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Not just Qatargate: Eva Kaili also faces probe into EU kickbacks scheme

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:53 GMT

Qatargate aside, Eva Kaili is facing a world of pain for a different reason altogether. Documents seen by POLITICO reveal fresh details about a separate criminal investigation that the Greek EU lawmaker is facing regarding allegedly fraudulent payments involving four former assistants in the European Parliament from 2014 to 2020. The probe is looking at Kaili for three potential fraudulent activities: whether she misled Parliament about her assistants’ location and work activities; took a cut of their reimbursements for “fake” work trips she orchestrated; and also took kickbacks from part of their salaries, according to a letter from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to Parliament President Roberta Metsola, seen by POLITICO. Another Greek EU lawmaker, Maria Spyraki, has also been part of the same probe. Investigators accuse her of misleading the institution about her assistants’ activities and of telling them to file expenses for fake work trips. However,...

Ukraine’s coming counteroffensive will be the hinge of this war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:53 GMT

Jamie Dettmer is opinion editor at POLITICO Europe. KYIV — “All warfare is based on deception,” according to Sun Tzu.In his book “The Art of War,” the ancient Chinese military strategist highlighted the importance of tricking the enemy. “Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near,” he counseled.And this is exactly what Ukraine is trying to do ahead of a counteroffensive that may later be seen as the hinge of this war.We are now firmly in a crucial phase of deception, much as in 1943, when the British mounted Operation Mincemeat to confuse Germany as to where in southern Europe the allies would strike. Or, in 1944, when the Western allies used tanks made of plywood and canvas to launch Operation Bodyguard — an elaborate disinformation campaign involving double agents and radio traffic to mask where they...

China doesn’t want peace in Ukraine, Czech president warns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:53 GMT

China cannot be trusted to mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine, Czech President Petr Pavel is warning, telling POLITICO that Beijing benefits from prolonging the war. His comments come as China is trying to position itself as a peacemaker in Ukraine, recently floating a vague roadmap to ending the conflict. And while most Western allies have been skeptical of the overtures, some countries like France insist China could play a major role in peace talks. Pavel, a former general and senior NATO leader, was unequivocal, however. When it comes to Ukraine, he argued, China only wants what’s best for itself — and, for now, that’s more war. “I believe that it is in China’s interest to prolong the status quo,” Pavel said, “because it can push Russia to a number of concessions.” Beijing, he said in an interview late last week, can get cheap oil, gas and other resources from Moscow — in exchange for its “no limits” partnership with the Kremlin....

Britain says no to Big Tech as competition bill lobbying falls flat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:53 GMT

LONDON — A major shakeup to U.K. competition law is coming – and Big Tech’s not happy.The British government will on Tuesday unveil a wide-ranging Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill that’s been subject to a frantic behind-the-scenes lobbying by major tech players. They already appear to have lost the opening battle.The legislation aims to rein in Big Tech’s dominance of digital markets, giving regulators powers to impose a new code of conduct on the largest firms. A newly-created Digital Markets Unit will be able to fine tech companies up to 10 percent of global turnover and disqualify directors who don’t comply with the rules.It will take months to get through parliament and become law. Yet industry lobbyists have already hit a wall in their bid to tweak the planned system for appealing decisions they don’t like.The tech giants were hoping to appeal decisions made by the regulator on the basis of whether or not those decisions were correct, known as a merits appeal. But...

Hingham voters weigh tax override as schools face cuts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:53 GMT

Hingham High School could be fresh out of freshman sports in the future as a budget issue could cause the school to slash such programs for first-year students. Town officials and Hingham residents met to discuss the issue Monday night at Town Meeting. Though voters voted yes on a tax raise that could save freshman sports, other school activities and teachers’ jobs, the matter still needs approval through the Annual Town Election this weekend.“This is probably one of the biggest votes we’ve had to deal with,” said School Committee Vice Chair Nes Correnti.Hingham is facing a projected $6 million budget deficit. With the deficit, officials said a tax override is necessary to save the jobs of dozens of educators, as well as after-school activities like freshman sports. “The arts, athletics, all of the services that we offer our young people — the activities, the clubs — are all important because they help really provide a well-rounded education f...

