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Israel’s opposition leader and former prime minister testifies at Netanyahu’s corruption trial

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:16:48 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s opposition leader testified for the prosecution on Monday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his corruption trial in Jerusalem.Yair Lapid, a former prime minister himself and a major Netanyahu rival, is testifying in one of three cases against Netanyahu. The indictment claims Netanyahu used his position of power to further Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan’s interests in exhange for gifts, representing a conflict between the premier’s public duties and personal friendship.Netanyahu did personal favors for Milchan, including asking U.S. officials to extend Milchan’s U.S. resident’s permit and extending Israeli regulations exempting Israeli returnees from declaring foreign income, according to the indictment.Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, denies claims of wrongdoing, saying he was not acting in Milchan’s personal interests and even occasionally acted against them. He says the exchanges of gifts were just friendly gestures....

Ukraine claims recapture of 4th village in eastern Donetsk as counteroffensive operations roll on

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:16:48 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian military officials said Monday their troops have retaken another southeastern village from Russian forces, among the first — small — successes in stepped-up counteroffensive operations against Moscow’s more than 15-month invasion of Ukraine. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar wrote on Telegram that Ukraine’s flag was again flying over the village of Storozhov, and she predicted the liberation of “all Ukrainian land” would the final outcome. A day earlier, Ukrainian officials said three other small villages clustered together south of the town of Velika Novosilke in the eastern Donetsk region had been liberated. The villages are located in the so-called “Vremivka ledge,” a section of the front line where the Russian-controlled area protrudes into territory held by Ukraine. The area has become one of several epicenters of intense fighting.The Russian Defense Ministry hasn’t confirmed the Russian retreat from the villages, but some military ...

Cash-strapped Pakistan welcomes arrival of first shipment of discounted crude from Russia

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:16:48 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Pakistani government on Monday welcomed the arrival of the first shipment of discounted crude from Russia under a key deal between Islamabad and Moscow.Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif hailed it as a “fulfillment of promises” to the nation while Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb tweeted that it marked a “true service” for the people. The cargo was being unloaded in the port city of Karachi, the country’s main hub for imports. Cash-strapped Pakistan had been in talks with Russia to import discounted crude since February 2022, when former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Moscow to meet with President Vladimir Putin. Khan’s visit coincided with the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — a visit that at the time strained relations between Pakistan and the United States. Moscow has since grappled with Western sanctions over the war, rerouting much of its supply to India, China and other Asian countries at discounted prices after Western cus...

Major air defense exercise starts in Germany, effect on civilian flights unclear

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:16:48 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — An air deployment exercise billed as the biggest in NATO’s history and hosted by Germany is getting underway on Monday. The Air Defender 23 exercise that is set to run through June 23 was long-planned but serves to showcase the alliance’s capabilities amid high tensions with Russia.Some 10,000 participants and 250 aircraft from 25 nations will respond to a simulated attack on a NATO member. The United States alone is sending 2,000 U.S. Air National Guard personnel and about 100 aircraft.“The exercise is a signal — a signal above all to us, a signal to us, the NATO countries, but also to our population that we are in a position to react very quickly … that we would be able to defend the alliance in case of attack,” German air force chief Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz told ZDF television.Gerhartz said he proposed the exercise in 2018, reasoning that Russia’s annexation of Crimea underlined the need to be able to defend NATO.Russia’s invasion of Ukraine i...

Karabakh photographs capture the devastation of war

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:16:48 GMT

After 30 years of occupation by Armenia, most of Karabakh was liberated by Azerbaijan in 2020. Much of the territory was devastated by war and restoration work, notably mine clearance, continues. The French photographer Gregory Herpe travelled to Karabakh after the liberation and an exhibition of his work has been held in the European Parliament in Brussels, writes Political Editor Nick Powell.Gregory Herpe’s Karabakh photographs have drama in their bleakness, even beauty. Indeed, he told the large gathering drawn to the opening of the exhibition of his photographs in the European Parliament that even when his subject is the devastation of war, “it is important to take beautiful pictures that grab the attention of the audience”.Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the European Union, Vaqif Sadiqov, said of the French photographer that “driven by a spirit of global citizenship, he went to heavily mined areas”. The resulting pictures were now being exhibited in the home of European democracy. T...

