Half of NSC voters think it is a bad thing that their party does not want to join a majority cabinet with PVV, VVD and BBB. They are disappointed and do not understand the decision: "I voted NSC to participate."
There are some mixed feelings within Pieter Omtzigt’s NSC about the party’s abrupt departure from the Cabinet formation negotiations on Tuesday evening. Most understand the decision to step back, but there is also some criticism. Omtzigt left the negotiations after new information about “worrisome” government finances. According to the NSC leader, formation talks leader Ronald Plasterk should have informed the negotiating parties sooner about the treasury’s position. Nieuwsuur spoke to several NSC members, most of whom showed understanding for the break. Jasper Nouws said he did not expect the formation to fall apart over finances but doesn’t object to the decision. “Good cooperation is based on facts.” Bert Smit also understands why Omtzigt threw in the towel. “If you talk for two weeks and on the last day it turns out that you have been basing everything on the wrong figures, it is logical that you think: this is not how we talk to each other. But I expected it would happen sooner. Because it seems quite something to be completely burned on social media and then talk in the morning with a cup of coffee and a smile about how you are going to improve the country.” He referred to members of the negotiating parties - PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB - lashing out at each other in recent weeks. Hans van der Burg, formerly a VVD member and now an NSC member, understands the break but hopes it is a temporary rift. “Pieter, get over it and stay at the table,” he advised his party leader. He thinks a coalition of NSC with PVV, BBB, and VVD is the only option after the election results. Other NSC members are a bit relieved, having worried about working with Geert Wilders and the PVV. “I don’t think Wilders is a reliable partner,” Ton Timmermans told Nieuwsuur. He thinks Omtzigt has escaped a trap. Evert Barreveld was also reluctant to work with the PVV and sees the finances as an additional reason to take a different tack. According to the Telegraaf, criticism of the move mainly stems from how the NSC announced its exit from the negotiations. “It doesn’t deserve a beauty prize,” a spokesperson for the party told the newspaper. The news hit the media before the other parties were informed by text message. According to the newspaper, the NSC decided to pull the plug during a faction meeting on Tuesday afternoon. A letter about this to members leaked before the party could inform the other negotiators. The Telegraaf also writes that some NSC members didn’t want to break off the talks over the finances but over concerns about the rule of law and the persistent bickering. “If you had said: there is just no confidence that things will turn out well, you would have had a better story than now,” an insider told the newspaper. Formation leader Plasterk invited the leaders of all four negotiating parties to another meeting starting at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. Omtzigt was not expected to attend.
0 Comments
The leaders of the PVV, VVD, and BBB would all like an explanation from Pieter Omtzigt about his NSC’s abrupt withdrawal from the Cabinet formation negotiations on Tuesday. According to Geert Wilders, Omtzigt acted “fairly disrespectfully.” The PVV leader called it “strange that someone who thinks it is so important that we attach great importance to institutions in the new administrative culture would send the [formation talks leader] a text message and then not show up,” Wilders said to NOS.
Ronald Plasterk, the “informant” leading this phase of the government formation talks, invited the leaders of all four parties to a meeting on Tuesday evening to “conclude the talks properly,” he said. Wilders hopes that Omtzigt will accept Plasterk’s invitation. “We were engaged in good and constructive conversations. I really don’t understand it at all,” Wilders said about the NSC’s departure. According to him, Omtzigt owes the other parties “and also the Netherlands” an explanation. The PVV leader also said that Omtzigt was taking the coward's route and thereby opening the door to left-wing leader Frans Timmermans (GroenLinks-PvdA). “I don’t think that is in the national interest. Ultimately, the voter wants a center-right Cabinet.” VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz also thinks that Omtzigt should personally explain to the people he has been meeting with for weeks why he suddenly withdrew with no warning. Yesilgöz said she received a text from Otmzight “after he informed your journalists” about his departure. “I think all kinds of things about that,” she said to the broadcaster on her way to a parliamentary debate on the Ministry of Justice and Security’s budget. BBB leader Caroline van der Plas told the broadcaster that she was “totally confused” about what happened on Tuesday. She read in the media that Omtzigt would not return to the formation table before she heard from the man himself. “The message was already on the NOS site; we were just reading it, and then we all received a text message.” Like Yesilgöz and Wilders, Van der Plas hopes the NSC leader will accept Plasterk’s invitation to talk this evening so that he can explain. She called it “very strange that he just left us behind. And that from someone who so desperately wants to keep the rule of law and institutions in tact.” Daily life became 3.2 percent more expensive in January compared to the same month last year, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported based on an initial estimate.
