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The Dutch prime minister is handing his resignation to the king after his coalition collapsed

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:32:43 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is visiting the king to turn in the resignation of his four-party coalition and set the deeply divided Netherlands on track for a general election later this year.King Willem-Alexander flew back from a family vacation in Greece to meet with Rutte on Saturday.The vexed issue of reining in migration that has troubled countries across Europe for years was the final stumbling block that brought down Rutte’s government Friday night, exposing the deep ideological differences between the four parties that made up the uneasy coalition.Now it is likely to dominate campaigning for an election that is still months away.“We are the party that can ensure a majority to significantly restrict the flow of asylum seekers,” said Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-immigration Party for Freedom, who supported Rutte’s first minority coalition 13 years ago, but also ultimately brought it down.Opposition parties on the left also want...

4 militants attack a police station and kill 2 security forces in southeast Iran, state TV says

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:32:43 GMT

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Four militants attacked a police station and killed two security forces in southeastern Iran, state TV reported on Saturday.The armed group attacked a police station in Zahedan, a city in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan province, about 30 kilometers (18.64 miles) from the border with Pakistan, triggering a shootout. Two security forces were killed, the report said.Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard said in a statement that the four militants were killed. The report quoted Alireza Marhamati, the province’s deputy governor, as saying the militants were trying to gain access to the police station and were equipped with grenades, but did not elaborate further.State-run IRNA news agency also reported that authorities on Saturday hanged two men involved in the October 26 deadly attack on Shah Cheragh mosque in the city of Shiraz, the second holiest site in Iran.The report said the two were members of the extremist Islamic State group and were behind the deadly att...

Texas police find 8 people injured by shooting at El Paso party, news report says

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:32:43 GMT

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A shooting at a party in Texas wounded eight people on Friday night, according to a news report.Police in El Paso said the shooting happened on Swan Drive near the El Paso Country Club in the city’s Upper Valley area around 9:45 p.m., KVIA-TV reported.No information was immediately available about the victims but KVIA reported that police said they were transported to a hospital.An El Paso Fire Department dispatcher told the station that three victims suffered serious injuries and three others suffered minor injuries, while the conditions of the other two were not immediately known.Police did not say if any arrests had been made, KVIA reported.The combined communications division of the El Paso Police Department and fire department did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking additional information.The Associated Press

Bridge: July 8, 2023

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:32:43 GMT

“Simple Saturday” columns treat basic technique and logical thinking.Learning players are introduced to the finesse early. But some finesses are better than others: A “bad” finesse can’t win or gains nothing if it does win; a “good” finesse may gain even if it loses.At four hearts, South won the first diamond with the king and led a trump. West won and led another diamond to dummy’s ace. South drew trumps and led the queen of spades to finesse, but West won and cashed a diamond. Later, South lost a finesse in clubs also. Down one.FOUR LOSERSSouth has four possible losers but an extra winner in spades he can use to pitch a diamond from his hand. After he wins the first trick, he can lead the ace and ten of spades. No finesse. South wins West’s diamond return and discards his last diamond on the queen of spades. Then he can lead trumps.Note that South is unlikely to gain, and may lose as the cards lie, if he wins the first diamond ...

Ask Amy: I put in a lot of work to be the fun neighbor, and these women ruin my plans

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:32:43 GMT

Dear Amy: I started two different progressive-dinner groups with other couples in our neighborhood.These dinners happen about three times a year for each group. It has been going on for six years.I call to coordinate our open Saturdays and let the other pick the course they are willing to make (we trade off making the main course). This is a walking progressive dinner because we all live near each other and we want to drink safely.My pet peeve is that some couples occasionally ask if they can ask a couple that I don’t know to join us (these people don’t live in the area).Including an extra couple means this “new couple” would provide a portion of the meal but bring it to one of the other couple’s houses instead of offering their own home, because they live out of town.I always say no with a gentle explanation but end up in a fight with these women who are my good friends.This has happened three times now. I caved twice; the third time I stood my ground, and it turned into a frosty e...

