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Scottish minister blames £11k iPad bill on his kids watching football

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:19:14 GMT

LONDON — A senior Scottish government minister has blamed a £11,000 data roaming charge — incurred on a parliamentary iPad — on his sons watching football.The Scottish National Party’s under-fire Health Secretary Michael Matheson made the admission in the Scottish Parliament Thursday, as he came under pressure for the huge bill he ran up while on holiday in Morocco last year.The expense from his parliamentary iPad was initially met by the Scottish Parliament, which was told by Matheson that the device was only used for work. He has since paid the money back after the Scottish media reported on the charges last week. As the pressure for an explanation grew, Matheson told Scottish lawmakers Thursday that he was not ware that other family members had used the device until last Thursday. He explained that his failure to come clean about this in a statement last Friday or in response to questions from journalists earlier this week was down to a desire to protect his family “f...

‘Son of a bitch’: Madrid chief insults Sánchez during heated debate

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:19:14 GMT

Madrid’s populist regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, profanely insulted Pedro Sánchez as the Spanish prime minister addressed parliament during a debate on his investiture Wednesday.As Sánchez evoked corruption allegations against Ayuso’s brother, she was filmed mouthing the Spanish words for “son of a bitch” from the chamber’s gallery.Ayuso’s team acknowledged the insult, according to Spanish outlet El Pais, while the Madrid region president herself doubled down Thursday and refused to apologize.“[Sánchez] used the speakers’ platform and took advantage of his intervention to defame a regional president, me, and my family,” Ayuso said.A rising star in the conservative People’s Party (PP), Ayuso made a name for herself during the COVID-19 pandemic when she aggressively opposed the health measures taken by Sánchez’s socialist government.Last year she publicly broke ties with her party’s then-leader, Pablo Casado, af...

Top House Democrats evacuated from DNC headquarters as police clash with protesters calling for Gaza ceasefire

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:19:14 GMT

(CNN) — Law enforcement clashed with protesters calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war outside of the Washington headquarters of the Democratic National Committee Wednesday night after authorities said the demonstration turned violent and lawmakers were evacuated from the building.“Tonight 6 officers were treated for injuries – ranging from minor cuts to being pepper sprayed to being punched. One person has been arrested for assault on an officer. We appreciate our officers who kept these illegal & violent protesters back & protected everyone in the area,” US Capitol Police, who responded with DC Metropolitan Police, said in a statement on X.Officers, according to USCP, had worked “to keep back approximately 150 people who are illegally and violently protesting” in the area – a characterization activist groups later disputed – and escorted members of Congress from the area. Top House Democrats were among those evacuated.According to a person fami...

2 arrested in largest counterfeit goods seizure in US history, retailing at more than $1 billion

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:19:14 GMT

(CNN) — Two people have been arrested in the largest seizure of counterfeit goods in US history, including knock-off designer goods with an estimated retail value of more than a billion dollars, officials in New York said.Adama Sow, 38, and Abdulai Jalloh, 48, were arrested Wednesday morning and charged with trafficking in counterfeit goods, according to indictments and a news release from the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.At a bond hearing Wednesday, a judge set Sow’s bond at $1 million and Jalloh’s bond at $500,000, court records show.Two arrested in largest counterfeit goods seizure in Manhattan, retailing at more than $1 billions dollars. Credit: U.S. Attorney’s OfficeCNN reached out to attorneys for both Sow and Jalloh but did not immediately hear back.Sow and Jalloh ran the trafficking operation out of a Manhattan storage facility from January to October, the news release from the attorney’s office said. Counterfeit goods ...

Draymond Green suspended for five games for putting Rudy Gobert in headlock

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:19:14 GMT

(CNN) — Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green has been suspended for five games for “forcibly grabbing” Ruby Gobert around the neck during Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the NBA announced.The altercation broke out inside the opening two minutes of the match when Warriors guard Klay Thompson and Minnesota forward Jaden McDaniels got into a scuffle, yanking on each other’s jerseys and swinging each other around as the teams made their way up the floor.Several players from both sides rushed over to get involved, before Green barged in and put Gobert in a headlock.Green, McDaniels and Thompson were all ejected from the game.The NBA said Green grabbed Gobert around the neck in an “unsportsmanlike and dangerous manner.”“The length of the suspension is based in part on Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts,” the NBA said in a statement.This is Green’s fifth suspension in his career. Prior to this week’s punishment, Green was suspended for one game w...

