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China’s Ukraine envoy due to start Europe trip

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese envoy was preparing Monday to visit Ukraine and Russia, but there appeared to be little chance of a breakthrough to end the 15-month-long invasion.Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government says it is neutral and wants to play a role as mediator, but has given Moscow political support. Beijing released a proposed peace plan in February, but that was largely dismissed by Ukraine’s allies, who insist Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces must withdraw.Li Hui, a former ambassador to Moscow, also will visit Poland, France and Germany, according to the foreign ministry. It gave no other schedule details.Political analysts see little hope for a peace agreement because neither Ukraine nor Russia is ready to stop fighting. They say by sending an envoy, China appears to be trying to neutralize criticism of its friendship with Putin and to split European allies away from Washington.Xi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by phone in April, se...

France's Sarkozy should stand trial for alleged Libyan campaign says PNF

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy should stand trial on charges of corruption and illegal financing of an election campaign related to alleged Libyan funding of his successful 2007 presidential bid, France's financial prosecutor (PNF) said.Prosecutors have investigated allegations that former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi sent Sarkozy’s election campaign millions of euros in cash, allegations that were first made by one of the sons of the late autocrat.The PNF said Sarkozy was one of 13 individuals who should be tried, citing charges against him of "concealment of laundering public funds, passive corruption, illegal campaign financing and criminal conspiracy with a view to committing a crime punishable by 10 years in jail".Sarkozy has always denied the accusations. Neither his aides nor his lawyers responded to a request for comment."There’s not even the smallest inkling of proof," the former president said in an interview in 2018, adding that the allegations had made his life...

Orchestrating Imagination: George Bromley’s Innovative Fusion of Classical and Electronic Music in Film

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

In an industry brimming with talent, film composer George Bromley, stands apart by crafting a unique blend of classical music and electronic dance elements that exemplify his signature sound. This distinct, story-driven approach has taken movie soundtracks to new heights, garnering attention and admiration from industry professionals and audiences alike.Bromley’s journey began with two disparate musical genres: classical and electronic dance music. Fascinated by the programmatic work of romantic composers and their ability to tell stories through music without words, he sought to merge these divergent genres into his film compositions. This innovative approach to scoring has allowed him to support cinematic storytelling in a myriad of ways, transforming the role of music in film while captivating listeners.But Bromley’s path to success was not without its challenges. As with any creative profession, the temptation to settle can be a significant obstacle, especially after...

Miss Manners: No excuses, just extenuating circumstances

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Several people of my acquaintance are in the habit of offering a rationale for poor behavior, quickly followed by, “But that’s not an excuse.” For example: “I’m sorry I lost my temper and dumped that bowl of egg salad on your head. Work has just been so stressful lately, and I’m not getting much sleep. But that’s not an excuse!”Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: My girlfriend is too excited about ‘business trips,’ and I’m getting suspicious Advice | Miss Manners: I don’t know how to navigate my rom-com life Advice | Miss Manners: Apparently I’m ‘unfriendly’ to street harassers and men who tell me to smile Advice | Miss Manners: This aggressive swimmer ruined my hotel pool time Advice | Miss Manners: When we older folks make a pronoun slip, there’s crying and shouting Well, if it’s ...

The five most expensive homes reported sold in Milpitas in the week of May 1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

A house in Milpitas that sold for $1.5 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Milpitas in the past week.In total, five residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $1.1 million. The average price per square foot ended up at $798.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of May 1 even if the property may have been sold earlier.5. $817,777, condominium in the 1500 block of Bond StreetThe sale of the condominium in the 1500 block of Bond Street, Milpitas, has been finalized. The price was $817,777, and the new owners took over the condominium in April. The condominium was built in 2018 and has a living area of 1,442 square feet. The price per square foot was $567. The condominium features 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.Bond Street4. $900,000, condominium in the 1600 block of Delano StreetThe sale of the condominium in the 1600 block of De...

