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Biden and GOP rush to complete debt ceiling deal, shore up support to prevent default

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:48 GMT

By LISA MASCARO, MARY CLARE JALONICK, FARNOUSH AMIRI and MICHELLE L. PRICE (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — With days to spare before a potential first-ever government default, President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Sunday were completing a deal to raise the nation’s debt ceiling while trying to ensure enough Republican and Democratic votes to pass the measure in the coming week.The Democratic president and Republican speaker were to speak later Sunday as negotiators rushed to draft the bill text so lawmakers can review compromises that neither the hard-right or left flank is likely to support. Instead, the leaders are working to gather backing from the political middle as Congress hurries toward votes before a June 5 deadline to avert a damaging federal default.“I think we’re in good shape,” Biden said at midday.The compromise announced late Saturday includes spending cuts but risks angering some lawmakers as they take a closer look...

Turkey’s Erdogan wins another term as president

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:48 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won reelection Sunday, extending his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade as the country reels from high inflation and the aftermath of an earthquake that leveled entire cities.With more than 99% of ballot boxes opened, unofficial results from competing news agencies showed Erdogan with 52% of the vote, compared with 48% for his challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The head of Turkey’s electoral board confirmed the victory, saying that even after accounting for outstanding votes, the result was another term for Erdogan.In his first comments since the polls closed, Erdogan thanked the nation for entrusting him with the presidency for five more years.“We hope to be worthy of your trust, as we have been for 21 years,” he told supporters on a campaign bus outside his home in Istanbul.He ridiculed his challenger for his loss, saying “bye bye bye, Kemal,” as supporters booed.“The only winn...

4 arrested at DUI checkpoint in Chula Vista

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:48 GMT

CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Four people were arrested at a driving under the influence (DUI)/Driver’s License Checkpoint in Chula Vista Saturday, authorities said.The Chula Vista Police Department said officers conducted the checkpoint in the 00 block of North 4th Avenue from 6 p.m. to midnight. 15 arrested at Pacific Beach DUI checkpoint During that time, four drivers were arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A total of 7 drivers conducted field sobriety tests, police said.The identities of those arrested have not been released.The department said 2,226 vehicles traveled through the checkpoint on Saturday and 1,217 of them were screened by officers. A total of 28 citations were issued and four vehicles were impounded, the department confirmed.According to authorities, the DUI checkpoint location was selected based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes in the area.The department said the primary purpose of DUI ch...

Josef Newgarden wins his first Indy 500, gives Roger Penske his 19th victory

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:48 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Josef Newgarden ended 11 years of frustration and finally won the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday to extend team owner Roger Penske’s record to 19 victories — but first since buying Indianapolis Motor Speedway — using an audacious pass of defending race winner Marcus Ericsson during a frantic 2.5-mile sprint to the finish.After the race was red-flagged for the third time in the final 16 laps, Newgarden was moved from fourth to second by race control following a review of the running order at the time the yellow flag waved.The two-time IndyCar champion, who had been 0 for 11 in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” took advantage of his improved position by slingshotting around Ericsson on the restart and holding him off through the last two turns.Newgarden brought his Chevrolet-powered car to a stop on the front stretch, jumped out and found a hole in the fence, diving into part of a crowd estimated at more than 300,000 to celebrate. Then, Newgarden climbed the fe...

Halifax-area neighbourhood evacuated as Nova Scotia wildfire burns out of control

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:48 GMT

Thick plumes of heavy smoke filled the Halifax sky on Sunday as an out-of-control fire in a suburban community quickly spread, engulfing multiple homes and forcing the evacuation of local residents.The province issued two emergency alerts, the first ordering residents of the Westwood Hills subdivision in Tantallon to immediately evacuate the area due to “multiple structure and forest fires.”The second alert, shared shortly after 6 p.m. local time, said the fire had spread, and the evacuation order had been expanded to include the Yankeetown, or Highland Park, subdivision of Hammonds Plains.RCMP said the out-of-control fire was moving rapidly through the area, about 30 minutes northwest of downtown.An official with the provincial Department of Natural Resources said local firefighters and two helicopters are on the scene, but it remained unclear the size of the fire.The emergency alert directed residents to a comfort centre at the Black Point and Area Community Centre.The...

