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UK politicians lobbied by Qatargate ‘controller’ on expensive overseas trips

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:38 GMT

LONDON — British MPs and peers were lobbied by a key group at the heart of a European Parliament corruption scandal during visits to Qatar ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.After the paid-for overseas visits, worth thousands of pounds, several of the U.K. politicians publicly praised Doha’s human rights record with speeches in the British parliament, despite concerns raised by human rights groups about the gruesome working conditions in Qatar and the deaths of thousands of south Asian migrant construction workers. The trips reveal a new layer to Qatar’s extensive lobbying of Western politicians in the build-up to last year’s World Cup, as well as a previously-undisclosed toehold in London for an organization now embroiled in the sprawling cash-for-influence Qatargate scandal which has gripped Brussels since December 2022.British politicians were part of several delegations hosted by Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), now under scrutiny as one of the main actor...

May Day in France: A flash point of unrest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:38 GMT

Robert Zaretsky teaches at the University of Houstonand Women’s Institute of Houston. His latest book is “Victories Never Last: Reading and Caregiving in a Time of Plague.Today, France will again host the longest running show of political discontent in Europe.Since late January, the boulevards of Paris and hundreds of provincial cities across France have been the stage of massive protests. And while choreographed by a common front of labor unions, these demonstrations have, in effect, been caused by President Emmanuel Macron, and his decision to reform the national pension system and raise the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 — despite a lack of popular or political support.However, against this backdrop, France — as well as dozens of other countries — will be celebrating Labor Day on May 1. And while it would be glib to suggest that France’s current “democratic crisis”— a term used by moderate union leader Laurent Berger — is just one more repetition of a historical reenactment s...

Russia hunts for spies and traitors — at home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:38 GMT

If there were a silver lining in her son being convicted of high treason, it was that Yelena Gordon would have a rare chance to see him. But when she tried to enter the courtroom, she was told it was already full. But those packed in weren’t press or his supporters, since the hearing was closed.“I recognized just one face there, the rest were all strangers,” she later recounted, exasperated, outside the Moscow City Court. “I felt like I had woken up in a Kafka novel.”Eventually, after copious cajoling, Gordon was able to stand beside Vladimir Kara-Murza, a glass wall between her and her son, as the sentence was delivered. Kara-Murza was handed 25 years in prison, a sky-high figure previously reserved for major homicide cases, and the highest sentence for an opposition politician to date.The bulk — 18 years — was given on account of treason, for speeches he gave last year in the United States, Finland and Portugal.For a man who had lo...

Far-right German EU lawmaker caught up in contract fraud probe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:38 GMT

Maximilian Krah, a far-right EU lawmaker from Germany, is facing scrutiny from the EU prosecutor’s office over potential contract fraud. According to three lawmakers from Krah’s Identity & Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is reviewing Krah’s role in a public contract bid following an investigation from the EU’s anti-fraud office, known as OLAF. EPPO, unlike OLAF, has the authority to bring criminal charges.The case centers on the process Krah used to award a communications contract for his ID group. According to a letter sent to OLAF and seen by POLITICO, Krah allegedly conspired with several German firms to rig the bidding for Polifakt, a company linked to him. The contract was ultimately halted but could have been worth tens of thousands of euros in EU funds.OLAF later sent a letter to EPPO, dated March 14, saying the office had closed its probe but suggesting the prosecutor look into the matter, according to ...

Florida Panthers to face Maple Leafs in second round of NHL playoffs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:38 GMT

The Toronto Maple Leafs will avoid having to face the Boston Bruins in the next round of the playoffs after the Florida Panthers stunned the Presidents’ Trophy winners by winning Game 7 Sunday night. Carter Verhaeghe played the hero for the Panthers, scoring the series-clinching goal for a 4-3 overtime win in Boston. The Panthers won three in a row after falling behind 3-1 in the series to advance in the postseason for just the second time since reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 1996. The Bruins, who set NHL records with 65 wins and 135 points in the regular season, become just the second Presidents’ Trophy winners in the past 10 seasons to be eliminated in the first round, joining the Tampa Bay Lightning who were upset by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2019.The Panthers, who qualified for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, will now face the Maple Leafs who advanced to the second round for the first time since 2004 by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sat...

