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Louisville escapes major sanctions in hoops bribery case
Read full article: Louisville escapes major sanctions in hoops bribery caseAn independent panel has placed the Louisville basketball program on two years of probation and fined it $5,000, but spared the school major penalties from NCAA allegations leveled in the aftermath of a federal investigation of corruption in college basketball.
Madeleine Albright honored by Biden, other world leaders
Read full article: Madeleine Albright honored by Biden, other world leadersWorld leaders and the U.S. political and foreign policy elite joyously remembered America's first female secretary of state as mourners paid their respects to the late Madeleine Albright.
NCAA president decries pace of basketball investigations
Read full article: NCAA president decries pace of basketball investigationsNCAA President Mark Emmert says investigations into allegations of major violations against several high-profile men’s college basketball programs have taken “way too long.”.
Albright acted as model, mentor for generations of women
Read full article: Albright acted as model, mentor for generations of womenFormer Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s death from cancer this week sparked American women to reflect on the 84-year-old diplomat’s sweeping influence on their lives, 25 years after Bill Clinton made her the United States’ representative to the world.
Memories of Albright: A legacy of bluntness and conviction
Read full article: Memories of Albright: A legacy of bluntness and convictionFormer Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is being remembered as a woman of conviction and determination who liked to say she told things like they were and not the way she might like them to be.
Energy chief cites risk of cyberattacks crippling power grid
Read full article: Energy chief cites risk of cyberattacks crippling power gridEnergy Secretary Jennifer Granholm is urging more public-private cooperation on cyber defenses, and she says U.S. adversaries already are capable of using cyber intrusions to shut down the power grid.
Augusta Nationals plays through debate over Ga voting law
Read full article: Augusta Nationals plays through debate over Ga voting lawWhile a tempest brews outside Magnolia Lane over Georgia’s voting rights law, Augusta National would prefer to keep the focus on blooming azaleas, pimento cheese sandwiches and tricky greens.
Myanmar coup crisis grows after years of US neglect
Read full article: Myanmar coup crisis grows after years of US neglectAnti-coup protesters display pictures of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 2, 2021. The Obama administration reveled in the restoration of civilian rule in the longtime U.S. pariah as a top foreign policy achievement and a potential model for engaging with other adversaries, such as Iran and Cuba. But today, Myanmar is once again an international outcast, facing a new wave of U.S. sanctions. Still, the Obama administration continued to have faith in her. Despite Kerry’s two trips to Myanmar, the administration became rapidly consumed with the Iran nuclear deal and normalization of ties with Cuba.
Sudan says it signs pact on normalizing ties with Israel
Read full article: Sudan says it signs pact on normalizing ties with IsraelJustice Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari signed the deal with visiting U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, according to the prime minister's office. Abdulbari said Sudan welcomed “the rapprochement" with Israel and other countries as well as the beginning of diplomatic relations. Although Sudan is not a regional powerhouse, establishing ties with Israel is deeply symbolic. During his visit, Mnuchin met with Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, head of the ruling sovereign council, and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in August became the first top U.S. diplomat to visit Sudan since 2005, when Condoleezza Rice visited.
State Dept: Pompeo's wife cleared of travel ethics charges
Read full article: State Dept: Pompeo's wife cleared of travel ethics chargesGeorgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, left, gives flowers to Susan Pompeo as she and her husband, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, arrive at Tbilisi International Airport in Tbilisi, Georgia, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool)WASHINGTON – The State Department said Thursday that a report by its independent watchdog has concluded that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s wife did not violate federal regulations or ethics rules by traveling abroad with her husband while he was on official business. Susan Pompeo had attracted criticism for accompanying her husband on diplomatic trips abroad, beginning with a Middle East tour in 2018 that took place during the federal government shutdown. Secretary Pompeo has previously defended his wife's presence on his international trips by noting that she does work with diplomats’ families and is a “force multiplier” in boosting morale at overseas posts. The State Department said the inspector general had cleared her of any impropriety or misuse of taxpayer money on that Mideast trip and seven others she made with her husband.
Pompeo in Sudan, top US official to visit since uprising
Read full article: Pompeo in Sudan, top US official to visit since uprisingCAIRO U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Sudan on Tuesday, the top U.S. official to visit the African country since last year's ouster of its autocratic leader, Omar al-Bashir. Pompeo's visit on Tuesday is meant to discuss the normalization of ties between Sudan and Israel and also show U.S. support for the country's fragile transition to democracy. Pompeo is also the first U.S. secretary of state to visit the African county since 2005, when Condoleezza Rice visited. Pompeo was also to discuss the removal of Sudan from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. Sudan is now on a fragile path to democracy after the popular uprising led the military to overthrow al-Bashir in April 2019.
Pompeo shattering precedent, sparking fury with RNC speech
Read full article: Pompeo shattering precedent, sparking fury with RNC speechPompeo's message to State Department employees reminding them of restrictions on political activity under the Hatch Act was not unusual. Secretary Pompeo will address the convention in his personal capacity, the department said. No State Department resources will be used. The State Department followed quickly with comments distancing the agency from the planned remarks. Like two of his predecessors, John Kerry and Hillary Clinton, both of whom were unsuccessful Democratic Party nominees for president, Pompeo was a member of Congress before joining the executive branch.
Pompeo shattering precedent, sparking fury with RNC speech
Read full article: Pompeo shattering precedent, sparking fury with RNC speechThe State Department followed quickly with comments distancing the agency from the planned remarks. Secretary Pompeo will address the convention in his personal capacity, the department said. No State Department resources will be used. Staff are not involved in preparing the remarks or in the arrangements for Secretary Pompeos appearance. Like two of his predecessors, John Kerry and Hillary Clinton, both of whom were unsuccessful Democratic Party nominees for president, Pompeo was a member of Congress before joining the executive branch.
Beyoncé to give graduation speech alongside the Obamas
Read full article: Beyoncé to give graduation speech alongside the ObamasNEW YORK – Beyoncé has been added to the list of guest speakers for YouTube's virtual commencement ceremony that will also feature the Obamas. YouTube announced Tuesday that Beyoncé will deliver an inspirational message to the 2020 class for its “Dear Class of 2020" event, which will take place June 6 at 3 p.m. EDT and will stream on YouTube. Barack and Michelle Obama will also speak at the virtual celebration, which will include appearances from Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Bill and Melinda Gates, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Porter, Malala Yousafzai, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Zendaya, Alicia Keys, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Demi Lovato, Hasan Minhaj and more. “Dear Class of 2020" will include music performances from BTS, Lizzo, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Chloe x Halle, Maluma, CNCO and Camila Cabello.
Samuel L. Jackson proves he's one of us at Celebrity Ryder Cup
Read full article: Samuel L. Jackson proves he's one of us at Celebrity Ryder CupSamuel L. Jackson has made plenty of people laugh throughout his acting career, but he also made people crack up for a different reason Tuesday. Competing in the "Celebrity Ryder Cup," Jackson stood on the first tee and did what so many average golfers do on a daily basis: Duff one in embarrassing fashion. Fortunately for Jackson, the day turned out to have a happy ending for him and the rest of his American teammates. Who knows what will happen when the actual Ryder Cup tees off Friday, but the USA already scored one victory over Europe at a surrounding event Tuesday. On the same Le Golf National course that will be the site of this weekend’s Ryder Cup, the “Celebrity Ryder Cup” was held, with 10 celebrities from America and 10 from Europe competing for bragging rights.