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Qatargate victim speaks out over claims he was blocked from top human rights prize 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:42 GMT

BRUSSELS — An anti-slavery activist spoke out after politicians suspected of corruption allegedly conspired to block him from nomination for the European Union’s most prestigious human rights award. Biram Dah Abeid, who campaigns against human rights abuses in Mauritania, was discussed as a potential candidate for the Sakharov Prize in 2020. Past winners include the people of Ukraine and Nelson Mandela. But POLITICO has seen a document that claims Abeid was prevented from progressing through the nominations process as part of an alleged influence campaign conducted by former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri and his ex-aide Francesco Giorgi.Both Giorgi and Panzeri have received preliminary charges in the so-called Qatargate cash-for-influence case, the biggest corruption scandal to hit the EU institutions in decades. Leaked files from the police investigation, seen by POLITICO, suggest Abeid was excluded from the shortlist of candidates that the Socialists and Democrats group ...

Stow and Needham police searching for ‘armed and dangerous’ suspect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:42 GMT

Police in Stow and Needham are warning the public as they search for a man who is believed to be armed and dangerous. Joshua Hinds, 45, of Stow, was last seen in Needham at 7 pm. and was believed to be traveling to Stow. He is believed to be distraught and is to be considered armed and dangerous according to Stow Police Chief Michael Sallese and Needham Police Chief John Schlittler. If you see Hinds, DO NOT APPROACH him. Immediately call 911.It is believed Hinds is driving a gray 2015 Toyota Tacoma with the Massachusetts registration 66AT38.Hinds is described as a white male with thinning blonde hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 5-foot-11-inches tall and weighs about 185 lbs.Hinds allegedly brandished a firearm at an individual known to him and he is believed to be armed with multiple firearms. He also allegedly made threats to harm himself and others.While police do not believe that Hinds currently poses a threat to the general public, anyone who sees him should use extreme ...

Male suffers serious injuries from single-vehicle collision in Etobicoke

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:42 GMT

A man has suffered serious injuries from a single-vehicle collision in Etobicoke on Sunday night.Police responded to a call in the area of Highway 27 and Nearctic Drive, south of Rexdale Boulevard, at approximately 9:15 pm for reports of a single vehicle collision. Emergency services arrived on scene to find one adult male who was taken to hospital via emergency run with serious, possibly life-threatening injuries. There is an investigation ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call police.

Haley slams DeSantis for stumping in Iowa with Massie, who’s opposed votes condemning antisemitism

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:42 GMT

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) — Nikki Haley denounced Republican presidential rival Ron DeSantis in Iowa Sunday for campaigning in the state with Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, the lone House Republican who voted last week against a GOP resolution condemning antisemitism on university campuses. “You can’t be pro-Israel and bring the most anti-Israel Republican into this state, who voted against fighting antisemitism on college campuses,” Haley said. “And that’s who he brought to your state.” Coming at the end of a campaign event at a suburban Des Moines bar and grill, Haley’s criticism of DeSantis for campaigning with Massie on Saturday marks the increased pressure for the two to emerge from Iowa as the stronger alternative to former President Donald Trump. Trump is the heavy favorite to win Iowa’s leadoff caucuses on Jan. 15. Last week at a campaign event in eastern Iowa, Trump stressed that an Iowa blowout would help him rally the party early in the 2024 voting. “The margin o...

You Paid For It: St. Charles City employees to receive paid holiday break

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:42 GMT

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Hundreds of St. Charles city employees are getting an unusual break for the holidays, with taxpayers picking up the tab. But is this a good deal for residents?St. Charles Mayor Dan Borgmeyer defended the decision to shut down city hall for the holidays.“We have a steering committee made up of people from all the various departments who talk about morale and their function in the city. And one of the recommendations to the council was we do something during the holidays, almost as like a bonus to people,” he said. “We looked at it and the council passed a resolution that from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day, the city would give them paid time off. I believe that counts for three days this year: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. So they receive time off.” Submerged vehicle tied to 2013 missing person’s case found in Missouri pond It amounts to an end-of-year bonus for workers that will cost St. Charles County a total of $230,000.“It’s an incredible morale booster. ...

