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SEVEN MONTHS AFTER QATARGATE, A CONFLICT OF INTEREST DAMAGES THE IMAGE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:30 GMT

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola assures that nothing can be blamed on the senior European official, Niccollo Rinaldi, former Italian MEP. AFPLast December, the Qatargate scandal exploded, which we have followed extensively in these columns. The first shock passed, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, swore to her great gods that everything was going to change and that the ethical rules would be reinforced - writes Hugues Krasner. With a view to combating corruption, of course, but also to ensure that lobbying – which, in its role of providing information, is necessary for democracy – is exercised according to strict rules of transparency. The reality is quite different. A former MEP, the Italian Niccolo Rinaldi, is now Head of Unit in the European Parliament. Specifically, he is responsible for the regional unit responsible for relations in particular with the countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan an...

Snoop Dogg cancels Hollywood Bowl concerts due to strike 'uncertainty'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:30 GMT

Snoop Dogg is standing in solidarity with those on the SAG-AFTRA and WGA picket lines. The Long Beach, California native has canceled the pair of shows that were set for the Hollywood Bowl later this year to celebrate the rapper's 30th anniversary of his debut album "Doggystyle.""We regret to inform you that due to the ongoing strike and the uncertainty when this will be over, we need to cancel the Hollywood Bowl show," Snoop said in a post on Instagram. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson makes massive donation to SAG-AFTRA Foundation "We stand in solidarity with all of our brothers and sisters in the WGA and SAG-AFTRA during this difficult time and remain hopeful that the AMPTP will come back to the negotiating table with a REAL proposal and we can all get back to work," the "Doggfather" continued.The shows were set for June initially alongside Dr. Dre but were rescheduled to October due to the writers' strike. Bronny James suffers cardiac arrest during USC practice: Report “DOGGYSTY...

Can beavers help save California from climate change?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:30 GMT

For years, beavers have been treated as an annoyance for chewing down trees and shrubs and blocking up streams, leading to flooding in neighborhoods and farms. But the animal is increasingly being seen as nature's helper in the midst of climate change.California recently changed its tune and is embracing the animals that can create lush habitats that lure species back into now-urban areas, enhance groundwater supplies and buffer against the threat of wildfires.A new policy that went into effect last month encourages landowners and agencies dealing with beaver damage to seek solutions such as putting flow devices in streams or protective wrap on trees before seeking permission from the state to kill the animals. The state is also running pilot projects to relocate beavers to places where they can be more beneficial. Two beavers swim in Napa Creek, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Napa, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)The aim is to preserve more beavers, along with their nature-frie...

Bronny: LeBron James’ Son Suffers Cardiac Arrest At USC Practice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:30 GMT

LeBron “Bronny,” James Jr., USC basketball star and son of the Lakers’ LeBron James, was hospitalized Monday after suffering cardiac arrest at practice.James, 18, was practicing at the Galen Center in L.A., where USC typically holds its games. Details were not immediately given by USC, nor the James family about the incident, but did say Bronny was placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He is now in stable condition and removed from the ICU“Yesterday while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest,” a spokesperson for the James family said in a statement. “Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU. We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information. LeBron and Savannah wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of ...

…Are you ready for it? A last-minute guide for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Santa Clara stop

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:30 GMT

The time is near, Swifties.Taylor Swift is coming to the Bay Area for The Eras Tour – her first stadium concert series since the 2018 Reputation Tour. Whether you already have your ticket secured, are still looking for a ticket or just want to know what’s going on, here is everything you need to know in preparation for the concert.When and where is Taylor Swift performing?Taylor Swift will be performing at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on July 28 and 29, with opening acts from HAIM and Gracie Abrams. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. on both nights and is expected to end around 11:00 p.m.I don’t have a ticket for the concert. Can I still get one?Yes, but they’re not cheap. At the time of publication, the lowest prices were around $1,014 on Seatgeek for a spot that’s behind the stage – and that’s before fees are tacked on. You can also purchase tickets on StubHub or Vivid Seats for similar prices.It is also possible that ticket prices might drop as the date for the shows approach. In Seat...

