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2 Trump-aligned Republican operatives face foreign agent charges for helping Qatar

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:57 GMT

Bob Menendez isn’t the only Washington insider in hot water for his dealings with Qatar.Two longtime Republican political consultants who backed Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign admitted in court filings Tuesday to deceiving the Justice Department about their lobbying activities on behalf of the small but wealthy Arab nation.Barry Bennett and Doug Watts acknowledged they accepted funds from the Qatari government in exchange for promoting efforts to influence U.S. policy in the Middle East and engaged in a scheme to mislead investigators about those dealings.The charges against the two consultants were publicly disclosed in court documents in Washington just minutes before federal prosecutors in New York unveiled a new indictment against Menendez (D-N.J.) that charged him with aiding the Qatari government in exchange for bribes.There was no clear connection between the Menendez indictment and the Bennett and Watts cases, but the simultaneous unveiling of the charge...

How the West lost the plot on Serbia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:57 GMT

Dragan Đilas is the president of the Party of Freedom and Justice and a member of the Serbia Against Violence coalition. He served as the mayor of Belgrade (2008–2013).who served as the mayor of Belgrade (2008–2013) and the president of the Democratic Party, Serbia’s main opposition party (2012–2014). When Serbia was ruled by Slobodan Milošević, the West — with the United States in the lead — strongly supported democratic change in the country. But now, as Serbia backslides toward autocracy under President Aleksandar Vučić, this commitment seems to have disappeared.Last week, there were protests on the streets of Belgrade, as citizens marched against deeply flawed parliamentary and local elections in the capital. Afterward, outgoing Prime Minister Ana Brnabić thanked Russian security services for notifying the Serbian government about the planned demonstrations, which were, she claimed, orchestrated by “some Western services.”Briefing the Russian Ambassador to Serbia on the un...

Macron makes enemies defending rape-accused star

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:57 GMT

PARIS — The storm sparked by Emmanuel Macron’s defense of film star Gérard Depardieu shows no sign of abating as the showbiz world tears itself apart over accusations targeting one of France’s best-known actors.The French film star is at the center of a fresh controversy over allegations of sexual assault after a documentary released last month featured Depardieu making obscene remarks and sexualizing a young girl. He has however found a supporter in an unexpected corner: the French presidency.In an interview in December, Macron took the political establishment by surprise when he came out in support of Depardieu praising “his genius,” his contributions to French film-making and condemning a “a man-hunt” against him. “I am a great admirer of Gérard Depardieu… he makes France proud,” he said.The 75-year-old actor, who has stared in over 200 films, has been under investigation for rape since 2020 and faces multiple accusations of s...

Europe needs more cash, Belgian PM says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:57 GMT

The European Union needs more of its own money, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo told POLITICO just weeks after member countries were unable to commit unanimously to funding aid to war-torn Ukraine. Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the ebbing of a global pandemic, and Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, European citizens are looking ever more toward the EU for strategic solutions to global issues, said De Croo, whose country took the helm of the Council of the EU on January 1. “With every major challenge we face, the European population, even the more Euroskeptic ones, look to Europe to solve those challenges because countries alone cannot do it,” he said. “If you want to answer those calls, you’re going to have to rearrange your priorities, which for us inevitably leads to a discussion: Where does the money come from?” De Croo’s proposal comes as EU leaders negotiate a review of the bloc’s 2021-2027 budget, which includes fu...

Mercosur mulls ‘last-chance’ summit to close EU trade deal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:57 GMT

South America’s Mercosur countries are considering holding a high-level summit with top European Union officials in Brasília late January or early February in a bid to seal their long-delayed trade agreement, three Mercosur diplomats told POLITICO. The exact date of the gathering is not confirmed yet, but it would be likely to take place shortly before or soon after an internal meeting of Mercosur countries on January 31, the diplomats said, speaking anonymously to discuss sensitive matters. Hopes had been high that leaders from the EU and the Mercosur group — which comprises Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay — would be able to shake hands on their trade pact during a summit of Mercosur countries early December. But the election of libertarian right-winger Javier Milei as president of Argentina caused a last-minute obstacle: Outgoing Argentinian President Alberto Fernández, whose left-wing party was about to switch from government to opposition, suddenly said he could no...

