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Debt ceiling deadline is extended to June 5, later than previously estimated, Yellen says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:14 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday the projected debt ceiling deadline is extended to June 5, four days later than previously estimated.Yet, Yellen renewed her warning in a letter to Congress that inaction on raising the borrowing limit would “cause severe hardship.”Yellen’s latest letter to legislators on the “X-date” came as Congress broke for the long Memorial Day weekend. She said that the Treasury Department had deployed an extraordinary measure not used since 2015 to get the U.S. financial position to this point.The X-date arrives when the government no longer has enough of a financial cushion to pay all its bills, having exhausted the measures it’s been using since January to stretch existing funds.Earlier Friday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said his Republican debt negotiators and the White House had hit “crunch” time, straining to wrap up an agreement with President Joe Biden to curb federal spending and lift the nation’s bor...

US cities reporting fewer killings hope crime strategies prevent a summer surge

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:14 GMT

By KATHLEEN FOODY (Associated Press)CHICAGO (AP) — An expected bump in violent crime this summer has mayors and police officials around the U.S. rolling out familiar strategies of making officers more visible and engaging with community groups, in some cases leaning on civilians to enforce curfews and keep the peace.Chicago is among the U.S. cities under scrutiny following a mayoral race that focused on public safety in response to demands for change. Violence often surges during summer months, so this holiday weekend will undoubtedly ramp up pressure on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new administration to deliver short-term improvement along with the long-term strategies that the former union organizer advocated while campaigning to lead the nation’s third-largest city.“It’s going to take all of us, not just the police, not just city government, to ensure that our communities can live and thrive in peace and safety,” Johnson said at a lakefront press co...

Recipe: Here’s how to make the Italian dish ‘Fish in Crazy Water’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:14 GMT

Susan Gravely, founder and CEO of Vietri, the lifestyle brand that specializes in handcrafted Italian tabletop and garden accessories, showcases classic Italian recipes in her cookbook “Italy on a Plate,” (Vietri). In the book’s glossy and colorful pages, along with her stories, Gravely offers formulas for everything from Baked Tagliolini to Zucchini with Gorgonzola.In the chapter dubbed “The Young Man of Positano,” she reveals her formula for Pesce all’ Acqua Pazza (Fish in Crazy Water). The fish, mild-flavored white fillets, such as sea bass or flounder, are cooked over a tasty broth. The finished dish is plated in shallow bowls or rimmed plates. Provide crusty bread to soak up any leftover broth.Fish in Crazy Water (Pesce all’ Acqua Pazza)Yield: 4 servingsINGREDIENTS2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil1 clove garlic, peeled, smashed1 medium brown onion, diced3 stalks celery, diced1 pint cherry tomatoes, each cut in half1/2 cup pitted, halved kalamata olives1/4 cup capers, drained1 tabl...

‘Being Mary Tyler Moore’ review: Who can turn the world on with her smile?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:14 GMT

Nina Metz | Chicago Tribune (TNS)Celebrity documentaries often dig up old talk show footage, and early in HBO’s “Being Mary Tyler Moore” we see her interviewed by David Susskind. The exchange reveals both the host’s stubborn assumptions about gender roles and Moore’s polite disinterest in pandering to his line of questioning.The clip is from 1966, just as “The Dick Van Dyke Show” was drawing to a close. The sitcom made Moore a star playing Laura Petrie, and in Susskind’s estimation, the character is an “idealization of the American wife.” Then he pontificates, just generally, on what he sees as the sad state of matrimony in real life: Walk into any restaurant and “the woman is yakking like crazy and the man has a hurt, bored expression.”What he fails to realize is that he’s creating that very dynamic in the television studio — except he is the one yakking like crazy while his guest has a hurt, bored expression. He thinks women are only “half-married” if they work outside the home. S...

2 more Oath Keepers sentenced to prison terms for Jan. 6 Capitol attack

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:14 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two Army veterans who stormed the U.S. Capitol in a military-style formation with fellow members of the Oath Keepers were sentenced Friday to prison terms, a day after the far-right extremist group’s founder received a record-setting 18-years behind bars in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack.U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sentenced Jessica Watkins, of Woodstock, Ohio, to eight years and six months behind bars and sentenced Kenneth Harrelson, of Titusville, Florida, to four years in prison.A federal jury acquitted Watkins and Harrelson of the seditious conspiracy charge that Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was found guilty of in November. But jurors convicted Watkins and Harrelson of other Jan. 6 charges, including obstructing Congress’ certification of President Joe Biden’s victory.Rhodes’ 18-year term is the longest prison sentence that has been handed down so far in the hundreds of Capitol riot cases. The charges against leaders of the Oath Keepers and anot...

