Elections in Spain finish with out a clear majority, plunging the nation into political limbo

The leader and candidate of the conservative Partido Popular (People’s Party) Alberto Nunez Feijoo.

Oscar Del Pozo | Afp | Getty Images

Election Sunday in Spain ended with no clear majority for either major party, throwing Europe’s fourth largest economy into political limbo.

After all the votes were counted, Spain’s conservative Partido Popular party secured 136 seats in Parliament, followed by the incumbent socialist party PSOE with 122 seats. Far-right party Vox took third place with 33 seats, while left-wing Sumar party got 31.

All parties fell short of the 176 seats required for an absolute majority.

In the run-up to the election, there was speculation that PP could join forces with Vox – potentially marking the far right’s first return to power since Francisco Franco’s dictatorship in 1975. PP and Vox have already merged in some regions, but never at national level.

However, their combined 169 seats fall short of the 176 needed to form a coalition majority.

On the other hand, incumbent leader Pedro Sanchez’s PSOE could potentially work with Sumar, but again their 153 seats are not enough.

Alberto Feijóo, leader of the PP, took responsibility for forming the government as his party won the most seats.

“I will start a dialogue with the rest of the parties,” he said on Twitter. “I ask for responsibility so that Spain does not suffer blockades.” He added that he hoped other parties would not join forces and prevent him from forming a government.

Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s Prime Minister and leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE).

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

However, it is not that simple.

Sanchez’s ruling party did win seats in Sunday’s election, and he has experience negotiating deals with smaller parties to form a government.

“Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will have a chance to remain in power by negotiating a deal with the far-left Sumar and smaller parties, although a repeat of the elections is also a possibility,” said Antonio Barroso, deputy director of research at Teneo, in a note. He assigned a 45% chance to each scenario.

The background of the vote

Members of Feijóo’s conservative party had raised concerns about Vox’s anti-LGBT rights and anti-immigration policies. Vox had also been criticized by mainstream politicians for speaking out against abortion rights and denying climate change.

The decisive factor in the early elections was the clear defeat of the socialist PSOE in regional and municipal elections in May. Parliamentary elections were originally scheduled for the end of this year.

Sunday’s vote was the first ever to be held in summer, and the extreme heat that has been felt in various parts of the country in recent weeks has led to renewed focus on climate policy in the run-up to the vote.

Prime Minister Sánchez has been Prime Minister of Spain since 2018. He has been criticized for pardoning politicians who support regional independence, and also faced backlash after the “Only Yes Means Yes” sexual consent law loopholed the jail terms of many convicted rapists.

However, Sanchez’s economic record has proven strong. According to the International Monetary Fund, Spain’s economy grew by more than 5% in 2022 and is expected to grow by around 1.5% this year.

Inflation in the large European economy is also among the lowest in the region. In June, Spain became the first country in Europe to report an inflation rate below 2%, well below the historic highs of 2022.

Despite a narrow victory for the People's Party, no clear majority could be achieved in the Spanish elections

“We wish oil costs to go down,” says the US Secretary of Power

Volatility is still weighing on oil markets, US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on Saturday, reiterating calls for additional supplies.

When asked to comment on the state of oil markets, she told CNBC’s Sri Jegarajah that “there is no doubt that there is a volatile environment” — a situation the White House is monitoring.

“There is a lot of excitement in these markets and as such we are deeply concerned about the way things are going,” added the energy secretary.

Granholm requested additional production to lower prices.

“We want to see more supply … It gets dangerous when the prices are that high,” she said. “I think the prudent way is to make sure transportation is affordable for people, and of course that means the supply is stable.”

Some members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies — collectively known as OPEC+ — are voluntarily cutting production by a total of 1.66 million barrels per day through the end of 2024. In addition, coalition heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Russia announced further voluntary cuts in July and August, each including 1 million barrels per day in production and 500,000 barrels per day in exports.

High crude oil prices continue to pose a challenge for the Biden administration, and cutting costs remains a priority.

