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Head of UK civil service Simon Case out on medical leave

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:10:59 GMT

LONDON — The U.K. government’s most senior official will step back from his job and take medical leave at a critical moment for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, three government officials confirmed to POLITICO.Simon Case, who has led the U.K. civil service since September 2020, is expected to be gone for a number of weeks, the officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The news comes at a difficult time for Sunak’s administration, which faces conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East as well as considerable domestic challenges.Case was also due to give evidence to the U.K.’s COVID-19 inquiry about the government’s handling of the pandemic in the coming weeks. He was personally under pressure after the probe published phone messages earlier this month in which he appeared to mock former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the crisis.Sunak is preparing to brief the Cabinet on the situation this week ahead ...

Swiss anti-immigrant party projected to make record election showing

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:10:59 GMT

The far-right and euroskeptic Swiss People’s Party (SVP) is set to make its strongest showing ever in national elections, according to projections by the NZZ newspaper.The SVP, which has centered its campaign on anti-immigrant rhetoric, is projected to win 30 percent of the vote, up from 25.6 percent four years ago and higher than pre-election polls. It has been the country’s largest party since 2003.In an election dominated by domestic issues, the three other main parties — the Social Democrats, the Free Democrats and the Center Alliance — are also projected to make gains, with only the Greens and the Green Liberals projected to come out weaker than in 2019.The Swiss vote for 200 seats in the lower chamber of parliament, the National Council, and 46 seats in the upper chamber, the Council of States. Since 1959, all the major parties have been represented in the seven-member government — the Federal Council — which is elected by members of parliament.The final results will be ...

Bill Belichick reportedly agreed to multi-year extension with Patriots before season

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:10:59 GMT

News of Bill Belichick’s contract status with the Patriots leaked ahead of Sunday’s game against the Bills.Belichick and the Patriots “quietly agreed to terms on a lucrative multi-year new contract” this offseason, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning on “NFL GameDay.”From @NFLGameDay: This past offseason, #Patriots coach Bill Belichick quietly agreed to a lucrative multi-year new contract, sources say. That, at least, adds some context to the discussions about the greatest coach in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/ZPjRxzMVzJ— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2023Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Sources project value for Patriots’ trade deadline candidates New England Patriots | Patriots activate CB Jack Jones in series of transactions New England Patriots | Four Patriots who should play bigger roles vs. Bills in Week 7 New England Patriots | Patriots-Bills pr...

1 critically injured in multi-vehicle crash in Brampton

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:10:59 GMT

One person suffered critical injuries following a multi-vehicle crash Sunday morning in Brampton.Peel police say they were called to the area of Queen Street East and Central Park Drive around 9:30 a.m. for a three-vehicle crash.Paramedics say two people were taken to hospital, one in life-threatening condition while the other suffered minor injuries. The ages and genders of the victims were not available.

European rallies urge end to antisemitism as pro-Palestinian demonstrations continue worldwide

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:10:59 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Thousands of people were rallying in Berlin and London on Sunday to oppose antisemitism and support Israel, while demonstrations in support of Palestinians in besieged Gaza continued around the world.Some of those who gathered in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate carried Israeli flags or posters with photos of some of the more than 200 people seized by Hamas as hostages during the militants’ deadly Oct. 7 incursion into Israel.“It is unbearable that Jews are living in fear again today — in our country of all places,” President Frank-Walter Steinmeier told the crowd. “Every single attack on Jews, on Jewish institutions is a disgrace for Germany. Every single attack fills me with shame and anger.”Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz inaugurated a new synagogue in the eastern city of Dessau and said he was “outraged” by the upsurge in antisemitism since the conflict began.Several buildings in Berlin where Jews live had the star of David painted on doors and walls...