According to CBS, it calculated the estimate based on incomplete source data. In December, inflation was still 1.2 percent. The increase was mainly because the influence of energy price developments on inflation decreased in January. The drop in energy prices was much less sharp in January than in December. Energy and fuel together became almost a quarter cheaper, on average, in the last month of 2023 than a year earlier. In January, energy and fuels became only 2 percent cheaper. Excluding energy, inflation was 3.5 percent in January and 3.4 percent in December. The prices of energy like gas, electricity, and district heating strongly influenced inflation for some time. Energy prices increased in 2022 due to the war in Ukraine, and inflation skyrocketed. From January 2023, the government’s energy price cap led to lower energy prices, and partly as a result, inflation was lower in 2023. Because the price cap was introduced exactly one year ago in January, the influence of energy prices on inflation decreased in January 2024. Food, drinks, and tobacco prices increased by over 4 percent in January. In December, that increase was still over 5 percent. Services were 4.8 percent more expensive than a year earlier. According to the European measuring method, which is slightly different from CBS’s, prices rose by 3.1 percent annually in January. In December, that was 1 percent. The method agreed upon within the European Union to measure inflation does not take account of the costs of living in your own home. The inflation rate for the entire eurozone will be announced later in the day. Peavey is “reviving a classic for the modern era” as it marks the return of its Vandenberg Signature Series with three new finishes. The range looks to mix nostalgia with modernity as it puts a contemporary spin on Adrian Vandenberg's cult classic signature guitar.The models are available in a choice of Rock-It Pink, Purple Flame (which is actually red, deceptively) and a comparatively tame Matte Black. Each variation comes equipped with a Floyd Rose floating bridge and high-performance Seymour Duncan pickups. Notably, the Purple Flame model sports twin humbuckers, whilst the Pink and Black options offer single coil pickups in the neck. Visually, the guitar offers a slightly glitched-out take on the Strat shape, with black hardware the choice for the Pink and Black models. The Purple Flame build, which boasts a quilted maple top, stands out with its gold hardware. For both their bodies and necks, the trio recruits high-grade mahogany, whilst ebony is the choice of wood for the fretboards. Size-wise, they comprise a 24.75" scale length and 15-inch radius. Those fretboards are adorned with Vandenberg signature inlays, with red diamond inlays exclusive to the matte black model. They all feature Seymour Duncan pickups, which Peavey believes can offer a “tonal palette that spans from searing, high-gain leads to nuanced, dynamic cleans.” There’s a three-way selector switch and a master volume control for each. There’s also a TB-6 humbucker in the bridge of each, though – as alluded to above –there are two choices of neck pickups on offer: there’s an STK-S6 Custom Stk Plus in the Matte Black and Rock-It Pink models, and a SH-6 in the Purple Flame. The original Vandenberg signatures were released in the late '80s and comprised a poplar body with a two-piece maple neck. The new edition, then, sees the signature guitar receive something of a glow-up. “The reintroduction of the Vandenberg Signature Series is a celebration not only of a groundbreaking guitar, but an influential artist's journey,” says Peavey. The Dutch guitar He would later join Whitesnake and deliver that solo in Here I Go Again. He also co-wrote the band’s platinum-selling album, Slip of the Tongue. That saw him sharing guitar duties with Steve Vai, who is currently out with the reunited original G3 line-up, on the subsequent tour. “Made to his specifications and road-tested over the years, Vandenberg guitars have become highly coveted on the resale market,” Peavey’s statement continues, “with Reverb currently selling some at a little over $3,000. Now the coveted guitar of the ‘80s is back. Reviving a classic with a perfect blend of '80s nostalgia and modern precision, it offers modern appointments for discerning players.” Vandenberg sat down for a chat with Guitar World back in August and his rhythm playing was an integral part of what was discussed. He stated that “rhythm playing is the backbone of whatever a guitar player is trying to say – and it’s become deeply undervalued today.” He also discussed the return of his beloved Peavey model, taking the opportunity to pay tribute to the “absolutely amazing” craftsmanship it showcased. “As the years passed, people kept asking me if I had any Peavey Vandenberg guitars and if I'd part with them,” he said of the guitar's return. “And since I had a few, I never bothered to answer. And then Facebook groups started popping up in tribute to the guitar, and I saw all these fans. “So, eventually, Peavey approached me about bringing it back around a year ago; I said, 'Yes,' and we started working on it. That guitar has taken on a life of its own, which I certainly never expected.”
