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Qatargate: Corruption probe unravels as defense kicks case to May

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:46 GMT

BRUSSELS — Lawyers for the main suspects in the Qatargate corruption scandal entered the Palace of Justice on Tuesday seeking revenge — and they got it. More than a dozen defense lawyers successfully knocked the criminal investigation off course until at least next spring, massively delaying the probe into influence-buying by Qatar and Morocco at the European Parliament, and dealing it what they hope will be a mortal blow.Lawyers for former European Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili were the masterminds behind the surprise legal coup, compiling sufficient accusations that Belgian prosecutors mishandled the case to warrant an internal investigation, the court decided. This inquiry will focus on how evidence was collected and whether this breached the parliamentary immunity of the three EU lawmakers charged.“It is no longer Qatargate but Belgium-gate!” declared Sven Mary, one of Kaili’s lawyers. “Secret services infiltrated the European Parliament, it’s going way too ...

Le Pen’s National Rally pays off Russian loan ahead of EU elections

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:46 GMT

French far-right party National Rally has fully paid back its controversial Russian loan, the party said Tuesday.The party has paid back over €6 million to Russian company Aviazapchast S.A., including “capital and interest,” National Rally lawmaker and party treasurer Kévin Pfeffer said in a press release.“It’s a relief given the political argument that this simple loan had become,” he told French newspaper Le Figaro.Former party leader Marine Le Pen took out the loan from First Czech Russian Bank in 2014. The bank has since gone bankrupt, passing on the loan to Russian company Aviazapchast.But the shadow of the loan has long loomed over the far-right party, with Le Pen heavily criticized over her ties to Russia. Since the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine, Le Pen has struggled to shake off her reputation as a pro-Putin politician, despite her attempts to backtrack on previous statements and to condemn the war.Le Pen’s successor as National Rally president, Jordan Bard...

Belgium’s eternal asylum crisis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:46 GMT

Belgium is again facing heat for its attitude to migrants — as it moves to leave some asylum seekers out in the cold. The country’s top administrative court last week halted a controversial policy by the federal government, which aimed to deny shelter to single male asylum seekers. The government, however, plans to forge ahead regardless, according to State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moor, who spearheaded the policy last month to tackle the growing number of asylum seekers overwhelming the network and prevent families and children from ending up on the streets.“Just because the Council of State says so, it doesn’t mean that it would suddenly be possible to give these people spots. There are no extra spots,” De Moor said in a statement sent to POLITICO. “This is and remains a temporary measure I have taken to ensure that there are enough spots for families and children.”Both De Moor and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo are under pressure from the o...

Germany draws up partial ban on Huawei

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:46 GMT

The German government is drafting a new plan to impose further restrictions on using Chinese equipment for the country’s telecoms networks, according to a strategy paper seen by POLITICO.“It is obvious that there are considerable structural dependencies on Huawei and ZTE,” the document reads.Berlin officials are considering requiring telecom operators to stop using equipment by the Chinese telecom vendors for the core part (or backbone) of telecom networks by January 1, 2026, and to phase out reliance on Chinese kit in the radio access network (RAN), which is the wider network of masts and base stations, within three years.Two industry officials and one government official told POLITICO earlier that the federal government was weighing a limit on Chinese equipment to a maximum of 25 percent in the RAN, as well as a full ban in sensitive geographical areas like the capital. The plans — which are still under discussion between ministries — a...

State guidelines on physical and sex education to be updated for first time since 1999

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:46 GMT

Massachusetts physical and sex education guidelines are getting an upgrade for the first time in decades after a vote by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Tuesday, Gov. Maura Healey announced. The board voted unanimously Tuesday morning to approve what Healey’s office in a statement described as “an updated comprehensive health and physical education framework.” The updated guidelines address LGBTQ+ health, mental health, dating safety and substance use disorders, marking the first change to the state’s guidelines since 1999.Healey’s office said Tuesday’s vote came after a more than 60-day public comment period in which the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education received well over 5,000 responses through several means. The public comment period, in turn, came years after Healey’s office said the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education began revising the state’s framework alongside educators and health experts back in 2018. “Massachuset...

Powerball ticket worth $1 million sold in Dorchester as jackpot grows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:46 GMT

A local lottery player recently won a $1 million prize on a Powerball ticket bought in Dorchester, the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission announced. The lottery commission said the ticket was sold at Supreme Liquors on Geneva Avenue for the Monday Powerball drawing. The winning numbers in Monday’s drawing were 2, 21, 26, 40 and 42 with 9 as the Powerball number. While someone won the $1 million prize, no one hit the jackpot, setting up an estimated $672 million jackpot in the next Powerball drawing on Wednesday. 