'We simply have no more shelters:' Lightfoot implores Abbott to stop sending migrants

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:38 GMT

CHICAGO — More migrants are set to arrive in the City from Texas on Monday, and Mayor Lori Lightfoot is asking Governor Greg Abbott to stop."We simply have no more shelters, spaces, or resources to accommodate an increase of individuals at this level," a letter penned by Lightfoot reads, in part.Chicago has welcomed more than 8,000 asylum seekers since last August, with Lightfoot saying many of those who have been bussed or flown here in dire need of basic resources.Her letter states further, "I know by your actions that you either do not see or do not care about the trauma these migrants have already faced and continue to suffer under the humanitarian crisis you have created. But I beseech you anyway: treat these individuals with the respect and dignity that they deserve.”While Chicago is bracing for another influx of migrants, it is not the only city dealing with the problem. New Orleans restaurant shooting kills waiter, wounds tourist from Chicago El Paso, Texas mayor Oscar Lee...

'It hit me pretty hard': Austin neighborhood has 3 house fires in nine months

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — According to a new report, more fires are happening in people's homes. Residential fires have gone up 42% in the past three years based on the 2023 Fire Index from Austin-based ESO."ESO is a provider of records, management system and data support for fire, EMS, hospitals, state and federal partners that we have," said ESO Senior Director of Fire Bill Gardner. 'We've actually lost four or three neighbors in fires'The Milwood neighborhood is one area in Austin that's experienced an increase in house fires. Meg Davis is the President of the Milwood Neighborhood Association. She said there's been three fires in just over nine months. One of them was just up the block from her. "Very glad and fortunate that that family got out alive. So it hit me pretty hard, because they were our, you know, close neighbors," Davis said. That's why she set up an informational meeting with the Austin Fire Department Sunday to learn more fire safety tips. Dozens of residents showed up to th...

You Paid For It: Help for mother of 4 in dilapidated apartment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:38 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Less than a week after spotlighting a mother of four’s problems at a rent-subsidized apartment in north St. Louis, the property owner has finally relented.Torreese Valentine contacted FOX 2 after the pipes in her apartment burst, flooding the upstairs and downstairs of the unit. Ceilings collapsed in at least two rooms, and the flooding had left an awful stench in her home. She tried getting the owners to take care of the problems, but received no help.After our first report aired, the building and health inspectors with the City of St. Louis went to the unit. They found sewage coming up from the pipes, as well as exposed wiring, a faulty kitchen sink, mold, mice infestation, and a host of other problems. Ultimately, St. Louis Building Commissioner Frank Oswald made the decision to condemn the apartment.As of April 30, the company that owns the apartment, JVL 16, which has offices in south St. Louis, moved Valentine and her four children into a hotel. Mike Shannon, lon...

Tributes from friends, fans of Mike Shannon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:38 GMT

ALTON, Ill. – People from across the St. Louis region are sharing their memories of beloved Cardinals player and commentator Mike Shannon, and the legacy he leaves behind.Eddie Scholar, owner of Fast Eddie’s Bon Air in Alton, Illinois, shared decades of stories and commercials the two starred in."I'm shocked, I'm sad. You look back on what a big part of my life he was, whether it be just listening to a Cardinal game, not knowing him, or even as a friend of. So today has been a long day for certain," he said.Scholar remembers the countless hours spent with Shannon recording commercials that turned into a life-long friendship. Mike Shannon, longtime Cardinals radio broadcaster, dies at 83 "Those commercials that are so goofy and so fun are kind of how he was, his relationship. Then he could turn into this sweetheart of a man, and a big family. Really, everything you hear, it's true. One of the finest guys I've ever met," he said.Scholar said something people might not know about Sha...

Local animal rescues observe National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:38 GMT

DEFIANCE, Mo. – April 30 is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day. According to the ASPCA, more than 6 million animals enter shelters in the U.S. every year, and there are hundreds of pets across the St. Louis area in need of a forever home.Chandler Hill Vineyards brought several area animal rescues to one spot for the semi-annual Wine & Wags event in Defiance. That's where Cameron Scaturro and his girlfriend, Hailey Powell, picked up a new rescue they're naming Kai. Mike Shannon, longtime Cardinals radio broadcaster, dies at 83 "It's special, because you give a dog a second chance to have a good home," Scatturo said.They like to foster from Lucky K9 Rescue. Other participating rescues included 4 Paws 4 Rescue, Home2Home, Lucky Chance, Straw Paws, Five Acres Animal, Speak, Even Chance and Open Door Animal Sanctuary. Linda Roever, president of Stray Paws Rescue, brought about 10 dogs people could apply to adopt.“Then we take the puppy to the house, and we have them meet the people a...