The revised Vandenberg signature guitars will be available to order soon. They will be sold for $2,999 each. US and UK forces have carried out air strikes against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen, the BBC reports. US President Joe Biden says the strikes are in response to attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis on ships in the Red Sea since November.
The Houthis control much of Yemen and say they are supporting ally Hamas by targeting shipping headed to Israel. The Houthis’ deputy foreign minister warns US and UK will “pay a heavy price” for this “blatant aggression” Royal Air Force warplanes helped carry out the “targeted strikes” against military facilities, says UK PM. PM Rishi Sunak adds that the strikes are “limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defenses.” The Netherlands, Australia, Canada and Bahrain provided support as part of the mission, says Biden. Strikes are reported in the capital Sanaa, the Houthi Red Sea port of Hudaydah, Dhamar and north-western Houthi stronghold of Saada. Iran’s foreign ministry has condemned the strikes on Yemen as a “clear violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and a violation of international laws. The attacks “will have no result other than fuelling insecurity and instability in the region”, the ministry’s spokesman Nasser Kanani said in a post on the ministry’s Telegram group. Meanwhile the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah also condemned the strikes on Yemen. “The American aggression confirms once again that the US is a full partner in the tragedies and massacres committed by the Zionist enemy in Gaza and the region”, said the Iran-backed group, The windchill can make it feel like between -12 and -15 degrees Celsius in the east and southeast of the Netherlands this morning. The meteorological institute KNMI issued a code yellow warning, urging people to take extra care to avoid hypothermia and cold injuries.“In the wind, it can feel a lot colder than outside the wind,” the institute said.
The code yellow warning applies to Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Gelderland, and Overijssel until at least 10:00 a.m. After that, ambient temperatures should rise, the KNMI said. At -15 degrees, you risk hypothermia even in proper winter clothing. The meteorological institute advised locals to wear enough layers if they have to go outside this morning, and make sure their skin is covered. Stay out of the wind as much as possible. Tuesday will be dry, sunny, and icy cold. Maximums will hover around freezing in most of the Netherlands. Only the Wadden area may see thermometers climb slightly higher. The wind comes from the east and is moderate inland and strong along the coast and IJsselmeer. The icy weather will continue on Wednesday. From Thursday, cloud cover will increase, and with it, the temperatures. The Chinese Communist Party has gained increasing influence over Chinese weekend schools in the Netherlands in recent years. This is the conclusion of Follow The Money (FTM) and RTL News after research. The schools receive free textbooks from the Chinese government and organize courses for teachers and camps for students in China. There are 28 Chinese weekend schools in the Netherlands, where approximately 5,000 Dutch children between the ages of 5 and 18 receive lessons every week. These are mainly language and culture lessons, usually with a Chinese background. Chinese geography and history are also taught at a number of schools. These weekend schools are affiliated with an umbrella organization that, according to FTM and RTL, has close ties with the Chinese embassy and a ministry that wants to exercise control over everyone abroad who is considered Chinese by the Chinese government. For example, this so-called United Front Work Department counters opposition voices and tries to influence global opinion about China. The chairman of the Dutch umbrella organization traveled to China in October for consultations with the ministry. The chairman confirms to RTL News that the foundation is supported by the Chinese government. "It is financially difficult for weekend schools. Fewer and fewer companies want to sponsor Chinese education. Last October I asked in China whether the Chinese government would like to continue the support." Trainings and summer camps The ministry ensures, among other things, that teachers from China regularly go to the Netherlands to give lessons to children, or to provide training to teachers of the weekend schools. The ministry also organizes summer camps in China for Dutch students. The trip is largely paid for by the Communist Party. Since 2001, textbooks have also been imported and distributed to the 28 weekend schools through the umbrella foundation. These are donated by the Chinese government. Schools only have to pay 1 euro for distribution and customs costs. The textbooks contain material approved by the Communist Party. For example, Taiwan is described as a province of China, and nothing is said about the millions of deaths that occurred in the 20th century due to famine and internal violence under Chinese leader Mao Zedong. According to the foundation, the books are not used in lessons, but are mainly ordered by parents to use them at home. China increasingly active
Experts tell RTL News that China has been increasingly active in dealing with Chinese abroad in recent years. "You actually see a break since Xi Jinping came to power," says Christopher Houtkamp of the Clingendael Institute. "Then China started investing more heavily in weekend schools." The Dutch Education Inspectorate does not carry out any checks on the weekend schools, because they do not receive any money from the Dutch government. The Ministry of Education tells RTL that it will discuss it internally. The ministry is also working on a bill to give the Education Inspectorate the opportunity to inspect weekend schools. The Netherlands should urgently get ready to face a security challenge posed by an “increasingly assertive” Russia, the nation’s Land Forces commander, Lieutenant General Martin Wijnen, said on Thursday. The EU nation should strengthen its military and help society adapt to the potential hardships of war, he added.
