CHICAGO (AP) — A federal jury has convicted a former Illinois state senator of tax-related charges that include filing false individual tax returns for two years. Jurors in Chicago deliberated for about eight hours over two days before convicting former state Sen. Annazette Collins on Monday of four of six tax-related charges. She was convicted of filing false individual tax …

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Human Rights Watch said Monday that Afghanistan’s public health system has been hit hard following a sharp reduction in foreign assistance, coupled with serious Taliban abuses against women and girls, jeopardizing the right to healthcare of millions of Afghans. In a report, the New York-based watchdog said this has left the “Afghan population increasingly vulnerable to severe …

The first decision that needs to be made on Valentine’s Day is: Eat in or go out? Since you are checking out this article and recipe, I‘m thinking that you (like me!) are of the stay-home-and-cook persuasion. So the next decision is a more involved one – what to make? Something special but not complicated. A meal that traps you …

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian soccer fans were already in a funk after a year that saw a string of poor results, a coaching void and a political tug of war at the country’s federation. Things got even worse Sunday after Brazil failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics thanks to a loss to archrival Argentina, meaning the two-time defending …

“¡Kylian en París! ¡Renueva, Mbappé!” El mensaje que el máximo astro del fútbol recibió de parte de los hinchas del Paris Saint-Germain no pudo ser más cristalino. El campeón mundial respondió a los cánticos con una sonrisa, saludó a los aficionados y se llevó la mano a su corazón al retirarse de la ciudad deportiva del club el domingo. El …

Detroit Pistons (8-44, 15th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (28-26, ninth in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Tuesday, 10:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers take on Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons in out-of-conference action. The Lakers are 18-9 on their home court. Los Angeles is eighth in the NBA with …

Sacramento Kings (30-22, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (31-22, fifth in the Western Conference) Phoenix; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Phoenix hosts Sacramento aiming to prolong its five-game home winning streak. The Suns are 5-8 in division play. Phoenix is 15-14 against opponents over .500. The Kings are 6-5 against Pacific Division teams. Sacramento has a …

Rick Tocchet does not want a lot of wandering minds around the Vancouver Canucks’ locker room. He would rather his players focus simply on the next game. “We can’t think of the big picture,” Tocchet said. “The only thing you can tell your players is short-term goals. You can’t think long term.” The Canucks are so in sync with their …

Carolina Hurricanes (30-16-5, second in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Dallas Stars (32-14-6, first in the Central Division) Dallas; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: The Dallas Stars host the Carolina Hurricanes after the Hurricanes took down the New Jersey Devils 1-0 in overtime. Dallas is 32-14-6 overall and 16-8-2 in home games. The Stars have a +32 scoring differential, with …

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government has seized a Boeing 747 cargo plane that officials say was previously sold by a sanctioned Iranian airline to a state-owned Venezuelan firm in violation of American export control laws. The Justice Department said Monday that the American-built plane had arrived in Florida and would be disposed of. The plane had earlier been transferred …