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Far-right German EU lawmaker caught up in contract fraud probe

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:56 GMT

Maximilian Krah, a far-right EU lawmaker from Germany, is facing scrutiny from the EU prosecutor’s office over potential contract fraud. According to three lawmakers from Krah’s Identity & Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is reviewing Krah’s role in a public contract bid following an investigation from the EU’s anti-fraud office, known as OLAF. EPPO, unlike OLAF, has the authority to bring criminal charges.The case centers on the process Krah used to award a communications contract for his ID group. According to a letter sent to OLAF and seen by POLITICO, Krah allegedly conspired with several German firms to rig the bidding for Polifakt, a company linked to him. The contract was ultimately halted but could have been worth tens of thousands of euros in EU funds.OLAF later sent a letter to EPPO, dated March 14, saying the office had closed its probe but suggesting the prosecutor look into the matter, according to ...

Erdogan says Turkish forces killed IS chief in Syria

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:56 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish forces have killed the leader of the Islamic State group during an operation in Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said late Sunday.Recep Tayyip Erdogan told TRT Turk television in an interview that the IS leader, code-named Abu Hussein al-Qurayshi, was killed in a strike conducted on Saturday. Erdogan said the Turkish intelligence agency, MIT, had been following him “for a long time.”“We will continue our struggle against terrorist organizations without discriminating against any of them,” Erdogan said in the interview.Turkey has conducted numerous operations against IS and Kurdish groups along the Syrian border, capturing or killing suspected militants. The country controls large swaths of territory in northern Syria following a series of land incursions to drive Kurdish groups away from the Turkish-Syrian border.Abu Hussein al-Qurayshi was named leader of the militant group after its previous chief was killed in October, with an IS spokesm...

Alibaba’s Jack Ma turns up in Japan as college professor

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:56 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Jack Ma, a cofounder of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, will be a visiting professor at Tokyo College, a research institute run by the prestigious University of Tokyo, the university said Monday. Ma will carry out research in sustainable agriculture and food production, it said in a statement. It said that Ma, who also heads his own Jack Ma Foundation, a philanthropic organization, will “share his rich experience and pioneering knowledge on entrepreneurship, corporate management and innovation,” with students and faculty. Chinese regulators singled out Alibaba for scrutiny in a recent crackdown on technology and internet companies, having put the brakes on a planned initial public offering in 2020 of Alibaba’s financial affiliate Ant Group. That came after he had criticized China’s regulators and financial systems in a speech in Shanghai. Ma kept a low profile for several years and traveled overseas before returning to China recently.His appointment began Monday...

PSAC says tentative agreement reached with Treasury Board for 120,000 workers

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:56 GMT

OTTAWA — The Public Service Alliance of Canada has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Treasury Board covering more than 120,000 federal government workers across the country.The national strike is now over for Treasury Board workers, specifically members of the PA, SV, TC and EB bargaining groups, who are required to return to work May 1st at 9 a.m. Eastern Time or their next scheduled shift.PSAC says strike action continues for 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency workers nationwide, with contract negotiations ongoing.Public servants hit picket lines at locations across the country beginning April 19th in what the union said was one of the biggest job actions in Canadian history.Service disruptions loomed large during the job action, from slowdowns at the border to pauses on new employment insurance, immigration and passport applications.Initial negotiations on a new collective agreement initially began in June 2021, and the union declared an impasse in May 2022, with both par...

PSAC says tentative agreement reached with Treasury Board for 120,000 members

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:56 GMT

The Public Service Alliance of Canada has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Treasury Board covering more than 120,000 federal government workers across the country.The national strike is now over for Treasury Board workers, specifically members of the PA, SV, TC and EB bargaining groups, who are required to return to work May 1 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time or their next scheduled shift.PSAC has reached a tentative agreement for the PA, SV, TC and EB bargaining units at Treasury Board.Members in the PA, SV, TC and EB bargaining groups are required to return to work for their next scheduled shift, beginning May 1 at 9 a.m. ETRead more: https://t.co/sgsgv65FBl— PSAC-AFPC (@psac_afpc) May 1, 2023PSAC says strike action continues for 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency workers nationwide, with contract negotiations ongoing.“To date, we have successfully resolved some issues related to hours of work and information to be provided to PSAC so that the union can communicate and ...