“We want the prices to go down. The President is really focused on the impact on real people who have to go to work and can’t afford that bounty,” Granholm said.

The US has historically been vocal about lower prices at the pump to ease consumer budgets and curb inflation. Washington has repeatedly asked OPEC+ producers to help those efforts by increasing their output — culminating in a brief war of troughs with Saudi Arabia last October.

The US is now facing lower inflation, with the CPI showing a 3% yoy increase in June.

Renewable energy

Granholm also discussed the importance of the transition to renewable energy – a key theme of this year’s energy summit.

“China and the United States are the world’s largest emitters… Their citizens are feeling the effects of these extreme weather events,” Granholm said, adding that the US is interested in “finding an oasis” by working with China on clean energy deployment.

“We have to do everything, everywhere and at once. Provide, provide, provide clean energy. Because if we don’t do that, our planet will be on fire and we have to do something about it.”

Correction: This story has been updated to accurately reflect a quote from US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm regarding supply and production.

Why Most Customers Ignore Well being Warnings

Warning labels are intended to inform consumers of potential risks when using a product, but they are too widespread to be of any use.

“Warning labels were actually pretty rare up until the 1960s,” said W. Kip Viscusi, a distinguished professor of law, economics, and management at Vanderbilt University. “From the mid-1960s, cigarettes were labeled with a warning. Since then, other products have followed suit and tried to emulate the cigarette experience.”

Health warnings generally come in two forms: those warning the consumer not to purchase the product, such as: For example, a label on a packet of cigarettes that says “This product may cause oral cancer” and those warning of the risks of using a product improperly, perhaps saying “To prevent this piece of furniture from tipping over, it must be permanently attached to the wall.”

One of the problems that researchers have pointed out is that people are desensitized to warning labels because they seem to be everywhere.

“One of my main complaints about warnings is that they have become ubiquitous,” Viscusi said. “There’s a tendency to say things are risky [and] Put a warning on it, and that tends to weaken the impact of the other warnings that are out there. So when everything is labeled as dangerous in the supermarket, you don’t know what to buy.”

Viscusi has developed two criteria for effective health warnings: 1) they must provide consumers with new information and 2) the consumer must believe the information is credible.

“If companies make statements against their financial interests, that would usually be credible,” Viscusi said.

There has been opposition to placing health warnings on certain products. In December 2022, a federal judge ruled that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cannot require tobacco companies to place graphic health warnings on cigarettes.

When it comes to ensuring people use products safely, consumer advocates believe warning labels should be the last resort.

“Generally, warnings are in and of themselves.” [are] just not effective,” said Oriene Shin, policy adviser at Consumer Reports. “They really need to be coupled with safe design.”

This is where the security hierarchy of product design comes into play. This is a multi-stage process that aims to eliminate risks for the consumer and, if this is not possible, to minimize them through protective measures.

An example of a protective measure, according to Shin, would be that a potentially dangerous product like a lawn mower should only be started when the user pulls a lever and presses a button, and not just one of those procedures.

The final level of the security hierarchy is a warning sign.

“I’ve probably seen hundreds of warnings in the last week and we probably don’t remember any of them,” Shin said. “And that’s the problem with just relying on warning labels. [They’re] the icing on the cake and not the end of it all.”

watch the video Above you can read more about why warning signs are not working and what we can do about it.

Nordstrom clears out the shop on the final day of purchasing: Get swimsuits for simply $3

We have independently selected these offers and products because we love them and we think you might like them at these prices. E! has affiliate relationships, so if you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Items are sold by the retailer, not E!. Prices are correct at time of publication.

Midsummer 2023 really came out of nowhere, didn’t it? If your summer has been filled with beach days, pool parties, and BBQs, but you’ve run out of swimsuit choices, there are some great deals you should shop for. Why pay full price for swimwear when you don’t have to?

