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Italian cops arrest 3 for alleged embezzlement of EU funds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:24 GMT

The Palermo police put three suspects under house arrest Friday morning on charges of “embezzlement and corruption” related to various EU-funded public school projects, including stealing food and technology from kids in a socially deprived area of the Italian city. Two suspects “falsely declared” the number of pupils at the school to justify EU-funded scholarship programs for public school students, which were “never, or only partially” implemented, according to a statement by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), which has led the investigation between February 2022 and April 2023.The investigators found that two suspects also deprived children of “significant amounts of food supplies” as well as expensive computer and technological devices, which were stored in the principal’s office and “misappropriated” by the two suspects, the statement says.Supply of technological material was entrusted to a sing...

Dominic Raab’s gone — so who could replace him in the UK Cabinet?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:24 GMT

Dominic Raab’s gone — so who could replace him in the UK Cabinet?POLITICO runs through the contenders for justice secretary.Here’s a list of potential candidates to replace Dominic Raab as deputy prime minister | Photo illustration by Giulia Poloni for POLITICO/Source images from EPA and UK ParliamentLONDON — Dominic Raab has just resigned as U.K. justice secretary — and deputy prime minister — after a long-running inquiry into a string of claims that he bullied staff. So who could replace him in the crucial job overseeing the U.K.’s judicial system? POLITICO’s London Playbook ran through the contenders. Victoria Atkins, 47Victoria Atkins | UK ParliamentCuurrently, financial secretary to the Treasury, Atkins is said to be well-liked in No. 10 Downing Street. She prosecuted drug trafficking gangs as a barrister. She isn’t on Twitter. And she was once accused of being terribly rude about Boris Johnson’s wife, Carrie.Victoria...

Ukrainian troops to begin training on US-made tanks in next few weeks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:24 GMT

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — American-made Abrams tanks that Ukrainians will use for training will arrive in Germany in the next few weeks, allowing soldiers to begin learning to use the much-anticipated armor, according to two U.S. Defense Department officials. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to announce the move at a Friday press conference after the 11th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a gathering of more than 40 nations dedicated to supporting Kyiv against Russia’s all-out assault, said one of the DoD officials, who was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive operations.The 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks — a Ukrainian battalion’s worth — will arrive at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany by mid-to-late May, according to the officials. The training will begin a week or two later, after the tanks go through a maintenance period. But the tanks the Ukrainian armed forces will train on in Germany are different from the ones that will eventually...

Fire officials investigating apparent house explosion in Truro

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:24 GMT

Fire officials are working to determine what caused an apparent house explosion in Truro as crews continue to battle hot spots in the area, officials said.Crews from several towns responded to assist with the flames. Video from the scene showed debris scattered across the area and a home reduced to rubble.No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Biden to sign order prioritizing ‘environmental justice’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday plans to sign an executive order that would make “environmental justice” the mission of federal agencies, the White House said.The Democratic administration wants to ensure that poverty, race and ethnic status do not lead to worse exposure to pollution and environmental harm. Biden is trying to draw a contrast between his agenda and that of Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. GOP lawmakers have called for less regulation of oil production to lower energy prices, while the Biden administration says the GOP policies would give benefits to highly profitable oil companies and surrender the renewable energy sector to the Chinese.Biden will sign the executive order to continue delivering on “the most ambitious environmental justice agenda in our nation’s history,” the White House said in a statement.The order tells executive branch agencies to use data and scientific research to understand how pollution hurts people’s he...

Search continues for 4th boater after 3 bodies found off Cape Ann

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:24 GMT

GLOUCESTER , MASS. (WHDH) – The Coast Guard is continuing to search for a fourth boater after the bodies of three people were found off the coast of Cape Ann amid an extensive search.Officials said the group had gone fishing from Hampton, New Hampshire headed for a spot near Jeffreys Ledge 50 miles offshore on Wednesday before they were reported missing. Their overturned boat, described as a 17-foot white center console, was found earlier in the day on Thursday before the bodies were found. The USCG Northeast said on social media that an MH-60 helicopter and HC-144 airplane from Air Station Cape Cod were part of the search, as well as two cutter ships and personnel at the Coast Guard Stations at Portsmouth Harbor, Merrimack River and Gloucester.Speaking with 7NEWS, Coast Guard Lt. Brandon Newman said officials never received a distress call. Rather, he said a family member reported the boaters missing after they didn’t return home when expected.As their search continued, ...

