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The secret to winning the Polish election: Bashing Tusk

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:23:58 GMT

KATOWICE, Poland — In the run-up to Poland’s October 15 general election, opposition leader Donald Tusk is the man the ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party loves to hate.“When Donald Tusk says he has respect for working people, all working people must start to be afraid,” Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told a raucous election rally in the southern city of Katowice earlier this month. “Tusk is like a python that hugs, hugs, hugs until he suffocates. Watch out for him.” It’s part of a longstanding effort by PiS politicians to take any topic and repackage it as an ad hominem attack against Tusk.The favorite trick is to play on some of Poland’s deepest historical grievances and portray the pro-EU former president of the European Council as a pro-German — or even a Nazi — who will sell out the nation. One PiS senator even posted a photo of Tusk waving to a crowd next to one of Hitler giving a stiff-armed salute, noting that their methods were ...

Rishi Sunak hopes AI could be his legacy

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:23:58 GMT

NEW DELHI — With the clock likely ticking on his time in Downing Street, Rishi Sunak wants to secure a legacy on the world stage. The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be just what he needs.  The British prime minister faces a general election next year with his Conservative Party languishing 18 points behind the Labour opposition in the polls. But though Sunak told reporters travelling with him to the G20 leaders’ summit in India this weekend he was “entirely confident” he can still win re-election, U.K. government insiders say the PM already has one eye on his possible post-Downing Street legacy.  Sunak takes pride in how he has helped repair the U.K.’s diplomatic standing after the rancour of Boris Johnson’s premiership and Liz Truss’ brief but disastrous stint in power. He sees the Windsor Framework — the agreement on post-Brexit trade checks in Ireland which markedly improved U.K. relations with the EU and the U.S. — as his signature achievement...

Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez leaves a mark in memorable NFL debut

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:23:58 GMT

FOXBORO — The moment the Patriots drafted Christian Gonzalez in the first round last April, he filled an obvious need.Gonzalez projected as a starting cornerback for a team in desperate need of size and talent at the position, especially one with a long list of dangerous No. 1 receivers on its schedule. That need became more dire over the weekend when the Pats placed second-year corner Jack Jones on injured reserve.With Jones out, there was no question Gonzalez would start Week 1 against the Eagles and have to corral one of the most dangerous receiver duos in the NFL: A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.Four quarters later, check, and check.Gonzalez posted seven tackles, a pass breakup and one sack in his NFL debut Sunday. He allowed multiple catches to Brown and Smith, but denied the most critical: a fourth-and-2 throw with less than two minutes remaining that gave the Patriots another drive to potentially win the game. Gonzalez jumped Smith’s in-breaking route and nearly inte...

Three designs for the new Ocean Beach Pier revealed by City of San Diego

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:23:58 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Three design concepts for the brand-new Ocean Beach Pier were unveiled on Saturday, offering San Diegans a first glimpse into the future of the storied landmark after workshops for its renovation began months ago.The Ocean Beach Pier has served as the go-to fishing spot and lookout point for the San Diego coastline for over half a century. However, the pier's age comes with damage and deterioration. By 2018, it was determined that the structure had reached the end of its service life.Instead of renovating the existing pier, city officials decided that building a potential replacement -- a project named the "Ocean Beach Pier Renewal" -- would be the best, most cost-effective option.Over the last six months, San Diego officials have sought public input about what features the new pier should have, working with local architecture firms to translate the preliminary designs shown Saturday. Coastal Commission approves permit to extend closure of Point La Jolla year-round Ea...

Morocco earthquake: A look at the world’s deadliest temblors over the past 25 years

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:23:58 GMT

The earthquake that struck Morocco late Friday has killed more than 2,100 people, with the death toll expected to increase as rescuers reach hard-hit remote mountain areas. Here’s a look at the deadliest earthquakes over the past 25 years:___— Sept. 8, 2023: In Morocco, a magnitude 6.8 temblor kills more than 2,100 people.— Feb. 6, 2023: In Turkey and Syria, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake kills more than 21,600 people.— April 25, 2015: In Nepal, more than 8,800 people are killed by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake.— March 11, 2011: A magnitude 9.0 quake off the northeast coast of Japan triggers a tsunami, killing more than 18,400 people.— Jan. 12, 2010: In Haiti, over 100,000 people are killed by a magnitude 7.0 quake. The government estimated a staggering 316,000 dead, but the scale of the destruction made an accurate count impossible.— May 12, 2008: A magnitude 7.9 quake strikes eastern Sichuan in China, resulting in over 87,500 deaths.— May 27, 2006: More than 5,700 people die when a magni...