Three people arrested after police chase comes to crashing end near Rowley/Georgetown line

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:57 GMT

Three people are facing charges after a police pursuit came to a crashing end near the Rowley/Georgetown line Tuesday afternoon, officials said. State police said the chase started on I-95 North in Boxford around 2:30 p.m. when a trooper attempted to stop a Dodge Charger that “seemed to be trying to race other vehicles.”Police said the trooper lost sight of the speeding car after roughly three minutes. Soon though, police said they received reports of a crash on the I-95 ramp to Route 133 in Georgetown. State police said troopers arriving at the crash scene found the damaged Charger abandoned in a nearby wooded area. A search got underway and continued until police said authorities in Georgetown received a call from a resident “reporting people in the woods behind their home” near 3:20 p.m.Police said authorities converged on the scene and detained three people.While the police response continued Tuesday, SKY7-HD flying over the scene spotted the vehicle that went off the road....

Celtics’ furious fourth-quarter rally falls short in loss to Thunder, snapping six-game winning streak

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:57 GMT

The Celtics’ at full strength, with the most talented starting five in the NBA, looked nearly unbeatable through the first two months of the season. But even the best can’t be perfect every night.On a night that they looked mostly out of sorts, the Celtics found a way to make things interesting in the final minute after a furious fourth-quarter comeback. But it was too little, too late in a 127-121 loss to the surging Thunder in Oklahoma City, snapping the Celtics’ six-game winning streak.Kristaps Porzingis scored 34 points and Jayson Tatum added 30, but Jaylen Brown went just 4-for-17 on a bad shooting night. The Celtics’ defense wasn’t nearly good enough. A poor third quarter – in which they let the Thunder score 40 points – was ultimately their downfall. The Celtics had no answers for Shai Gilgeous Alexander, who erupted for 36 points. When they made a few runs late, the Thunder had every answer.The Celtics are now 15-2 when at full strength this season, with the losses coming to...

No. 1 Catholic Memorial rolls past rival BC High

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:57 GMT

DORCHESTER — If there was any doubts about Catholic Memorial’s standing atop the Eastern Mass. rankings, they were extinguished Tuesday.Ryan Higgins scored 20 points while Aidan Pires added 14 as No. 1 Catholic Memorial defeated Catholic Conference rival No. 12 BC High, 77-58, on Tuesday night at McNeice Pavilion.The Knights (5-0, 1-0) used a 25-point second quarter to gain separation on the Eagles, who trailed by three after one.“This was our best overall game of the season,” Catholic Memorial coach Denis Tobin said. “We played well at both ends of the floor against a very good team.”The Knights led 17-14 after one and 27-22 with 3:02 left in the first half before they got breathing room. Higgins drilled two 3-pointers and James Larranaga hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to put the Knights up 42-28 at the half.Catholic Memorial stretched its edge in the opening moments of the third quarter. Jacob Cofield (12 points) connected on a put back, Pires had a ru...

Wake Forest fends off late Boston College rally in 84-78 win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:57 GMT

Boston College opened the New Year with a hard luck 84-78 loss to Wake Forest in ACC play before 4,265 fans on Tuesday night at Conte Forum.BC fell to 9-4 overall, 0-2 in conference play and things look bleak for the Eagles with three roads games on the horizon. The Eagles play at Georgia Tech, Syracuse and Clemson before returning home to face Notre Dame on Jan. 15“We are 2-0 on the road so hopefully that will be good for us,” said BC coach Earl Grant. “I think the guys will be excited about that challenge, get away from here and chance to play on the road where you’ve only got each other.“You have to be close and be tight on the road and we’ve shown we are capable on the road.”Wake shot 53.4% from the floor with 10 made three pointers, 35 rebounds and 17 assists. Junior center Efton Reid netted 13 with 14 boards, while the backcourt tandem on Cameron Hildreth and Hunter Sallis combined for 39.BC shot 41.5% from the floor with nine treys, 34 boards and 12 assists. Graduate center Q...

I-8 repairs to impact drivers in East County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:56:57 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Caltrans is closing down sections of the Interstate 8 this week for repairs. It’ll impact areas near El Cajon and Alpine.Caltrans is doing two separate major pavement closures to repair outdated infrastructures. Caltrans is also asking drivers for their patience during this time.“Over time, our structures will show signs of finite cracking and spalling here and there, that’s normal wear and tear,” said Everett Townsend, the Caltrans Interim Director for District 11.Aging bridges on I-8 will get a facelift.Near El Cajon, Caltrans crews will repair the bridge over El Cajon Boulevard. In the Pine Valley area, crews will repair before and at the Pine Valley Creek Bridge approach slabs in April 2024. Large waves damage Ocean Beach Pier “The work we are doing is really to restore and extend the life of these infrastructures so they can last for another 60 years before we have to go in and do major rehabilitation again," Townsend said.Both closures start on Friday at 9 p.m. ...