Iranian users of Signal messaging service say app blocked
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian users of the Signal messaging service say they have lost access to the app on their mobile devices. Users in several neighborhoods in the capital Tehran and at least three other major cities contacted by The Associated Press said Monday that access to the app was blocked gradually beginning in the afternoon. They said they could use the system through virtual private networks, services that shield internet users by encrypting their data traffic. Some still had access through desktop version of the app. State media did not report that the app was blocked and calls to authorities were not immediately returned Monday.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has extended almost all of his country’s tough lockdown measures for at least a month, saying that the rapid spread of the new more transmissible variant made the decision unavoidable. Rutte said Tuesday that a curfew imposed 10 days ago that triggered widespread rioting in its first days will remain in force. He said the government will weigh up the lockdown options again early next week. The premier spoke hours after the country’s public health institute said that new coronavirus infections fell 20% over the last week but more transmissible variants now account for two-thirds of Dutch infections.
HONOLULU (AP) — A retired Honolulu police officer and a Big Island firefighter were sentenced in connection with a corruption case involving a former Honolulu prosecutor and her retired police chief husband. Retired Honolulu officer Niall Silva was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges in 2016. Big Island firefighter Jesse Ebersole, who in 2018 pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to obstruct, was also sentenced. Former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha and her now estranged husband, former Police Chief Louis Kealoha, were both convicted of conspiracy, obstruction and bank fraud amid a federal investigation.