The general claimed that Moscow has designs on the Baltic States, three former Soviet republics which have joined NATO and the EU, after it is done with Ukraine. “The Netherlands should not think that [its] safety is guaranteed just because we are 1,500 kilometers away,” Wijnen warned, adding that “Russia is getting stronger.” Wijnen told De Telegraaf newspaper on Thursday that the Netherlands “must work on [its] operational readiness, ensure that we have enough deterrence to deprive any adversary of the courage to [attack] us.” He also claimed that “there is only one language that Russia understands,” and that is the one “of robust Armed Forces.” The general, who has led the Royal Netherlands Army since 2019, also described the Dutch military as “crippled by budget cuts,” according to De Telegraaf. The Netherlands, which abolished conscription back in 1997, is now facing a “glaring personnel shortage,” the paper said. Wijnen spoke about the need to increase the army's size and warned that it could not afford to take any battle casualties. “If we start to suffer losses, who will replenish them?” the general asked. “We used to have options for that, but not anymore,” he added, noting that the Dutch would not get a choice on whether to fight or not in case of an “imposed conflict.” “The Netherlands must learn again that the entire society must be ready when things go wrong,” Wijnen said. While his words do not mean that everyone would have to “wear a helmet tomorrow,” the Dutch people have become “too accustomed to the idea that there is always peace,” the army chief added. The Dutch military is currently running a campaign called “service year,” which encourages young people to enlist in the army voluntarily for 12 months. According to Wijnen, the idea has supposedly been a huge success, though he admitted that only around 600 people joined the program this year, when “that should be between two and three thousand.” Wijnen also urged Dutch society to improve its “resilience,” storing “supplies, food and drinking water” in basements so it could “take the blow” when the time comes. Dutch companies should also be ready to provide for the needs of the military if the need arises, he added. The Netherlands has been one of the most ardent supporters of Kiev in its ongoing conflict with Moscow. The EU state was one of the few countries to pledge the delivery of US-made F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced that his government has started preparations for the delivery of the first 18 planes to Kiev. The US, which is by far Ukraine’s biggest single military aid donor, has long been reluctant to supply Ukraine with Western-made fighter jets. Washington only gave permission for Ukrainian pilots to train on F-16 jets and signaled that it was ready to approve a third-party transfer of the aircraft to Kiev this summer, adding that the training should be completed first. Moscow has never mentioned any plans to attack any NATO nations. It has only repeatedly warned that continued military supplies by the US and its allies to Kiev make them de facto parties to the conflict and increase the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and the US-led military bloc. Deputy Prime Minister Sigrid Kaag will be stepping down from her role in national politics. Kaag will take a new role with the United Nations as the Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, she announced on X. She informed King Willem-Alexander of her request to step down as both deputy prime minister and the minister of finance. "The King granted this resignation, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, in the most honorable manner, while expressing gratitude for the many and important services rendered by the Minister to him and the Kingdom," said the government communications service RVD. Kaag's resignation will take effect from January 8, 2024. "Last summer, I already announced my departure from Dutch politics. This moment is coming sooner than anticipated," she said in a statement. "Peace, security, and justice have always been my driving forces," she said. "I have accepted this special assignment in the hopes of contributing to a better future." She said she was honored to be asked to take her new role by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres. The job was created by U.N. Security Council Resolution 2720. Kaag said her time on the third and fourth Cabinets of Mark Rutte have been both "special and challenging," and highlighted several points of pride. "It is good to mention that in a relatively short Cabinet period, much has been done in the field of climate, support for Ukraine, the strengthening of the European and international role of the Netherlands, purchasing power in addition to a renewed commitment to stable public finances and the reform of the European budget rules." She also noted the government's apology for the country's past ties to slavery. Kaag also thanked her Ministry of Finance staff.
