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Campaigners sound conflict of interest alarm over MEP couple, missing pharma report

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:46 GMT

Campaigners are calling for an investigation into why a report on the sensitive topic of pharmaceutical market rules was withdrawn days after it was published, and whether the romantic relationship between the chair of the commissioning panel and another MEP had anything to do with it.Shari Hinds, a policy officer at Transparency International, said the outstanding questions over the circumstances of the removal of the report “warrant the opening up of a potential conflict of interest case by the Advisory Committee on the Conduct of Members.” The committee is a Parliamentary body charged with ensuring MEPs follow the Parliament’s Code of Conduct. Hinds said that while it wasn’t clear yet whether there had been a conflict of interest, the relationship between the two MEPs — Pernille Weiss and Christian Ehler — and the potential impact of the report meant there were enough “question marks and concerns surrounding the taking down of the study” to open an invest...

Liberté, égalité and military hardware: France sets its sights on Russia’s former allies

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:46 GMT

PARIS — France is elbowing its way into Russia’s backyard.In a matter of a few weeks, French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced arms deals with both Moldova and Armenia, two former Soviet republics increasingly looking to the West for new friends. This week, French President Emmanuel Macron traveled to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, with the clearly stated objective of France becoming an alternative to Russia and China in Central Asia. And while the focus was mainly energy and critical raw materials, Macron did allude on Wednesday to contracts with Kazakhstan for Thales-made Ground Master 400 air defense radar systems, which Paris said would boost the country’s “sovereignty.”Kazakhstan is a close Russian ally and a member of the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) military pact, but the government hasn’t backed Russia’s war in Ukraine and has pledged to comply with international sanctions against Moscow.O...

Chicago White Sox decline $15M option on Liam Hendriks, the cancer survivor who will miss most of 2024 after elbow surgery

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:46 GMT

The Chicago White Sox answered one of their big offseason questions, declining the $15 million club option on reliever Liam Hendriks.It was one of four roster moves the Sox announced Friday afternoon.Starter Mike Clevinger declined his $12 million mutual option, and the team outrighted outfielders Clint Frazier and Trayce Thompson to Triple-A Charlotte.Hendriks’ deal included a $15 million buyout that would be paid in 10 equal installments from 2024-33. The closer expressed a desire to return, saying before the final game of the season, “I’d love to be back.”“As I’ve said, I have unfinished business here,” Hendriks said Oct. 1. “I signed here to win here. I think there’s a good core group that has an opportunity to win. There’s some definite avenues where we can improve. But I signed here to win here and that’s the goal right now.”Hendriks was a major addition ahead of the 2021 season. And he delivered, earning ...

Patrick Williams yanked from Chicago Bulls lineup after lackluster start to season: ‘He’s got to help our team’

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:46 GMT

From the opening week of the Chicago Bulls season, it felt like a question of when — not if — Patrick Williams would be pulled from the starting lineup.Coach Billy Donovan finally pulled the trigger Friday, replacing Williams with Torrey Craig. The change came only six games into Williams’ fourth season with the Bulls.Although Donovan did not confirm he would bench Williams until lineups were announced, he emphasized pregame that the forward needs to make more out of his minutes — even if they come off the bench.“We need Patrick,” Donovan said before the game. “Whatever role he is in, he’s got to help our team. Whether he’s starting or coming off the bench, I still think he’s an important piece and component to our team.”The change seemed to work for Williams, who recorded his best performance of the season. Williams scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds. He looked confident in transition, moving the ball at a fa...

Stolen vehicle suspect arrested after CHP pursuit in San Diego County

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:46 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A man suspected of stealing a white Cadillac SUV led authorities on a pursuit Friday to several areas of San Diego County was arrested, authorities said.Alfredo Estrada, 47, of Santa Ana, was identified as the suspect, Salvador Castro with the California Highway Patrol said in a news release. He was taken to a hospital for medical clearance and was booked into the San Diego County Jail.Around 5:04 p.m., California Highway Patrol units in the San Diego area took over a pursuit on Interstate 5 southbound from north of Las Flores Creek once it reached Del Mar Heights Road, Salvador Castro with the California Highway Patrol said in a news release.The suspect then led officers on Interstate 805 southbound, where an unknown black vehicle appeared to try to run the suspect's car off the road. The pursuit continued onto surface streets in Kearny Mesa and Serra Mesa, ultimately ending in a residential community in the Linda Vista neighborhood.The suspect's vehicle circled the Fa...

