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Why Russia is engaged in a delicate balancing act in the Israel-Hamas war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:35 GMT

The Israel-Hamas war has forced Russia into a delicate balancing act, with Moscow urging a quick end to the fighting without apportioning blame.The careful stand is due to Russia’s long ties to Israel, the Palestinians and other regional players, and it reflects the Kremlin’s hope to expand its clout in the Middle East by playing peacemaker.Russia also tried to cast the hostilities as a failure of U.S. policy, and it hopes they will be a distraction for Washington and its allies from keeping up military support for Ukraine.A look at the Kremlin’s messaging about the war and its relations with those in the region:WHAT IS RUSSIA SAYING ABOUT THE WAR?President Vladimir Putin said the war was rooted in the inability to create a sovereign Palestinian state in line with U.N. resolutions that he called a “gross injustice.” He noted that Israel’s settlement policies have exacerbated the situation.Putin called it a reflection of what he called a glaring failure of the...

The IRS says Microsoft may owe about $29 billion in back taxes. Microsoft disagrees

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:35 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service says Microsoft owes the U.S. Treasury $28.9 billion in back taxes, plus penalties and interest, the company revealed Wednesday in a securities filing. That figure, which Microsoft disputes, stems from a long-running IRS probe into how Microsoft allocated its profits among countries and jurisdictions in the years 2004 to 2013. Critics of that practice, known as transfer pricing, argue that companies frequently use it to minimize their tax burden by reporting lower profits in high-tax countries and higher profits in lower-tax jurisdictions. Microsoft, which is based in Redmond, Washington, said it followed IRS rules and will appeal the decision within the agency, a process expected to take several years. The company’s shares dropped slightly in aftermarket trading.The IRS began an audit of Microsoft in 2007 that the agency described in federal court documents last year as “one of the largest in the Service’s history.” Microsoft s...

U.S. tech workers make 46 per cent more than Canadian counterparts: TMU study

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:35 GMT

TORONTO — A new study says U.S. tech workers are paid 46 per cent more on average than their Canadian counterparts.The research, released Thursday from The Dais public policy institute at Toronto Metropolitan University, found a typical tech employee in Canada makes $83,700 a year compared with $122,600 for workers in the U.S. sector.The report, which took into account the exchange rate and cost of living, quantifies a stark reality the sector has long known — American tech workers are better compensated.But its authors, Vivian Li, Mahmehr Hamza and Anusha Arif, stress “to revel in lower wages and celebrate a downturn that would facilitate them would be the wrong focus.”Instead, they say the report should be taken as a call to action.“This essentially sounds the alarm that we need renewed efforts to scale Canadian tech companies, to invest more to attract startups and scale ups and attract foreign investment and venture capital into the Canadian tech sector in order for firms to be ...

Man wanted in sexual assault of male teen in Vaughan park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:35 GMT

A man is wanted in the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old male teenager in a Vaughan park last month.York Regional Police said the teen was walking in Agostino Park, in the Rutherford Road and Confederation Parkway area, around 9:30 p.m. on September 22. It’s alleged the young man was approached by the suspect, who engaged him in conversation. The male suspect told the victim he had been in Canada for a month and spoke Russian and Georgian.Police said the suspect then touched the 15-year-old in what was described as a sexual manner. As the victim started to leave, police said the teen noticed the suspect follow him briefly but quickly lost sight of him and contacted the authorities.The suspect is described as a white male, between 30 and 40 years old, standing approximately six-foot-one to six-foot-two with a slim to medium build.He has blue eyes, a large nose, black and grey hair with a side parting and was last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, slim black sweatpant...

5 officers shot in Minnesota, suspect not in custody

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:35 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Five officers were shot and wounded Thursday near Princeton, Minnesota, authorities say, and the suspect was not in custody.None of the officers' injuries appeared to be life-threatening, the Associated Press reported. Robbinsdale Police Capt. John Elder told the outlet the officers were from several agencies, but didn't specify which. Princeton is in east-central Minnesota, about 50 miles north of Minneapolis. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.The Associated Press contributed to this report.