In the Netherlands, Kaag's tasks as minister of finance will be handled by Rob Jetten, the current minister for climate and energy. Both Kaag and Jetten are members of political party D66. A new finance minister will be sought to serve on the current caretaker Cabinet. The Netherlands will supply Ukraine with eighteen F-16 fighter jets, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed on Friday. He wrote on social media that he notified his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of the caretaker Cabinet's decision during a phone call on Friday morning.
The Netherlands already confirmed in August that it would supply Ukraine with the aircraft after receiving permission from the United States, where the warplanes are manufactured. Zelenskyy had requested the aircraft during earlier conversations with its allies. Although it was never officially confirmed that the Netherlands would provide 18 aircraft in total, it was known that the Dutch military had 18 surplus F-16s that were not in an operational state. The other 24 are operational, even as the Dutch Air Force has been upgrading its fleet with the newer F-35. Rutte confirmed the number of aircraft on Friday. "Today I also informed President Zelenskyy of our government’s decision to prepare an initial 18 F-16 fighter aircraft for delivery to Ukraine. The delivery of F-16s is one of the most important elements of the agreements made on military support for Ukraine," Rutte wrote. An export permit is still needed to supply the jets, and other conditions related to personnel and infrastructure will need to be "met before delivery can take place." Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will still need to make sure that handing the planes over to Ukraine meets European Union requirements about exporting arms. Zelenskyy thanked Rutte for the military support in a post on X. "We discussed frontline developments, the situation in the Black Sea, and Ukraine’s current military needs, including artillery, drones, and air defense," he wrote. The Netherlands has already helped spearhead an effort to create a training center for F-16 fighter pilots in Romania. The facility is being used to teach Ukrainian and Romanian pilots how to fly the aircraft. At least five F-16 units are on the ground at the Romanian location, but they will remain property of the Netherlands. The training takes an estimated six to eight months. "This decision confirms the Netherlands’ undiminished commitment to providing Ukraine with the support it needs to respond to the ongoing Russian aggression," Rutte stated. He also said that the Netherlands is available to assist Ukraine in its ongoing effort to join the European Union. "I also assured President Zelenskyy that the Netherlands will make every effort to ensure agreement is reached at the European Council meeting in February 2024 on financial support from the EU," Rutte said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blocked the EU's bid to offer 50 billion euros in support to Ukraine earlier this month. After the EU summit in mid-December, Rutte said he was optimistic that that European leaders would come together in agreement early next year. "It is an assumption. And that assumption is that you need just a little more time," he said at the time. "I also thanked the Netherlands for actively supporting the opening of Ukraine’s EU accession talks and emphasized the importance of providing €50 billion in long-term EU assistance for Ukraine as soon as possible," Zelenskyy said on Friday. "We agreed to continue our joint work on security guarantees following the G7 Vilnius Declaration. We also discussed the next Peace Formula meeting and efforts to further consolidate international support for the Ukrainian vision of a just peace." More then 5,400 underage Asylum seekers arrived Alone in the Netherlands this Year, up 29%21/12/2023 The number of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in the Netherlands has been increasing, with over 5,400 applications up to November this year, compared to about 4,200 in 2022 and 2,200 in 2021, NOS reported on Thursday.