Some of the memorable comments made during Alberta election campaign

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:48 GMT

Candidates for both the United Conservative Party and New Democrats have been campaigning over the last four weeks for their party to form the next Alberta government. Election day is Monday.Here are some memorable quotes from the campaign:“(The NDP) devastated the Alberta economy. They created policies that drove investment out, drove jobs out, and we had to reverse all of that,” UCP Leader Danielle Smith said on May 1, the day the writ was dropped. “The choice in this election couldn’t be clearer. It’s a choice between a UCP government that will cut your taxes and make life more affordable or an NDP government that will make you pay more across the board.”—“Over the past four years, our health care has been thrown into chaos by the UCP,” NDP Leader Rachel Notley said during the first week of the campaign. “They’ll tell you they fixed it, but Albertans aren’t feeling it and they’re not buying it … o...

Promise tracker: What Alberta’s UCP and NDP pledge to do if they win the election

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:48 GMT

Albertans go to the polls on Monday. Here’s a look at some of the promises announced by the two major parties:United Conservative Party— Create a new tax bracket that would deliver about $760 more for everyone making more than $60,000 a year. Those making less would see a 20 per cent reduction to their provincial tax bill.— Extend the pause on the provincial fuel tax, with savings of 13 cents per litre at the pump, until the end of 2023.— Put into legislation a guarantee not to increase personal or business taxes without approval from Albertans in a referendum.— Contribute $330 million toward a new National Hockey League arena project for the Calgary Flames.— Follow a public health-care guarantee that no Albertan would have to pay for a doctor out of pocket.— Introduce a 25 per cent discount for seniors on personal registry services, camping fees and medical driving exams.— Bring in the proposed compassionate intervention act, allowing people with severe drug addiction to be f...

Economy, health care, trust: Alberta election campaign hits final day before vote

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:48 GMT

Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley made one final pitch to voters Sunday to upend Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party government and deliver an upset win in the provincial election.“In this room, we share Alberta’s values. Danielle Smith and her UCP do not,” Notley told cheering supporters at an afternoon rally in Edmonton.“Friends, as long as we stand together, we can and we will win this thing. Let’s build a future together.”Voters go to the polls Monday in what is expected to be a tight race between Alberta’s two dominant parties.Smith was not made available to reporters Sunday and made a last push to hundreds at a rally in Calgary on Thursday.“This election will matter for a lot of reasons. It’s going to matter for the economy. It’s going to matter for affordability. It’s going to matter for health care. It’s going to matter for public safety,” said Smith.“The UCP has a strong and stable plan that Albertans can rely on, one that wil...

96-year-old Ottawa woman breaks 5K race record

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:48 GMT

Rejeanne Fairhead stood at the starting line in front of Ottawa’s city hall on Saturday surrounded by thousands of racers who were almost all, assuredly, younger than her.But as the sun beat down on a 28 C day in the nation’s capital, the 96-year-old took a deep breath and burst forward.Fifty-one minutes and nine seconds later she was a world record holder.“It felt very good,” Fairhead said, in an interview the day after her big accomplishment. “I was proud of what I did. But I was glad it was all over too.”Fairhead walked the five-kilometre distance in the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend almost five minutes faster than American Betty Lindberg, who set the previous world record for a 5K race completed by women between the ages of 95 and 99.Lindberg was 97 when she finished the Atlanta Peachtree Marathon Weekend in 55 minutes and 48 seconds in February 2022.Unlike Lindberg, who has racked up the records as a master’s athlete in multiple distance...

With section of stadium closed after racist abuse against Vinícius, Valencia draws at home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:48 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Playing its first home game with a section of Mestalla Stadium closed as punishment for the racist abuse against Vinícius Júnior, Valencia moved closer to avoiding relegation from the Spanish league thanks to a stoppage-time equalizer in a 2-2 draw against Espanyol. Valencia had the first of three matches with a small section of Mestalla closed behind one of the goals where the abuse targeting Vinícius took place in a match against Real Madrid a week ago. Valencia was initially ordered to close the section for five matches but the punishment was reduced on appeal. The club’s initial fine of 45,000 euros ($48,200) was also reduced to 27,000 euros ($28,900).The draw was enough to relegate Espanyol for the second time in three seasons. Espanyol was set to take its fight against relegation to the final round but Samuel Lino scored Valencia’s equalizer with a shot from inside the area three minutes into stoppage time.Valencia dropped to 15th place but stayed two point...