Tesla is recalling nearly 700,000 Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck vehicles due to a malfunctioning tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light that may not illuminate consistently, potentially failing to alert drivers of low tire pressure. A free over-the-air software update will rectify the issue. Notification letters will be mailed February 15th, 2025, and this recall adds to Tesla’s numerous recalls this year, highlighting ongoing quality control challenges. Contact information for Tesla and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is provided for further inquiries.
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Party City, the largest US party supply store, is immediately ceasing operations after nearly four decades in business. CEO Barry Litwin cited insurmountable financial challenges, including inflation’s impact on costs and consumer spending, as the reason for the closure. The company, which recently emerged from bankruptcy, failed to overcome its substantial debt burden despite efforts to restructure. All employees, including both corporate and store staff, were terminated without severance pay.
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Bais Chaya Mushka Girls Elementary School in North York was shot at for the third time this year, with six shots fired into the building early Friday morning. Toronto Police, including the gun and gang task force and hate crime unit, are investigating, with a 24/7 police presence now at the school. While no one was injured, the incident has understandably caused significant distress within the school community and broader Jewish community, prompting strong condemnation from Mayor Chow and Prime Minister Trudeau. Despite the attacks, school officials and parents have stated their determination to continue classes.
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Richard Allen was sentenced to 130 years in prison for the 2017 murders of Abigail Williams and Liberty German in Delphi, Indiana. The jury found him guilty on two counts of murder, each carrying a 65-year sentence to be served consecutively. Allen, who maintains his innocence, plans to appeal the conviction. Key evidence included a recovered “lead sheet” and a grainy video showing a man following the girls, along with Allen’s own confessions.
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A 19-year-old male, reportedly a former student, perpetrated a knife attack at Zagreb’s Precko Elementary School, resulting in the death of a 7-year-old girl and injuries to at least six others, including a teacher with life-threatening wounds. The attack occurred around 9:50 a.m. and the assailant was swiftly apprehended. Authorities are investigating the incident, which is rare in Croatia, while the Prime Minister expressed profound shock and concern. Several injured children were transported to various Zagreb hospitals.
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On Thursday, Teamsters-represented workers at seven Amazon facilities across the U.S. went on strike, citing Amazon’s refusal to negotiate a contract following a missed deadline. This action, described as the largest strike against Amazon to date, involved both Amazon employees and delivery drivers, with some arrests reported at a New York City location. While Amazon disputes the union’s claims and downplayed the strike’s impact, the walkout could potentially disrupt package deliveries in affected areas. The dispute highlights ongoing labor tensions and differing interpretations of employment classifications between Amazon and the Teamsters.
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Yolanda Borucki, a childcare centre manager, was acquitted of computer hacking charges after reporting her colleague, Ashley Paul Griffith, to authorities. Despite initial dismissal of her concerns, Griffith was later convicted of 307 child sexual offences and sentenced to life imprisonment. The magistrate found insufficient evidence that Borucki acted without permission or caused significant harm by sharing information to alert the media. Borucki’s lawyer called her actions heroic, highlighting the need for an inquiry into how Griffith was allowed to work with children for so long.
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A 72-year-old French woman, Gisèle Pélicot, testified in the trial of 51 men accused of raping her, including her 71-year-old husband, Dominique. Gisèle learned of the decade-long abuse after police discovered photographic evidence of the rapes, which her husband had filmed and orchestrated after secretly drugging her. Dominique admitted to police that he derived pleasure from watching others rape his unconscious wife, and the court heard details of his meticulous planning to facilitate the assaults. Gisèle, who waived her anonymity, aims to expose the accused and prevent future such crimes.
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Over 11,000 Starbucks baristas, represented by Workers United, will begin a five-day strike on Friday, impacting hundreds of stores by Christmas Eve unless a deal is reached. The union demands improved wages, staffing levels, and scheduling, citing a significant pay disparity between baristas and CEO Brian Niccol’s substantial compensation. Starbucks counters with claims of above-average pay and benefits, averaging over $30 per hour for 20-hour-per-week employees. The strike coincides with other labor actions, including a Teamsters union protest against Amazon, highlighting broader concerns about worker compensation and conditions.
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Multiple US government agencies are investigating TP-Link routers over security vulnerabilities and potential ties to Chinese cyberattacks, raising the possibility of a nationwide ban within the next year. The Commerce Department is reportedly leading the investigation, which includes subpoenas to the company and could result in the prohibition of TP-Link router sales. This follows a Microsoft report implicating TP-Link routers in a significant Chinese hacking campaign and concerns over the company’s response to security flaws. A ban would significantly impact millions of US consumers and various government agencies that utilize TP-Link’s affordable and widely prevalent routers.
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John Q. Hosedrinker