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UAE’s Alliance with France Stands on Extensive Emirati Lobbying Efforts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:15 GMT

The smoothly functioning mechanism of the United Arab Emirates is a result of several years of techniques that the country has adopted to display the perfect picture of a luxurious, travel-friendly nation. Behind the merry scenes of the flourishing Emirates is a chaotic world of corruption and aggressive manipulation campaigns.In March 2023, a Mediapart report based on leaked data revealed the UAE’s extensive manipulation campaigns in Europe, particularly France. A Switzerland-based economic intelligence firm, Alp Services was coordinating a network of influence in France, which was operating on behalf of the Emirates. Headed by the 76-year-old Mario Brero, the company was closely working with an Emirati secret agent, identified as Matar Al Neyadi.Al Neyadi is a senior intelligence officer in Abu Dhabi, who had been availing Brero’s services since four years. Leaked documents revealed details about direct meetings between Al Neyadi and Brero. The Emirati agent was also accompanied b...

Alph Lukau: The Game-Changing Godpreneur Expanding God’s Kingdom Across the United States

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:15 GMT

Renowned Pastor Alph Lukau sets his sights on the United States of AmericaPastor Alph Lukau, the founder and general overseer of Alleluia Ministries International, has announced plans to expand the church’s presence in the United States of America. The move is part of the church’s mission to conquer the world for Christ, according to Pastor Lukau.Alleluia Ministries International is one of the fastest-growing churches in the world, with a presence in all major countries, including South Africa, Europe, and Australia. The church’s focus is on preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and empowering believers to live victorious lives.Pastor Lukau’s announcement comes as the church celebrates the opening of its latest branch in Houston, Texas. The new branch, which opened its doors in August 2021, has already attracted a significant following, with many people testifying to the life-changing impact of the church’s teachings.“God has given us a vision to c...

Covenant School shooter legally bought 7 guns and was under under care for emotional disorder, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:15 GMT

The 28-year-old who killed three children and three adults at a private Christian school in Nashville had legally bought seven firearms and was under care for an emotional disorder, Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake said Tuesday.The parents of the shooter, Audrey Hale, spoke to police and said they knew Hale had bought and sold one weapon and believed that was the extent of it. However, Hale had purchased seven firearms from five different local gun stores and hid them at home, Drake said.“The parents felt (Hale) should not own weapons,” the chief said.Three of the weapons were used in the attack. Police also said Tuesday they did not know a motive. The shooter targeted the school and church in the attack but did not specifically target any of the six people killed, police spokesman Don Aaron said.The news conference came a day after Hale, a former student at the Covenant School, stormed into the school and killed six people before being fatally shot by responding ...

Contra Costa County issues new health order requiring masks for staff in skilled nursing facilities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:15 GMT

Contra Costa County has issued a new health order requiring staff in skilled nursing facilities to continue wearing masks to protect elderly patients from being infected with COVID-19.In a Monday announcement, Contra Costa Health Services said the order will take effect April 3, the same day the state’s COVID-19 masking order for healthcare settings expires.As of April 3, face coverings are no longer required in California health care establishments, such as dental offices, for patients, visitors and employees who do not need to perform clinical activities. Residents of nursing homes and their visitors are not required to wear masks, according to the Contra Costa health order.The guidance was given in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom ending the State of Emergency for the pandemic on February 28.“Requiring personnel at SNFs to use well-fitted masks can help protect the elderly population, who are more vulnerable to severe COVID outcomes, from being infected,” Dr. Ori T...

Court reinstates Syed’s conviction in ‘Serial’ murder case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:15 GMT

By Brian Witte and Lea Skene | Associated PressANNAPOLIS, Md. — A Maryland court did not give the family of the murder victim in the case chronicled in the hit podcast “Serial” enough time to attend a court hearing in person that led to Adnan Syed’s release, a Maryland appellate court ruled Tuesday, and it ordered a new hearing to be held.Though Syed’s conviction has been reinstated, he will not be taken back into custody.In a 2-1 decision, the Appellate Court of Maryland ruled the state’s law provides victims with the right to prior notice of the hearing on a motion to vacate convictions, and that right was violated in the case of the family of Hae Min Lee, Syed’s ex-girlfriend and high school classmate who died more than two decades ago.The court ruled that giving her brother, Young Lee, only one business day before the hearing was “insufficient time to reasonably allow Mr. Lee, who lived in California, to attend the hearing in person,R...

