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Westminster’s conflict of interest conundrum

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:02 GMT

LONDON — Back in July the fashionable English town of Bruton, in Somerset, played host to the British political wedding of the year.Britain’s former chief finance minister, George Osborne, married his former aide Thea Rogers, and the guest list was a who’s who of Westminster.Long lens photographers captured a procession of political behemoths, from former Prime Minister David Cameron to current Cabinet big-hitter Michael Gove, arriving suited and booted at the 14th century church.But it was the presence of some of Britain’s most high-profile journalists — including star presenter of the BBC’s flagship Today program, Nick Robinson, and celebrity podcasters Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel — which caused the biggest stir.“None of those people should be within a hundred miles of that event,” Mic Wright, a freelance journalist wrote on social media that evening as pictures of wedding guests started to emerge.Rogers was once a senior political producer at the BBC and had worked closely ...

The Saudi-Israel deal is in tatters

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:02 GMT

Shyam Bhatia is an award-winning author and war reporter based in London. He is a former long-time Middle East correspondent for the London Observer.The Washington-choreographed diplomatic dance between Israel and Saudi Arabia was supposed to culminate in an exchange of ambassadors before the next United States presidential election. But due to Hamas terrorists who killed an estimated 1,200 Israelis and took another estimated 100 hostages this week, this deal is now under threat.And Israel’s love affair with Saudi Arabia hangs in the balance.A jubilant Hamas is now hoping the reaction on Arab streets in support of their surprise strike will compel other Arab states to reconsider their recent decisions to normalize relations with Israel.Bahrain, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan have all seen some pro-Hamas demonstrations. But as casualties mount in Gaza, these rallies are likely to swell across the Arab world. An estimated 200,000 Palestinians in Gaza have already sought shelter at U...

Europe’s power outage: How Israel-Hamas war exposed EU’s irrelevance

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:02 GMT

How the Israel-Hamas war exposed the EU’s irrelevance: As global crises intensify, the ‘geopolitical’ Continent is left watching from the sidelines.By MATTHEW KARNITSCHNIG IN BERLINIllustration by Tomato Košir for POLITICOAt least Europe no longer has to endure that hackneyed Henry Kissinger quip about whom to call if you want “to call Europe.”  No one’s calling anyway. Of the myriad geostrategic illusions that have been destroyed in recent days, the most sobering realization for anyone residing on the Continent should be this: No one cares what Europe thinks. Across an array of global flashpoints, from Nagorno-Karabakh to Kosovo to Israel, Europe has been relegated to the role of a well-meaning NGO, whose humanitarian contributions are welcomed, but is otherwise ignored. The 27-member bloc has always struggled to articulate a coherent foreign policy, given the diverse national interests at play. Even so, it still mattered, mainly due to the size of its market. The EU’s global influ...

Hamas hate videos make Elon Musk Europe’s digital enemy No.1

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:02 GMT

Elon Musk has made himself Europe’s digital public enemy number one.Since Hamas attacked Israel on Saturday, the billionaire’s social network X has been flooded with gruesome images, politically-motivated lies and terrorist propaganda that authorities say appear to violate both its own policies and the European Union’s new social media law. Now Musk is facing the threat of sanctions — including potentially hefty fines — as officials in Brussels start gathering evidence in preparation for a formal investigation into whether X has broken the European Union’s rules. Authorities in the U.K. and Germany have joined the criticism.The tussle represents a critical test for all sides. Musk will be keen to fight any claim that he’s failing to be a responsible owner of the social network formerly known as Twitter — all while upholding his commitment to free speech. The EU will want to show its new regulation, known as the Digital Services Act (DSA), has teeth. Th...

Bruins legends parade down gold carpet before first game of centennial season

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:02 GMT

Before the puck dropped on the Bruins’ 100th year of hockey Wednesday, former players showed up at TD Garden for a “gold carpet” event.The Bruins took the ice Wednesday night, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks in the first game of their centennial season. Speaking earlier in the day, recently retired former Bruins player Patrice Bergeron said “it’s always good to be back.” “To be a part of this franchise with the history behind it is pretty special,” Bergeron said. “There’s not a lot of us left and I wanted to see the guys that are,” said Phil Esposito. “But this is incredible and I’m glad I came.”Fans lined up to see some of the players who are part of the Bruins’ storied history.“That’s one of the best things,” said former Bruins player Adam Oates. “You get to see all the guys that you know or the guys you played with…[It’s] a lot of fun,”Hard to miss were Bruins legends Derek Sanderson and Bobby Orr, who both made an appearance. “It’s cool to see all the ...

