Voting fraud claims spread ahead of Spain’s pivotal election

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:58:37 GMT

Voting fraud claims spread ahead of Spain’s pivotal election WASHINGTON (AP) — Days before Spain holds a pivotal election, misleading claims about mail ballots and election fraud are spreading on social media and casting doubts about the results even before the votes have been counted. The allegations, amplified by supporters of the center-right Popular Party and the far-right Vox Party, bear striking similarities to the baseless claims spread by then-President Donald Trump ahead of his 2020 U.S. election defeat and offer a reminder that the distrust of elections that has marred U.S. politics has taken root in Europe, too.Sunday’s general election could tilt Spain in favor of the populist right, as the Popular Party looks to take power away from the Spanish Socialist Worker’s Party and its far-left coalition partner, Unidas Podemos (United We Can).Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the early election after his left-leaning coalition lost big in this year’s local and regional elections that were also marked by online misinfo...

At least 4 injured in Kenya anti-government protests as schools remain closed

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:58:37 GMT

At least 4 injured in Kenya anti-government protests as schools remain closed NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — At least four protesters were injured in Kenya Wednesday as police clashed with demonstrators who are calling for the government to lower the cost of living.The opposition has called for three days of countrywide protests starting Wednesday in a new wave of demonstrations aimed at forcing the president to address the rising cost of living.President William Ruto had vowed that no protests would take place in the country, saying he would take on opposition leader Raila Odinga “head-on.”Four protesters were injured in the capital, Nairobi’s Mathare area, according to a police officer who wished to remain anonymous as he was not authorized to speak to the media.Businesses in Nairobi remained closed on Wednesday as police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters.Demonstrations were reported in several other parts of the country including the western counties of Kisumu, Migori and Kisii where the opposition enjoys huge support. Police on Tuesday said th...

China looks to Kissinger meeting to improve strained relations with US

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:58:37 GMT

China looks to Kissinger meeting to improve strained relations with US BEIJING (AP) — Amid a steep downturn in relations with the United States, China has looked to a meeting with former U.S. national security adviser and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to revive positive momentum.The 100-year-old Kissinger met Wednesday with the ruling Communist Party’s diplomat Wang Yi, who said it was “impossible” to transform, encircle or contain China, reiterating top Chinese leaders’ statements on what they say the U.S. is trying to do based on differences over trade, technology, Taiwan and China’s human rights record.On Tuesday, Kissinger held talks with Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who is barred from visiting the U.S. over arms sales he oversaw with Russia.China’s Defense Ministry quoted Li as praising the role Kissinger played in opening up China-U.S. relations in the early 1970s, but said bilateral ties had hit a low point because of “some people on the American side who are not willing to meet China halfway.”U.S. leaders say they have no such intentions, ...

Officers help deliver baby boy at New York City's Lincoln Tunnel

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:58:37 GMT

Officers help deliver baby boy at New York City's Lincoln Tunnel NEW YORK CITY (WPIX) -- A healthy baby boy was born at New York City's Lincoln Tunnel on Monday thanks to two Port Authority police officers.A driver, Nestor Guallap, pulled over around 9 a.m. and told officer Timothy Jozefczyk that his partner was bleeding and in labor, according to officials. When Jozefcyk reached the mother, Maria Marin, he noticed the baby crowning. Officials said Jozefcyk continued telling Marin to push, and Kylian Aaron Guallpa Castano was born after about three minutes.A second officer, Evan Butts, arrived after Kylian was born. Butts, a former EMT with FDNY, assisted Jozefcyk with clamping the umbilical cord and helping with the afterbirth until the EMT arrived. Majority of college students do not support legacy admissions: survey “We are so happy that we got help from the police,” said Nestor Guallpa, the father. “We are so grateful that they were there and that everyone is healthy. Seeing the officers work carefully and knew what they were doing was amaz...

No one wins Mega Millions; jackpot reaches $720 million

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:58:37 GMT

No one wins Mega Millions; jackpot reaches $720 million (NEXSTAR) -- The Mega Millions jackpot has risen to an estimated $720 million after no winning ticket was sold — again. It’s now one of two national lotteries with enormous jackpots but equally enormous odds against winning them.No ticket for Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing matched the white balls 19, 22, 31, 37, 54 and the gold Mega Ball 18.The new jackpot is Mega Million's seventh-largest ever, the lottery said in a news release. On Monday, the nation’s other big lottery game — Powerball — also went without a winner, and its jackpot now stands at an estimated $1 billion, the third-largest ever for that game. If you win $1.2B Powerball, perhaps consider not taking cash For Mega Millions, the estimated $720 million jackpot in the next drawing would only be distributed to a winner who chooses an annuity paid over 29 years. Nearly all grand prize winners opt to take a cash payout, which, for Tuesday night’s drawing, was an estimated $369.6 million.You may want to think twice be...