The proportion of unaccompanied minors within the total asylum applications in the Netherlands has risen to 16 percent this year, up from 9 percent in 2015. The WODC institute is presenting research on the motivations of these young asylum seekers to the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, on Thursday. The Netherlands was considered a favorable destination due to relatively quick asylum and reunification processes, as noted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND). Researchers anticipate that the current long waiting times for asylum in the Netherlands will become known among young people, potentially changing the country's previously positive image of faster procedures. Most young asylum seekers arrive in the Netherlands by chance, fleeing unsafe conditions in their home countries or in countries they initially escaped to. The increasing complexity of flight routes, including pushbacks, has led to a delay effect, resulting in an accumulation of asylum applications this year. Under the Dublin Regulation, minor asylum seekers cannot be returned to their first country of arrival in Europe. Young people often choose their destination country en route, influenced by various factors. There may be many reasons why they end up in the Netherlands, including information from acquaintances, advice from human smugglers, or friendships formed during their journey with others heading to the Netherlands. Strict asylum policies in countries like Denmark also affect their choice of the Netherlands. Half of the young asylum seekers are from Syria, drawn to the Netherlands for its reputation as a safe society with guaranteed human rights and future prospects for youth. Additionally, they often have extensive social networks within the country. "Syrians are more likely to be highly educated and have more access to knowledge about escape routes and networks that they share via social media," said researcher Isik Kulu-Glasgow. Since 2019, there's been an increase in unaccompanied minors arriving in the Netherlands and across Europe. Often, parents send their eldest child, who can withstand the tough journey, ahead when they cannot afford to flee with the entire family, while the father stays behind to care for the remaining family members. According to previous IND research, 80 percent of unaccompanied minors who are allowed to stay in the Netherlands apply for family reunification. But family reunification is not always the primary objective; sometimes, children are sent away for their safety. Youths restricted by religious or conservative norms are also more likely to decide to leave on their own. The Ministry of Justice and Security recently expressed serious concern about the ongoing shortage of shelter spaces for unaccompanied minors. In a letter to the Tweed Kamer, they noted that as of October 30, 290 minors were housed in Ter Apel, exceeding its maximum capacity of 55. The facility struggles to provide adequate guidance when over 120 youths are present. The influx is expected to remain high next year. Eddie Van Halen, the legendary guitarist of the iconic rock band Van Halen, is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most innovative guitarists in the history of rock music. His unique style and groundbreaking techniques have left an indelible mark on the world of guitar playing. Throughout his illustrious career, Eddie Van Halen used an array of guitars, each contributing to the distinctive sound that became synonymous with the Van Halen name. This essay explores some of the notable guitars that Eddie Van Halen wielded on records and during live performances, showcasing the evolution of his instrument choices and the impact they had on his groundbreaking musical legacy. This essay explores some of the guitars that Eddie Van Halen used on records and in concerts, with a special focus on the legendary Steinberger 5150. Frankenstrat (Frankenstein) Eddie Van Halen's journey to guitar greatness began with the creation of his iconic "Frankenstrat." As a teenager, Eddie modified a 1971 Fender Stratocaster, combining parts from different guitars to form a unique instrument. This guitar, with its distinctive red, black, and white striped design, became synonymous with Van Halen's early sound. The Frankenstrat played a pivotal role in the band's self-titled debut album in 1978, contributing to the groundbreaking tracks such as "Runnin' with the Devil" and "Eruption." Ibanez Destroyer In the late 1970s, Eddie experimented with an Ibanez Destroyer, further showcasing his inclination towards customized guitars. The Destroyer contributed to the recording of Van Halen's second album, "Van Halen II," and demonstrated Eddie's ability to adapt and innovate with different guitar models. Kramer 5150 Eddie Van Halen's endorsement deal with Kramer Guitars marked a significant chapter in his career. The Kramer 5150, based on his earlier Frankenstrat design, became one of his go-to guitars. The Kramer models, particularly the 5150, featured a distinct red, black, and white striped paint job, creating a visual signature that matched the intensity of Eddie's playing. These guitars played a vital role in the success of albums like "1984." Steinberger 5150 One of the most iconic guitars in Eddie Van Halen's collection was the Steinberger 5150. Renowned for its futuristic design and compact size, the Steinberger 5150 deviated from traditional guitar aesthetics. Eddie used this guitar during live performances, adding a new visual dimension to Van Halen's stage presence. The combination of the Steinberger design and Eddie's unparalleled skill created an unforgettable sonic and visual experience for fans. The Wolfgang Series: A New Era In the 1990s, Eddie Van Halen collaborated with the EVH brand to design a new line of guitars, the Wolfgang series. The Wolfgang guitars represented a departure from the striped designs of his