Big May Day events in Asia call for better labor conditions

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:56 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A large number of workers and activists in Asian countries are set to mark May Day on Monday with protests calling for higher salaries and better working conditions, among other demands.May Day, which falls on May 1, is observed in many countries as a day to celebrate workers’ rights with rallies, marches and other events.In South Korea, more than 100,000 people planned to attend various rallies across the country in its biggest May Day gatherings since the pandemic began in early 2020, according to organizers. Similar events to mark the international labor day were expected in other Asian countries since COVID-19 restrictions were drastically loosened worldwide.The two main rallies in Seoul, the South Korean capital, were expected to draw about 30,000 people each to listen to speeches by leading union members, sing songs and watch performances before marching through the streets, according to the organizers: the Korean Confederation of Trade Union and the ...

Potential for some snow a.m. Monday—and graupel as well, even into the afternoon. Warmer Pattern Shift taking shape

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:56 GMT

Monday's set up is very similar to Sunday's. We'll find ourselves stuck in the trough in the jet stream that will lead to more chilly temperatures. Strong WNW winds will wrap around the low and gust up to 40 mph during the day. Waves of energy also wrapping around the backside of the low will also be responsible for more widespread light showers. Once again, there's the potential for some snow in the morning and some graupel as well, even into the afternoon.  The low will still be influencing Tuesday's weather with plenty of clouds, breezy NW winds and the potential for spotty to widely scattered showers.  At we'll we see warmer weather as the week progresses.A big shift in the weather pattern appears to be on the way in the 6-10 day and 8-14 outlook.  An upper-level ridge building into the center of the country and eventually the Midwest is expected to push temperatures above average.  Next Sunday is currently forecast to be warmer than average and that warmth is likely to continue...

2 dead, 2 injured after single-car crash in Ventura County

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:56 GMT

Two men were killed, and two others injured after the driver of the vehicle they were in lost control and crashed into a power pole Sunday in Oxnard, authorities announced.  The single-vehicle crash occurred just after 7 p.m. near the intersection of Arcturus Avenue and McWane Boulevard, according to officials with the Oxnard Police Department.  Authorities said the preliminary investigation reveals that the driver of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt was traveling westbound on McWane Boulevard when he lost control of his vehicle and collided with the electrical pole. “Investigators believe speed/reckless driving and alcohol were contributing factors to the collision,” an Oxnard PD news release stated.  At the scene, firefighters used the jaws of life to extricate all four males from the vehicle. Paramedics immediately began performing life-saving measures on two of the men, one of whom was believed to be the driver of the Cobalt. Both were later pronounced dead at the scene,...

Photos: Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry becomes first player to score 50 points in an NBA Game 7 to defeat Kings in playoffs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:56 GMT

Stephen Curry poured in 50 points, the most scored in a Game 7 in NBA history, to go with his eight rebounds and six assists as he powered the Warriors to 120-100 victory.Curry’s 50 points was a playoff career high. He knocked down seven 3-pointers, the most made in a Game 7 in league history.The Kings had outplayed the Warriors for most of the first half, taking a two-point lead into the break, and were looking to win their first playoff series since 2004. But Curry and the crew had other plans.Kevon Looney pulled down seven offensive boards in the third quarter alone and finished the day with 21 total rebounds, including 10 on the offensive glass, becoming just the ninth player in NBA history to grab double-digit offensive rebounds in a Game 7. He also had 11 points, making this his fourth career playoff double-double.The Warriors now advance to the Western Conference semifinals to face Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Golden State won’t have too much time to relish in its...

History of Steph Curry vs. LeBron James in NBA playoffs: Who has the edge?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:56 GMT

(KRON) -- They are regarded as the two biggest NBA superstars of this generation. Both have four championships, multiple MVPs and numerous All-Star selections. Stephen Curry and LeBron James are arguably two of the 10 greatest players in NBA history.They meet again in the NBA playoffs. This time, James, 38, will be in the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Lakers while Curry, 35, has been a Warrior his whole career. Warriors-Lakers playoff series: Start times, TV schedule Remember the numerous NBA Finals between the Warriors and Cavs? Here's a look back at all the playoff matchups between Curry and James. 2015 NBA Finals: Warriors win 4-2 over Cavaliers (Curry)Without his co-stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, James put up a historic effort in carrying the Cavaliers in the Finals. Curry and Finals MVP Andre Iguodala were too much as the Warriors closed out Cleveland in six games to win the Golden State's first title in 40 years.Stephen Curry (R) of the Warriors attempts to st...