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Exclusive-Foreign cars flow to Russia through China, skirting Ukraine war sanctions

Exclusive-Foreign cars flow to Russia through China, skirting Ukraine war sanctions

By Alessandro Parodi, Gleb Stolyarov and Alexandr Reshetnikov Feb 12 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of cars are being exported from China to Russia under gray-market schemes that often circumvent Western and Asian government sanctions and automakers' commitments to exit the Russian market, according

Harden turns playmaker in Cavaliers' home debut as Cleveland routs the Wizards

Harden turns playmaker in Cavaliers' home debut as Cleveland routs the Wizards

James Harden is fitting in fast with the Cavaliers, even when he is not hunting his own shot

Grieving families press Congress on aviation safety reforms after midair collision near DC

Grieving families press Congress on aviation safety reforms after midair collision near DC

Key senators and the families of the 67 people who died when an airliner collided with an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., are convinced advanced aircraft locator systems that experts have been recommending for decades would have prevented the crash

Taiwan's AI-powered economy soars in the shadow of bubble fears and China threats

Taiwan's AI-powered economy soars in the shadow of bubble fears and China threats

Taiwan's economy is thriving thanks to the boom in artificial intelligence, driven by strong demand for computer chips and other products made by companies like TSMC and Foxconn

Europe warily awaits Rubio at Munich Security Conference as Trump roils transatlantic ties

Europe warily awaits Rubio at Munich Security Conference as Trump roils transatlantic ties

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading a large U.S. delegation to the Munich Security Conference this week

Race day arrives for Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych, who says he'll use banned helmet

Race day arrives for Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych, who says he'll use banned helmet

Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych is set to test Olympic rules by racing in a banned helmet that honors Ukrainians killed in the war with Russia

EU leaders meet to counter pressure from Russia, China and Trump

EU leaders meet to counter pressure from Russia, China and Trump

European Union leaders are gathering in Belgium as the bloc argues over how to stand up to pressure from the United States, China and Russia

South Korea Launches $687 Million Project to Develop AI Semiconductors

South Korea Launches $687 Million Project to Develop AI Semiconductors

South Korea is set to launch a 1 trillion-won ($687.8 million) project aimed at developing on-device AI semiconductors. This initiative, part of the Manufacturing AX Alliance, involves major companies like Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Group. The project seeks to reduce reliance on foreign AI chipmakers by fostering local innovation and production capabilities. The government plans to support fabless companies and enhance access to foundries, aiming to produce AI chips for various applications, including self-driving cars and smart home devices.

AI Healthcare Apps Raise Privacy Concerns Due to Lack of HIPAA Compliance

AI Healthcare Apps Raise Privacy Concerns Due to Lack of HIPAA Compliance

AI-powered healthcare applications from companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google are increasingly being used to provide health and wellness advice. However, these apps are not subject to the same legal or regulatory requirements as traditional healthcare providers under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This raises concerns about the protection of personal health data shared with these apps. Experts warn that these companies may not offer the same level of data security and privacy as regulated healthcare entities, potentially exposing users to risks such as data leakage and unauthorized data sharing. Despite these concerns, AI health apps continue to gain popularity due to their convenience and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional healthcare services.

New York Expands Investigation into Vaccine Record Falsification by Julie DeVuono

New York Expands Investigation into Vaccine Record Falsification by Julie DeVuono

The New York State Health Department has expanded its investigation into former nurse practitioner Julie DeVuono, who is accused of falsifying childhood vaccine records. The state has subpoenaed over 100 schools, primarily private institutions on Long Island, to obtain vaccine records of DeVuono's patients. This follows previous actions where the state invalidated vaccine records of 169 students. DeVuono had previously pleaded guilty to selling fake COVID-19 vaccine cards. The investigation aims to address potential fraud in vaccine documentation, which poses significant public health risks.

Rural Health Transformation Funds May Be Insufficient to Prevent Hospital Closures

Rural Health Transformation Funds May Be Insufficient to Prevent Hospital Closures

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) has allocated $50 billion to support rural hospitals in the United States, aiming to bolster the rural health safety net. However, a report by Chartis indicates that this funding may be insufficient to reverse the decline of rural hospitals, with 417 facilities currently at risk of closure. Since 2010, 206 rural hospitals have either closed or shifted to models that exclude inpatient care. The report highlights that 41.2% of rural hospitals are operating at a loss, with significant disparities between expansion and non-expansion states. The RHTP funds are intended to address these challenges, but the broad allocation criteria and restrictions on spending may limit their effectiveness.

Illinois Accountability Commission Examines Federal Conduct During Operation Midway Blitz

Illinois Accountability Commission Examines Federal Conduct During Operation Midway Blitz

The Illinois Accountability Commission held its second public hearing to investigate the conduct of federal agents during 'Operation Midway Blitz,' a military-style operation conducted under the Trump Administration. The hearing, which included testimony from subject matter experts, focused on how institutional structures and propaganda were used to transform federal agents into a paramilitary force. The Commission released its initial status report and discussed potential policy recommendations to protect Illinois residents from rights violations. The Commission aims to create a public record of the operation's impact and suggest changes to ensure community safety.

