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Irish PM Varadkar says sorry for ‘ill-judged’ Clinton-Lewinsky joke

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

DUBLIN — Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has apologized for making a joking reference to then-President Bill Clinton’s sex scandal during a Washington speech in front of a new class of Capitol Hill interns.Varadkar, known for making off-script quips that occasionally blow up in his face, was telling his Washington Ireland Program audience about his time as a D.C. intern at the end of Clinton’s second term, “when some parents would have had cause for concern about what would happen to interns in Washington.”The allusion drew some laughs, a few gasps — and a rapid apology via his official spokesman.Varadkar, the spokesman said, “was reminiscing about his time in Washington D.C. as an intern 23 years ago. He made an ill-judged, off-the-cuff remark which he regrets. He apologizes for any offense caused to anyone concerned.” Bill Clinton was impeached in 1998 on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, related to allegations he lied under oath about an affair with White House int...

China’s Xi to visit Putin in Russia next week

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a three-day visit to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin next week, Beijing and Moscow announced Friday, with “strategic cooperation” on the agenda.“On March 20-22, 2023, at the invitation of Vladimir Putin, president of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia,” the Kremlin’s press service said in a statement.“A number of important bilateral documents will be signed,” the statement reads.Neither country confirmed previous reports from the Wall Street Journal that Xi would use the opportunity to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — in what would be the first communication between the two leaders since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine last February.While China was initially committed to a “no-limit partnership” passed with Moscow days before the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Beijing has since sought to position itself as...

Nets need for backup center apparent in home loss to Kings

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

If Nerlens Noel wasn’t the answer for Brooklyn’s backup center debacle, the Nets had better find another answer — and soon.Days after the Nets declined to give Noel a second 10-day contract, the Nets were obliterated on the glass in a 101-96 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.As versatile as starting center Nic Claxton is on both ends of the floor, his biggest shortcoming — brute strength — continues to be a priority for the Nets to address.Especially if second-year forward Day’Ron Sharpe — who was available but didn’t play against the Kings on Thursday — is out of the rotation.That’s because the bruiser remains the archetype of player that stumps and stampedes the Nets at every turn.What has been true of the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers was true in the Nets’ loss to the league’s No. 1 offense on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day.Just like the Nets have rotational limitations that make them susc...

Pakistan athlete who died in migrant boat crash laid to rest

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Mourners attended the funeral Friday of a Pakistani female field hockey player who died in a migrant boat crash off Italy’s coast last month, sending a wave of shock and grief through this impoverished Islamic nation.The boat carrying the athlete, Shahiza Raza, and 170 others set sail from the Turkish port of Izmir last month. Aboard were people from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and other countries who were seeking a better quality of life in Europe. It broke apart in rough waters off Calabria, killing Raza and at least 66 others.Raza’s funeral and burial took place in Quetta, the capital of southwestern Baluchistan province, a day after her body was repatriated from Italy with help from the country’s Foreign Ministry. Raza’s family said the athlete attempted to emigrate to Europe to find a good job and earn money for the treatment of her disabled son, 3, so he could live a normal life. The boy, who was not on the boat, suffered brain damage ...

World shares up after First Republic aid spurs Wall St rally

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Markets advanced Friday in Europe and Asia, tracking a rally on Wall Street after a group of big banks offered a lifeline to First Republic Bank, the latest U.S. lender in the spotlight for troubles in the banking industry. Shares rose in Paris, London, Tokyo and Hong Kong but edged lower in Mumbai. U.S. futures edged higher, while oil prices gained. The S&P 500 jumped 1.8% Thursday, erasing earlier losses following reports that First Republic Bank could get help or sell itself to another bank. Markets have gyrated this week on concerns over the toll on banks from the fastest set of interest rate hikes in decades. The turmoil flared with last week’s collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, the second largest bank failure in U.S. history.“The market remains cautious; traders do not want to get overexcited, especially with investors still focusing on what can go wrong instead of what could go right,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a report. Germany’s DA...