Haley Jones leaves Stanford, declares for the 2023 WNBA Draft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:15 GMT

Stanford’s Haley Jones has declared for the 2023 WNBA Draft.The 2021 Final Four Most Outstanding Player for the national championship-winning Cardinal and two-time All-American was one of 76 players that declared, which the league announced in a release on Tuesday afternoon. Another Stanford player, Ashten Prechtel, also declared.Jones, 21, grew up in Santa Cruz and went to high school at San Jose’s Archbishop Mitty, where she was a three-time Bay Area News Group player of the year.Stanford’s season ended in the second round of this year’s NCAA Tournament in a shocking 54-49 loss to Ole Miss. On that night, Jones had 16 points and eight rebounds, but committed two costly turnovers in the final 20 seconds of the game.“It’s disappointing for my four years at Stanford to close in this fashion,” Jones said after the game. “It’s not where we wanted to go. I think this team had the capability to go all the way, and sometimes it just doesn’t end that way which is very fru...

San Jose: All-day restaurant Jack’s opens at Westgate with pancakes-to-pot-roast lineup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:15 GMT

Who can make a success of a 7,600-square-foot West San Jose restaurant space with seating for 200 inside and 100 outside?The Marcovici brothers of the East Bay have taken on the challenge, opening their newest all-day restaurant and bar, Jack’s, at Westgate shopping center. This Saratoga Avenue space was most recently Mextizo Restaurant & Cantina and before that, the Blue Door. And for many years before that, this was home to a Chevy’s Fresh Mex restaurant.Eleni Marcovici’s sons grew up in the restaurant business and went on to run their own local chain. They have just opened their fifth restaurant, their first in Santa Clara County. From left to right are John and David Marcovici, Mama Eleni and Chris Marcovici. (Photo courtesy of Jack’s Restaurant and Bar) Veterans of the restaurant business — their parents operated Eleni’s in Clayton (Mama Eleni came from the island of Cyprus) — the trio decided to open their first Jack’s in Pleasant Hill in 2010 ...

San Jose’s Bellarmine hit with two lawsuits alleging long-ago abuse by disgraced Jesuit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:15 GMT

Two men who attended Bellarmine College Preparatory High School in the 1960s and 1970s have filed separate lawsuits against the school and Roman Catholic authorities alleging they were sexually assaulted as students by a Jesuit school official who insisted on giving them unwarranted hernia checks.The lawsuits were filed late last year by California men now in their 60s identified only as John Roe and John Roe 1. The suits claim they were sexually abused by William C. Farrington, a Jesuit brother whom Bellarmine more than a decade ago acknowledged was credibly accused of molesting another former student years earlier.“It turns out Brother Farrington has a long history of sexually assaulting minors,” attorney Mary Bajo said.Bellarmine is a prestigious Jesuit school in San Jose founded in 1851. Its alumni include retired California Supreme Court Justice Ming Chin, state Sen. David Cortese, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and former mayors Sam Liccardo and Tom McEnery. The school ...

Single family residence in Milpitas sells for $1.7 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:15 GMT

1274 Lassen Avenue – Google Street ViewA house located in the 1200 block of Lassen Avenue in Milpitas has new owners. The 1,732-square-foot property, built in 1969, was sold on March 9, 2023, for $1,665,000, or $961 per square foot. The property features four bedrooms, two baths, a garage, and two parking spaces. There’s also a pool in the backyard. The unit sits on a 5,700-square-foot lot.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:A 1,586-square-foot home on the 1300 block of Acadia Avenue in Milpitas sold in December 2022, for $1,280,000, a price per square foot of $807. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Acadia Avenue, Milpitas, in September 2022, a 1,484-square-foot home was sold for $1,250,000, a price per square foot of $842. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In January 2023, a 1,742-square-foot home on Big Bear Court in Milpitas sold for $1,250,500, a price per square foot of $718. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. 

Bay Area storm updates: High wind, hail expected

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:15 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Another storm has moved into the Bay Area overnight Monday with the brunt expected to land early Tuesday morning. The storm is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall and gusty winds that could lead to downed trees and power lines, along with potential flooding and a rough morning commute.San Francisco Mayor London Breed has issued an emergency declaration as the city balances recovering from the last storm and prepping for this next one. City officials are advising residents to stay home during the peak of Tuesday’s storm. Follow our blog for the latest storm updates.Bay Area storm updates:Tuesday, March 2812:30 p.m. -- Flooding closes Junipero Serra Boulevard in ColmaFlooding on southbound Junipero Serra Boulevard closed the road between Southgate Avenue and Serramonte Boulevard, the Colma Police Department reported. Officials advise drivers to use alternate routes. There is no current estimated time of opening. Drive safely and avoid driving thro...