The investment highlights continued demand for high-powered computing infrastructure, which is required…

For years, tattoo artists had to work in underground studios or windowless backrooms. They may soon be able to practice their craft in the open. Source link

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a case related to taking millions of euros of illicit funds from the late Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi.The Paris criminal court acquitted him of all other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing.Sarkozy, who claims the case is politically motivated, was accused of using the funds from Gaddafi to finance his 2007 election campaign.In exchange, the prosecution alleged Sarkozy promised to help Gaddafi combat his reputation as a pariah with Western countries.Sarkozy, 70, was the president of France from 2007 to 2012.Judge Nathalie Gavarino said…

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) in Bern, Switzerland, on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024.Stefan Wermuth | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe Swiss National Bank said Thursday that tariffs on goods to the U.S. present a “major challenge” for exporters, with its economy set to take a hit.The country has swallowed some of the highest duties imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration, with a 39% tariff rate implemented in August. It came after a Swiss delegation led by the country’s President Karin Keller-Sutter failed to secure a trade deal after meeting with Trump in Washington D.C.”The U.S. tariffs present a major challenge for…

Aleks Phillips andAdrienne MurrayWatch: Object seen flying away from Aalborg airport as drones disrupt flightsDenmark says drones flown over its airports appear to be the work of a “professional actor” but there was no evidence of Russian involvement, after such activity disrupted the its airspace for the second time in a week.Aalborg airport was forced to shut down for several hours on Wednesday evening after green lights were spotted overhead, while Billund airport also briefly closed. Three smaller airports also reported drone activity.On Monday, Copenhagen airport temporarily closed due to a drone incursion.Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told a news…