The Intersection of Art and Melody: Violin Virtuoso Anna Khalikova’s Innovative Music Projects

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:16:48 GMT

In the world of classical music, the name Anna Khalikova reverberates with the same warmth and resonance as the harmonious notes of her virtuoso violin playing. This violin maestra, with her distinctive flair for the instrument, has embarked on a mission to interlace the euphonious strands of music with the vibrant hues of visual arts.Anna Khalikova’s remarkable journey in the realm of music began in her homeland, Uzbekistan, where she served as the Concertmaster of the Youth Symphony Orchestra. Then, following her musical compass, she traversed a path to the United States at the tender age of 18. With no familiar faces in sight and an unfamiliar language to grasp, Anna relied on her tenacity and inner voice to navigate this new world.Her education speaks volumes about her formidable dedication to the violin. Holding a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Violin Performance from Michigan State University, where she was the esteemed Teaching Assistant to the renowned Dmitri Berlins...

“Just Ask Clearer Questions” – Vishnu Prasad on His Filmmaking Philosophy

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:16:48 GMT

In the vast landscape of filmmaking, where stories intertwine and narratives unfold, there are artists who possess an unwavering commitment to exploring the full spectrum of the human experience. One such filmmaker is Vishnu Prasad Vijayarengan, known professionally as Vishnu Prasad, a name that resonates with empathy and insight.Born in a Tamil family in the small town of Tirunelveli, and raised in the culturally rich city of Chennai, India, Prasad’s cinematic journey was shaped by his upbringing in a household where Indian and global films coexisted with equal reverence. Nurtured by parents who saw art and intellect as universal languages, he grew up embracing the notion of a rich patrimony that transcended cultural boundaries.When Prasad was thirteen, he stumbled upon Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece Rashomon and was instantly captivated by its extraordinary storytelling. This pivotal moment solidified his passion for filmmaking, and he began crafting his own screenplays....

Single family residence sells for $1.6 million in San Ramon

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:16:48 GMT

204 Marsh Court – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 200 block of Marsh Court in San Ramon has new owners. The 2,113-square-foot property, built in 1971, was sold on May 26, 2023. The $1,640,000 purchase price works out to $776 per square foot. The property features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an attached garage. There’s also a pool in the backyard and two parking spaces. The unit sits on a 0.3-acre lot.Additional houses have recently been sold nearby:A 1,993-square-foot home on the first block of Caravan Place in San Ramon sold in November 2022, for $1,575,000, a price per square foot of $790. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In June 2022, a 2,650-square-foot home on Menorca Court in San Ramon sold for $2,000,000, a price per square foot of $755. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Menorca Court, San Ramon, in July 2022, a 1,552-square-foot home was sold for $1,705,000, a price per square foot of $1,099. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.&...

Boli’s goal gives Portland Timbers a 1-0 win over FC Dallas

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:16:48 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Franck Boli scored the game’s only goal in the 35th minute, leading the Portland Timbers to a 1-0 victory over FC Dallas on Sunday night. Boli’s fourth goal of the season helped the Timbers (5-7-5) snap a four-game winless streak. David Bingham needed to make only two saves in the victory. Martin Paes stopped seven shots, but FC Dallas (7-6-5) lost consecutive road games for the first time this season. Portland scored when Evander took a pass at midfield and sent a crossing pass near the penalty spot to Boli, who put a header past Paes.—AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportSource

New York faces Atlanta after Stewart’s 32-point game

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:16:48 GMT

Atlanta Dream (2-5, 1-3 Eastern Conference) at New York Liberty (6-2, 4-2 Eastern Conference)New York; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: New York faces the Atlanta Dream after Breanna Stewart scored 32 points in the New York Liberty’s 102-93 win against the Dallas Wings.New York finished 9-9 at home and 10-8 in Eastern Conference action during the 2022-23 season. The Liberty averaged 13.4 points off of turnovers, 9.3 second chance points and 23.8 bench points last season.Atlanta finished 14-22 overall last season while going 5-13 in Eastern Conference games. The Dream allowed opponents to score 81.5 points per game and shoot 43.2% from the field last season.INJURIES: Liberty: None listed.Dream: Aari McDonald: out (torn labrum), Danielle Robinson: out (knee).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source