earlier instruments, featuring a sleek and modern aesthetic. These guitars showcased Eddie's ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of guitar design and performance. The Wolfgang series became a staple of his live performances, giving him the tools to continue evolving his sound. Legacy and Influence Eddie Van Halen's guitars were not just tools of his trade; they became symbols of innovation and creativity in the world of rock music. His influence extended beyond his own discography, inspiring countless guitarists to experiment with new techniques and push the boundaries of what was possible on the instrument. The distinctive look and sound of his guitars played a crucial role in shaping the identity of Van Halen's music and left an enduring impact on the rock genre. Eddie Van Halen's guitars are as legendary as the man himself. From the early days with the Frankenstrat to the strategic collaboration with Kramer Guitars and the evolution of the Wolfgang series, each instrument played a vital role in shaping the sound of Van Halen's music. Eddie Van Halen's guitars are not merely instruments but symbols of his innovative spirit and influence on the evolution of rock music. From the DIY Frankenstrat to the groundbreaking Steinberger 5150, each guitar in his collection played a crucial role in shaping the Van Halen sound. Eddie's ability to push the boundaries of guitar design and his commitment to sonic experimentation have left an indelible mark on the world of music, ensuring that his legacy lives on through the strings of his iconic guitars.
Geert Wilders is a stalwart of the Dutch opposition, whose controversial views on immigration and Islam have seen him live under police protection for nearly two decades. Now, after a decisive election victory, he could be the next prime minister of the Netherlands. Wilders’ Party for Freedom (PVV) won 37 seats in Wednesday’s general election, more than doubling its presence in parliament and making it the country’s largest party. After decades in opposition, Wilders declared in his victory speech that he intends to form a government, and is “confident that [he] can reach an agreement” with the mainstream right, which has for years balked at working with the PVV. Anti-Islam crusaderWilders’ began his political career as a member of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Following the assassination of Pim Fortuyn – a popular politician and critic of Islam – in 2002, Wilders made a series of speeches condemning multiculturalism and Islamic immigration. When the VVD endorsed Türkiye’s bid for EU membership in 2004, Wilders split from the party and formed the PVV. In a manifesto published two years later, Wilders called for a moratorium on all non-Western immigration to the Netherlands, a ban on the founding of new mosques, and a tax on the wearing of the Hijab by Muslim women. Wilders went on to call the Islamic Prophet Mohammed “the devil,” the Quran “a fascist book” that should be outlawed, and Moroccan immigrants “street terrorists.” Targeted by extremists Wilders’ hardline positions and proclivity for political stunts – including his hosting of a ‘Prophet Mohammed cartoon competition’ in 2019 – have led to death threats from extremist preachers and terrorist organizations, including al-Qaeda. Wilders was placed under police protection in 2004, after plans for his assassination were discovered, and to this day he is watched 24/7 by armed officers. Wilders has been tried twice for hate speech in the Netherlands. In 2016, a court found him guilty of inciting "discrimination and hatred" over a speech he gave two years earlier, in which he asked his supporters whether they wanted “fewer Moroccans” in the country. The verdict was overturned in 2020. A right-wing liberal While Wilders is often described in the media as “far-right,” he rejects the label, and has distanced himself from other European right-wing movements. “I'm very afraid of being linked with the wrong rightist fascist groups,” he told The Guardian in 2008, explaining in subsequent interviews that he views Islam as a threat to women’s and LGBT rights, free speech, and social tolerance. A more moderate message Wilders toned down his anti-Islam rhetoric during this year’s campaign, although immigration remained front and center. His manifesto promised a freeze on the admission of asylum seekers, the deportation of criminal immigrants, and the prioritization of native Dutch people for social housing. "The Netherlands will be returned to the Dutch,” he said in his victory speech, declaring that “the asylum tsunami will be curbed.” In a nod to potential coalition partners – likely the VVD or the newly formed and centrist New Social Contract party – he added that all of his proposals will be “within the law and the constitution.” In this year’s manifesto, Wilders also proposed to either hold a referendum on leaving the EU or dramatically lower the Netherlands’ contributions to the union, scrap climate legislation, and halt arms transfers to Ukraine. While Wilders has condemned Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, he argues that the Netherlands should bolster its own military rather than that of Kiev. Wilders has also vowed to block Ukraine’s accession to the EU and NATO, and has called sanctions on Russia “ineffective and also bad for the Netherlands.” The next prime minister? "We want to govern and...we will govern,” Wilders said in Wednesday night’s speech. To do so, Wilders will need the backing of 38 other lawmakers to make up a majority, a situation that could lead to protracted talks and compromise from the PVV leader. New Social Contract leader Pieter Omtzigt said that his party is “available to govern,” potentially adding another 20 seats, while Thierry Baudet, whose right-wing Forum for Democracy (FVD) managed to secure only three seats, said that he would “contribute… in any way.”
