A nun commends Dodgers' handling of Pride Night controversy. Some archbishops call it blasphemy
The Los Angeles Dodgers, over the decades, have endured fans' diatribes along with their cheers
2023-06-16 23:22
NATO chief appears likely to stay on as allies struggle to find a replacement for him
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg seems increasingly likely to have his term at the helm of the world’s biggest security organization extended yet again, as members struggle to agree on another candidate to replace him. Stoltenberg, a former Norwegian prime minister, has been NATO’s top civilian official since 2014. His term was due to expire last year but was extended for a second time to keep a steady hand at the helm after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts are due to choose a successor when they meet for a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12. No candidate has been proposed publicly, and leaders usually decide by consensus on who should be appointed. Stoltenberg held talks with Biden in Washington on Tuesday. According to a U.S. official familiar with the leaders’ conversations, Biden made clear that he thinks highly of some the possible candidates whose names have been privately floated to succeed him. The official said, however, Biden conveyed to the NATO secretary-general that it’s “becoming increasingly evident that there’s not going to be consensus” among NATO allies on picking a new leader, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversation. Biden made it clear to Stoltenberg that he would welcome him sticking around longer — particularly with no end in sight to the war in Ukraine and challenges to get Sweden approved as a member of the 31-nation alliance. “The president thinks Stoltenberg has done a remarkable job over the past year and a half leading the alliance during Russia’s invasion,” the official said. “He’s also quite comfortable with Stoltenberg hanging on. He thinks he’s been a very effective leader.” The official stopped short of saying that Biden asked Stoltenberg outright to stay on as NATO chief. Asked repeatedly Friday about his future at the helm, Stoltenberg said: “I have nothing more to say about this. I have stated again and again that I don’t seek an extension. I have no other plans than to end my work here, when my tenure ends this fall.” The U.S. official also said that Biden had spoken highly of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. NATO is keen to name a woman to the top post, and Denmark’s prime minister was thought to be a favorite after a meeting with Biden earlier this month. But in a televised interview on Thursday, Frederiksen said: “No, I am not on my way to NATO.” She did say that she would back Stoltenberg if he was willing to extend his mandate. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also made clear that he would back an extension for Stoltenberg if that became necessary. “If we don’t agree on a candidate for successor, NATO won’t be able to go without a secretary-general, and of course I am for an extension — particularly as I appreciate our cooperation,” he told reporters. Norwegian media said Friday that Biden has encouraged Stoltenberg to stay on. Norwegian public broadcaster NRK said it “had learned” that Biden’s message to Stoltenberg “was not to be misunderstood: Jens Stoltenberg must remain as Secretary General of NATO for a while longer.” The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has also ruled out her candidacy. Other possible names that were floated are Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace. ___ Madhani reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark. and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide NATO moves to protect undersea pipelines, cables as concern mounts over Russian sabotage threat How significant is the reported recapture of the first Ukrainian villages? Support mounts for Stoltenberg to stay on in NATO's top job
2023-06-16 23:20
Notable moments of Ja Morant's Grizzlies career, both on and off the court
A timeline of some of the notable of moments on and off of Ja Morant's career from the time the Memphis Grizzlies made him the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2019 to his 25-game suspension announced Friday by the league
2023-06-16 23:16
'Systemic problems' at Minneapolis Police Dept. led to George Floyd's murder, Justice Department says
Three years after George Floyd was murdered by then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, the Justice Department issued a blistering report Friday of the city's police department, detailing racial discrimination, excessive and unlawful use of force, First Amendment violations and a lack of accountability for officers.
2023-06-16 23:15
US finds Minneapolis police had pattern of using excessive force
By Jonathan Allen (Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Justice released findings from its two-year investigation of the Minneapolis Police Department
2023-06-16 23:15
Michael Jordan selling majority ownership stake in Charlotte Hornets
Michael Jordan is finalizing a deal to sell the majority share of the Charlotte Hornets, a move that will end his 13-year run overseeing the organization, the team announced Friday
2023-06-16 22:56
Michael Jordan reaches agreement to sell majority stake in NBA's Charlotte Hornets
Michael Jordan has reached an agreement to sell his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, it was announced Friday.
2023-06-16 22:53
Chelsea confirm departure of Tiemoue Bakayoko
Chelsea have confirmed the departure of Tiemoue Bakayoko as a free agent.
2023-06-16 22:51
South Africa's stranded presidential security team: Poland denies racism
South Africa's presidential security chief accuses Polish officials of racism after being stuck on a plane.
2023-06-16 22:50
Chiefs get Super Bowl rings, take subtle shot at rival Bengals
The Kansas City Chiefs got their Super Bowl rings Thursday night during a private ceremony at Union Station
2023-06-16 22:48
Exhibition by Chinese dissident artist opens in Warsaw despite pressure from China
An exhibition by a provocative Chinese artist that criticizes the country's human rights record is opening at a Polish state-run contemporary art museum despite pressure from the Chinese embassy to cancel it
2023-06-16 22:47
Pentagon chief urges Turkish counterpart on Sweden's NATO entry
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he urged Turkey to allow Sweden's entry into NATO during an introductory
2023-06-16 22:46