Animal shelter wants you to adopt a 'Barkie'

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:58:37 GMT

Animal shelter wants you to adopt a 'Barkie' GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) – The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter said Tuesday it tied its newest adoption event to Friday's release of the new "Barbie" movie. The shelter said all dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, can be adopted for whatever price adopters think is fair through Sunday, July 23 in the “Barkie Name Your Price" adoption event. You can get a first look at all of the "Barkies" online. The shelter also offers what it calls a Doggy Day Out Dream Date. Come to the shelter any day of the week, beginning at noon, pick up a dog and then bring them back at the end of the day.The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter said it is "beyond critical" shelter capacity with dogs and "high" shelter capacity with cats. The shelter's website said critical level is 156 to more than 170 dogs and high capacity is 171 to 190 cats. The shelter is staffed and designed to care for up to 150 cats and 110 dogs at one time in ideal conditions, ...

Wipes and other items causing severe clogs in Austin's sewer system, officials say

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:58:37 GMT

Wipes and other items causing severe clogs in Austin's sewer system, officials say AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Water is reminding people to not flush any baby wipes, diapers, rags, or other items down the toilet, because they are causing clogs in the sewage system all too often. "We are responding to sanitary sewer overflows every week," Jay Porter, the Austin Water's special services manager, said. The utility took to Twitter to remind people to not put wipes in the pipes. It tweeted three times in the past two weeks about recent clogs that crews had to untangle from the system. One tweet mentioned a certain clog required four workers, a truck, and a crane to work all day to clear out one mess. Flushable but not safe for the systemPorter explained that people are using wipes everyday and flushing them down the toilet. Water crews have to clear out a clog of wipes at least once a week, Porter explained. Officials say you should only flush down toilet paper. Even disposable wipes that are labeled "flushable" on the packaging are causing issues. Porter explained that th...

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: Do I 'break up' with my friend because she's judgmental?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:58:37 GMT

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: Do I 'break up' with my friend because she's judgmental? ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Today's 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Teri, and it's about friendship. Here's her email. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Hi Jaime. I love your dilemmas and I'm hoping you can help me with mine. I have a good friend, who I've known for years. She has a great sense of humor and can make me laugh at the most difficult times. However, sometimes her jokes involve making fun of others and being judgmental in an inappropriate way, and I really don't like that. She'll point out a physical flaw or look for something odd or different about a person and make an unkind comment. I do feel uncomfortable when she does it though. Most of the time I'll just kind of laugh uncomfortably but after seeing it and hearing it happen, my husband thinks I should say something. I know it's wrong that she does it, but a lot of the time she's funny. What would you do? Thanks for the helpTeriWe all have friends that can be a...

Albany man accused of threatening woman with gun

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:58:37 GMT

Albany man accused of threatening woman with gun ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany man has been arrested after allegedly threatening a woman with a handgun. The Albany Police Department said Mallah Dickson, 37, of Albany, was arrested on July 18. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Tuesday, police were called to the 300 block of Clinton Avenue around 8 a.m. for the report of a domestic dispute. Once there, the victim told officers that Dickson had held her against her will, threatened her with a loaded gun and fired a shot during the incident.Officers then found Dixon inside the home and he was arrested. No injuries were reported. After executing a search warrant, police found evidence of a gunshot and a loaded 9mm handgun in the home. Police arrest Schenectady man for grand larceny ChargesUnlawful imprisonmentFirst-degree reckless endangermentSecond-degree criminal possession of a weaponThird-degree criminal possession of a weapon Dickson was arraigned Tuesday in Alban...

Ask Amy: A friend with many secrets demands silence

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:58:37 GMT

Ask Amy: A friend with many secrets demands silence Dear Amy: My significant other (“Danny”) believes in the adage that there are “no secrets” between couples. I largely agree in terms of our secrets. However, when it comes to the confidences of my friends and family, I won’t share tales that are not my own.Danny and I met through our mutual friend “Jack.” Jack and I are close (he is gay) and he often tells me things in confidence that he does not also share with Danny. Danny has said that this makes him uncomfortable.Recently, Jack confided a secret that he made clear he has not shared with anybody — except those in his closest circle.That secret is very likely to come out soon and will have ripple effects in our friend group.Since this was revealed to me, I have struggled with whether I should share this secret with Danny, even though I still believe that it is not mine to share.My question is: What do I ‘owe’ to my partner to meet his stated need to be totally open and honest in our relationship? What are my othe...