Pakistan government supporters to stage rare sit-in, protest release of former Premier Imran Khan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Convoys of buses and vehicles filled with Pakistani pro-government supporters are flooding the main road leading to the country’s capital on Monday to protest the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Thousands are making their way toward the Supreme Court for a rare sit-in against its decision to give Khan, now opposition leader, an “undue reprieve” following his arrest in a graft case. The 70-year-old Khan was released on bail and given protection from arrest until later this month. The call to protest is a sign of escalating tensions between the judiciary and the government of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who replaced Khan after his ouster in a no-confidence vote in Parliament in April 2022.Pakistan Democratic Movement, an alliance of 13 political parties affiliated with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League has called for the sit-in over the weekend. The radical Islamist political party Jamiat-e-Ulema-Islam is leading the protest call.Also as part of ...

Mets face the Nationals with 2-1 series lead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

New York Mets (20-21, fourth in the NL East) vs. Washington Nationals (17-23, fifth in the NL East)Washington; Monday, 4:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: David Peterson (1-5, 7.68 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 40 strikeouts); Nationals: Patrick Corbin (1-5, 4.87 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 30 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Mets -157, Nationals +133; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets face the Washington Nationals leading the series 2-1.Washington is 17-23 overall and 7-14 at home. The Nationals have a 4-2 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.New York has gone 13-13 in road games and 20-21 overall. The Mets have a 14-8 record in games when they record at least eight hits.Monday’s game is the seventh time these teams match up this season. The season series is tied 3-3.TOP PERFORMERS: Luis Garcia has five doubles, a triple and three home runs for the Nationals. Lane Thomas is 12-for-42 with three home runs and seven RBI over the past 10 games.Brandon Nimmo h...

Brewers try to keep win streak going against the Cardinals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (23-17, first in the NL Central) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (16-25, fifth in the NL Central)St. Louis; Monday, 7:45 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Freddy Peralta (4-2, 2.88 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 46 strikeouts); Cardinals: Jack Flaherty (2-4, 6.18 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, 39 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Brewers -113, Cardinals -106; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers will try to keep their three-game win streak alive when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals.St. Louis has a 6-13 record in home games and a 16-25 record overall. The Cardinals have gone 9-5 in games when they did not give up a home run.Milwaukee is 23-17 overall and 10-9 on the road. The Brewers have a 15-2 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Monday’s game is the fourth time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Nolan Arenado has four doubles, a triple, six home runs and 26 RBI for the Cardinals. Paul Goldschmidt is 16-for-45 with four dou...

Giants bring 3-game losing streak into matchup with the Phillies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

Philadelphia Phillies (20-20, second in the NL East) vs. San Francisco Giants (17-23, fourth in the NL West)San Francisco; Monday, 9:45 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Bailey Falter (0-6, 5.75 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 26 strikeouts); Giants: Alex Wood (0-0, 2.45 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 12 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Giants -116, Phillies -104; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants come into a matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies as losers of three games in a row.San Francisco has a 17-23 record overall and a 10-10 record at home. The Giants have hit 62 total home runs to rank third in the NL.Philadelphia has a 20-20 record overall and a 9-13 record on the road. The Phillies have hit 42 total home runs to rank eighth in the NL.Monday’s game is the first time these teams meet this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Thairo Estrada has nine doubles, six home runs and 14 RBI for the Giants. Michael Conforto is 6-for-31 with a double, three home runs and four RBI o...

Rockies take on the Reds in first of 3-game series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:10 GMT

Cincinnati Reds (18-22, fourth in the NL Central) vs. Colorado Rockies (17-24, fifth in the NL West)Denver; Monday, 8:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Hunter Greene (0-3, 3.69 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 51 strikeouts); Rockies: Connor Seabold (1-0, 4.56 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 17 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Reds -124, Rockies +104; over/under is 11 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Rockies host the Cincinnati Reds to open a three-game series.Colorado is 8-11 in home games and 17-24 overall. The Rockies are 15-4 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Cincinnati has an 18-22 record overall and a 6-13 record in road games. The Reds have a 10-6 record in games when they out-hit their opponents.Monday’s game is the first meeting between these teams this season.TOP PERFORMERS: C.J. Cron leads the Rockies with six home runs while slugging .426. Randal Grichuk is 13-for-39 with four doubles, a home run and three RBI over the past 10 games.Jake Fraley leads Cincinnati with...