EU Parliament probes a Latvian lawmaker after media allegations that she spied for Russia
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Parliament has opened an investigation into news reports that a Latvian member of the assembly, Tatjana Ždanoka, has been working as a Russian agent for several years, officials said Tuesday.
The president of the European Union’s legislative body, Roberta Metsola, “takes these allegations very seriously,” her office said in a statement. Metsola is asking a parliamentary committee that handles the code of conduct for EU lawmakers to handle the case
Russian, Nordic and Baltic news sites reported Monday that
Coffee and olive oil? Starbucks introduces Oleato in Canada
Now is your chance if you have ever wanted to experiment with your coffee.
Starbucks has introduced the Oleato in Canada — a mix of coffee and Partanna extra virgin olive oil. With the national launch of Oleato, a spokesperson said it is debuting the new Oleato Golden Foam, Iced Shaken Espresso with Toffeenut and Oleato Oat Latte.
These drinks are available nationwide as of Tuesday and will be featured at all Starbucks stores across Canada, including company-operated stores, Starbucks licensed cafés in grocery stores, airports and universities
Olivia Rodrigo on the 2024 Grammy Awards, performing rage on ‘GUTS,’ and learning from Leonard Cohen
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The second chapter in ‘s musical story began similar to the first: with a big-hearted, full-throated piano ballad about a relationship gone awry.
But the bloodsucking “vampire” was no “drivers license,” the song that kickstarted her career. Instead of descending into her loss in the song, Rodrigo stands atop of her anger, reclaiming her agency in the process. The production mirrors this progress: it is a triumphant revenge anthem, textured, theatrical, an explosive
An auction of Nelson Mandela’s possessions is suspended as South Africa fights to keep them
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The planned auction of dozens of artifacts belonging to Nelson Mandela has been suspended pending a court application to completely halt it, the body that protects South Africa’s cultural heritage said Tuesday.
The had been scheduled by New York-based Guernsey’s auction house on Feb. 24, in conjunction with Dr Makaziwe Mandela, the eldest daughter of the anti-apartheid icon and South Africa’s first democratically elected president who died in 2013.
It had received widespread criticism from
Music Review: Giorgi Mikadze Trio builds engaging musical bridge linking jazz to Eastern Europe
The Giorgi Mikadze Trio’s ends with a bit of studio conversation before Mikadze finally says, “Let’s start,” as if the group is just getting going.
The album title implies the same, and “Face to Face: Georgian Songbook Vol. 1” will leave listeners wanting more. The set is distinctive, thanks to the performances and source material, which includes pieces by seven composers from the country of Georgia. Most of the music was originally written for film, animation and theatrical soundtracks.
Mikadze
Celine Dion doc on Stiff Person Syndrome heads to Prime Video
Celine Dion says she’s determined to not let a rare neurological disorder define her and hopes an upcoming documentary about her experience can help others.
The superstar made the comments as Amazon MGM Studios announced that “I Am: Celine Dion” will stream on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
It’s described as an “intimate exploration” of the Grammy Award-winning singer’s private life and diagnosis with stiff person syndrome, a progressive illness that can cause muscle rigidity and painful
Britain’s Conservative government warned against tax cuts by IMF economist
LONDON (AP) — The International Monetary Fund’s chief economist has advised the U.K. government to avoid amid expectations Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s battered administration will do just that to win over voters in an election year.
Instead of reducing taxes, the government should ensure it is prepared to meet increasing demands for spending on the National Health Service, social care and education as Britain faces sluggish economic growth and the lingering effects of high inflation, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas told reporters after the .
U.K
New British Virgin Islands governor faces heated debate over sovereignty and corruption
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A public servant from the United Kingdom has been sworn in as the new governor of the British Virgin Islands, where he faces debate over the archipelago’s sovereignty after and sparked a constitutional crisis.
Gov. Daniel Pruce said in a speech released Tuesday that he would follow the recommendations issued by a 2022 commission of inquiry, which found that corruption ran so deep in the British Caribbean territory that the local elected government should be suspended.
Local officials retained their power
US considering more measures against Venezuelan President Maduro after pulling some sanctions relief
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is considering additional measures against Venezuelan President ’s government after the South American country’s highest court blocked the presidential candidacy of an opposition leader.
This comes after the relief it granted Venezuela last year, following through on its threat to do so after Maduro reneged on a deal his administration made last year in Barbados with the Venezuelan opposition to hold free elections in 2024.
On Friday, Venezuela’s Supreme Court, aligned with Maduro’s government,
At least 2 people hospitalized after Amtrak train derails hits milk truck in Colorado
DENVER (AP) — An Amtrak worker was seriously injured and two other people suffered minor injuries when a passenger train derailed after it hit a tanker truck carrying milk in northeastern Colorado, authorities said.
The train worker, a 42-year-old man from Utah, suffered injuries in Monday night’s crash that might be life-threatening, Colorado State Patrol spokesperson Sgt. Troy Kessler said Tuesday.
He said a passenger might be among the other two people who were hurt in the crash of the eastbound California