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UK’s top lobby group CBI dismisses director over misconduct allegations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

LONDON — Major business lobby group the CBI dismissed its Director General Tony Danker “with immediate effect” following a probe into claims of workplace misconduct.The CBI, which represents big businesses in the U.K. and claims some 190,000 members, has been rocked in recent weeks by a string of allegations of sexual misconduct by senior managers. The U.K. government has paused engagement with the group as the scandal unfolds.Danker stepped aside in March after the Guardian reported that he had been subject to a formal complaint over his behavior.Further, separate claims against other CBI staff members then came to light, including an account from a woman who alleged she was raped at a staff party.In a statement Tuesday, the CBI announced that Danker would be replaced by Rain Newton-Smith, the group’s former chief economist who is currently a senior manager at Barclays.“Tony Danker is dismissed with immediate effect following the independent investigation in...

Moldova’s president urges protests in support of EU path

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

President Maia Sandu called Monday for Moldovans to gather in Chișinău on May 21 for a “European Moldova National Assembly” in support of the country’s EU future, amid rising fears of Russian interference.“I have launched the initiative to convene a citizens’ meeting in Chișinău to tell the world that we are Europeans and that this is the path we have chosen,” Sandu said in a televised address.“I call upon everyone — farmers, teachers, students, NGOs, entrepreneurs, doctors, cultural figures, private sector employees, public officials — to come together and support our common dream,” the president added. “Let’s demonstrate that we desire peace. We want the European Union to be at home with us.”Moldova, which was granted EU candidate status last June, has faced rising pressure from Moscow since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began last year.In February, Sandu said the Kremlin had plans to use “mili...

Man fighting for his life after running back inside a burning home in Manchester, NH to save others

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

A man is fighting for his life after running back inside a burning home in Manchester, New Hampshire Monday evening to save others. Officials said the fire broke out in a multi-family home on Walnut Street around 6 p.m. Monday. Multiple cell phone videos later showed smoke and flames rising from the building after witnesses said they saw the fire quickly climb up the side of the structure. In one video, part of the building can be seen collapsing, sending fire billowing further into the air.Justin Dutton, who saw the fire, said the flames started on a small wooden porch and engulfed the home within minutes.Jack Walsh, another fire whiteness, said he saw people running as the fire took hold.“It’s crazy because you’re right there and you don’t know if it’s going to jump to the next building and get even worse,” he said.All residents were able to escape unharmed, according to officials, except for the man who ran back inside. He was flown to a Boston hospital with life-threatening...

Police investigating motorcycle crash on Washington Street in Boston

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

Police are investigating a motorcycle crash in Boston Tuesday morning.The crash happened at the intersection of Washington Street and Valenti Way.Traffic was rerouted as investigators took pictures and surveyed the area. No additional information has been released. This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Police investigation underway outside Lawrence restaurant

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

A police investigation is underway outside a restaurant in Lawrence Tuesday morning. Officers taped off a small area at the Blue Lounge & Grill on Amesbury Street. No additional information has been released. This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Analysis: The Magic’s focus for 2022-23 was ‘leveling up.’ Did they?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

The Orlando Magic’s mantra for the 2022-23 season was made clear by coach Jamahl Mosley at the end of last season.“The one thing we’ve talked about with these guys is the foundation is set,” Mosley said after the Magic’s 2022 season finale. “Now it goes into the little things, the tiniest of details that they have to understand of what we’re trying to do. Leveling up one more.”The results suggest the Magic did.Their 12-win improvement from last season (22-60 to 34-48) was the most in the Eastern Conference and the third-most in the league behind Sacramento (48-34 this season after going 30-52 in 2021-22, an 18-win improvement) and Oklahoma City (40-42 after going 24-58 last year, a 16-win improvement).The Magic went 29-29 in their final 58 games after starting the season 5-19 mainly because of injuries.But in what ways did the Magic level up and improve the most?An analysis of their 2022-23 season:DefenseMosley has said it from the beg...

Orioles minor league report: Baseball’s best farm system gets off to strong start

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

Grayson Rodriguez is still adjusting to his new office.“It still doesn’t feel normal to pull up the Camden Yards to come to work,” the Orioles’ top pitching prospect said. “Just kind of a relief, I guess, that finally I’m coming here to this ballpark to be a part of the team and not just to show up for something else.”Against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, Rodriguez will make his first start at Oriole Park after his promotion last week made him the latest member of baseball’s top-ranked farm system to reach the majors. The Triple-A team he left behind has done just fine; the Norfolk Tides are 7-1 and have a lineup loaded with top prospects and hitters who narrowly missed making the Orioles’ opening day roster.“That was a lot of talent,” Rodriguez said. “The days that I was down there, I saw a lot of just home runs and some runs being scored, so they’re definitely having fun down there.”That lineup...

Blue Jays home opener preview: What you need to know before first pitch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

The highly anticipated return of the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre is finally here, months after the organization committed to a significant renovation that is sure to intrigue the thousands of fans that make their way to the stadium on Tuesday.The Blue Jays unveiled yet another glimpse into the newly upgraded Rogers Centre last week, with a particular focus on the new “outfield district” at the ballpark containing five distinct neighbourhoods and many new social spaces.Other significant changes include higher walls in left and right field. The visitors’ bullpen in right field will be elevated, similar to the Blue Jays’ home bullpen, with deck areas in the stands above.On the field, the Blue Jays arrive back home on the heels of a successful, albeit uneven 6-4 start that has included some great hitting but, at times, inconsistent pitching.The offense has been led by Matt Chapman, one of the hottest hitters in baseball, to start the new season. Vladim...

AP Interview: Lobotka is the motor that makes Napoli tick

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

CASTEL VOLTURNO, Italy (AP) — Throughout his entire soccer career, from youth levels on up, Stanislav Lobotka had never seen what he now sees at Napoli nearly every match.Eight Napoli players — everyone but the goalkeeper and the two center backs — line up at the halfway line at kickoffs to start the game or the second half.“We want (to) play forward to get (inside) the opponent’s half maybe to score or to create corners or something to show that we want to win the game. And it doesn’t matter who we play against,” Lobotka said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.In Italy, where conservative tactics and “catenaccio” (lockdown defense) had been the tradition for decades, coach Luciano Spalletti’s idea of attacking so decisively from the first touch was revolutionary — even for a team that had Diego Maradona when it won it’s only two league titles more than three decades ago.The strategy works, though, and Napoli has been a high-scoring juggernaut for most of the seas...

S Korea to conduct 1st launch of commercial-grade satellite

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea plans to conduct its first launch of a commercial-grade satellite aboard a domestically built rocket next month as part of its space development program, officials said Tuesday.South Korea’s officials say its homegrown Nuri space launch vehicle has no military purposes. But some experts say the development of such rockets would eventually help the country acquire technologies needed to build bigger missiles and launch reconnaissance satellites amid animosities with rival North Korea.In June last year, South Korea launched its first satellite using the Nuri rocket. That launch involved what South Korean officials called a “performance verification” satellite mainly designed to examine the capacity of the rocket while next month’s event is meant to put a commercial-grade satellite into orbit for the first time.The Science Ministry said the rocket will blast off from the country’s space launch center on a southern island on May 24. A ministry...