Demonstrators calling for Gaza cease-fire block BU bridge

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:19:14 GMT

Demonstrators seeking a cease-fire in Gaza blocked traffic on the Boston University bridge during rush hour Thursday, slowing traffic to a trickle.The group chanted “Cease-fire now!” during the protest amid an Israeli ground offensive in Gaza that followed Hamas-led attacks in Israel on Oct. 7. They also held signs that said, “Let Gaza Live.” The bridge connects Boston and Cambridge.Activists were demanding that Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts support an immediate cease-fire and use her influence to stop the Israeli government’s military action.Boston Police were at the scene of the protest, which was organized by IfNotNow, which said it represented members of Jewish community in Boston.The protest came as Israeli forces dropped leaflets warning Palestinians to flee parts of southern Gaza, residents said Thursday, signaling a possible expansion of their offensive.

Ethics panel says it found ‘overwhelming evidence’ of lawbreaking by Republican Rep. George Santos

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:19:14 GMT

By KEVIN FREKING (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics committee in a scathing report Thursday said it has amassed “overwhelming evidence” of lawbreaking by Rep. George Santos of New York that has been sent to the Justice Department, concluding flatly that the Republican “cannot be trusted” after a monthslong investigation into his conduct.The panel said that Santos knowingly caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission; used campaign funds for personal purposes; and engaged in violations of the Ethics in Government Act as it relates to financial disclosure statements filed with the House.Santos has maintained his innocence and has refused to resign despite calls from many of his colleagues to do so.The ethics panel’s report also detailed Santos’ lack of cooperation with its investigation and how he “evaded” straightforward requests for information.The infor...

Homeowner shoots suspected burglar in North County

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:19:14 GMT

VISTA, Calif. -- A homeowner in North County shot a burglar shortly before 5 a.m. Thursday morning, authorities confirmed to FOX 5.The San Diego County Sheriff's Department said the homicide unit was called to the scene at a residence located on 1700 Block of York Drive in Vista. Pilot killed in small plane crash near Torrey Pines Details surrounding the incident are limited at this time.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

San Diego Starbucks workers to join nationwide strike on 'Red Cup Day'

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:19:14 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Starbucks’ annual "Red Cup Day" may be accompanied with long wait times Thursday, instead of holiday cheer.Thousands of workers, including some in San Diego, are planning to strike while demanding the coffee giant comes to the bargaining table in regards to staffing and scheduling concerns. The Workers United union proclaimed the day as the "Red Cup Rebellion," choosing the date because it's one of Starbucks' busiest days of the year. Annually, those who order a holiday drink of this day receive a reusable cup. Homeowner shoots suspected burglar in North County As part of the strike, workers are demanding that Starbucks turn off mobile ordering on future promotion days. Workers have said promotion days "add another layer of stress" due to claims of understaffing. “Business at this location (Hillcrest) has continued to grow, yet we still have partners losing hours and have to deal with understaffed shifts," said Saïx Campbell, a shift supervisor at the Starbucks locate...

Online resources can help bridge gap for young investors seeking financial advice

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:19:14 GMT

TORONTO — While some financial advisers might be unwilling to take on younger clients with small accounts, experts say that shouldn’t deter young investors from beginning their financial journey and that online resources can be a good place to start learning.Karlee Vukets, a certified financial planner who works with clients aged 25 to 40, says many financial advisers have minimum account requirements which many younger investors don’t meet.“Typically, you may not be able to find an investment adviser who manages a portfolio of a small size,” said Vukets, who runs Toronto-based financial planning firm Karlee Vukets & Co. Many firms have a minimum threshold of at least $250,000 in assets, she said.That has some young investors turning to online resources such as AI chatbots, social media influencers and investment apps such as Wealthsimple to help manage their modest portfolios.These online resources are helping make financial education more accessible and...