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The Dutch Trump: Who is Geert Wilders and what does he want?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:52:16 GMT

Geert Wilders, with his peroxide blond hair and fiery rhetoric, has long been one of the Netherlands’ best-known lawmakers at home and abroad. Nicknamed the Dutch Donald Trump, he is famous for his strident campaigning against immigration, the European Union and especially Islam. Now he’s in pole position to become the country’s next prime minister, after winning a shock victory in Wednesday’s general election. All he needs to do is persuade potential coalition partners in other parties to work with him. How hard could that be? Wilders started his political career as a member of parliament in 1998, first for the center-right VVD, where he mentored a young Mark Rutte, before quitting the party and setting up his own Party for Freedom in 2006. That makes him the longest-serving lawmaker in the Dutch parliament.He married Krisztina Márfai, a former Hungarian diplomat, in 1992. The couple do not have children, but do own two cats, Snoetje and Pluisje, who have the...

EU to deploy guards to bolster Finland’s border control activities

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:52:16 GMT

EU border agency Frontex said Thursday it plans to deploy 50 border guard officers and other staff, along with equipment such as patrol cars, to bolster Finland’s border control activities amid accusations that Russia is stoking an immigrant influx on its eastern border.The EU move follows the Finnish government’s decision to close all eastern border crossing points with Russia except Raja-Jooseppi from Friday night until December 23. The Finnish tabloid newspaper Iltalehti reported the situation on the eastern border has not improved and that there are signs that the crisis could escalate further, citing Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.“This significant reinforcement is expected to be on the ground as soon as next week,” Frontex said in a statement. Frontex currently has 10 officers on the Finnish borders.“Frontex’s support to Finland goes beyond logistics; it’s a demonstration of the European Union’s unified stand against hybrid challenges affecting one of its member...

MPs slam £168k bonus for key official in stalled plan to fix crumbling UK Parliament

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:52:16 GMT

LONDON – MPs hit out at a £168,000 bonus for one of the key figures working on a stalled plan to fix the U.K.’s crumbling parliamentary estate.David Goldstone, CEO of the Restoration & Renewal delivery authority tasked with developing options for refurbishing the Palace of Westminster, received the sum on top of his £311,000 salary last year, according to the body’s annual report.Six other executives from the authority received bonuses ranging between £45,000 and £86,000.But MPs from the cross-party public accounts committee expressed “surprise” at the award “given the slow pace of the program” as they wrote to Goldstone and other senior officials to request an update on restoration.Chairwoman Meg Hillier called it “staggering that so many questions remain unanswered” six years after MPs voted for a major restoration initiative.Plans for a massive refurbishment known as “R&R” have been plagued by a series of setbacks and delays since MPs first approved proposals to tem...

One victim killed, another wounded after overnight shooting in Cambridge

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:52:16 GMT

Authorities in Cambridge are investigating an overnight shooting that left one person dead and another wounded, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.Officials with the DA’s office said the victims were found early Thursday morning after officers were called to Central Square around 12:30 a.m.According to authorities, while responding to 10 Magazine St., officers found two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds near a black Tesla in the roadway.Both were taken to a Boston hospital where one of the victims, described as a 27-year-old female, was pronounced dead, while the other, a 26-year-old male, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.As an investigation into the shooting continues, the DA’s office asks anyone with information contact the Cambridge Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit, or submit tips anonymously at 617-349-3370 or online at cambridgepolice.org/TIPS.

Woman, 27, killed in early morning shooting in Cambridge, man injured

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:52:16 GMT

A 27-year-old female was shot and killed early Thursday morning in Cambridge during a shooting that left another person with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Cambridge police responded to 10 Magazine St. in Central Square around 12:30 a.m. where they found two people with gunshot injuries near a black Tesla still located in the roadway.Both individuals were transported to a local hospital, where the unidentified 27-year-old was pronounced dead and a 26-year-old male was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.The shooting occurred in the area of the Central Square Church and the Church Corner Apartments.Police said they are investigating the incident and anyone with information is asked to contact the Cambridge Police Criminal Investigations Unit.“Tips can be submitted anonymously through the tip line at 617-349-3370 (tel:617-349-3370) or online,” police said.

