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Internet snarl delays vote count in Venezuelan opposition’s primary to choose presidential candidate

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:38:36 GMT

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Ebullient Venezuelans on Sunday chose the candidate they think can end the decade-long, crisis-ridden presidency of Nicolás Maduro, lining up under a scorching sun and torrential rain to cast ballots in a primary election that the opposition independently organized despite government repression.That was a feat onto itself. But voters had not learned any results hours after polls started closing because of yet another internet-censorship obstacle thrown at the effort that the opposition had planned since late last year and executed without any assistance from Venezuela’s electoral authorities.“Once we began the process of counting the results, after the closing of the voting centers, we detected that our server that functioned as a transmission channel was blocked, which prevents us from completing this process as scheduled,” said Jesús María Casal, head of the organizing National Primary Commission. He added the commission had already set in motion continge...

Hamilton disqualified from 2nd place at U.S. Grand Prix after post-race inspection of car

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:38:36 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from the Formula One United States Grand Prix hours after his second place finish to Max Verstappen when race officials found a technical rules violation with the skid block under his car.The decision wiped out Hamilton’s best finish in months and comes just as Mercedes showed some new life and new pace in a season dominated by Verstappen and his Red Bull car. Hamilton had chased Verstappen to within 2.2 seconds of the winner at the finish line and may have caught if given a few extra laps.“It is of course disappointing to be disqualified post-race but that doesn’t take away from the progress we’ve made this weekend,” Hamilton said.The problem came in the post-race inspection when race stewards inspected the skid block. The wood resin block, or “plank” under the car is used to ensure teams follow the rules of how close they run the cars to the ground in search of better speed and performance. It can also be considered a safe...

Astros reliever Abreu appeals suspension for throwing at García, pitches in Game 6 of ALCS

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:38:36 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Astros reliever Bryan Abreu appealed the two-game suspension he was given by Major League Baseball for intentionally throwing at Adolis García of the Texas Rangers during Game 5 of the AL Championship Series.Because of the appeal, Abreu was eligible to pitch for Houston on Sunday night in Game 6. He worked the eighth inning, striking out García but giving up an RBI double to Mitch Garver that extended Texas’ lead to 4-2. Abreu’s hearing is scheduled for Monday before John McHale Jr., special assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred. Houston needed one win to reach the World Series for a third straight season. MLB said Saturday all six umpires determined Abreu intentionally threw at García in the eighth inning Friday when he drilled the slugger on the left arm with a 98 mph fastball.Two innings earlier, García spiked his bat and took a slow trot around the bases after his towering three-run homer gave Texas a 4-2 lead at Globe Life Field.In suspending Abreu, MLB said it “...

Bandimere Speedway holds final night of races at iconic location

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:38:36 GMT

MORRISON, Colo. (KDVR) -- Bandimere Speedway held its final races Sunday night.It marks the end of 65 years of fast cars, loud engines and memories at the track for many folks.The Bandimere family cites developments around the track for their departure from the iconic location."I'm excited to see what the Bandimere family has in store for the next track," Bryce Carlyle, a fan of the speedway, said. Rebuilding after the Calwood Fire: Outdoor educational center sees signs of new life John Bandimere Jr. is keen to keep the family's plans close to the chest."I just really feel blessed to have things where it's at right now," Bandimere Jr. said. "Looking forward to tomorrow and what tomorrow might bring."For one final night at Bandimere Speedway, tomorrow didn't matter, because Sunday night was all about the races.There has been speculation about where the next track will be located.The family may move somewhere near DIA, but that won't happen for another as they plan to take time off ...

Lafayette Police shoot suspect who was allegedly stabbing father

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:38:36 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Lafayette Police Department responded to an incident early Sunday that ended with officers shooting a man accused of stabbing his father.The incident happened Sunday morning around 2:45 a.m.Officers were sent to a disturbance in the 2400 block of Waneka Lake Trail. When they arrived, they found an adult man "actively stabbing his father with knives," according to police.The officers tried to get the suspect to stop, but "ultimately had to shoot him." Rebuilding after the Calwood Fire: Outdoor educational center sees signs of new life Medical treatment was given to the suspect and the victim and they were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police told FOX31 that the incident happened outside.No officers were injured in the incident.According to police, the suspect will face criminal charges when he is released from the hospital.Two officers fired their weapons at the suspect. They were placed on administrative leave, per protocol. The Boulder County Inves...

