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Metsola’s charm offensive jolts EU election campaign to life

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:14:36 GMT

THE HAGUE — Roberta Metsola never explicitly asked for their votes, but the European Parliament president was clearly campaigning. “Ask me anything,” she declared, kicking off a forum Thursday night with about a thousand students at the University of Leiden, breezing through questions on everything from the war in Ukraine to the Qatargate corruption scandal, and bringing a bit of a rock star feel to the packed lecture hall.The Maltese EU lawmaker was in the Netherlands on a two-day trip to drum up interest in the 2024 EU election — and, perhaps, to boost her own profile amid rumors she is eyeing Ursula von der Leyen’s job running the EU’s executive. Notably, she made a pit stop Friday morning to visit Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, one of the EU’s most senior leaders, who lauded Metsola as “effective” and “strong.”It was, essentially, an unofficial campaign starting gun, kicking off a year of political jockeying ahead of the 27 national votes that could spark...

Through fury and grief, remembering Bucha

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:14:36 GMT

Andriy Yermak is the head of the Office of the Ukrainian Presidency.Even in war, it should be possible to look forward to spring.It’s a time for blossoming hope, for relief from the winter darkness. Yet here in Ukraine, the arrival of spring carries an inescapable burden of fury and grief.It was early April last year when a valiant Ukrainian counteroffensive forced the retreat of Russia’s troops from the city of Bucha, on the northwestern outskirts of Kyiv. What we discovered there after a month of Russian military occupation, we will never be able to forget.Bucha is no longer a quiet Ukrainian suburb, known for its charming neo-Gothic railway station. To speak of Bucha today is to recoil from the horror of its massacres. It has become the 21st-century equivalent of World War II’s Oradour and Katyn Forest, or the Balkan War’s Srebrenica.Under Russia’s control, this city became an inferno of torture, mass murder and unfathomable depravity. And through the efforts of international inv...

Finland’s top political ally: The sauna

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:14:36 GMT

THE SAUNA AT THE FINNISH PERM REP, BRUSSELS — It’s very hot in here. But not hot enough, according to my Finnish hosts.The time has come for a ladle’s worth of water to be poured onto the pile of smoldering rocks in the corner, they explain. Only then will the room reach an acceptable temperature, in the vicinity of 100 degrees Celsius.In Finland, the sauna is an institution. It’s on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List and has famously also played a role in its politics, proving a collaborative atmosphere for officials to bridge divides as they bargain in the buff. There used to be a running joke that the country was “one sauna away” from joining NATO.Of course, it took Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to get Finland’s government to change its tune on joining the military alliance, something that Prime Minister Sanna Marin said was “very unlikely” before the war started. Finland, which goes to the polls on Sunday for a general election, now only needs the Turkish parliam...

Illinois theater roof collapses in storm; injuries reported

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:14:36 GMT

By ANDREW DeMILLO (Associated Press)LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Authorities say a theater roof collapsed during a tornado Friday night in Belvidere, Illinois, and that injuries have been reported.The Belvidere Police Department said the collapse occurred as a heavy storm rolled through the area and that calls began coming from the theater at 7:48 p.m. It said that an initial assessment was that a tornado had caused the damage.Numerous media reports said the collapse occurred at the Apollo Theatre during a heavy metal concert.Belvidere is about 70 miles northwest of Chicago. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A monster storm system tore through the South and Midwest on Friday, spawning deadly tornadoes that shredded homes and shopping centers, overturned vehicles and uprooted trees as people raced for shelter. At least one person was killed and two dozen or more were hurt, some critically, in the Little Rock area, ...

Chicago Bears free-agency news: Nathan Peterman reportedly will return as a backup QB

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:14:36 GMT

In his second offseason with the Chicago Bears, general manager Ryan Poles has had plenty of salary-cap space to help him rework a roster that finished 3-14 in 2022.The Tribune continues tracking all of the Bears’ arrivals and departures and provide insight into what they mean.Key additions on defense — but what’s next for offensive line? Brad Biggs’ 6 thoughts off Bears GM Ryan Poles’ availability.Column: Bears need more from rank-and-file free agents. Robert Tonyan, Andrew Billings and D’Onta Foreman believe they can deliver.New Bears wide receiver DJ Moore, key addition from the trade of the No. 1 pick, aims to ‘elevate the offense’Column: Bears’ aggressive start to free agency has one common thread — young players entering their prime yearsBears trade the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft to the Panthers. Here’s what they got in return.Sign up for our free Bears alerts so you don’t miss any newsThursdayThe Be...

