MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A Sydney business consultant was convicted Friday of breaking Australia’s foreign interference laws by providing reports to two people he should have suspected were Chinese spies.
Alexander Csergo, 59, is only the second person to be convicted under Australian laws against covert interference and espionage that angered China when they were legislated in 2018.
The jury that heard the trial in New South Wales District Court in Sydney found Csergo should have suspected that a man and woman he knew only as Ken and Evelyn were working for China’s ministry of state security.
He was found guilty of the charge of reckless foreign interference and was released on bail for the weekend to return to court Monday, when prosecutors will argue for him to be placed in custody. He faces a potential prison term of up to 15 years when he is sentenced.
Csergo’s lawyers argued he used open-source information as research. He also lied to the suspected spies about interviewing several individuals including Kevin Rudd, the former prime minister who is currently Australia’s ambassador to the U.S.
Csergo was working in Shanghai as a communications and technology consultant in 2021 when he was approached through the professional network platform LinkedIn by Evelyn, who said she was from a Chinese think tank.
He provided handwritten reports to Evelyn and Ken in return for cash on topics including defense, security, politics and mining. Subjects included the AUKUS trilateral partnership in which Britain will help provide Australia with a fleet of submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology.
Alexander Csergo arrives at the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney, on Feb. 18, 2026. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP Image via AP)
ATLANTA (AP) — CJ McCollum scored 29 points and the Atlanta Hawks used a big third quarter to blow out the Cleveland Cavaliers 124-102 on Friday night, clinching a playoff spot and the Southeast Division title.
The Hawks had not won the Southeast Division since 2021, when they ultimately advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. They have been in the play-in tournament the last four seasons.
James Harden scored 20 points for the Cavs, who are locked into the No. 4 seed in the East. Jaylon Tyson returned from a 10-game absence to start and had 15 points.
Dyson Daniels had 13 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for the Hawks, his second triple-double of his career. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 18 points and Jalen Johnson added 18 points and nine rebounds before sitting out the final 10 minutes of the game. The Cavs shot 26% from 3-point range.
The Hawks have won 14 of their final 15 home games ahead of the playoffs.
Atlanta led 66-55 in the third quarter, then put together a 16-0 run to push the lead to 27. It was never threatened thereafter.
The Cavs were missing leading scorer Donovan Mitchell (right ankle) and starter Jarrett Allen (right knee), as well as reserve Sam Merrill (left hamstring).
Cavs: At Washington on Friday.
Hawks: Visit Miami on Sunday.
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) dunks against Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye, center left, and guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, April 10, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson, center, drives to the basket against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, left, and forward Jonathan Kuminga, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, April 10, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Friday, April 10, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
