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COVID inquiry: UK’s top official Simon Case ‘excused’ from appearing this year

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:27 GMT

LONDON — Simon Case, Britain’s most senior civil servant, won’t be giving his long-awaited evidence to Britain’s COVID inquiry this year, after he was excused on medical grounds.The cabinet secretary and head of the civil service is currently on medical leave and has no set return date. His absence from the heart of government was first reported by POLITICO in October.A statement from the inquiry’s Chair Heather Hallett, published Monday, confirms Case won’t appear in 2023, despite the inquiry currently digging into key decision-making during the pandemic.The inquiry’s statement said Hallett had been provided with information about Case’s health. After reviewing this, she said she was” satisfied that Mr Case should be excused from giving oral evidence at the Module 2 hearings in 2023.”“However, it very much remains my intention that Mr Case should give oral evidence to the inquiry,” Hallett added. The long-running inq...

Honda recalls more than 300K Accords, HR-Vs over seat belt issues

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:27 GMT

(CNN) — Honda is recalling more than 300,000 vehicles over faulty seat belts.In a notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Tuesday, the automaker said some front seat belts in 2023-2024 Accords and HR-Vs have missing pretensioner rivets. A pretensioner is the seat belt component that tightens it in place during an accident, preventing the seat occupant from flying forward. Defective pretensioners increase the risk of injury in the event of a collision, Honda said in the notice.According to the NHTSA, wearing a seat belt in a passenger car decreases the likelihood of death by 45% and reduces the risk of moderate and critical injury by 50%.In a safety recall report also filed with the NHTSA, Honda said it received the initial complaint about the seat belt issue in May. However, it “received the affected parts and began to investigate the issue” on September 20.As of November 16, Honda said it has not received any reports of injuries or death...

Orioles free agent fits: Here are available players who make the most sense for Baltimore

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:27 GMT

The MLB winter meetings begin next week in Nashville. As is often the case, they could be the spark the sport’s offseason needs.The Orioles’ level of involvement is to be determined. Coming off 101 wins and an American League East title, Baltimore has needs, particularly at the top of its rotation and the back of its bullpen. Upgrades are available through both free agency and trades, and given the Orioles’ deep minor league system and how they have operated financially of late — finishing with a bottom three payroll each of the past five seasons, according to Spotrac — the latter might be their best approach to improving the roster.That said, there are available free agents who make sense for the Orioles. As it stands, their most apparent areas of need are starting pitching, relief pitching and right-handed outfield depth. With a week to go until the winter meetings, here’s a look at potential free-agent fits for Baltimore.Top-of-rotation starter...

Patriots extra points: Devin McCourty says he would want new quarterback for Patriots defense

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:27 GMT

Former Patriots captain Devin McCourty has said he retired partly because he felt the team could no longer win a Super Bowl.After Sunday’s loss to the Giants, McCourty sounded like he feels the Patriots may not be able to win — period.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Bill Belichick won’t rule out Patriots signing QB, kicker help New England Patriots | Bill Belichick responds to ESPN rumor he’s already picked his next team New England Patriots | Why Conor McDermott started over Trent Brown in Patriots’ loss to Giants New England Patriots | Callahan: Under Bill Belichick’s watch, the Patriots have become the NFL’s worst team New England Patriots | Bill Belichick’s answers about Patriots’ QB situation only create more questions During his weekly appearance as an analyst on NBC’s “Football Night in America,” McCourty said Sunday ni...

Boston man charged in alleged rampage through, sacred, historic sites

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:27 GMT

A Boston man has been arrested after leaving an alleged trail of destruction overnight Saturday at historic and religious sites across the city, including the Holocaust Memorial and even Paul Revere’s grave.Police arrested Lawrence Hawkins, 46, at the Southampton Street shelter and charged him in multiple incidents of vandalism after reviewing video surveillance that traced his alleged spree of destruction along sites closely aligned with the Freedom Trail.An initial call came in to police just before midnight on Saturday when they received a report of a breaking and entering at Charles Street South. Upon arrival, police found the front door smashed and a brick inside the business.There was video surveillance from that incident and police broadcast the clip of the suspect.Shortly after midnight, an officer reporting for duty arrived at his cruiser and found his front windshield smashed. Again, there was video of the suspect and police broadcast a description.Another report came in f...

