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Qatargate 2.0? A human rights plot favours convicted oligarch, casting shadows over European Parliamentarians

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:08:59 GMT

In a world where truth sometimes appears stranger than fiction, we come across yet another real-life saga that could be dismissed as overly dramatic had it been penned by a novelist. The European Parliament is mired in a new vortex of allegations concerning human rights and corruption, amid an already ongoing storm of fury initially fueled by Europe’s so-called QatarGate scandal last year, writes Luc Rodehefer.Testimonies point towards cash payments funnelled through a Brussels-based organization co-established by former Member of European Parliament (MEP) Antonio Panzeri to manipulate voting in the EP. The arrests and raids have led to the seizure of €1.5 million in cash and the confiscation of computers and mobile phones. This scandal has initiated legal discussions and stimulated demands to revoke diplomatic immunity for those implicated.A new in-depth investigation report published on May 29, 2023 – originally on Medium and later circulated among anti-corruption enthusiasts on R...

Cooking Up Visual Spectacles: Connor ‘Heisenberg’ McCollam’s Dynamism in Media Production

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:08:59 GMT

Connor McCollam has made his mark in the realm of media production. His narrative illustrates a powerful transformation from an early camera enthusiast to an esteemed creator of visual symphonies that resonate with millions.From an early age, McCollam saw more than just reality through his camera’s lens; he saw the world in a kaleidoscope of stories waiting to be told. Today, he’s not just telling stories; he’s creating visual symphonies that resonate with millions. Like a skilled chef preparing a gourmet meal, McCollam ‘cooks’ up striking visual narratives for the global music scene’s titans. His work—exquisite, energetic, and emotionally charged—serves a visual feast for an audience hungry for the unique taste of authenticity he brings to the table.As a senior member of the Rolling Loud Media Team, McCollam put his unique flavor into every bit of media content across 14 Rolling Loud festivals worldwide. He’s made legends like Travis Scott, Post Malone, Cardi B, and Justin Bieber r...

Three-bedroom home sells for $1.8 million in San Ramon

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:08:59 GMT

909 Woodland Drive – Google Street ViewA 2,017-square-foot house built in 1983 has changed hands. The spacious property located in the 900 block of Woodland Drive in San Ramon was sold on May 23, 2023. The $1,770,000 purchase price works out to $878 per square foot. The property features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, an attached garage, and two parking spaces. The unit sits on a 10,170-square-foot lot.Additional houses that have recently been sold close by include:A 2,310-square-foot home on the 300 block of Lynnbrook Drive in San Ramon sold in February 2023, for $1,625,000, a price per square foot of $703. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In September 2022, a 2,310-square-foot home on Woodview Terrace Drive in San Ramon sold for $1,907,500, a price per square foot of $826. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Longwood Court, San Ramon, in March 2023, a 2,998-square-foot home was sold for $2,060,000, a price per square foot of $687. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bath...

Taylor Swift course at Stanford to focus on singer's musical eras

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:08:59 GMT

(KRON) -- If you're a Stanford University student with a blank space in your winter schedule, a new Taylor Swift course could be something out of your wildest dreams. Transgender man says he was denied hormone medication at Oakland Walgreens A course called "All Too Well (Ten Week Version)" will be offering an in-depth analysis of Swift's newest album this coming winter at Stanford. The class is a part of Stanford's ITALIC 99 courses, which are taught by the school's alumni in part of an arts-minded, residence-based academic program offered to first-year students. STANFORD, CA - MARCH 12: Cyclists ride by Hoover Tower on the Stanford University campus on March 12, 2019 in Stanford, California (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)The course's instructor, Ava Jeffs, an upcoming sophomore at Stanford, spoke to KRON4 about why she's so enchanted by Swift's work and why she's so excited to teach the course, which she says is a lifelong dream. Jeffs said that her entrance essay for S...

Tee Thursday: Happy golfers play better golf

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:08:59 GMT

I’m coming to believe that there’s some advantage to being a golfer in training. Because as one, I have a weapon in my bag that pretty much promises me every round will be relatively great.It’s called happiness.I also have yet to be saddled with another weapon that can tank a round: That’s called ego.There’s no question that a more relaxed and forgiving attitude along with the ability to savor the beauty and the (sometimes very small) victories out there makes for better play overall.And yet, humans tend to lean toward angst and golfers – particularly those who don’t play often — do so all the more. I’ve seen it while playing with friends recently (and I’m thankful they will play with a learner like me, so all respect). They grumble after an errant tee shot; stomp their feet if they struggle out of the sand. Sometimes, they are just plain angry.Me? In this “happiness at the ready and ego yet to show up phase,” I’m just delighted to be out there. I celebrate the victories (like my do...

