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Potential kingmaker in Dutch coalition talks comes out against anti-Islam firebrand Wilders

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:24 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The center-right lawmaker whose new party is riding so high in polls ahead of next week’s Dutch election that he could become a kingmaker in coalition talks said Thursday that he has fundamental differences with anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders, whose party also is polling strongly.With next Wednesday’s vote shaping up as a neck-and-neck race, party leaders are already looking toward what could be protracted negotiations to form the next ruling coalition. The Dutch electoral system and the sheer number of parties involved — 26 at this election — virtually guarantee the need for coalition governments. Pieter Omtzigt, who only formed his New Social Contract party over the summer, is very narrowly behind the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte in the polls. Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) is in fourth place.A center-left bloc of the Labor Party and Green Left, led by former European Uni...

South Africa refers Israel to ICC over Gaza attacks as pressure mounts to cut diplomatic ties

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:24 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa has filed a referral to the International Criminal Court for an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said.The move comes as South African lawmakers were expected to debate a motion on Thursday calling for the closure of the Israeli Embassy in South Africa and the cutting of all diplomatic ties with the country until it agrees to a cease-fire.Ramaphosa said his country believes Israel is committing war crimes and genocide in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed and hospitals and public infrastructure have been destroyed.“As South Africa we have accordingly, together with many other countries across the world, referred this whole Israeli government action to the International Criminal Court,” Ramaphosa said Wednesday during a state visit to Qatar.“We have put through a referral because we believe that war crimes are being committed there. And of course we do n...

TikTok and Meta challenge Europe’s new rules that crack down on digital giants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:24 GMT

LONDON (AP) — TikTok and Facebook owner Meta are filing legal challenges against new European Union rules designed to counter the dominance of digital giants and make online competition fairer by giving consumers more choice. TikTok said in a blog post Thursday that it’s appealing being classified as an online “gatekeeper” by the Digital Markets Act, arguing that it’s playing the role of a new competitor in social media that is taking on entrenched players. Meta said a day earlier that it disagrees with the 27-nation bloc’s decision to include its Marketplace and Messenger as gateway services under the new rules, adding that it is seeking “clarification on specific points of law.”The Digital Markets Act will take effect by March, with a list of dos and don’ts for big tech companies aimed at giving users more choices and threatening big penalties if they don’t comply. Labeling TikTok a gatekeeper undermines the DMA’s goal by “protecting actua...

Terry Taylor Appreciation: Former AP Sports Writer remembers ‘she was the most everything’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:24 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Terry R. Taylor, the first female sports editor at The Associated Press who ran the department from 1992-2013, died Tuesday. She was 71.Retired AP Sports Writer Ben Walker worked with Taylor throughout her tenure. Here’s what he remembers.___She’d come blazing into the office like a comet. Right away, everyone sat up straighter at their desk, fingers poised on keyboards. All of a sudden, it was go time at AP Sports, even before Terry Taylor barked, “What’s cookin’?”And that was on a quiet Tuesday morning when absolutely nothing was happening.She was universally known as TRT — those were her initials, though few knew her middle name was Rosalind — but TNT was more accurate. At 5-foot-nothing and 100 pounds, wow, could she roar. She became a dynamic force in the world of journalism, the first woman sports editor at The Associated Press at a time when women were rare in the press box or such positions of power.I remember the first time she went to Fenway Park in t...

Recipe: A make-ahead turkey that’s ready to travel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:24 GMT

In a perfect world, you’d always be able to serve your Thanksgiving turkey directly after its sojourn in the oven. It’s the best way to take advantage of the bird’s crisp juiciness and meaty aroma — not to mention a chance to hide in the kitchen from football games.But what if you have to drive your cooked turkey an hour away to a Friendsgiving? Or you need room in your oven for pie? Or you’d simply prefer to wake up on Thursday morning secure in the knowledge that the trickiest part of your feast is already waiting for you in the fridge?Whatever the reason, there are times when you need a killer make-ahead turkey recipe, and I’ve found the way.It took several weeks of testing and a dozen birds to get the result I wanted: a reheated turkey that tastes very nearly as good as it did right after roasting, with a juicy breast, tender dark meat and glistening, crispy skin.It also had to be food safe — because Thanksgiving is stressful enough without the added worry of making anyone sick....