Chicago Bulls historically squander lead in 4th consecutive loss to Brooklyn Nets

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:27 GMT

The Chicago Bulls entered Sunday’s 118-109 loss to the Nets in Brooklyn like a team eager to exorcise some demons.For weeks, the team had been plagued by sluggish starts, digging deficits that couldn’t be overcome by strong second halves. On Sunday, things were different — at least for the first quarter.The Bulls came out punching with an immediate play drawn up to give Zach LaVine a lob dunk. They opened the game on a 13-0 run and carved out a 21-point lead by the final two minutes of the frame.The offense moved the ball decisively while the defense forced the Nets to settle for long-bomb 3-pointers. At the end of the quarter, the Bulls led 36-19. It was too good to be true.Within minutes, the lead evaporated. The Nets erased the entire 21-point advantage midway through the second quarter. By the time the teams entered the locker room at the half, the Nets led by eight points — a 29-point swing.It was a cataclysmic collapse — the type that only comes a...

Chance of rain coming to San Diego County this week

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:27 GMT

SAN DIEGO — The time to break out an umbrella may return this week as a low pressure system heading towards San Diego is expected to bring some rain to the county this week.Forecasters with the National Weather Service say the system will start pushing towards San Diego on Tuesday, with the strongest part of it reaching the region Wednesday afternoon or evening. The chance for rain will linger through Friday as the system weakens.Lower elevations west of the mountains are likely to see the greatest chances for rain Wednesday night, according to models analyzed by NWS on Sunday. NWS issues hazard warning as high tide over 6 ft. expected for San Diego County beaches Along the coast, communities from San Ysidro to Oceanside could see about a 55 to 65% chance of rain, according to NWS. Inland valley and mountain areas may possibly see about a 50% chance of precipitation.Precipitation chances forecast for Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. (Courtesy of National Weather Service)In the lower ele...

Electric vehicle maker Lion Electric cutting 150 jobs to reduce costs

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:27 GMT

MONTREAL — The Lion Electric Co. says it is cutting 150 jobs or about 10 per cent of its total workforce in a move to reduce costs and improve its ability to reach its profitability objectives.Lion Electric chief executive and founder Marc Bedard says it was a difficult decision, but the right thing to do for the business.The cuts affect workers in production overhead, manufacturing, product development and administrative functions, both in Canada and the United States.Lion Electric designs and builds all-electric trucks, buses and minibuses. Earlier this month, the company, which keeps its books in U.S. dollars, reported a loss of US$19.9 million or nine cents per diluted share in its third quarter compared with a loss of US$17.2 million or nine cents per diluted a year earlier.Revenue for the quarter ended Sept. 30 totalled US$80.3 million, up from US$41 million in the same quarter last year.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2023.Companies in this stor...

Stabbing in downtown Toronto leaves man with serious injuries

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:27 GMT

Toronto police are investigating after a man was stabbed in downtown Toronto on Monday morning.Police were called to the area of Dundas Street East and Regent Street, just east of Parliament Street, around 9:20 a.m. for reports that someone had been stabbed.A man was found at the scene with stab wounds. Paramedics say he was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.No suspect information has been made available.STABBING: Regent St & Dundas St E9:23am– reports of a male with possible stab wound – officers are on scene investigating– victim was located with stab wound– unknown extent of injuries– medics are responding– anyone with info, contact police#GO2734895^se— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) November 27, 2023

ICC prosecutors halt 13-year Kenya investigation that failed to produce any convictions

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:39:27 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The International Criminal Court prosecutor’s office announced Monday it is halting its long-running investigation into deadly violence that broke out in Kenya after the African nation’s 2007 presidential election.The decision was announced at a time when the prosecutor’s office is appealing for extra resources as it investigates ongoing conflicts including the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war.The Kenya investigation that opened in 2010 led to charges against six suspects, including the country’s current and former presidents, but ultimately did not yield any successful prosecutions, amid claims of witness intimidation and political interference. All charges against the suspects were either withdrawn, terminated or tossed out by pre-trial judges.Among the suspects charged but never convicted were then-President Uhuru Kenyatta and then-Deputy President William Ruto. Prosecutors also have charged three Kenyans with interferi...