10 things we heard from — and about — the Chicago Bears at the NFL meetings, including DJ Moore’s energy and adding hometown players

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:14:36 GMT

The NFL’s spring meetings wrapped up Tuesday evening at the Arizona Biltmore resort in Phoenix where the Chicago Bears remained a hot topic of conversation.The Bears traded the No. 1 pick in next month’s draft to the Carolina Panthers earlier this month, collecting the No. 9 overall pick plus a second-rounder this year, a first-rounder in 2024 and a second-rounder in 2025. The Bears also added standout receiver DJ Moore in the deal and then became active in free agency, signing 11 new players in the first week.General manager Ryan Poles acknowledges he still has plenty of work to do in the draft and in the years to come to fully fortify the roster, but the Bears remain pleased with their progress and excited about the opportunities ahead.Here are 10 notable things we heard in Arizona.1. Newcomer Tremaine Edmunds likely will play middle linebacker, coach Matt Eberflus said.Two of the Bears’ big signings in the first wave of free agency potentially could play middle ...

Mike Preston: To NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., Ravens can fill their needs with just five picks | COMMENTARY

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:14:36 GMT

ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has never hidden his affection for his hometown Ravens, and sometimes he can go overboard in showing favor.But deep down inside, there is always that nugget of truth that sums up his evaluation of the team heading into the NFL draft, which begins April 27 in Kansas City.“They should have beaten, could have beaten, Cincinnati easily with a beat-up, banged-up Tyler Huntley and no Lamar Jackson,” Kiper said of the Ravens’ quarterback situation in a 24-17 loss in the AFC wild-card round. “Physically, I thought they had them beaten had they not had the freakish play [Huntley’s goal-line fumble returned 98 yards for a touchdown] which resulted in the 14-point swing.”When it comes to the draft, the positions the Ravens need to target are obvious to the Calvert Hall graduate, who has been covering the annual event for ESPN since 1984.“The bottom line is they need one or two corners, they need one or two receivers...

GATORS PODCAST: Anthony Richardson, spring football, Final Four (Ep. 159)

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:14:36 GMT

Former Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson drew a crowd at the Pro Day, where he showcased his arm strength and athleticism for all 32 NFL teams. While Richardson’s draft position is one of the draft’s storylines, the Gators move forward during spring practices. Coach Billy Napier’s Year 2 fortunes rest on a robust run game and improved play up front, where a key O-line injury looms large. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar break down Pro Day, share their thoughts on spring practice and discuss college basketball’s biggest weekend.Final Four weekend (1:08)Gator Pro Day: Anthony Richardson (3:54)Where’s Richardson going? (12:46)Richardson: Risk vs. reward (20:15)O’Cyrus Torrence & Gervon Dexter Sr. (25:40)Other standouts (30:00)Men’s basketball recruits (32:20)Women’s basketball recruits (39:08)Spring football: Look at QBs (43:52)Jeremy Foley’s Corner (52:50) ()

Maryland football’s deepest NFL draft class in years is ‘the foundation group’ for coach Mike Locksley

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:14:36 GMT

The numbers — 63 representatives from 31 NFL teams, 14 Maryland players working out, seven of whom had been to the NFL scouting combine — spoke loudly.Maryland football’s on-campus pro day Wednesday offered Terps such as cornerback Jakorian Bennett and offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan a chance to amplify their resumes with a month to go before the NFL draft. It also gave the program a stage to showcase its progress in developing pro prospects under coach Mike Locksley.“Last year, we had like two guys at the combine, but this year, we had a good handful,” Bennett said after zipping fluidly through drills with scouts from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans. “You have to look at the development side. Everybody gets caught up with the facilities and all that stuff. And we have good facilities, but the coaches do a good job of developing players and helping guys develop in life.”Locksley, who’s going into his fifth year as Maryland...

Giants, John Mara envision ‘long-term’ role for Sterling Shepard: sources

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:14:36 GMT

Ownership’s hope is that it will be ‘Once a Giant, Always a Giant’ for Sterling Shepard even after he’s done playing.Sources told the Daily News this week that co-owner John Mara in particular envisions a “long-term” role for Shepard, 30, in the organization.Mara is said to value Shepard’s “energy” and “presence.” To paraphrase one source, Mara and the Giants feel like the building wouldn’t be the same without him.Shepard already is active in the community with the Giants. He unofficially helped coach wide receivers at practices after tearing his ACL in Week 3 of last season, and he hyped the team and crowd on game days from the pre-game locker room to the MetLife Stadium sideline.Shepard is already running on turf as he returns for an eighth NFL season with the team that drafted him in the 2016 second round (40th overall) out of Oklahoma.The club re-signed Shepard to a one-year, $1.3 million contract with no gu...