San Jose office building lands in default, faces foreclosure seizure

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:30 GMT

SAN JOSE — A big San Jose office and research building has toppled into a default on its real estate loan in a reminder the Bay Area commercial property markets face plenty of post-coronavirus financial challenges.The property’s lender claims that the loan for the building, which is located at 5729 Fontanoso Way in south San Jose, has become delinquent and is threatening to foreclose on the mortgage and seize the property, according to documents filed on July 18 with the Santa Clara County Recorder’s Office.In May 2022, Saratoga-based Atlas Capital Investments paid $27.4 million to buy the building, which totals 78,200 square feet and occupies a 4.7-acre site.At the time of the transaction, Atlas Capital obtained a loan of $18.4 million from Evergreen Advantage to finance the purchase. Now, that loan is in default, the county documents state.At one point, the south San Jose building had been leased to Khloris Biosciences, whose motto “a world without cancer&#...

Former Northern California minister charged with murder in 1975 slaying of 8-year-old girl

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:30 GMT

BY RON TODT | Associated PressPHILADELPHIA  — A former Fairfield minister has been charged with murder in the slaying of an 8-year-old girl whose remains were found in southeastern Pennsylvania almost a half-century ago.David Zandstra, 83, of the Atlanta suburb of Marietta is charged with criminal homicide, first–, second- and third-degree murder, kidnapping of a minor and a related count in the 1975 death of Gretchen Harrington in Delaware County.District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer told reporters Monday in the Delaware County seat of Media that the defendant was “a monster” and “every parent’s worst nightmare.”“This is a man who is a remorseless child predator who acted as if he was a friend, a neighbor and a man of God, and he killed this poor little girl,” Stollsteimer said.Having killed a child who knew and trusted him, he then “acted as if he was their family friend, not only during her burial and the period after that but for years,” the district attorney said.Gretchen H...

Detached house sells in Alameda for $1.9 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:30 GMT

1256 Sherman Street – Google Street ViewA spacious historic house located in the 1200 block of Sherman Street in Alameda has new owners. The 2,408-square-foot property, built in 1915, was sold on June 6, 2023, for $1,912,500, or $794 per square foot. This two-story home provides a generous living space with its four bedrooms and three baths. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. Additionally, the home features a one-car garage, offering a designated parking space and extra storage capacity. Situated on a spacious 5,500-square-foot lot, the property offers ample outdoor space.Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby:In May 2023, a 2,580-square-foot home on Clinton Avenue in Alameda sold for $2,200,000, a price per square foot of $853. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 1,901-square-foot home on the 1200 block of Saint Charles Street in Alameda sold in April 2023, for $1,950,000, a price per square foot of $1,026. The home has 4 bedrooms and...

Earthquakes add forward Akinola on loan from Toronto

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:30 GMT

The Earthquakes fortified their roster Tuesday by adding forward Ayo Akinola for the stretch run of the season.Akinola, 23, arrives from Toronto FC via loan for the rest of the season in exchange for a 2023 international player roster slot. The Quakes will have the option to buy the rest of Akinola’s contract — which runs through 2024 — after the season.The deal appears to be a move aimed at solidifying a playoff spot for the Quakes, who currently sit in sixth place in the Western Conference with 32 points. The Leagues Cup competition began Sunday with a 2-0 loss to Portland, and they play Liga MX’s Tigres on Sunday in the group stage. They resume MLS season play Aug. 20 against Vancouver.Akinola is a “dynamic attacker with the strength, pace and finishing ability to impact any match,” Earthquakes GM Chris Leitch said in the team’s statement announcing the move.The forward has appeared in 14 games in 2023, starting four games, and has taken ...

If not Shohei, then who? 10 non-Ohtani trade targets that could upgrade SF Giants’ roster

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:30 GMT

Will they or won’t they?It’s the question that will dominate baseball for the next week leading up to next Tuesday’s 3 p.m. PT trade deadline.If the Angels are willing to trade Shohei Ohtani, the Giants should exhaust every organizational resource available to make that deal happen. He’s doing things the game has never seen before, instantly adds an ace and a middle-of-the-order bat to any contender and, with international television rights and advertising, is a cash cow.For those reasons, Ohtani likely isn’t going anywhere.The Angels’ postseason odds are slim (13.6% per FanGraphs), but they are still closer to playoff position this late into the season than any time since they signed Ohtani.That means the Giants will likely have to wait until this offseason, when 30 teams will commence in the free-agent pursuit of a lifetime, expected to end in the richest contract ever signed by an athlete in any of North America’s four major pro sports le...