With 24 seats, the center-right VVD is a potential coalition partner, having secured the PVV’s support to form a government in 2010. However, the deal fell apart within two years, and the VVD’s current leader, Dilan Yesilgoz, has previously ruled out entering a coalition with Wilders. The PVV has convincingly won the 2023 parliamentary election, standing at 37 seats with 94 percent of the votes counted. About 2.3 million people voted for the far-right party on Wednesday. Geert Wilders’ party is doing better than the VVD did in 2021 and 2017 when 2.2 million people voted for the party. In 2012, Rutte’s party received slightly more votes at 2.5 million.
GroenLinks-PvdA became the second-largest party on Wednesday with 1.57 million votes, followed closely by the VVD with almost 1.53 million votes. NSC also attracted over a million voters. Pieter Omtzigt’s party got almost 1.3 million votes. D66 got more than 1.5 million votes two years ago, but only around 630,000 remained this year. The smallest party is the Politieke Partij voor Basisinkomen. It got just over a thousand votes. Two years ago, De Groenen was the smallest party with over a hundred votes. Nine municipalities still have to report their results to the ANP Election Service. The votes from the special municipalities of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, and the postal votes from Dutch abroad have also not been received yet. ANP’s latest prognosis puts the PVV at 37 seats in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, up one from the previous forecast. D66 dropped from 10 to 9. The projection is based on nearly 94 percent of the votes counted nationwide. BBB will also increase slightly from 5 to 7 seats compared to the first forecast. The CDA has 5 seats and not the previously reported 6. The animal rights party PvdD and far-right FvD each got one seat less than in the first forecast, ending up with 3 instead of 4. For the other parties, the number of seats corresponds to the exit polls by Ipsos on behalf of NOS and RTL. GroenLinks-PvdA remains at 25 parliamentary seats, closely followed by the VVD with 24. NSC gets 20. The SP ends up with 5 seats. ChristenUnie gets 3 as do SGP and DENK. Volt got 2, and JA21 got 1. The party for the elderly 50Plus got 0 seats, while the exit poll seemed to put it at 1. BIJ1 also lost its only seat in the Tweede Kamer. The PVV, PvdA-GroenLinks, and the VVD are tied in the final poll by I&O Research. 63 percent of voters had not yet finalized their vote choice for the parliamentary elections that will take place on Wednesday.The survey was conducted from Monday at 09:00 p.m., following the EenVandaag debate, until Tuesday at 09:00 a.m. The previous poll by I&O Research was conducted from Friday afternoon to Monday morning and published on Monday evening.
PVV rose from 26 to 28 seats in just one day, slightly ahead of the VVD and the left-wing alliance PvdA-GL, with both at 27 seats. The difference between these three parties is so minor that it cannot be stated that the PVV is leading. "The parties are statistically indistinguishable," according to the researchers. The New Social Contract of Pieter Omtzigt follows with 21 seats. The four parties have a margin of error of three seats, meaning that the actual support for these parties could be three seats higher or lower than indicated. There are no significant changes compared to Monday, according to I&O Research. Apart from the PVV, which gained two seats, D66 rose from 8 to 9 seats, while the BBB lost another seat, now at virtually five seats. CU and JA21 also lost one seat since the previous day and now have virtually three and one seat respectively. The researchers warned that the poll should not be interpreted as a prediction of the election outcome. Approximately two-thirds of voters (63%) have not yet definitively decided which party they will vote for |
Thank you for choosing to make a difference through your donation. We appreciate your support.
This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies. Opt Out of CookiesCategories
All
Archives
April 2024
|