SAG-AFTRA slams 'bullying tactics' as Hollywood studios break off strike talks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:35 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Talks bitterly broke off between Hollywood actors and studios late Wednesday, killing any hopes that the three-month strike by performers would come to an end anytime soon.The studios announced that they had suspended contract negotiations, saying the gap between the two sides was too great to make continuing worth it, despite an offer as good as the one that recently ended the writers strike. The actors union decried their opponents' “bullying tactics” and said they were wildly mischaracterizing their offers.On Oct. 2, for the first time since the strike began July 14, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists had resumed negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents studios, streaming services and production companies in strike talks. Union workers go on strike at Mack Trucks When negotiations resumed with writers last month, their strike ended five days later, but similar progress...

Josh Duggar to stay in prison until 2032 after appeal rejected

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:35 GMT

(WJW) - Josh Duggar will remain behind bars until 2032 after the appeal of his child pornography case was officially denied, according to reports. As reported by People and other news outlets, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit stated in court documents last week that the former reality TV star will continue serving more than 12 and a half years in prison.Duggar, who appeared with his family on TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting,” was convicted of receiving and possessing child pornography back in 2021. His lawyer filed an appeal last October, asking the court to overturn the ruling, according to The Associated Press.His sentencing was extended earlier this year, meaning he won't be up for release until Oct. 2, 2032. Is America’s childcare crisis about to get worse? According to jail records, Duggar is serving his sentence at FCI Seagoville Federal Prison in Texas.“19 Kids and Counting” was canceled in 2015 due to resurfaced allegations that Duggar molested four of...

A new pickleball social club is coming to Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:35 GMT

CHICAGO — Fans of pickleball will have another place to play on the north side of Chicago with a few other offerings as well. SPF announced that it's creating a new 40,000-square-foot facility that will include a number of courts dedicated to the sport along with restaurants and entertainment for patrons in Lincoln Park.It will be located at 2121 N. Clybourn Avenue with the first part of the facility set to open in the winter of 2024. Courtesy: SPFCourtesy: SPFCourtesy: SPFCourtesy: SPFAccording to a news release on the pickleball social club, phase one of the facility will include eight indoor pickleball courts that feature instant replay technology, an indoor turf field, "spacious" locker rooms, and saunas. Also included is the "Cucumber Club" for kids ages 3-11 which will include instruction for both tennis and pickleball along with other events. Three new pickleball facilities opening in the suburbs Among the collaborators for the restaurants for the facility include Josh Kulp...

Brain-eating amoeba a danger at hot springs, Lake Mead officials warn

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:35 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Lake Mead officials are warning hikers planning to head to popular hot springs below Hoover Dam: Avoid any activity that involves splashing or submerging your head.An organism widely referred to as a "brain-eating amoeba" — Naegleria fowleri — can be present if conditions are right, the officials said."Naegleria fowleri has been found in hot springs," according to a statement released by Lake Mead National Recreation Area on Wednesday. "This amoeba enters through the nose and can cause a deadly infection that causes a sudden and severe headache, fever, and vomiting. It is advised to avoid diving, splashing water, or submerging your head in hot spring water." Brain-eating amoeba: Will the warming climate bring more cases? Brain-eating amoeba was blamed for the death of a 2-year-old boy in July. Family told Nexstar's KLAS he contracted the amoeba a few weeks earlier while swimming in Ash Springs, which is near the town of Alamo, about 100 miles north of Las Vegas....

KXAN LIVE, Raul Meza Case: Kendra Page

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:35 GMT

KXAN crime reporter Brianna Hollis and digital reporter Sam Stark dive into the investigations into Raul Meza Jr. on "KXAN Live: The Meza Case" to give you a look behind the curtain at the team's coverage. You can watch the streams live on Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Raul Meza, 62, is a convicted murderer who now faces charges in the 2019 death of his neighbor and the May 2023 death of an 80-year-old man. TIMELINE: What we know of Raul Meza’s criminal history The Austin Police Department arrested him in May after he called and confessed to the murder of Jesse Fraga, 80, of Pflugerville, and implicated himself in the death of Gloria Lofton, 65, of east Austin. Meza's criminal history dates back to his juvenile years and includes a murder conviction in the death of 8-year-old Kendra Page, who he killed while on parole for an aggravated robbery sentence. Brianna and Sam address the following topics in this week's episode:Detailing the tragic murder of Kendra Page...