Pittsfield Police searching for missing teen

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:24 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- The Pittsfield Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding a missing 15-year-old. Josiah Delph stands at 5'10" and 165 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police say he was last seen wearing a black Nike sweatshirt. Anyone with information on Delph's whereabouts is asked to contact Pittsfield Police at (413) 448-9700.

Register for the annual Troy Turkey Trot costume contest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:24 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Prize money is up for grabs in the annual Troy Turkey Trot costume contest. Those interested in registering can visit the Troy Turkey Trot's website. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Once registered, you must email your completed entry form and photos to [email protected] by Thursday, November 23, at 10 a.m., or visit the event's costume contest table on race day. The table will be on the first floor of the Troy Atrium, located on 4 Third. Street, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.All participants will have their entries posted on the event's Facebook page. Entries that receive the most "likes" in the "most unique" and "best Thanksgiving Day" categories will win cash prizes.First place wins $100, second place wins $50, and third place wins $25. Winners will be notified the week of Monday, November 27, by email. “The Troy Turkey Trot is not just a race for serious competitive running, it's also an opportunity to sho...

Ask Amy: Painful proposition leads to split in family

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:24 GMT

Dear Amy: My son revealed to me that years ago, an older male family member propositioned him to have sex.This apparently took place at a holiday dinner where some heavy drinking had occurred (which was not unusual), and after his father and I had left.My son confronted this person two years ago, and it didn’t go well.The family member appeared truly shocked and denied all involvement.At first, he was open to discussion, but then became very angry and lashed out.My son has cut off all contact with him.This has caused me a lot of pain and confusion.I find it very hard to reconcile this person’s behavior with the person I know, but I can clearly see that my son has been traumatized.We have a small extended family and he’s an only child, so I truly wish there could be reconciliation.Is it wrong of me to want him to forgive this family member and have some semblance of a relationship going forward?How should my son go about it?Related ArticlesAsk Amy | Ask A...

The European Innovation Council has approved €1 billion in deep tech venture investments in one year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:24 GMT

The Commission has announced that nearly €1 billion of investments in deep tech companies have been approved by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund since the Fund started its operations in September 2022. The EIC Fund is the venture investment arm of the European Innovation Council, which was launched under Horizon Europe to support breakthrough technologies and innovations. In just over one year, 159 start-ups and SMEs, all selected under the EIC Accelerator programme, have had their investments approved. By reaching this €1 billion milestone, the EIC consolidates its position as the investor of choice for European deep tech companies.Under the EIC programme, companies are selected following a rigorous evaluation process by external experts and thorough due diligence by the European Investment Bank, who acts as investment adviser to the EIC Fund. Following investment approvals, companies typically have up to 12 months to find co-investors with the support of the EIC. 71 comp...

Find a new home that nurtures family ties

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:24 GMT

For many families, the new-home search is inspired by a change in generational dynamics.Grandparents may still live in a house that’s too large or too old and in need of repairs. Young parents may need convenient child care and schools without living too far from the kids’ grandparents. Adult children may need a place to land while starting their lives as independent young adults.The decision-making balancing act may include a cost-benefit analysis of renovating, adding to or otherwise altering an existing home, buying one or more new homes or considering upscale 55+ communities.Which is best: Purchasing a new home within an active-adult community, purchasing a new, larger home or adding a dwelling unit to an existing home?There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. And builders in California are ready with new-home solutions that serve families whose household dynamics are changing.The answer comes down to lifestyle needs and abilities.A whole family living togetherFrom bedroom and bathro...