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Former UK leader Boris Johnson returns for second day of COVID-19 inquiry testimony

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:20 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns Thursday for a second day of testimony in Britain’s public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic, where he is expected to be grilled about how he dealt with the latter stages of the crisis.Johnson, who is testifying under oath, admitted Wednesday that he made mistakes in grasping the extent of the pandemic and that his advisers failed to sound a “loud enough klaxon of alarm” about the virus.“I was not being informed that this was something that was going to require urgent and immediate action,” he said, adding that the “panic level was not sufficiently high.”His remarks came after weeks of testimony by other ministers, including former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who said they sought to raise the alarm inside the government. Hancock argued that thousands of lives could have been saved by putting the country under a lockdown a few weeks earlier than the eventual date of March 23, 2020.The United Kingdom went on to have one of ...

Chinese navy ships are first to dock at new pier at Cambodian naval base linked to Beijing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:20 GMT

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Chinese naval vessels have become the first ships to dock at a new pier at a Cambodian naval base that the United States and some international security analysts say is destined to serve as a strategic outpost for Beijing’s navy.The docking of the two ships, which received little publicity, coincided with an official visit to Cambodia this week by China’s top defense official, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission He Weidong.News of at least two Chinese ships docking at the Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand came out indirectly, through a Facebook post on Sunday by Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha. It said he visited the base to see preparations for Cambodian navy training and to inspect progress on infrastructure construction, but did not mention China by name. He also posted photos showing Cambodian officials with Chinese Ambassador Wang Wentian, and reviewing Chinese sailors. At least two warships could be seen in the photos, one wh...

Offensive woes sink Siena men's basketball against Bryant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:20 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Siena men's basketball shot just 27% from the field including only 1-17 from three in a 67-51 setback vs. Bryant Wednesday night at MVP Arena. Saint Rose students protest college closure, demand answers Daniel Rivera led four in double figures with 20 points, seven rebounds and six of 13 total blocks for Bryant (6-4), which entered play ranked ninth nationally in blocks (6.4) and 25th in field goal percentage defense (.382). Preseason All-America East selection Sherif Gross-Bullock added 14 points for the Bulldogs who shot 53% in the second half to overcome a 5-25 night from three and 8-20 overall performance from the free throw line.Giovanni Emejuru posted his first collegiate double-double scoring 16 of his 18 points in the second half while adding a career-high 15 rebounds for Siena (2-7, 1-1). Freshman guard Michael Evbagharu added his second double-double of the young season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.The Saints started cold, missing their fi...

Over 30 million jobs in 2021 thanks to extra-EU exports

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:20 GMT

In 2021, the employment of 30.4 million persons in the EU was supported by exports to non-EU countries, a slight increase from 29.9 million in 2020 (+1.7%).  In relative terms, export-supported employment represented 15% of total employment in the EU (210 million), equivalent to just over 1 in 7 people employed within the EU. Germany was the EU country with the highest absolute level of employment supported by EU exports. In 2021, the employment of 6.9 million people in Germany was supported by exports from the EU, including from Germany itself. France and Italy (both 3.4 million people) had the following highest levels of export-supported employment. However, in relative terms, the highest share of employment supported by exports to non-EU countries was recorded in Ireland (27%), followed by Luxembourg (25%) and Bulgaria (23%).These results were compiled using the FIGARO tables (Full International and Global Accounts for Research in input-Output analysis), whose upda...

Horoscopes Dec. 7, 2023: Ellen Burstyn, let go of the past

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:20 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Emily Browning, 35; C. Thomas Howell, 57; Tom Waits, 74; Ellen Burstyn, 91.Happy Birthday: Trust your instincts, abilities and experience to reach your destination of choice this year. Expand your skills, qualifications and outlook to mesh with what’s trending that offers the highest return. Refuse to let emotions interfere with getting things done and meeting your expectations. Let go of the past and press forward with enthusiasm and gratitude. Don’t let what others choose to do stand in your way. Your numbers are 9, 13, 21, 24, 32, 39, 44.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Make your decisions count. Don’t mince words or let emotions cost you. Tell it like it is and ask for what you want. A direct approach will help you decide your next move and who to work alongside. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Emotions will stop you from discovering the truth. Step back, clear your head and look at the facts. Opportunity is apparent, but it will take s...