Hundreds gather in Swampscott to show support for Israel as war with Hamas rages on

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:02 GMT

Nearly 900 people came together at Congregation Shirat Hayam in Swampscott Wednesday night to show support for Israel as the country’s war with Hamas rages on. The packed synagogue honored the memory of the thousands of lives lost in the violence, which continued Wednesday after Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel over the weekend. “There’s fear,” said Rabbi Michael Ragozin of Congregation Shirat Hayam. “There’s real sadness — tremendous empathy. There’s a feeling of, ‘If I were there, those would have been my kids.’”The violence has hit close to home for Yael Magen, who grew up in Israel. Magen just learned her high school friend was among the first people pronounced dead in the attack on Saturday. “What went down there was a massacre,” Magen said. “It was a slaughter of people.”“He and his wife actually saved their son,” Magen said of her friend. “They jumped on their son while the Hamas terrorists were shooting and their son was saved.”The unknown whereabou...

Celtics takeaways: Sam Hauser bounces back, Joe Mazzulla has teaching moment in preseason win over 76ers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:02 GMT

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown got some extra rest as the Celtics stars sat out their second consecutive preseason game, giving some of the team’s reserves another chance to prove themselves on Wednesday night against the 76ers.Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Al Horford all returned to the lineup and played the first half together before the backups led a 112-101 victory in Philadelphia. Payton Pritchard, once again, led the way with 17 points as his impressive preseason continued but it was a notable night for some players vying for roles on the team.Some takeaways from the Celtics’ victory:– White emerged last season as one of the best defenders in the NBA – named to the league’s All-Defensive second team – after he led all guards in blocks, and it looks like he’s picking up right where he left off. He recorded three blocks in 17 minutes in the first half and was everywhere on both ends.The most impressive sequence came in the first quarter, when he raced back t...

Bruins grind out 3-1 win in opener

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:02 GMT

After nearly half the Bruins’ roster was turned over after their 65-win season, they entered the club’s 100th season with a large element of the unknown hanging over them.And with the season opener behind them, they still are very much a work in progress. But at least they banked their first two points of the season.The B’s leaned into their strengths – goaltending and defense – and got goals from David Pastrnak (2) and Trent Frederic to beat the young Chicago Blackhawks, 3-1 at the Garden on Wednesday.They received contributions from rookies Matt Poitras (first NHL assist), John Beecher (solid fourth-line work and prodigal son Milan Lucic (assist on game-winner) in the win.It was a competitive, if inelegant, contest.The intriguing subplot to the B’s Centennial season opener was the arrival of Connor Bedard, considered by most observers to be the next great generational talent.And at 5:37 of the first period, he joined a rather elite group – he scored his fir...

Video shows police shooting of teen reaching for gun in truck

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:02 GMT

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- Authorities on Wednesday released bodycam video of a police shooting last month involving an armed 16-year-old in Carlsbad.On Sept. 9, just before 1 a.m., officers approached a white truck, occupied by one adult and four teenage boys, parked in a dirt lot near the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and Palomar Airport Road, the Carlsbad Police Department posted on its YouTube account.Police say they received consent from the driver to search the truck after officers saw alcoholic beverages inside the truck. However, before being asked to exit the vehicle, a 16-year-old sitting in the front passenger seat got out of the truck and began reaching under the front passenger seat."Do not reach under the seat," one officer repeatedly told the suspect. Prep basketball star Mikey Williams to stand trial After several commands, the suspect grabbed a firearm from under the seat and turned in the direction of one of the officers, according to authorities. That's when one o...

2 San Diego-area restaurants rank among Yelp’s top 100 US taco spots

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:02 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Tacos are a popular dish in the U.S., especially in the San Diego area.Yelp recently compiled this year's top 100 taco spots in the nation, with two local restaurants making the list. Tacos El Gabacho in Spring Valley placed No. 15 on the list while The Craft Taco at SOVA came in at No. 23.Tacos El Gabacho is known for its mobile catering service and taco cart."Tacos El Gabacho was the BEST! They came out and set up in our driveway for a party of about 30 of us. We had the best time getting to know them, and the food did not disappoint. They are the nicest people with the funniest stories to tell," Yelper Lindsay B said.The Spring Valley taco spot serves foods like Adobada, Carne Asada, fish tacos and vegan tacos.  "The tacos were all tasty. Kudos for the fish tacos. They use Red Snapper and fried them in panko crumbs. The Carne asada was chopped the finest I had ever had and tasted no gristle or fat. The (Adobada) was good and the chicken was chicken," Yelper Eddi...