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Karabakh photographs capture the devastation of war

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:00:10 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 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:00:10 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 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:00:10 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 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:00:10 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 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:00:10 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 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:00:10 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

Washington takes road win streak into matchup with Indiana

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:00:10 GMT

Washington Mystics (5-3, 2-2 Eastern Conference) at Indiana Fever (2-6, 1-4 Eastern Conference)Indianapolis; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Washington hits the road against Indiana aiming to extend its three-game road winning streak.Indiana went 5-31 overall and 2-16 in Eastern Conference games last season. The Fever averaged 7.2 steals, 3.6 blocks and 15.1 turnovers per game last season.Washington went 22-14 overall last season while going 11-7 in Eastern Conference play. The Mystics averaged 16.5 points off of turnovers, 9.1 second chance points and 22.6 bench points last season.INJURIES: Fever: None listed.Mystics: Myisha Hines-Allen: out (knee).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Griner leads Phoenix against Seattle after 29-point game

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:00:10 GMT

Seattle Storm (1-6, 1-3 Western Conference) at Phoenix Mercury (2-5, 1-4 Western Conference)Phoenix; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: Phoenix hosts the Seattle Storm after Brittney Griner scored 29 points in the Phoenix Mercury’s 85-82 win over the Indiana Fever.Phoenix went 7-11 in Western Conference action and 11-7 at home during the 2022-23 season. The Mercury averaged 19.2 assists per game on 28.6 made field goals last season.Seattle went 22-14 overall and 10-8 in Western Conference action during the 2022-23 season. The Storm allowed opponents to score 78.4 points per game and shoot 43.4% from the field last season.INJURIES: Mercury: Skylar Diggins-Smith: out (personal).Storm: None listed.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source

Silvio Berlusconi dead at 86, reports say

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:00:10 GMT

Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian prime minister, has died aged 86, Italian media reports said Monday. Berlusconi, who was a senator and leader of the right-wing Forza Italia party — a junior partner in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition government — was admitted to a Milan hospital last week.A billionaire media and property tycoon-turned-politician, Berlusconi rose to the top of Italian politics in the 1990s, leading the country for close to a decade during three terms as prime minister.In recent years, however, his political career was tarnished by a series of scandals, reducing his profile and influence. Italy’s latest general election, which saw his Forza Italia party join Meloni’s governing coalition, marked Berlusconi’s return to the domestic limelight — albeit in a diminished role.Hannah Roberts contributed reporting from Rome.

Trial starts of suspect in deadly Danish mall shooting

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:00:10 GMT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The trial started Monday of a 23-year-old man who is charged with murder and attempted murder over a shooting in a Danish mall in which three people died, .Danish authorities have ruled out terrorism in the July 3, 2022, shooting in the huge Field’s shopping center on the outskirts of Copenhagen. The attacker apparently selected his victims at random.The suspected gunman, who cannot be identified due to a court order, was detained 13 minutes after the shooting began.Ahead of the trial, the prosecution said that it will not seek a prison sentence if the man is convicted but will request that he is placed in a secure mental health facility “without a set time limit.”Two 17-year-olds and a 47-year-old Russian man were killed in the shooting. The suspect has been charged with murder and numerous counts of attempted murder for, among other actions, shooting in direction of a crowd of about 20 people. No one was injured in the crowd.The Associated Press