Macron calls for massive investment to respond to climate emergency and poverty at Paris summit

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:08:59 GMT

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron called Thursday for concrete solutions and massive investment for developing countries at the start of a two-day summit aimed at seeking better responses to tackle poverty and climate change issues by reshaping the global financial system.Speaking in Paris, Macron said no country should have to choose between “reducing poverty or protecting the planet.” The summit, hosted by France, is bringing together more than 50 heads of state, world finance officials and activists. They will discuss ways of reforming the global financial system and address the debt, climate change, and poverty crises.Macron called for a “financing jolt,” insisting on the need for more investment from both the public and private sectors, and the crucial role played by international institutions.“Faced with these challenges at the same time — poverty, climate and biodiversity — we must invest way more, and we are not up to the task,” he said.Macron praised...

US journalist Evan Gershkovich appears in Moscow court to appeal extended detention

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:08:59 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — A Wall Street Journal reporter detained on espionage charges in Russia is appearing in court to appeal his extended detention. U.S. citizen Evan Gershkovich, 31, was arrested in late March while on a reporting trip. A Moscow court agreed last month to keep him in custody until Aug. 30. Defense lawyers challenged the decision, and the Moscow City Court is scheduled to hear the appeal on Thursday. Gershkovich and his employer have denied he spied in Russia. The U.S. government has declared him to be wrongfully detained and demanded his immediate release.His arrest in the city of Yekaterinburg rattled journalists in Russia, where authorities have not detailed what, if any, evidence they have gathered to support the espionage charges.Gershkovich is being held at Moscow’s Lefortovo prison, which is notorious for its harsh conditions. U.S. Embassy officials were allowed to visit him once, but Russian authorities rejected two other requests to see him.Russian Deputy Foreign M...

Rescuers make a last desperate push as final hours of oxygen on the missing Titanic sub tick down

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:08:59 GMT

The race against time to find a submersible that disappeared on its way to the Titanic wreckage site entered a new phase of desperation on Thursday morning as the final hours of oxygen possibly left on board the tiny vessel ticked off the clock.Rescuers have rushed more ships and vessels to the site of the disappearance, hoping underwater sounds they detected for a second straight day might help narrow their search in the urgent, international mission. But the crew had only a four-day oxygen supply when the vessel, called the Titan, set off around 6 a.m. Sunday.Even those who expressed optimism warned that many obstacles remain: from pinpointing the vessel’s location, to reaching it with rescue equipment, to bringing it to the surface — assuming it’s still intact. And all that has to happen before the passengers’ oxygen supply runs out.The full area being searched was twice the size of the U.S. state of Connecticut in waters as deep as 13,200 feet (4,020 meters). Captain Jamie Frede...

After Paris blast crumples building in Left Bank, rescue workers searching for 1 person

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:08:59 GMT

PARIS (AP) — French rescue workers searched Thursday for a person feared missing after a powerful blast brought down a building on Paris’ Left Bank, injuring more than 30 people, four of them critically.Investigators were working to determine the cause of Wednesday’s explosion. A possible gas leak was one of the potential causes under investigation. The blast near the historic Val de Grace military hospital in Paris’ 5th district crumpled the facade of a building that held a private academy of design and arts.Some of the four critically injured people suffered severe burns, said Health Minister François Braun.One person who was feared missing has been found. Police said efforts were ongoing to locate another person still feared missing. With more than 2 million people densely packed within the city limits and historic — sometimes ageing — infrastructure, Paris is no stranger to gas explosions. A January 2019 blast in the 9th district killed four people and left doz...

Time running out for missing sub : A look at what’s In The News for today

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:08:59 GMT

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed on what you need to know today…Crews frantically searching for missing sub as oxygen runs outThe race against time to find a submersible that disappeared on its way to the Titanic wreckage site entered a new phase of desperation on Thursday morning as the final hours of oxygen possibly left on board the tiny vessel ticked off the clock.Underwater noises described as “banging” have been heard in an area of the Atlantic where the submersible disappeared Sunday near the wreck of the Titanic.However, U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick cautioned that analysis of the sound by naval acoustics experts has so far proved inconclusive.The noise, which was detected by a Canadian Aurora military patrol aircraft early Wednesday, was giving added impetus to the desperate search for five people aboard the 6.4-metre vessel named Titan.Here’s what else we’re watching …RCMP to release nam...