Hawaii volcano Kilauea erupts after nearly two months of quiet

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:23:58 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, began erupting Sunday after a two-month pause, displaying glowing lava that is a safe distance from people and structures in a national park on the Big Island. The Hawaii Volcano Observatory said the eruption was observed in the afternoon at the summit of Kilauea.The observatory said gases released by the eruption will cause volcanic smog downwind of Kilauea. People living near the park should try to avoid volcanic particles spewed into the air by the eruption, the observatory said. The volcano’s alert level was raised to warning status and the aviation color code went to red as scientists evaluate the eruption and associated hazards.In June, Kilauea erupted for several weeks, displaying fountains of red lava without threatening any communities or structures. Crowds of people flocked to the Big Island’s Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which offered safe views of the lava.Kilauea, Hawaii’s second-largest volcano,...

Air China jet evacuated after engine fire sends smoke into cabin in Singapore, and 9 people injured

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:23:58 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Nine passengers were injured after an engine fire sent smoke into the cabin of an Air China jetliner landing in Singapore, prompting an evacuation of the aircraft.The Airbus A320 with 146 passengers and nine crew made an emergency landing about 4:15 p.m. Sunday, Changi Airport said in a statement on its Facebook page. The flight was coming from the city of Chengdu in China’s Sichuan province.Nine people had minor injuries related to smoke inhalation and abrasions during the evacuation, the statement said.The pilot declared an emergency after reporting smoke in the forward cargo hold and a lavatory. Smoke blurred the lights in the cabin and flight attendants told people to remain calm and stay in their seats after some stood up, a passenger told Chinese media.The fire in the left engine was extinguished after the plane landed, Chinese media said. A preliminary investigation indicated a mechanical failure in the engine was the cause, Air China said in statement po...

Thailand’s LGBTQ+ community draws tourists from China looking to be themselves

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:23:58 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Xinyu Wen traveled to Thailand in June, planning a two-week vacation around Bangkok’s Pride parade. Instead, the 28-year-old stayed a month and a half, as her experience at the parade gave rise to discussions and discoveries in the Thai capital’s thriving LBGTQ+ community.LGBTQ+ people from China, frequently scorned and ostracized at home, are coming to Thailand in droves, drawn by the freedom to be themselves. When Wen walked along the parade on the streets in Bangkok, “I felt like I was in a big party or a huge amusement park. We could forget all upsetting things and feel fun-filled,” she said.Bangkok is only a 5-hour flight from Beijing, and Thailand’s tourism authorities actively promote its status as among the most open to LGBTQ+ people in the region.Wen got interested in Thailand when her friend sent her a photo of rainbow-colored, Pride-themed ice cream being sold on the streets. “I wanted to go to Thailand to take a look,” she said. Wen describes h...

2 in custody after striking police cruisers in stolen vehicle in Oshawa

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:23:58 GMT

Durham police have two males in custody after two police cruisers were struck by a stolen vehicle in the area of Ritson Road and Dean Avenue in Oshawa. The vehicle was stolen from the Whitby area and has been involved in multiple collisions. Due to the incident two officers suffered minor injuries and police advise to avoid the area.Police tell CityNews they believed this incident to be connected to a series of break and enters in the area.

DePaul University stepping up security after 3 robberies near campus

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:23:58 GMT

CHICAGO — DePaul University is stepping up security after three students were robbed Saturday morning, university officials say.According to police, in each case, three to four people approached the victims and demanded their property. Police say in one instance, a student was hit in the face.  Chicago police investigate robberies near DePaul University In a message to the student body, DePaul president Robert Manuel said the university will be taking measures to protect students. "As immediate action steps, DePaul will increase its public safety presence on both campuses with additional security officers. We also have filed our concerns with the mayor, police commander and elected officials," Manuel said. The message goes on to say that there are several safety services available and in place for students:A service to escort students on the Lincoln Park campus from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day of the week.An inter-campus shuttle that runs through both campuses Monday...