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Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) is ratcheting up criticism of President Biden, castigating him for refusing to sit down with "fiscally minded" Republicans to negotiate over the nation's debt limit and accusing him of allowing "unelected ideologues" in his administration to thwart the will of Congress on energy policy. Manchin, who has not yet said whether he will run for reelection next year in a state that Biden lost to President Donald Trump by nearly 39 percentage points, laid out several of his grievances with Biden in a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Wednesday night. "Mr. Biden was elected to lead us all to solve problems," Manchin wrote. "We can't allow them to be made worse by ignoring them. The president has the power, today, to direct his administration to follow the law, as well as to sit down with congressional leaders and negotiate meaningful, serious reforms to the federal budget." "Failing to do so may score political points with left-wing partisans, but … [Read more...] about Manchin, facing reelection, ratchets up criticism of Biden on energy, fiscal policy

Daniel Ricciardo has returned to the Formula 1 paddock at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix in his new role as Red Bull’s third driver. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free After losing his McLaren seat for 2023, Ricciardo signed to rejoin Red Bull last November. So far the team has only shown him acting in a promotional capacity, including recently driving a Red Bull RB7 around Australia. But when he is trackside he will serve the same function as Liam Lawson and Dennis Hauger, the two Red Bull juniors sharing the reserve driver role and doing simulator work at the team’s F1 base in Milton Keynes, in that he will be ready to race should Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez be unable to. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said Ricciardo will attend several races this year as reserve, and “probably do a bit of tyre testing” in the current RB19 car as well as simulator work. But his main duties, due to Ricciardo now being based in the USA, will be … [Read more...] about Sabbatical or retirement? Ricciardo returns to F1 paddock – and questions over his future · RaceFans

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 6 The NCAA has taken a seat on the bench in the political game. The organization that governs college athletics was once at the forefront of hot-button issues such as the Confederate flag and transgender rights. But that stance evolved quickly as one Republican-controlled state after another rushed to pass laws that supporters hail as a war on “wokeness,” even as critics deride them as exclusionary and a step backward in human decency. The NCAA's new approach came into sharper focus during March Madness as Texas — which has largely banned abortion and was debating a host of proposals that would limit gay and transgender rights — prepares to host both the men's and women's Final Four this weekend. Nary a word has been spoken about moving these events out of Houston and Dallas. “It's just an extraordinary time, which requires extraordinary courage, an uncommon … [Read more...] about NCAA takes seat on bench in the political game

President Biden, propelled by a conviction that the 21st century will be defined by competition between "democracy vs. autocracy," convened his second "Summit for Democracy" this week and invited the leaders of more than 100 countries to discuss human rights, confronting authoritarianism and lessening corruption. The invite list includes over half of the countries recognized by the United Nations, and there are complex differences between the democracies present. "I think the Biden administration has taken a big-tent approach, and there is merit to that," said Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, executive vice president of Freedom House, a nonprofit research group that monitors and advocates for democracy around the world. "But for me, the bigger question is, can they use this opportunity to galvanize change within all of the countries that are attending and find unity to push for a global community that is more democratic." Freedom House's March report, "Freedom in the World," scores how … [Read more...] about How democratic are the countries at Biden’s democracy summit?

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 12 RAYMOND, Minn. (AP) — A train hauling ethanol and corn syrup derailed and caught fire in Minnesota early Thursday and nearby residents were ordered to evacuate their homes, authorities said. The BNSF train derailed in the town of Raymond, roughly 100 miles (161 kilometers) west of Minneapolis, about 1 a.m., according to a statement from Kandiyohi County Sheriff Eric Tollefson. This latest derailment happened as the nation has been increasingly focused on railroad safety after last month's fiery Norfolk Southern derailment that prompted evacuations in East Palestine, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border. Residents in that town of about 5,000 remain concerned about lingering health impacts after officials decided to release and burn toxic chemicals to prevent a tank car explosion. State and federal officials maintain that no … [Read more...] about Fiery train derailment in Minnesota prompts evacuations

House Republicans are expected to pass legislation Thursday that would increase oil drilling and mining on public lands and waters, defying President Biden's climate agenda and fulfilling a campaign promise to focus on lowering gasoline prices ahead of the 2024 election. The sprawling 175-page package, known as the Lower Energy Costs Act, would slash some environmental regulations and reinstate suspended oil and gas leases. It also would repeal parts of the Democrats' landmark climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act. While the House is poised to approve the measure along party lines, it is not expected to become law. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) has said the package will be "dead on arrival" in the Democratic-controlled Senate, while Biden has said he would veto the measure if it reached his desk. But Republicans believe the bill will send a potent message to voters that they kept a midterm election promise to lower gas prices, which spiked after … [Read more...] about House GOP to pass energy package with eye on gas prices, 2024

Opening Day is an exciting time of the year for baseball fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike. And while Houston Astros supporters can't (legally) wager on the defending World Series champions in the Bayou City, an array of sports betting options are available roughly two hours east across the Louisiana border. With two World Series titles and four American League pennants since 2017, there isn't a massive amount of value in betting on the Astros to win a second straight championship. They're a near-unanimous favorite when it comes to World Series futures odds, entering Opening Day at around 6-to-1 at most major sportsbooks—despite starting the year with former All-Stars Jose Altuve, Michael Brantley and Lance McCullers Jr. on the injured list. Potential bettors could wait to place their World Series wagers, hoping to get a better price in-season if Houston struggles early or another contender starts to separate itself from the pack. But those who follow such a strategy … [Read more...] about Houston Astros championship odds and Opening Day betting lines

Listen to this article In the wake of penalties given out to Alonso and Alpine's Esteban Ocon in the opening two races of the season for starting outside their markers, the FIA has widened the grid boxes in Melbourne. But despite an extra 20cm of space, plus the trial of a new guidance line to help drivers line up, Alonso is sceptical of them being enough to assist with the difficulties being faced. In particular, he says that drivers face the double whammy of seeing very little as they line up in position while also having to be totally focused on a separate yellow line that they cannot start in front of. "It is difficult and we are very concentrated on the yellow line to not go too far forward," he said. "So, you approach not looking at the box, you are looking on one side of the cockpit. So maybe that's a bit of a distraction." Asked if the new dimension and sighting line would be a help, Alonso said: "The central line? I don't think so. "Because, as I … [Read more...] about F1 grid box tweaks will not eradicate problems, says Alonso

Listen to this article What a story it would be if the Le Mans 24 Hours produced a grandstand finish — perhaps the closest ever in its history — in this the centenary year for the French enduro. I reckon there’s a decent chance of its happening as the clock strikes four on 11 June, and I’m not making that prediction because the sell-out crowd is going to be watching one of the best fields in the top class in years with Toyota, Ferrari, Porsche et al. I’m saying it because there has been a rule change for 2023 that makes it all the more likely. A close finish would be great for the spectators massed in the old stands and on the terracing opposite the pits, and equally great for TV and the profile of the race as the World Endurance Championship kicks on into what is sure to be a halcyon age. But what if it is totally artificial? Is that what we really want to be talking and writing about on Sunday evening of the second weekend of June? The reason the odds have shortened on … [Read more...] about Why an ‘artificial’ Le Mans finish is more likely in 2023