News

Voters in Venezuela’s Tense Election Confront Fears of Fraud.

Published

4 months ago

2024-07-28

(VOR News) – On Sunday, Venezuelan voters assembled at polling stations to submit their ballots in the most consequential election in the nation’s 25-year history of socialist party rule.

In spite of the opposition’s fervent support and warnings of potential irregularities, President Nicolas Maduro is confident in his ability to secure victory.

Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader, has continued to be the campaign’s primary attraction, despite being compelled to relinquish control to 74-year-old ex-diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, the front-runner in the coalition contest, as a result of a restriction on holding public office.

Former party members supported Venezuelan Gonzalez.

However, observers and the opposition have questioned the fairness of the vote, arguing that the detention of opposition staff members and the decisions made by election officials were aimed at creating problems.

Maduro has declared that his Venezuelan nation has the most transparent electoral system in the world and has threatened a “bloodbath” if he were to lose it. Among other nations, the United States is of the opinion that his 2018 reelection was manipulated.

Reuters journalists observed lines outside polling stations in six cities across the country, with some of the polling stations opening later than anticipated.

I have been present here since five a.m. In the central state of Aragua, a 57-year-old chef named Tibisay Aguirre was ensconced in a queue at Maracay.

“I came to vote for change, for a new Venezuela, which will be reborn and because I’m a public worker and we need change to be able to have a Venezuelan dignified salary,” according to her.

The ballots will close at 6 p.m. local time (2200 GMT), and the results may be disclosed that evening or within the next few days.

The economy has collapsed under Maduro’s administration, diplomatic relations have deteriorated significantly, and the sanctions imposed by the US, the EU, and other countries have severely injured the already fragile oil industry. Additionally, a third of the population has departed the country due to migration.

Venezuela’s president Maduro says he’ll reduce its oil dependency.

The projected cost of basic sustenance for a family of five is approximately $500, while the minimum monthly salary is equivalent to $3.50.

Numerous individuals receive government food baskets or money remittances from family members who reside abroad.Several dozens of voters were casting ballots at the Venezuelan consulate on the Spanish island of Tenerife, while others congregated outside to cheer and wave flags.

Numerous electors asserted that they had maintained their registration at that consulate for an extended period. It is envisaged that only a small proportion of the diaspora will be eligible to vote, and migrants from various countries have expressed frustration with the registration process.

Chavez’s legacy

Maduro voted in Caracas early in the morning and declared that the police and military forces would “defend” and accept the National Electoral Council’s decision.

On Thursday, Maduro’s farewell rally in Caracas was attended by attendees who spoke highly of his late mentor, long-time socialist President Hugo Chavez. They also stated that Maduro, who has been in office since Chavez’s 2013 death, was continuing his predecessor’s philanthropic projects.

“Nicolas Maduro is Venezuelan continuing the legacy of Commander Chavez and building up the country,” stated Conde Miranda, 54, who hailed from southern Ciudad Guayana.

A setting that was more challenging was referenced by some.

Alejandro Goldteims, a 30-year-old public servant, stated, “Maduro has done both good and bad things; the people below him are the problem.”

Gonzalez and Machado have issued calls for “vigils” at polling stations and have made audacious commitments to effect change. Additionally, they asserted that migrants would be motivated to return by the prospect of a fresh start. They have indicated that they expect the military to uphold the election results.

No overt indications have been observed that military commanders are defying the administration, and the Venezuelan military has consistently supported the 61-year-old former bus driver and foreign minister Maduro.

Since Friday, 22 individuals have been apprehended “in the context of the electoral process,” according to Gonzalo Himiob, vice-president of the human rights organisation Foro Penal. At least 15 individuals are currently being detained. He announced this on X.

Venezuela’s attorney general declared on Monday that the election should be conducted peacefully and denied any involvement in political persecution.

Analysts have observed that public expenditure has increased relatively slightly during this campaign in comparison to previous campaigns, during which investment was substantial.

Maduro has claimed to have Venezuelan inaugurated 70 public works projects in the past few months, as evidenced by events broadcasted on state media. However, the majority of these projects have necessitated the rehabilitation of pre-existing roads, hospitals, and schools.

SOURCE: DN

News

Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns

Published

5 hours ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire yet again after a video surfaced on X, showing him dancing at a Taylor Swift performance while anti-Nato protestors ransacked downtown Montreal.

Trudeau attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto on Friday night. Before Taylor Swift approached the stage, X shared a viral video of him dancing and singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me.”

The image of Trudeau dancing amid violent protests in Montreal generated widespread indignation online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to the ancient Roman dictator Nero, known for “fiddling while Rome burned.”

Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.

Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest.

The Prime Minister dances.

This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.

Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved. pic.twitter.com/PVJvR6gtmf

— Don Stewart (@donstewartmp) November 23, 2024

“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” Stewart wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”

“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” the MP added.

On Saturday, the day after Taylor Swift’s concert, Trudeau condemned the anti-NATO protests, calling them “appalling.”

Anti-NATO activists set off smoke bombs and marched through Montreal’s streets waving Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, rioters set fire to automobiles and battled with police.

Pro-Palestinian protests

Protesters also tossed tiny explosives and metal objects at officers. At one point, the mob torched an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering, and three persons were arrested for attacking officers and impeding police operations.

Masked protesters were seen burning flares and bashing storefront windows in videos and photographs shared on social media. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict began late last year.

Critics have lambasted Trudeau for doing nothing to stop the violent pro-Palestinian marches, with some claiming he has fueled anti-Israel sentiment in Canada.

On Friday, Trudeau stated that Canada would respect the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, even if it meant arresting the Israeli prime leader on Canadian soil.

Trudeau Called the Greatest Threat to NATO

Trudeau Called the Greatest Threat to NATO

News

Calgary Zoo Admits Human Error in Death of Baby Gorilla

Published

6 hours ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

The zookeeper's negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla

The Calgary Zoo has admitted in a public statement that a zookeeper’s negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla. Eyare, a newborn gorilla, died last week after being slammed in the head by a hydraulic door.

The accident occurred when a zoo worker attempted to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla tribe for a solitary training session.

The gorilla died from significant head injuries, according to the zoo’s statement.

“This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable,” Colleen Baird, director of animal care at the Calgary Zoo, said during a news conference. “Eyare’s brief but meaningful existence gave so much joy to our community, and all will sorely miss her. We will do everything possible to prevent repeat accidents.”

According to Baird, the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo. The Calgary Zoo stated that it would take preventive steps, such as specialist personnel training and animal behavioral training, to avoid a similar incident.

Calgary Zoo Questioned

It is not the first time an animal at the zoo has died from negligence at the Calgary Zoo. A capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door similar to the one that killed Eyare in 2019.

An otter died in 2016 after being entangled in an “unauthorized” pair of jeans that a zookeeper had dropped in its enclosure. In 2013, a penguin died in “a freak accident” after swallowing a stick.

Animal Justice, a Canadian group that promotes animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation of animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility.

“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” according to Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice.

The Calgary Zoo refuted that it has more animal deaths than other zoos, emphasizing that it adheres to operating requirements and has maintained accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.

“We love and care for more than 4,000 animals representing over 100 species that call our zoo home,” stated a Calgary Zoo representative.

“Human error-related deaths in animals are quite infrequent. We have lost two animals in the last ten years: a North American river otter in 2016 and ‘Eyare’ this week.

While rare, even one human-caused death is too many. These unfortunate instances have served as vital learning experiences, prompting us to examine and tighten protocols to provide the greatest level of care.”

Baird said at the news conference that using hydraulic doors is “common practice with accredited zoos,” adding that the facility will consider switching to alternate doors to improve safety.

The Calgary Zoo, which established the Wilder Institute in 2021, caters to nearly 4,000 creatures, including six more western lowland gorillas.

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News

Canada’s Lotto Max jackpot Climbs to $80M

Published

6 hours ago

2024-11-24

Geoff Brown

Lotto Max in Canada has reached $80 million for only the second time in Canadian lottery history. Friday’s draw sought a winner for a $75 million pool, but the top reward remained unclaimed as of Saturday, increasing the jackpot.

Only once did the jackpot reach $80 million in September, when it broke the previous record. Before that, the prize was $75 million, a record.

The Lotto Max prize maximum was boosted earlier this year, enabling for jackpots of more than $70 million. The cap is now at $80 million.
While a greater fee may encourage more people to play, the odds of winning the lottery remain extremely low.

According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the odds for a $5 ticket are around one in 33,294,800.

While there was no jackpot winner in Friday’s draw, someone did match six of the seven winning numbers, plus a bonus, earning them a payout of more than $320,000.

Lotto Max History

Lotto Max is one of three national lottery games in Canada, overseen by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The game was introduced on September 19, 2009, and its inaugural draw occurred on September 25, 2009. It replaced Lotto Super 7.

The odds of winning the Lotto Max are 1 in 33,294,800. This is correct to a point but misleading.

Let’s have a look at the rules:

Players choose 7 numbers out of 50
Numbers cannot be repeated
Numbers are automatically sorted into ascending order
Each play buys 3 lines
Each play costs $5

Seeing that players choose 7 out of 50 non-repeating numbers, the equation for the total number of possible combinations (this is different from permutations where the order in which the numbers appear is significant) when playing the Lotto Max is 50! / (7! x 43!)