LAPD pursues vehicle in L.A. County

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:46 GMT

At least one person is in custody following a high-speed pursuit through Los Angeles County on Friday night.The two suspects inside the car were initially wanted for an assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.As the vehicle traveled at high speeds through freeways and surface streets, the suspects eventually pulled over in a neighborhood near West Louise Street and Pacific Avenue in Long Beach.At least one person is in custody following a high-speed pursuit through Los Angeles County on Nov. 3, 2023. (KTLA)At least one person is in custody following a high-speed pursuit through Los Angeles County on Nov. 3, 2023. (KTLA)At least one person is in custody following a high-speed pursuit through Los Angeles County on Nov. 3, 2023. (KTLA)At least one person is in custody following a high-speed pursuit through Los Angeles County on Nov. 3, 2023. (KTLA)At least one person is in custody following a high-speed pursuit through Los Angeles County on Nov. 3, ...

Oakland: Person badly burned after fire breaks out in tent

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:46 GMT

OAKLAND – A person was badly burned in a fire Friday night near the Oakland Coliseum, according to authorities.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | San Jose: Elderly man injured in two-alarm house fire Crashes and Disasters | ‘It can happen anywhere’: Author explains why no one is safe from wildfires in the 21st century Crashes and Disasters | Fast-rising PG&E bills draw big-time opposition Crashes and Disasters | PG&E customers face higher monthly bills as state panel preps ruling Crashes and Disasters | Dangerous fire conditions return to Bay Area amid weekend of heavy winds, dry air The blaze started in a tent just after 7 p.m. near Coliseum Way and Independent Road, said Oakland Fire Department spokesperson Michael Hunt. The flames then spread to an adjacent pickup truck.A person living in the tent suffered burns over 90% of her body, according to Hunt.The person was taken to ...

Pedestrian hit and killed by Amtrak train in Oakland

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:46 GMT

OAKLAND – An Amtrak train hit and killed a female pedestrian Friday night in Oakland, according to authorities.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | GOP states embrace Uber, Lyft to take low-income patients to medical appointments Crashes and Disasters | BART paper tickets will no longer be accepted after Nov. 30, accelerating transit agency into digital era Crashes and Disasters | Photos: A furry, tail wagging Halloween parade welcomes travelers at San Jose Mineta International Airport Crashes and Disasters | Public bus service returns between Santa Clara and Monterey Counties Crashes and Disasters | Me & My Car: Oakland man’s ’92 Allanté one of Cadillac’s unique models The fatal collision happened just after 7 p.m. at 49th Avenue, said Oakland Fire Department spokesperson Michael Hunt. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.The Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau will rele...

Win or go home: Del Mar ends Prospect’s storybook season as Dons clinch league title and trip to CCS playoffs

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:46 GMT

SARATOGA – With a league championship and Central Coast Section playoff spot on the line, Del Mar’s playbook was not complicated on Friday night.On 22 of its 30 plays, Del Mar put the ball in Andre Latimore’s hands and let him go to work against Prospect. The senior quarterback put the team on his shoulders, rushing for 344 yards and passing for another 61 in the Dons’ 42-31 victory.It punched the Dons’ first ticket to the playoffs since 2011. Playing in the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s “C-League,” only the West Valley’s champion was given a guaranteed spot in postseason play.“We’ve been grinding for this for four years straight,” Latimore said after rushing for four touchdowns and passing for another. “To finally succeed, it’s the best feeling I could possibly feel right now.”As Del Mar celebrated on one side of the field, Prospect’s players tearfully embraced one another as their feel-good season came to a close. After enduring an 0-10 schedule in the tougher BVAL Santa ...

Warriors: Steve Kerr wants to forget last year, but bad memories are inspiring hot start

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:00:46 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Warriors won their last two games at the buzzer.Klay Thompson’s game-winning jumper against the Sacramento Kings gave them win No. 4 and No. 5 against the Thunder came courtesy of Steph Curry’s layup off the high backboard over seven-footer Chet Holmgren’s outstretched arm. It was a bucket initially waved off for Draymond Green’s basket interference, then overturned to give Curry and Golden State the winning points when a review revealed Oklahoma City’s Josh Giddey had pulled the net and Green only grabbed the rim.Both thrilling. Both ugly, be it for poor shooting against the Kings or poor defense against the Thunder. But ugly wins are a beautiful sight for a Warriors team that would spiral when things got rough last season.“We’ve been good so far, executing down the stretch,” Kevon Looney said. “Last year we struggled with that. But this year it’s something we focused on, winning in the margins. E...