Mozambicans march to honor protest rapper after his death

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Mozambicans are planning marches across the country to honor Azagaia, a popular protest rapper and fierce government critic, who died last week.Memorial marches are planned in every major city on Saturday for the musician who died after an epileptic seizure at the age of 38. The nationwide demonstrations follow Azagaia’s funeral procession on Wednesday, in which thousands marched through the streets of Maputo, the capital, chanting protest slogans such as “resistance” and “power to the people.”Riot police used tear gas to disperse the crowd as it tried to carry Azagaia’s coffin past Ponta Vermelha, the official residence of the president.Such mass demonstrations critical of President Filipe Nyusi’s government are rare in Mozambique.“Azagaia was a hero of the people. More of a hero than the president, that is why we are taking him to the president’s house,” said Walter, a demonstrator who refused to give his last name for his safety. Speaking before th...

Montenegro presidential vote seen as test of future policies

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro is preparing to hold a presidential election this weekend, a vote taking place amid a political stalemate that has stalled the small NATO member’s bid to join the European Union and questions about whether the Balkan country will align more closely with Serbia and Russia.Analysts predict Sunday’s election will not produce a clear winner and that pro-Western incumbent Milo Djukanovic, 61, will face one of several challengers in a runoff two weeks later.Djukanovic and his Democratic Party of Socialists led Montenegro to independence from Serbia in 2006, and defied Russia to join NATO in 2017. An alliance dominated by parties seeking closer ties with Serbia and Russia ousted DPS from power in 2020.The presidency is largely ceremonial in Montenegro but the election result holds political weight because of the country’s political turmoil and the war in Ukraine. It is also crucial for the political future of Djukanovic, the longest...

Canadians mourn the deaths of two Edmonton police officers : In The News for Mar. 17

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what’s on the radar of our editors for the morning of Mar. 17 …What we are watching in Canada …People in Edmonton and across Canada are paying tribute to two city police officers who were fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call.Constables Brett Ryan and Travis Jordan were gunned down early Thursday morning after entering an apartment building. A police source says the shooter was a 16-year-old boy who also shot and wounded his own mother.He was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.On Thursday night, landmarks in Edmonton including the High Level Bridge, City Hall, Muttart Conservatory, Commonwealth Stadium and Walterdale Bridge were lit in blue to honour the two officers.Flags at the Alberta legislature, government buildings and police detachments were lowered to half-mast.Online fundraisers have started for the familie...

Internal documents show what RCMP considered ‘lessons learned’ from ‘Freedom Convoy’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

OTTAWA — After policing the “Freedom Convoy,” the RCMP came away with lessons learned, newly released documents show — including the need to better prepare for the potential targeting of emergency phone lines.Briefing notes obtained by The Canadian Press under access-to-information laws also point to security pressures to protect leaders in Ottawa and detail the challenges that arose from the fact the protests had no clear leadership.The force compiled the documents before six top RCMP officials, including Commissioner Brenda Lucki, were interviewed by lawyers with the Public Order Emergency Commission last September. In early 2022, Lucki was among the officials Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his cabinet looked to as they grappled with how to respond to protests staged near Parliament Hill in Ottawa and at several U.S. border crossings.To clear the protesters, who were demonstrating against Trudeau’s government and COVID-19 public health measures, Ott...

People honouring two slain Edmonton police officers gunned down responding to a call

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:01:01 GMT

EDMONTON — People in Edmonton and across Canada are paying tribute to two city police officers who were fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call.Constables Brett Ryan and Travis Jordan were gunned down early Thursday morning after entering an apartment building. A police source says the shooter was a 16-year-old boy who also shot and wounded his own mother.He was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.On Thursday night, landmarks in Edmonton including the High Level Bridge, City Hall, Muttart Conservatory, Commonwealth Stadium and Walterdale Bridge were lit in blue to honour the two officers.Flags at the Alberta legislature, government buildings and police detachments were lowered to half-mast.Online fundraisers have started for the families of the officers by the Edmonton Police Association and the Alberta Paramedic Association. Ryan, 30, who has been described as a dedicated community member who loved his job, was married and his wife i...