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Geert Wilders blasts Pakistani cricketer accused of putting bounty on his head

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:30:43 GMT

Dutch prosecutors on Tuesday demanded 12 years in prison for a Pakistani ex-cricketer, who is accused of offering around €21,000 for someone to assassinate the Netherlands’ most prominent far-right politician, Geert Wilders. Khalid Latif offered the money to anyone who would carry out a hit on Wilders, prosecutors said, after the firebrand Party for Freedom boss devised a cartoon contest in 2018 calling on people to send in caricatures of Prophet Muhammad.The competition angered Muslims, as any depictions of Muhammad are considered blasphemous. In a social media clip, Latif promised 3 million Pakistani rupees to anyone who would kill “the person who planned this game,” adding, “If I had more, I would give it.” Wilders eventually canceled the competition.Neither Latif nor a lawyer for him appeared in court to respond to the charges, though Wilders did appear.Speaking in court, the controversial far-right MP addressed the absent Latif: R...

Boston police seek public’s help in finding stolen $70,000 viola

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:30:43 GMT

The Boston Police Department is requesting the public’s help as it looks to track down a viola worth $70,000 that was lost during a “larceny incident” in Brighton.Boston PD said the incident itself happened sometime between 2 a.m. and 3:50 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27, in the area of Glenville Avenue.According to a news release, the viola was also stored inside a black, BAM Panther HighTech case that is worth $1,300 itself. The case is believed to have two Boston University stickers on it, as well as a Vivant Vintage sticker.Anyone with information is asked to call Boston PD’s District D-14 Detectives at (617) 343-4256, or reach out anonymously via the department’s CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).

Apple expected to unveil new iPhone at ‘Wonderlust.’ special event

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:30:43 GMT

New York (CNN) — The next iPhone could be just weeks away.Apple announced its fall special event on Tuesday, sending out press invites for the morning of September 12th. Invitees will get to attend in-person at the Steve Jobs Theater inside Apple Park, the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, while the general public can watch online at 10 am PST.Apple’s event invitations are always closely studied for hidden meanings, with this year’s featuring a disintegrating, multi-hued Apple logo and the tag line: “Wonderlust.”The company is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, with rumors that the next generation of the iPhone will bring significant upgrades including new colors, better battery performance, a switch from the Apple’s proprietary lightning connector to the USB-C, faster charging and highly improved camera capabilities, according to 9to5Mac, a tech blog that closely follows Apple rumors.New iterations of the Apple Watch and Apple Wat...

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise announces blood cancer diagnosis, currently undergoing treatment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:30:43 GMT

(CNN) — House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has been diagnosed with “a very treatable blood cancer,” and has started treatment, he announced on Tuesday.“After a few days of not feeling like myself this past week, I had some blood work done. The results uncovered some irregularities and after undergoing additional tests, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a very treatable blood cancer,” Scalise said in a statement.“I have now begun treatment, which will continue for the next several months. I expect to work through this period and intend to return to Washington, continuing my work as Majority Leader and serving the people of Louisiana’s First Congressional District,” he said.Scalise, who is 57-years old, is the second-highest-ranking Republican in the House after Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He is a major figure within the House GOP conference and has long been seen as either a potential successor, or rival, to McCarthy.The Louisiana Republican is no stranger to health issues and...

Nevada travel: Reno adventures, spas and craft breweries to explore

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:30:43 GMT

Nevada’s “Biggest Little City” may be known for its vibrant gambling scene, but Reno is becoming a more popular destination for its exciting outdoor activities, diverse wellness offerings and thriving craft breweries. The influx of tech giants, like Tesla, Google and blockchain companies, has ushered in a new energy, spurring a reputation as an urban basecamp for exploring the natural beauty that surrounds Reno.The city’s wellness resorts provide the perfect retreat to rejuvenate and unwind, with unique treatments and expansive facilities. Its diverse culinary scene offers a wealth of delightful options to tantalize even the pickiest of taste buds and craft beer enthusiasts are spoiled with numerous selections at the city’s outstanding breweries.Endless outdoor recreationThe Truckee River flows through downtown Reno, Nevada, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Andri Tambunan / AFP) (Photo by ANDRI TAMBUNAN/AFP via Getty Images)Reno is situated among the Sierra Nevada mountain range and spra...