LEGO Introduces K-8 Computer Science Curriculum to Enhance Computational Thinking

LEGO Introduces K-8 Computer Science Curriculum to Enhance Computational Thinking

LEGO has launched a new computer science curriculum aimed at K-8 students, integrating LEGO bricks with interactive hardware to teach computational thinking. The curriculum is divided into three grade bands and includes kits with motors, sensors, and connection cards. These kits are designed for groups of four students and come with 30 inquiry-based lessons that align with existing programs. The initiative emphasizes hands-on learning and collaboration, allowing students to explore AI and machine learning concepts. The curriculum also includes a teacher portal for lesson planning and a student-facing coding experience with icon-based and word-based programming languages.

Taiwanese President Warns of Regional Threats Amidst China Tensions

Taiwanese President Warns of Regional Threats Amidst China Tensions

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has issued a warning that countries in the region could be next targets if China were to seize Taiwan. In an interview, Lai emphasized the need for Taiwan to bolster its defenses, expressing confidence that the parliament will approve an additional $40 billion budget for defense purchases, including weapons from the United States. Despite warnings from China's President Xi Jinping against U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Lai believes the U.S. will continue to support Taiwan without using it as a bargaining chip with Beijing. Lai highlighted the strategic importance of Taiwan's location in the Asia-Pacific region and the potential for increased Chinese aggression if Taiwan were annexed.

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Outlines 2026 Priorities to Boost Local Farming Economy

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Outlines 2026 Priorities to Boost Local Farming Economy

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell has outlined his priorities for 2026, focusing on strengthening the state's agricultural economy. Reflecting on the challenges of 2025, Shell emphasized the need to correct trade policies and reduce reliance on subsidies, which he described as temporary solutions. He is advocating for the removal of barriers that hinder schools from purchasing Kentucky-grown food, supporting Senate Bill 5 to facilitate this process. Additionally, Shell plans to expand the Food Is Medicine initiative, which integrates local food into hospital cafeterias, and aims to boost agritourism to drive economic growth. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to connect Kentucky-grown products directly with consumers and enhance profitability for local farmers.

Illegal Cannabis Farms Pose Environmental Threat to California Forests

Illegal Cannabis Farms Pose Environmental Threat to California Forests

Illegal cannabis farms in California's public lands are causing significant environmental damage, according to ecologists and researchers. These operations, often located in national forests, leave behind hazardous waste, including pesticides and fertilizers, which contaminate ecosystems and water sources. Despite law enforcement raids, many sites remain uncleaned due to inadequate federal funding and resources. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with other state agencies, is attempting to address the issue through cleanups and policy initiatives. However, the scale of the problem, with thousands of sites identified, presents a daunting challenge.

Nashville Public Library Showcases WWII Love Letters, Offering Intimate Wartime Insights

Nashville Public Library Showcases WWII Love Letters, Offering Intimate Wartime Insights

The Nashville Public Library has digitized and displayed a collection of over 200 love letters exchanged between William Raymond Whittaker and Jane Dean during World War II. These letters, found in a Nashville home and donated to the Metro Nashville Archives in 2016, provide a personal glimpse into the couple's relationship amidst the backdrop of war. Whittaker, a student at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, was drafted into the Army in 1942 and stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Despite the distance, he rekindled his relationship with Jane, who was working as a medical lab technician at Vanderbilt University. The letters reveal their courtship, marriage, and the challenges they faced during the war, including racial and gender issues.

Animal Shelter Fire in Andover, N.J. Results in Death of Four Dogs and Several Missing

Animal Shelter Fire in Andover, N.J. Results in Death of Four Dogs and Several Missing

A tragic fire broke out at an animal rescue facility in Andover, New Jersey, resulting in the death of four dogs and leaving several others unaccounted for. The incident occurred on Wednesday, causing significant distress among the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to care for the animals. The fire's cause is currently under investigation, and local authorities are working to determine the full extent of the damage. The shelter, which houses numerous animals, is a critical resource for the community, providing care and shelter for abandoned and rescued pets. The loss has been deeply felt by the community, with many expressing their condolences and support for the shelter's efforts.

Italy Approves Naval Blockades to Curb Migrant Boats

Italy Approves Naval Blockades to Curb Migrant Boats

Italy's cabinet has approved a bill authorizing naval blockades to prevent migrant boats from entering its territorial waters during periods of 'exceptional pressure.' This move is part of a broader strategy by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government to tighten immigration controls. The legislation allows for boats to be banned for up to six months in cases of serious threats to public order or national security. Violators could face fines and have their boats confiscated. The bill follows recent changes to EU asylum rules, which allow member countries to reject asylum applications if the applicant could have received protection in a safe country.

China Daily-use Articles Trade Fair 2026 to Enhance Japanese Supply Chain Connections

China Daily-use Articles Trade Fair 2026 to Enhance Japanese Supply Chain Connections

The China Daily-use Articles Trade Fair (CDATF) is set to take place from July 23-25, 2026, at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. This event is recognized as one of Asia's leading B2B sourcing platforms, featuring over 3,500 exhibitors across 200,000 square meters. The fair is expected to attract more than 110,000 professional trade visitors from over 70 countries. A significant portion of the exhibitors, over 95%, are Chinese source factories with OEM/ODM manufacturing capabilities, providing buyers with direct access to production partners. The 2026 edition of CDATF is introducing enhanced support systems specifically for Japanese buyers, aiming to facilitate efficient and transparent business negotiations. This includes pre-show digital matching, onsite communication support with professional Japanese interpreters, and flexible engagement models for trial orders.