Stabbing outside downtown Boston nightclub leaves two men injured

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:52:16 GMT

Two men were found stabbed early Thursday morning outside a downtown nightclub, Boston police said.A Boston Police Department spokesperson said police received a call at 1:50 a.m. for two people stabbed outside of 51 Stuart St., the location of Bijou Nightclub, a popular downtown haunt that draws DJs from across the world.The two men suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital.Police are investigating the stabbings and no arrests have been made.Boston 25 footage from the scene early Thursday morning shows police tape blocking off the area and cops investigating.

UMass coach Don Brown stokes up the rivalry with UConn

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:52:16 GMT

Minutemen head coach Don Brown has been on both sides of the UMass vs. UConn divide.Brown enjoyed a successful run in Amherst as head coach from 2004-08 when UMass was a 1AA program that included the CAA championship in 2007.Brown returned to the rudderless UMass program last season and took on a rebuilding project for the ages. One of his many jobs in between was defensive coordinator at UConn for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.The rivalry between the flagship state universities separated by 50 miles was intense during their days in the old Yankee Conference but has lingered on in a diminished capacity as struggling FBS independents.The Minutemen (3-8) and the Huskies (2-9) will meet for the 76th time on Rivalry Saturday (noon) at McGuirk Stadium, with the Minutemen up 38-36-2 in the series. Brown is intent on putting some pizzazz back into the regional rivalry.“I been on both sides of this rivalry and that is kind of an interesting piece,” said Brown. “To play them at home in our rival...

Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos set to face Miami in season finale

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:52:16 GMT

Boston College cashed a winning ticket in the NCAA transfer portal sweepstakes when the Eagles’ secured the services of quarterback Thomas Castellanos from Central Florida.The 5-10, 196-pound sophomore from Waycross, Ga., added dual threat capabilities to the position that are unavailable to incumbent pocket passer Emmett Morehead, who started against Northern Illinois in the opener and lasted two sets of downs.Castellanos will make his 12th appearance and 11th start when the Eagles (6-5, 3-4) host the Miami Hurricanes (6-5, 2-5) in the season finale on Friday (noon) at Alumni Stadium. Castellanos has an opportunity to become the third BC quarterback to win seven games in his first season as a starter in this century.“I feel like I’ve grown a lot from the previous year,” said Castellanos. “Obviously I wasn’t playing at (Central Florida) so people say this is my sophomore year but to me it is really my freshman season.“Looking back at this year I feel I did a pretty good job in my fi...

Staff picks for Week 12 of 2023 NFL season: Packers vs. Lions, 49ers vs. Seahawks, Broncos vs. Browns and more

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:52:16 GMT

Baltimore Sun staff writers pick every game of the NFL season. Here’s who they have winning in Week 12:Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (Thursday, 12:30 p.m.)Brian Wacker (103-61 season; 9-5 last week): LionsChilds Walker (105-59 season; 10-4 last week): LionsMike Preston (94-70 season; 9-5 last week): LionsC.J. Doon (109-55 season; 11-3 last week): LionsTim Schwartz (99-65 season; 9-5 last week): LionsWashington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys (Thursday, 4:30 p.m.)Wacker: CowboysWalker: CowboysPreston: CowboysDoon: CowboysSchwartz: CowboysSan Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (Thursday, 8:20 p.m.)Wacker: 49ersWalker: 49ersPreston: 49ersDoon: 49ersSchwartz: 49ersMiami Dolphins at New York Jets (Friday, 3 p.m.)Wacker: DolphinsWalker: DolphinsPreston: DolphinsDoon: DolphinsSchwartz: DolphinsNew Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m.)Wacker: SaintsWalker: FalconsPreston: SaintsDoon: SaintsSchwartz: SaintsPittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m.)Wacker...

San Diego-area teen plays clarinet in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:52:16 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- This year's Thanksgiving morning became very special for a North County teen who plays the clarinet. Sofia Rosati, a 15-year-old who attends Poway High School, was one of 200 performers selected across the country to march in the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.The group in which she will be performing with is known as "The Great American Marching Band." How to listen to San Diego’s all Christmas music station After discovering there were open auditions to join the marchers while watching last year's parade, she vied for her spot on the pavement. Her skills must up to par and beyond because to her delight, she was selected for the 2023 ceremony.While speaking to FOX 5 from New York City, Rosati expressed her excitement for the once in a lifetime opportunity. She also gave some insight into her performance. "Marching the parade route, we'll be performing 'Sweet Caroline' and then at Harold Square we'll be playing 'Cheeseburgers in Paradise' as a tribute to Jimmy...