Bridge: Dec. 7, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:20 GMT

In a team-of-four match, one West passed as dealer. South opened two clubs in fourth seat and showed his spades next. North liked his hand, and they got to six spades.West led the queen of clubs. Declarer won, unblocked his ace of diamonds, led a trump to dummy’s nine and pitched clubs on the K-Q of diamonds. He intended to finesse twice in hearts — and was annoyed to go down.OFFSIDEIn the replay, West opened two hearts, weak. North-South reached slam again on the auction shown, and West led the queen of clubs. Here, South knew the K-J of hearts were offside. After discarding clubs on the K-Q of diamonds, he ruffed a club, led a trump to dummy, ruffed a club and drew trumps.Then, at the 11th trick, South led the queen of hearts. West took the king and had to return a heart to South’s A-10. Making six!Many players would have opened two hearts as West, but preempts are a two-edged sword. West’s bid told South how to make his slam.DAILY QUESTIONYou hold: S K 9 H 7 5 3...

Single-family home sells for $2.1 million in San Ramon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:20 GMT

330 Adelaide Hills Court – Google Street ViewThe spacious property located in the 300 block of Adelaide Hills Court in San Ramon was sold on Nov. 16, 2023 for $2,122,000, or $751 per square foot. The house, built in 2003, has an interior space of 2,826 square feet. This two-story home presents a roomy floor plan, featuring four bedrooms and four bathrooms. The property is equipped with central A/C. In addition, the house features an attached two-car garage.Additional houses that have recently been purchased close by include:On Allanmere Drive, San Ramon, in October 2023, a 3,295-square-foot home was sold for $2,065,000, a price per square foot of $627. The home has 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.A 3,984-square-foot home on the 500 block of Casella Court in San Ramon sold in June 2022, for $2,500,000, a price per square foot of $628. The home has 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.In September 2022, a 4,237-square-foot home on Casella Court in San Ramon sold for $2,450,000, a price per square fo...

Ask Amy: My wife objects to my strategy for mellow shopping with our 3-year-olds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:20 GMT

Dear Amy: I hope this doesn’t seem like a silly question.Related ArticlesAdvice | Ask Amy: After this man’s behavior at my wedding, I want my best friend to dump him Advice | Ask Amy: Now I realize what stay-at-home spouses are complaining about Advice | Ask Amy: Now we’re feeling weird about our daughter’s favorite toy Advice | Ask Amy: I’ll never forgive my sister-in-law for her question to my little girl Advice | Ask Amy: How can I avoid the vortex of the other grandmother? I have twin boys (almost 3 years old!). I regularly take them to our big grocery store, in part to give my wife (a really great full-time, stay-at-home mom) a break. And also, of course, to pick up groceries. Lots of groceries.So when we’re at the market, I like to cruise the “free samples,” and I offer the boys a snack as we go. These are small things and they’re usually healthy snacks. Just nibbly things t...

‘Country Boy’ store in Montgomery Co. hangs up its boots after 68 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:20 GMT

Country Boy Market, a staple in Montgomery County for nearly seven decades, will hang up its boots in two weeks. (WTOP/Mike Murillo) Country Boy Market, a staple in Montgomery County for nearly seven decades, will hang up its boots in two weeks. (WTOP/Mike Murillo) A Montgomery County, Maryland, institution that has been the quick-stop shop for local produce, beer and even landscaping supplies will soon shut its doors. The shuttering of the Country Boy Market will bring an end to a 68-year run for the family-owned business.“It was very difficult to decide to close because I grew up in the business,” said Jim Barnsley III, 65, who began working at the store when he was 10 years old. He recalled running ...

Things to do in the DC area: 15 holiday-themed bars and restaurants … and more!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:20 GMT

There’s so much to do in the D.C. area in the coming days, and WTOP has you covered with our weekly roundup of area events worth anticipating.Check back every Thursday for a roundup of Things to do in the D.C. area.For those in search of festive D.C.-area spaces to enjoy holiday drinks in, WTOP has put together this guide for the jolliest imbibing with friends and family.The Miracle pop-up is back and paired with cheery cocktails and an hourly interactive light show. Located at Live! Casino and Hotel in Hanover, Maryland, Miracle offers cocktails like a Snowball Old-Fashioned with gingerbread syrup and a Yippie Ki Yay Mother F****r! cocktail with ube and coconut orgeat.The Miracle pop-up is also accompanied by events like an ugly sweater party on Dec. 10, a cocktail class on Dec. 16 and an ornament decorating class on Dec. 21.“All of these syrups and infusions are made here on site, which really elevates the quality of the cocktail program. And they’re all served in real...