Recipe: Lemon-Kissed Skillet Pancake is a tasty breakfast or brunch treat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:46 GMT

This Lemon-Kissed Skillet Pancake, with its beautifully browned dome, teams the tartness of fresh lemon juice as well as two palate-pleasing sweet components, powdered sugar and warm blueberry syrup.Sometimes called a Dutch baby, this breakfast or brunch treat is much like a popover. It’s a great emergency treat for unexpected guests.Lemon-Kissed Skillet Pancake with Whole Blueberry SyrupYield: 4 small servingsINGREDIENTS1/2 cup all-purpose flour1/2 cup whole milk or 2% milk2 large eggs, lightly beaten1/2 teaspoon minced lemon zest (colored portion of peel)4 tablespoons butter, cut into 4 piecesWhole Blueberry Syrup: 1 cup maple syrup, 1/2 cup fresh blueberries1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice1 tablespoon powdered sugarDIRECTIONS1. Adjust oven rack to middle position. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, milk, eggs, and zest. Mix until well combined, but some small lumps should remain.3. Melt butter on medium-high heat in large, ovenproof skillet. I use a sha...

It’s not too soon to plan your winter escape. Here are 5 enticing destinations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:46 GMT

By Sharyn Jackson and Joy Summers, Star TribuneMINNEAPOLIS — If you live in a state with a propensity for chilly temps and snow, your time outdoors may soon be limited. But these warm-weather destinations will help thoughts of snow melt away.BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINASunset over the marsh in Beaufort, South Carolina. (Dreamstime/TNS)WHY: This small southern town in the heart of South Carolina’s lowcountry is set in scenery so breathtaking that movies, including “Forrest Gump” and “The Big Chill,” have been filmed here. Its downtown main street is dotted with art galleries, shops and restaurants just feet from the shoreline, and shushing sweetgrass graces the area with an alluring aroma. History buffs will appreciate the stately, and possibly haunted, antebellum mansions and rich Gullah culture.Situated between Charleston and Savannah, visitors fly into either city — it’s an easy drive to a place where time moves slower.FOOD SCENE: Dining in Beaufort...

Rank the Orioles’ top postseason moments, from the 1966 World Series to the 2014 playoff run

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:46 GMT

The Orioles have been creating postseason memories for more than half a century. With the team poised to make more in 2023, here’s a look back at the most magical moments in franchise history.Vote for your favorites in the widget after the story through Sept. 25 and check back Sept. 27 to view the poll results.1966: Moe Drabowsky fans 11 in Dodgers reliefSummoned in the third inning, with the bases loaded and one out, Orioles reliever Moe Drabowsky does the improbable: He holds the Los Angeles Dodgers to one hit for the last 6 2/3 innings in a 5-2 victory in the 1966 World Series opener. En route, the journeyman right-hander, whom the Orioles drafted on the cheap in the offseason, strikes out 11 Dodgers, including six in a row, retiring all six of them swinging.Drabowsky’s effort sets the tempo for the Orioles’ four-game sweep: Los Angeles does not score again in the Series.1966: Jim Palmer comes of age against Sandy KoufaxJim Palmer is 20 years old when he bests D...

How to stay safe on Hawaii’s beaches

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:12:46 GMT

By Scott Laird, TravelPulseBeachgoing is perhaps the most popular activity among tourists in the Aloha State. The Hawaiian archipelago is noted for beaches of all shapes and colors — from the uniform sugar sand of Ka’anapali Beach on Maui to the black or sometimes green sand beaches of the Island of Hawaii to the world-famous high-rise hotel fronted Waikiki on O’ahu.In spite of their diversity, Hawaii beaches have two things in common: they’re all public property (there’s no such thing as a “private beach” here), and they all require vigilance to be enjoyed safely.Read on for more tips on staying safe on Hawaii beaches.Check conditions firstAlthough Hawaii is often promoted as an idyllic paradise, beach conditions aren’t always optimal. SafeBeachDay.com updates conditions at Hawaii beaches so visitors can check warnings before heading out. Upon reaching the beach, many have flags posted indicating hazards. Red flags indicate the conditions are dangerous; two red flags indicate the w...