Biden celebrates LSU women’s basketball team, UConn men’s team due next at White House

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:14 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — All of the past drama and sore feelings associated with Louisiana State’s invitation to the White House was seemingly forgotten or set aside Friday as President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed the championship women’s basketball team to the mansion with smiles, hugs and lavish praise all around. The visit had once appeared in jeopardy after Jill Biden suggested that the losing Iowa team be invited, too. But none of that was mentioned as Biden heralded the players for their performance and the way they have helped advance women’s sports.“Folks, we witnessed history,” Biden, said. “In this team, we saw hope, we saw pride and we saw purpose. It matters.” The ceremony was halted for about 10 minutes after forward Sa’Myah Smith appeared to collapse on stage as she and her teammates stood behind Biden. A wheelchair was brought in and coach Kim Mulkey later told the audience that Smith was fine.Since the passage of Title IX in 1972, Bi...

ConocoPhillips to exercise pre-emptive right; will buy rest of Surmont project

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:14 GMT

CALGARY — U.S. oil company ConocoPhillips said Friday it will exercise its right of first refusal and purchase TotalEnergies’ 50 per cent stake in the Surmont oilsands project for $4 billion.The Houston-based oil company is currently the operator and the 50 per cent owner of the in situ oilsands asset near Fort McMurray, Alta.In a news release, ConocoPhillips’ CEO Ryan Lance said Surmont is an important asset within the company’s diverse, low-cost portfolio.“We look forward to leveraging our position as 100 per cent owner and operator of Surmont to further optimize the asset while progressing toward our overall interim and long-term emissions intensity objectives,” Lance said.The U.S. company’s move to buy the remaining stake is a blow to Calgary-based Suncor Energy Inc., which announced in April its intention to acquire Total’s share of Surmont as part of a larger $6.1-billion deal that would also see Suncor acquire French company TotalR...

Lawsuit brought by man who said he was sexually abused by Roman Catholic bishop settled

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:14 GMT

A lawsuit brought by a former altar boy who said he was raped as a child in the 1960s by a now-deceased Roman Catholic bishop in Massachusetts has been settled, the sides announced Friday.The plaintiff identified in court papers as John Doe alleged in the suit filed in February 2021 that not only was he abused by former Diocese of Springfield Bishop Christopher Weldon as well as two other clergy, but also that the church engaged in a yearslong coverup to protect the bishop’s reputation and legacy.The suit also said that even after abuse allegations against Weldon were found to be credible, diocesan officials as late as 2019 denied them.The diocese’s current bishop in a statement announcing the settlement apologized.“Mr. Doe’s allegations were determined to be credible, therefore, any public statement made on behalf of the Diocese in May or June of 2019 that is inconsistent with that is withdrawn,” Bishop William Byrne said. “We apologize to Mr. Doe for any harm tho...

North Dakota Gov. Burgum expected to announce GOP campaign for president, Republican allies say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:14 GMT

Two-term North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a former computer software entrepreneur, is expected to announce his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, two Republican operatives familiar with knowledge of the plans told The Associated Press on Friday, putting him in an already crowded field dominated by ex-President Donald Trump.The sources said Burgum plans to announce his candidacy on June 7, at a midday event in Fargo, Burgum’s home town. The Republicans spoke on the condition of anonymity because the event had not been publicized yet.The 66-year-old Burgum would be jumping into a field that includes fellow Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, seen by some Republicans as the strongest alternative to Trump. Other candidates include former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Former Vice President Mike Pence is also considered a likely presidential candidat...

Serbian border troops on high alert after ethnic clashes inside Kosovo

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:28:14 GMT

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Serbian troops on the border with Kosovo were put on high alert Friday following clashes inside Kosovo between police and ethnic Serbs that injured more than a dozen people.Ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo, who are a majority in that part of the country, had tried to block recently-elected ethnic Albanian officials from entering municipal buildings earlier Friday. Last month’s snap election was largely boycotted by ethnic Serbs and only ethnic Albanian or other smaller minority representatives were elected in the mayoral posts and assemblies.Kosovo police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd and let the new officials into the offices. Several cars were set ablaze. Kosovo Serb hospital officials said about 10 protesters were injured. Police said five officers were injured as protesters hurled stun grenades and other objects. A police car was burned.In response to the clashes, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he put the army on the “highest state of...