Patriots players take part in video game tournament with children of military service members

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:53 GMT

Patriots players recently got into the game for a special cause as the New England Patriots Foundation partnered with Cross Insurance to host a “Patriots Gamers” event in Foxboro on Monday. The event, which recognized children of service members, gave children a chance to face off against Patriots players in video game tournaments at Helix eSports within Patriot Place.“It’s just one way of giving back to our soldiers who risk everything for us,” said Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai.Tavai is part of a military family. He said this cause hits close to home. “Hearing stories about what they had to go through, how they literally risked their lives, bullets flying — it means a lot to me knowing there are others out there in the world who are risking it all for us,” he said. New Patriots players Juju Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki also jumped in on the fun and got into the competitive spirit. “I can handle anybody in Mario K...

Winderman’s view: A better Bam still needed even after Butler’s bombast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:53 GMT

Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 119-114 NBA playoff victory to the Milwaukee Bucks:– Imagine how much easier this could have been if Jimmy Butler had a co-star.– Instead, it took every last breath.– At the All-Star break, Bam Adebayo was an All-Star.– He hasn’t been since.– For the Heat, that is a problem.– Especially now, with Tyler Herro sidelined.– And with Kyle Lowry at a career stage where expectations have been diminished.– Yes, Adebayo is asked to do plenty on defense.– Yes, at times he is playing as the Heat’s lone big man.– But he is being paid like a No. 2 star on this roster.– And in recent games, weeks, months, that hasn’t been the case.– And likely why the Heat will return to the prowl to find one for Butler.– From the mindless early foul on Grayson Allen that landed Adebayo on the bench in the first four minutes to the lack of attack mode o...

Jimmy Butler’s 56 points power Heat past Bucks 119-114 and to stunning 3-1 series lead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:53 GMT

In a building where Dwyane Wade dazzled, Shaquille O’Neal dominated and LeBron James devastated, Jimmy Butler outdid them all Monday night.Scoring 56 points, the most in Miami Heat playoff history, Butler led a heart-stopping fourth-quarter rally to position the Heat within one victory of eliminating the No. 1-seeded Milwaukee Bucks from the postseason.Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo returning from a back injury to close with a triple-double, there was no stopping Butler and the Heat from moving to a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoff series.Simply put, Monday night’s 119-114 Heat victory at Kaseya Center was pure Butler, a single-minded player putting his imprint on a playoff night in a way the Wade, O’Neal or even James had not before.He simply refused to lose.So he didn’t.Not even with Antetokounmpo closing with 26 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, his third career playoff triple-double.Butler was sublime for the Heat, setting the t...

Tips on how to protect yourself against rape, sexual assault

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:53 GMT

Boston police, seeking the public’s help identifying an alleged rapist, are also urging residents to take steps to protect themselves. BPD adds: “No victim is ever to blame for the actions of an attacker.”Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Boston police seek public’s help identifying suspect in sexual assault Safety steps include:Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Keep your head up. Make quick eye contact with those around you and try to avoid poorly lit or isolated areas.When possible, walk with friends and people you know especially late at night.Avoid the distractions created when talking on a cell phone or listening to an iPod/similar device. Avoid wearing earbuds or headphones in both ears.If you believe someone is following you, change direction, cross the street, seek a populated location and call 911.Remember descriptive information about the person following you to report to the police.If confronted, believe ...

Ontario man hit with close to $300 in bank fees after online lottery purchases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:53 GMT

An Ontario man is warning others after he got dinged by some pretty hefty bank fees for purchasing lottery tickets online.The GTA resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he signed up for a lottery subscription with his credit card on the OLG website. He used the provincial lottery corporation’s relatively new Direct Pay online payment option. He said his credit card statement later showed $290 in bank fees for a total of 58 transactions.His bank, BMO Canada, treated each lottery purchase as a cash advance which carries with it additional fees and begins incurring interest immediately.“It was confusion and anger at the same time,” he told CityNews. “Why am I being charged in the first place for something that’s been marketed as not having these fees associated with it?”OLG introduced Direct Pay in November noting on its website that using the payment option may avoid cash advance fees. Except it didn’t with BMO. The financial institution told CityNews that customers shou...