AI and the end of photographic truth

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:38:36 GMT

THE END OF PHOTOGRAPHIC TRUTHWho you gonna believe? Me or your own lying AIs?By GIAN VOLPICELLIPhoto-illustration by Pablo Delcan and MidjourneyABOUT THE IMAGES: The AI program Midjourney doesn’t just create pictures. It can analyze an image and provide a prompt — or descriptive language — that could have been used to create it. We selected some of the most iconic photographs of the last century and asked it to do just that. We then fed the resulting prompts back into Midjourney. The images you see in this story, which took just seconds to generate, are the result.Call it The Tale of Two Selfies.Shortly after two members of the Indian wrestling team were arrested in New Delhi while protesting alleged sexual harassment by the president of the national wrestling federation, two nearly identical photos of the duo began circulating online.Both showed the two women inside a police van among officers and other members of their team. But in one they looked glum. In the other, they were bea...

Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 38-6 win over Lions | COMMENTARY

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:38:36 GMT

Here’s how the Ravens (5-2) graded out at each position after a 38-6 win over the Detroit Lions (5-2) in Sunday’s Week 7 game at M&T Bank Stadium:QuarterbackLamar Jackson completed 21 of 27 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns. In the first half, he made plays by moving around in the pocket when the pass protection broke down. He made some excellent reads on run-pass options and threw some tight passes into small windows in the end zone. Jackson overthrew several receivers and held onto a handoff to running back Justice Hill, which resulted in a lost fumble, but he also ran for 36 yards on nine carries. He finished with a nearly perfect passer rating of 155.8. Grade: ARunning backsThe running game usually opens up the passing game, but this time it was totally different. Once Jackson started ripping up the Lions’ secondary, the passing game opened up big holes for the rushing attack. By the second quarter, the Ravens had started to impose their will. Gus E...

Dress for success on your next job interview

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:38:36 GMT

In his masterpiece “Crime and Punishment,” author Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote, “We sometimes encounter people, even perfect strangers, who begin to interest us at first sight, somehow suddenly, all at once, before a word has been spoken.”The great Russian novelist is referring to the fact that impressions can be made even before conversations begin. This is an important notion to grasp and can do a job seeker a world of good in every interaction during the hiring process, including the interview. Recruiters may have an understanding of you as an applicant from your resume and other correspondences, but it is during the interview – whether it’s in person or remote – that a hiring manager can really get a sense of your energy and professionalism.While no one wants to be judged on appearance alone, what you look like and how you dress affect others’ first impression of you. Doing all you can to tip the scales in your favor may lead to favorab...

Pipes: Most Americans don’t want Medicare for All

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:38:36 GMT

Progressives’ entire rationale for “Medicare for All” is based on a lie. Or rather, two lies.They assert that Americans are both dissatisfied with the health insurance status quo and that a single-payer system would eliminate that dissatisfaction.But according to recent polling, neither claim is true. Americans are broadly happy with the existing health insurance system. And single-payer would manifestly worsen — not solve — the problems Americans do face under the status quo.Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., aptly summarizes the progressive viewpoint. He recently described the current insurance system as “totally broken, dysfunctional and cruel.”So he’d no doubt be surprised by the results of a new nationwide survey commissioned by my organization, the Pacific Research Institute, which found that 90% of Americans are “very” or “somewhat” satisfied with their current health insurance plan — an increase of fou...

The Ravens heard the Lions’ noise and had a ‘chip’ on their shoulder. The result? ‘The score is the judge.’

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:38:36 GMT

The Ravens heard the roar.The Detroit Lions came into Sunday’s game against Baltimore with just one loss, averaging 28 points per game and having racked up at least 350 yards of offense in every game this season. They also arrived at M&T Bank Stadium with headlines and hype as one of the best teams in the NFL.It wasn’t lost on Ravens players.“I’m from the ‘show me’ business,” linebacker Roquan Smith said. “A lot of things happened here and there, but you have to show me once we’re on the field. I don’t believe in all the things you hear and say. Like I said, that team hadn’t been tested just yet, so that’s what it was.“I think the score is the judge, as well as … They got cheap yards at the end, but hats off to just the way we played as a team, and I’m just proud to be a part of it.”That score, a 38-6 drubbing, was a statement — of a Ravens offense finally delivering the kind of...