Markelle Fultz provides Magic with stability while elevating his own game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:24 GMT

When it comes to Markelle Fultz’s impact on the Orlando Magic, most numbers don’t tell the full story.Among the 10 Magic players who played at least 30 games after Fultz returned from a fractured big left toe on Nov. 30, only rookie forward Paolo Banchero (minus-2.7) had a worse individual plus-minus than Fultz’s minus-2.2.Orlando’s offensive rating (points per 100 possessions) was identical during the minutes Fultz was on the floor (110.3 points) as when he was on the bench (111.3) after his return. There was a more significant improvement in the Magic’s defensive rating with Fultz off the floor (109.4) compared with when he was on (114).But watch a Magic game with Fultz on the floor compared to when he isn’t — especially in the 21 games he missed because of the toe injury — and it’s clear what he brought to Orlando.A serene presence in moments one was needed. A ballhandler who pushed the pace and created easier scoring opportun...

NFL Draft 2023: Anthony Richardson and 7 potential Patriots quarterbacks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:24 GMT

Welcome to Potential Patriots!Each day leading up to the NFL Draft on April 27, the Herald will introduce prospects the Patriots are likely targeting position by position. The Pats have 11 picks this year, starting at 14th overall, their highest selection in more than a decade. As for their other picks, the Patriots could pad their depth at virtually any position.Below is a breakdown of the Patriots’ best prospect fits at quarterback:CornerbacksWide receiversEdge rushersDay 1Anthony Richardson, FloridaHt/Wt: 6-4, 244Projected round: 1stScouting report: The Patriots have done some homework on quarterbacks, Richardson in particular. They’ve reportedly met with the Gators star. Add in the fact Pats personnel head Matt Groh didn’t dismiss the notion of adding a quarterback during his presser Tuesday, and it seems like the position is in the mix.Whether it’s simply good business to draft a quarterback every year, or there’s legitimate friction between Bill Belichick and start...

US to begin training Ukrainian troops on Abrams tank

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:24 GMT

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP) — The United States will begin training Ukrainian forces on how to use and maintain Abrams tanks in the coming weeks, as the it continues to speed up its effort to get them onto the battlefield against Russia as quickly as possible, U.S. officials said Friday.The decision comes as defense leaders from around Europe and the world are meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany in the ongoing effort to coordinate the delivery of weapons and other equipment to Ukraine. An announcement is expected later Friday.According to the officials, 31 tanks will arrive at Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany at the end of May, and the troops will begin training a couple of weeks later. Officials said the troop training will last about 10 weeks. The training tanks will not be the ones given to Ukraine as it fights against Russia’s invasion. Instead, 31 M1A1 battle tanks are being refurbished in the United States, and those will go to the frontlines when they are re...

UK deputy prime minister quits after bullying investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:24 GMT

LONDON (AP) — U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab resigned Friday after an independent investigation found he bullied civil servants.Raab’s announcement the day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak received findings into eight formal complaints that Raab, who is also justice secretary, had been abusive toward staff members during a previous stint in that office and while serving as Britain’s foreign secretary and Brexit secretary.Raab, 49, denied claims he belittled and demeaned his staff and said he “behaved professionally at all times,” but had said he would resign if the bullying complaints were upheld.The investigation made two findings of bullying against him and dismissed the others, Raab said in his resignation letter. But he called the findings “flawed” and said the inquiry “set a dangerous precedent” by “setting the threshold for bullying so low.”He said he quit because he was “duty bound” to resign since he had promised to.The resignation spares Sunak from havi...