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Why Westminster can’t stop talking about Boris Johnson … again

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:52 GMT

LONDON — Love him or hate him, Westminster just can’t get enough of Boris Johnson.The ex-prime minister left office almost nine months ago, but he continues to loom large over British politics — and this week he faces a high-profile parliamentary grilling over his response to the Partygate scandal that helped topple his government.Let POLITICO explain why your newsfeed is full of the blond-mopped ex-leader … yet again.So what’s this Partygate showdown all about?Johnson, his wife Carrie and even current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak were among those to be issued fines by the Metropolitan Police after the force judged that they had broken the law by attending parties on government property while the U.K. was still facing strict COVID-19 curbs.It became known as the Partygate affair, and was subject to a damning report by then-top civil servant Sue Gray (more on her in a bit) which further rocked Johnson’s shaky administration.Wednesday’s marathon hearing of the cross-party Ho...

EU seals deal to send Ukraine 1 million ammo rounds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:52 GMT

The EU has reached a deal to send Ukraine 1 million rounds of ammunition within the next 12 months. The plan — seen by POLITICO — will see the EU both donate ammunition from its own stockpiles and also jointly purchase new shells for Ukraine. It also leaves open the possibility that the EU could help countries collectively buy missiles for Ukraine. And it sets a goal to “jointly procure” these munitions “in the fastest way possible” before October. Diplomats and ministers finalized the strategy during meetings in Brussels on Sunday and Monday. EU leaders are expected to give their final blessing at a summit in Brussels later this week. The deal represents a landmark juncture for the EU, marking the first time the self-described peace project has plotted to jointly buy arms for a country at war. Officials have argued the EU must evolve to meet the extraordinary moment — no less than the fate of democracy on European soil is at stake, they insist.“A historic decision,” ...

Macron narrowly survives crucial no-confidence votes in parliament

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:52 GMT

PARIS — Emmanuel Macron’s government narrowly survived a no-confidence vote in the French parliament Monday, after it pushed through a deeply unpopular pensions overhaul without a vote last week, sparking outrage and spontaneous protests across the country.In a high-stakes vote in France’s lower house of parliament, 278 MPs, mostly from the left and the far right, voted in favor of a cross-party motion of no confidence, falling just short of the 287 votes needed to topple the government. A second motion, backed only by the far-right National Rally, did not garner enough votes.The outcome of the first vote was much tighter than anticipated and increases the pressure on Macron to withdraw his reform. It may also give a boost to the protest movement led by trade unions against the measures. The French president will also be under pressure to respond either by addressing the country or reshuffling his government. Speaking ahead of the votes, the centrist MP Charles de Courson, one ...

North Easton woman wins $1 million prize after hunting for specific scratch ticket

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:52 GMT

A North Easton resident is the winner of a $1 million prize after searching convenience stores for a particular scratch ticket.According to the Massachusetts State Lottery, Sandra Guarino had her mind set on purchasing a “$2,000,000 50X Cashword” ticket, and after being unable to find one at the first store she checked, she headed for another in Easton.That shop proved to have the winner, with Guarino buying a ticket and winning the game’s second biggest prize of $1 million.Guarino chose the prize’s cash option when collecting her winnings and received a one-time payment of $650,000 (before taxes), telling lottery officials she planned on putting some of it toward paying off the mortgage on her house.Officials said the winning ticket was sold at the E Market Convenience Store & Deli at 285 Washington St., and that the convenience store will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling it.According to the state lottery’s website, the odds of winning the $2,000,000 50X Cashword...

Celebrate the first day of spring with cold treats from Dairy Queen, Rita’s Italian Ice

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:52 GMT

Do we all scream for ice cream on the first day of spring?If the ice cream is free, then maybe we do. Both Dairy Queen and Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard are giving away cold treats Monday to welcome spring and, theoretically, warmer temperatures.IT'S FINALLY HERE! Say goodbye to winter and hello to GETTING A FREE SMALL CONE TODAY!!! Grab your free cone only at participating DQ locations pic.twitter.com/hwukUFsLbJ— Dairy Queen (@DairyQueen) March 20, 2023Dairy Queen fans can make their way to any non-mall location in the U.S. for a free small vanilla soft-serve cone. The celebration lasts all day but is limited to one cone per person while supplies last, and may not be available on delivery or mobile orders.Everyone's favorite First Day of Spring FREE Ice Giveaway is back, today only! (No app needed.) Plus, enter for a chance to win FREE ICE FOR A YEAR when you download the Rita's Ice mobile app and enter promo code SPRING23 Official rules: https://t.co/p...