Synagogues receive bomb threat; police confirm no bombs found

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:42 GMT

CREVE COEUR, Mo. – Jewish centers of worship are on high alert after five synagogues in the St. Louis area received bomb threats. While we are not disclosing the names of the synagogues for security reasons, we can tell you that police did not find a bomb at any of the locations, three of which are in Creve Coeur.The synagogues received an alarming email on Sunday morning.“Individuals stating that there has been a device planted at the location,” Scott Biondo, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, said. “And you have this many hours, expressing a hatred for Jews.”Biondo said the synagogues followed bomb threat protocols and contacted local authorities. Submerged vehicle tied to 2013 missing person’s case found in Missouri pond Officers secured each synagogue and used canine units from both Creve Coeur and St. Louis County police departments to conduct thorough searches. All the buildings were examined, and officers confirmed that there weren't any ...

Nathan MacKinnon’s four-point night helps Avalanche coast past Sharks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:42 GMT

The second game of this season was one of the weirdest for the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs went to San Jose, suffocated the Sharks from start to finish, and still needed a shootout goal to eek by the rebuilding club.Colorado did not dominate San Jose the same way in the second matchup, but the Avalanche did cruise to a 6-2 win at Ball Arena that featured far less tension about the outcome. Nathan MacKinnon had two goal and two assists while matching the longest point streak of his career at 15 games, and the power play struck twice for only the second time in 17 games.The Avs have now won three times in four games after their worst stretch of the season. They also shrugged off a disappointing effort Saturday night in Winnipeg and reclaimed first place in the Central Division.All three members of Colorado’s top line scored in the opening 24 minutes as the Avs built a 4-0 lead. Valeri Nichushkin and Mikko Rantanen both scored on the man advantage in the opening 12:15, giving the...

Shogun Santa makes appearance in L.A.'s Little Tokyo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:42 GMT

As part of a decades-long tradition, Shogun Santa made appearances over the weekend at the Japanese Village Plaza in L.A.’s Little Tokyo to take pictures with children and their families.  The tradition, which got its start in the 1970s, was the idea of someone that wanted to give back to the community in the way of time energy.  What came out of the desire to serve the community was the persona of Shogun Santa, an event that has since become an annual trip for many Angelenos.  “If my sled is flying over L.A. and I see Little Tokyo, I go, ‘Oh yeah, maybe I should drop in just to say hi,” the current Shogun Santa told KTLA Photojournalist Phil Ige.  Shogun Santa makes appearance in L.A.'s Little Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2023. (KTLA)Ellen Endo, a board member on the Little Tokyo Business Association, explained the significance of the beloved Shogun Santa.  “Shogun is of course like the mayor or the governor of a section of Japan,” she said. “It went well with the word San...

Early penalties sink San Jose Sharks in loss to Colorado Avalanche

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:42 GMT

Nathan MacKinnon made sure the San Jose Sharks weren’t going to be able to engineer another dramatic comeback victory away from home on Sunday.With the Sharks trailing by three and pressing to make it a more competitive game, MacKinnon scored an empty-net goal with 4:49 left in regulation time to cap a four-point night as the Colorado Avalanche handed San Jose a 6-2 loss at Ball Arena in Denver.Tomas Hertl, who played a key role in comeback victories over the New York Islanders and Detroit Red Wings on the road earlier this month, scored two power-play goals for the Sharks, with the first coming at the 9:01 mark of the second period.But the Sharks were already down 4-0 at that point as the Avalanche scored three times in the first period, with two coming on the man advantage.Jonathan Drouin had two assists for the Avalanche, who have eight straight wins over the Sharks since May 2021.The Sharks killed penalties for a good chunk of a one-sided first period — and paid the price....

What the 49ers are saying after winning NFC West title against Arizona

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:42 GMT

A sampling of what the 49ers were saying Sunday after a 45-29 road win over the Arizona Cardinals to wrap up their second straight NFC West title:COACH KYLE SHANAHANReaction to Brock Purdy injury“I mean, just nervous. Not thinking much. Didn’t see what happened because I was looking down field. I assumed he got hit in the head. I was a little nervous. Once he got to the sideline, they told me it was a stinger. Sometimes those takes over a week, sometimes a couple of minutes.On Christian McCaffreyHe means so much what a good football player he is. Everyone sees it. The type of guy he’s been, the way he works, how well he takes care of the body. He’s as committed to his job as any person I’ve been around.McCaffrey’s desire to play through injuriesHe wanted to play in game. When you have some tough injuries and the way he came out of his career, I might mess this up, unbelievable rookie year and tough injuries. If I ever insinuate that he’ll bite my head off, won’t say wear and t...