Yankees release 3-time All-Star Josh Donaldson after two disastrous seasons

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:30:43 GMT

Roughly six months after Aaron Boone said it would be “crazy” to think that Josh Donaldson wasn’t capable of a bounce-back season, the Yankees have released the 37-year-old third baseman.Donaldson, eligible for a $6 million buyout this offseason, has been on the injured list since July 20 after suffering a high-grade calf strain. He would not have been able to come off of the IL until mid-September. But with the Yankees focused on younger players and Donaldson a surefire goner this winter, it would have made zero sense to activate him next month.Boone recently said that Donaldson was nearing a rehab assignment and that he planned on staying in Tampa following the Yankees’ recent series against the Rays. The veteran has made himself incredibly visible in recent weeks, running, fielding and taking batting practice in front of reporters. The day of the trade deadline, Aug. 1, Donaldson warmly greeted a few writers on the field before running toward the outfield,...

Alice Cooper at 75: ‘The audience is shock proof now.’ But our list of 10 things that might surprise them

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:30:43 GMT

Christopher Borrelli | Chicago Tribune (TNS)CHICAGO — Alice Cooper, the former Vincent Furnier, former high school track star, former resident of Detroit and Chicago, did not die this week at 75. Despite a half-century of horrifyingly playful onstage executions, he was not hanged, beheaded, impaled or electrocuted. He just released “Road,” his 22nd solo album, and plays in Tinley Park on Friday, and when we spoke the other day, he said, though he was 75, he has no plans to retire and can perform these days “with more energy than I had in the ‘70s. I was held back then by alcoholism, but I am in the best shape of my life right now. My kids are all grown and have kids. I have no stress in my life. I have been married to my wife of 47 years, and every single thing is in order — my spiritual life and financial life. There is nothing wrong with me.”Not now.But it seems appropriately ghoulish to note: Even Alice Cooper, who secured his place in pop music infamy with such songs as “Dead Ba...

10 drugs targeted for Medicare price negotiations as Biden pitches cost reductions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:30:43 GMT

By CHRIS MEGERIAN, TOM MURPHY and AMANDA SEITZ (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden, struggling to convince Americans that he’s improved their lives as he runs for reelection, hailed his administration’s Tuesday announcement that several drugs would be targeted for Medicare’s first-ever price negotiations.The drugs include the blood thinner Eliquis, diabetes treatment Jardiance and eight other medications. The negotiation process was authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, which Biden signed last year, capping decades of debate over whether the federal government should be allowed to haggle with pharmaceutical companies.Any lower prices won’t take effect for three years, and the path forward could be further complicated by litigation from drugmakers and heavy criticism from Republicans. But the effort is a centerpiece of Biden’s reelection pitch as the Democrat tries to show Americans he’s deserving of a second term ...

Supermoon could team up with Hurricane Idalia to raise tides higher just as the storm makes landfall

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:30:43 GMT

By JEFF MARTIN (Associated Press)A rare blue supermoon could raise tides above normal just as Hurricane Idalia takes aim at Florida’s west coast, exacerbating flooding from the storm.The moon will be closest to the Earth on Wednesday night, the same day Idalia is expected to make landfall in Florida. While a supermoon can make for a spectacular backdrop in photos of landmarks around the world, its intensified gravitational pull also makes tides higher.“I would say the timing is pretty bad for this one,” said Brian Haines, the meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service office in Charleston, South Carolina.It’s expected to make tidal flooding worse not only in Florida, but in states such as Georgia and South Carolina, where Haines’ office has been warning residents that parts of Charleston could be under water by Wednesday night.When the moon is full, the sun and the moon are pulling in the same direction, which has the effect of increasing tides above normal ranges, said...

Moore officials express confidence in Orioles’ lease deal, but won’t offer details or status of negotiations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:30:43 GMT

Facing a fast-approaching deadline and mounting public pressure to secure the Orioles’ long-term commitment to Baltimore, three officials in Gov. Wes Moore’s administration said Tuesday they remain confident of reaching a deal to keep the team in the city “for decades to come,” but would not disclose any details about the status of the negotiations.The officials, who are close to the negotiations but insisted they not be named because the discussions are ongoing, said the Democratic governor’s priorities are: getting a sound return on investment for the significant taxpayer dollars that are scheduled to improve Oriole Park at Camden Yards, recruiting investors to develop the area around the stadium and keeping the Orioles in the city for the long run.They declined to reveal specifics around the talks and pushed back against questions about any “hang-ups” that could prevent what they described as a “particularly complex” deal from...