Quick fix: Lemony chicken tenders are a tangy treat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:52 GMT

Linda Gassenheimer | Tribune News ServiceA bright, lemon sauce flavors delicate chicken tenderloins in this quick dinner. Tenderloins, or tenders, are a secondary muscle that lies directly under the chicken breast. As the name suggests, they’re very tender and need only a few minutes to cook. White wine and capers add to the lemony sauce for a tangy treat.The tenderloins are flattened to about 1/4-1/2-inch thick. This can be done with the bottom of a heavy skillet or meat bat. Be careful not to press too hard. The chicken flesh may shred.Helpful Hints:— You can use boneless, skinless chicken breast instead of tenderloin. Be sure to flatten them to 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick.— You can use any type of mushroom.Countdown:— Prepare all the ingredients.— Make rice and set aside.— Make chicken.Shopping List:To buy: 3/4 pound chicken tenderloin, 1 container sliced mushrooms, 1 jar minced garlic, 1 bottle white wine, 1 container cornstarch, 1 small bottle capers, 1 package microwaveable brown r...

Regina tourism agency apologizes for using sexualized slogans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:52 GMT

An agency responsible for tourism in Regina has apologized for using slogans that have been criticized for their sexual overtones.Two days after launching a rebrand, Experience Regina has removed phrases online that seemed to make light of the city’s name rhyming with vagina.The organization previously wrote on its social media accounts that “we are the city that rhymes with fun.” Its website also had “show us your Regina” written above a block of Instagram posts.“I want to start by apologizing, on behalf of myself and our team, for the negative impact we created with elements of our recent brand launch,” Tim Reid, the agency’s CEO, wrote statement posted on social media.“There was such positive feedback around Experience Regina; however, it was clear that we fell short of what is expected from our amazing community with some of the slogans that we used.”Thank you for using your voice, thank you for holding us accountable, ...

Idaho poised to allow firing-squad executions in some cases

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:52 GMT

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho is poised to allow firing squads to execute condemned inmates when the state can’t get lethal-injection drugs, under a bill the Legislature passed Monday with a veto-proof majority.Firing squads will be used only if the state cannot obtain the drugs needed for lethal injections — and one death row inmate has already had his scheduled execution postponed multiple times because of drug scarcity. Idaho previously had a firing squad option on the books but has never used it. The option was removed from state law in 2009 after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a method of lethal injection that was commonly used at the time.Only Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma and South Carolina currently have laws allowing firing squads if other execution methods are unavailable, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. A judge has put South Carolina’s law on hold until a lawsuit challenging the method is resolved.Gov. Brad Little, a Republican, has voiced his support fo...

In Trump probe, NYC grand jury hearing from final witnesses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:52 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A grand jury was hearing from final witnesses Monday in the investigation into Donald Trump as law enforcement officials accelerated security preparations in advance of a possible indictment and as fellow Republicans staked out positions in a criminal probe expected to shake up the 2024 presidential race.Robert Costello, a lawyer who had a falling out with the star government witness in the Trump investigation, arrived in court Monday afternoon after being invited to appear before the grand jury in New York. His testimony was expected to give the former president an indirect opportunity to make a case that he shouldn’t face criminal charges over hush money paid during his 2016 campaign. Costello was asked to appear by the Manhattan district attorney’s office after he said he had information raising questions about the credibility of Michael Cohen, a key witness in the investigation, according to a person familiar with the matter who insisted on anonymity ...

‘Ted Lasso’ visits White House, promotes mental health care

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:52 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fictional soccer coach Ted Lasso used a White House visit Monday to encourage people, even in politically divided Washington, to make it a point to check in often with friends, family and co-workers to “ask how they’re doing, and listen, sincerely,” Comedian Jason Sudeikis, who plays the title character — an American coaching a soccer team in London — and other cast members were meeting with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden to talk about how mental health contributes to overall well-being. Mental health and looking after one another is a theme of the show, Sudeikis told reporters from behind the lectern as he helped press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre open her daily White House briefing. The Emmy-winning, feel-good show on Apple TV+ just opened its third season.“While it’s easier said than done, we also have to know that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help ourselves,” said Sudeikis. “That does take a lot, especially when it’s ...