Soccer fans flock to Old Trafford to pay tribute to Bobby Charlton following his death at age 86

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:10:59 GMT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Old Trafford was a scene of mourning and commemoration Sunday as soccer fans of Manchester United and other teams flocked to the storied stadium to pay tribute to Bobby Charlton following his death at the age of 86.Charlton died Saturday surrounded by his family, sparking an influx of tributes from around the world — and from people inside and outside soccer — for someone United described as a “hero to millions.”Soccer fans laid flowers and scarves outside Old Trafford and left messages as a tribute to Charlton. One of the messages, from fan group The 1958, said: “History, dignity and integrity is what you gave to our great club. Our promise to you is to make sure it stays.”A wreath was laid at the base of the statue of Charlton, George Best and Denis Law — the so-called “Trinity” of former United players — in the forecourt of the stadium.A book of condolence was opened on Sunday morning in a suite at Old Trafford and will remain open until Friday. A digit...

EVs are getting easier to find — but with price tags out of reach for many Canadians

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:10:59 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s electric vehicle market keeps getting bigger, but that’s not necessarily good news for consumers — or the environment. Manufacturers are leaning heavily on electrified SUVs, trucks and large cars that mean high prices and profits for the automakers.The trend has helped push the average price for an EV to almost $73,000, according to Canadian Black Book, making it well out of reach for most households. That’s true even with signs of downward pressure from Tesla price drops.Experts say cheaper options will be crucial if Canada is to transition away from the combustion engine. They say Chinese automakers could fill the gap if established players don’t step up.“We drastically have to figure out how to produce more affordable vehicles,” said Rebekah Young, head of resilience economics at Scotiabank. In a recent report, her team calculated that EV prices will have to come down by about one-third to be affordable for middle-income households and by half...

19 protestors arrested in clash with NYPD at pro-Palestine rally in Brooklyn

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:10:59 GMT

BAY RIDGE, Brooklyn (WPIX) — Nineteen people, including three juveniles, were arrested when protestors clashed with New York Police officers during a pro-Palestine rally in Brooklyn Saturday, police said. The demonstrators were charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and failure to use a sidewalk, according to an NYPD spokesman. Palestinian death toll in West Bank surges as Israel pursues militants following Hamas rampage More than 5,000 people waved flags and chanted through the streets of Bay Ridge to support Palestine, the partially recognized sovereign state. Palestine is not a country recognized by the United States or the United Nations. Police said they made an announcement ordering people to clear the roads before officers formed a human barricade. In one video obtained by Nexstar's WPIX, the situation appeared to turn violent between NYPD officers and protesters. Police said officers were struck with eggs, bottles, and fireworks during the protest. Aid...

Search continues for police chief's son suspected in shooting of 2 Tennessee officers

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:10:59 GMT

LA VERGNE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The search continues for an "armed and extremely dangerous" man who allegedly shot two La Vergne, Tennessee police officers outside a store Saturday afternoon.The two officers were called to a Dollar General in La Vergne, about 20 miles southeast of Nashville, shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Saturday to investigate a stolen vehicle picked up by the city's license plate reader software.According to authorities, the officers ended up in a struggle with an individual, who pulled out a handgun and fired at the officers.The suspected shooter is Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake's estranged son, 38-year-old John C. Drake, Jr. 2 officers injured in La Vergne shooting Officials said one of the officers, who has been with the LVPD for nearly three years, suffered a gunshot wound to the rear left shoulder while the other, who has been with the LVPD for about 18 months, was shot in the right groin and right forearm. One officer was released from the ho...

These are the least affordable U.S. cities for 2023-2024: report

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:10:59 GMT

SAN DIEGO (KSWB) – It is no secret that San Diego can be pretty pricy for residents, but cost of living has catapulted the city to the top spot in a U.S. News & World Report ranking of most expensive places to live in the country.Rounding out the top five were Los Angeles; Honolulu; Miami; and Santa Barbara, California.In one of the magazine's real estate rankings for 2023-2024, America's Finest City was deemed the most unaffordable metro area in the country to live, earning a "value score" of 3.3 in their data analysis to help figure out the best cities to settle down.According to the magazine, the Value Index measures how comfortably the average resident of a metro area can afford to live within their means. Specifically, it looks at housing affordability, as well as federal data on the parity between regional prices and national averages. Netflix raising prices ‘starting today,’ company confirms in letter Home prices were one of the factors that pushed San Diego – and many ...