Harriette Cole: Is it a red flag that he wants me to ride a bus to our first date?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:32:43 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently started talking to a guy I met on a dating website. He seems really sweet, and we’ve had great conversations.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: People are saying my friend’s bad news is just a scam to get money Advice | Harriette Cole: She fought my sentimental claim to my mom’s table. Now we don’t speak. Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m starting to believe the rumor about my ex Advice | Harriette Cole: We posted a vacation TikTok, and this guy flipped out Advice | Harriette Cole: My family isn’t happy about my peanut brittle obsession He lives one town over from me; I don’t have a car, but he does. When we discussed meeting up, he suggested that I take the bus to his city. While I appreciate his eagerness to meet, I can’t help but feel a little insulted that he would suggest I take public transportation instead of just offering...

Russian Militia Has Links to American Neo-Nazi and Anti-Trans Figures

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:32:43 GMT

In late May, an alliance of anti-Putin partisans used Ukrainian territory to launch a stunning incursion into western Russia. Spearheaded by the Russian Volunteer Corps, or RVC, and its leader Denis Kapustin, a wanted neo-Nazi and ex-soccer hooligan, the assault exposed just how vulnerable Russia had become to attacks since its invasion of Ukraine.For years, Kapustin has maintained public links with two notorious American neo-Nazis: Robert Rundo, the founder of the street fighting gang Rise Above Movement, and Christopher Pohlhaus, an ex-Marine and leader of a group that terrorizes drag events in the U.S.While Kapustin has been a regular fixture for years among European extremists, he gained minor popularity among American neo-Nazis when he started co-hosting a podcast in January 2021 with Rundo, a Charlottesville riot defendant now facing extradition to the U.S. from Romania. On the multiepisode show, the two men — avid mixed martial artists — discussed the benefits of “active club...

Md. state prison inmate charged with cellmate’s murder

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:32:43 GMT

A Maryland state prison inmate has been charged with first-degree murder, along with related charges, in the death of his cellmate in May.On May 27, the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit began an investigation into the death of 27-year-old inmate Nicholas Joseph Delfosse, who had been found in his cell at the Jessup Correctional Institute shortly before 4:30 p.m. that day with “multiple injuries.”He was later pronounced dead at the scene, and a subsequent autopsy ruled the death a homicide by stabbing, according to a news release from Maryland State Police.Delfosse’s cellmate at the time of his death, 26-year-old Daniel Myers, was charged and is currently in custody at the North Branch Correctional Institute in Cumberland pending his trial.Delfosse had been serving time at the prison for burglary at the time of his death.Source

DC-area dermatologists: It may take more than sunscreen to keep your skin healthy this summer

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:32:43 GMT

Summertime means spending more time outdoors enjoying the warm weather — but local doctors are warning not to forget about one big thing to help you enjoy the sunshine.Dr. Randa Khoury, a dermatologist with Kaiser Permanente in Virginia, says the best way to avoid skin cancer, burning and spots this summer is — you guessed it — sunscreen.“The skin never forgets. It has a very long memory and loves to hold a grudge,” she told WTOP. “You should wear sunscreen every single day, even if you’re just working in an office with a window or driving in a car with a windshield.”Khoury said UV rays can penetrate many surfaces and can even cause premature aging. If you don’t know where to begin, she recommends you “look for a mineral-based sunscreen that’s an SPF 50.”But beyond the SPF, there’s another side to the story.Khoury warns that attaining healthy, glowing skin isn’t as simple as just wearing sunscreen this summer, adding ...

Montgomery Co. leaders condemn violence, urge community vigilance for ‘Summer of Peace’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:32:43 GMT

State's Attorney for Montgomery County, Maryland, John McCarthy calls for community collaboration to help prevent violence. (WTOP/Scott Gelman) State's Attorney for Montgomery County, Maryland, John McCarthy calls for community collaboration to help prevent violence. (WTOP/Scott Gelman) At the first of six “Summer of Peace” events in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Friday night, state’s attorney John McCarthy called for community collaboration to help prevent violence.The goal of the events is to promote a community-based approach to reduce crime and violence. Friday’s event was held at White Oak Skate Park.He pointed to a recent example, during which community assistance helped law enforce...