Today is the last day of the Nordstrom Rack Clear the Rack Sale, which means you can get EXTRA 25% off styles in the clearance section – no promo code needed. Expand your swimsuit collection with great deals on bikinis, one-pieces and everything in between.

How Amazon Native Supply Companions Can Earn $27,000 Revenue

Main Street shops beware: Amazon wants you.

One of AmazonAmong its latest growth plans is recruiting 2,500 small businesses in 23 states to help deliver packages. Amazon says the initiative, dubbed “Amazon Hub Delivery,” could help Main Street businesses — like florists, coffee shops, hair salons and gas stations — generate up to $27,000 in additional revenue per year.

The Hub Delivery program is in some ways similar to Amazon Flex, which launched a few years ago and offered everyday people the ability to deliver packages for the business using their own vehicle. According to Amazon, this initiative is now in over 100 cities and communities in the United States. The new program is currently open to businesses in 23 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota , Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. Amazon said it expects to expand into more states and cities in the future.

The new delivery partnership model could prove viable for Amazon as it offers the potential for faster deliveries and greater customer satisfaction. “There are also significant benefits for companies selected to participate, namely the opportunity to expand and grow through an additional revenue stream,” said Shanton Wilcox, partner at PA Consulting, a strategy and operations firm. But companies also need to understand the potential cost of the obligation.

“It’s not a random decision where the company’s van is parked and not used a few days a week and we’ll see how it goes. It’s a business decision,” Wilcox said.

Here’s what small business owners need to know about the new Amazon program:

It doesn’t just apply to existing Amazon sellers

Amazon strives to work with all types of companies that are able to deliver packages on the company’s behalf. Amazon Hub Delivery partners selected through the application receive packages every morning and have the flexibility to make daily deliveries at their convenience, using existing staff when needed.

According to Amazon, companies deliver 20 to 50 packages per day, with an average of 30 per day. Deliveries are made seven days a week, excluding five major holidays. The program is available in very rural areas as well as in densely populated urban areas such as New York City and college towns. According to Amazon on its website, no delivery experience is required and there is no long-term contract. Amazon says it will provide training and guide companies through the process.

Small businesses must meet several criteria

The program only works if a small business meets Amazon’s criteria. For one thing, there must be a secure space to keep the packages. Small businesses wishing to apply must also have copies of relevant documents such as a state business registration number, sales tax permit, or registration or tax identification number.

You must also be able to meet Amazon’s delivery commitments. Businesses that are not open for seven days may also be eligible as long as they are able to receive and deliver Amazon packages on all required days.

Partners and drivers (if applicable) must have a criminal history, pass motor vehicle, OSHA, and Department of Labor exam verification. You must also have appropriate insurance. This means general liability insurance and, if required, workers’ compensation insurance. Businesses can learn more about insurance requirements through a webinar.

The economic advantages of an Amazon delivery partner

Becoming a supply partner isn’t attractive or applicable to every small business, but prospects should ask a series of questions to determine if it’s worth pursuing, said Santosh Sankar, co-founder and managing partner at Dynamo Ventures in Chattanooga, Tennessee , which invests in early-stage supply chain startups.

Companies need to run through the bill to figure out if a partnership makes sense for them, Sankar said. Amazon didn’t specify exactly how much it pays per package; but based on its earnings estimates of $27,000 per year, the price would be $2.50 per package, assuming 30 packages per day for 360 days. In this scenario, a company could make $75 a day.

The question then arises as to whether existing personnel can be used for the new endeavor or whether additional capacity is required and the labor and equipment costs will be incurred. This might make sense, for example, if a company is already paying a high school or college student $15 an hour and the worker has three additional hours of capacity and an available delivery vehicle. It might even be beneficial to hire an extra worker at that rate, Sankar said. However, if a business needs to purchase a company vehicle for deliveries or undertake major renovations to create a safe space, the extra investment may not be worth it.

Companies should also consider the long-term growth potential. “It’s not just about utilizing your existing capacities. It’s the potential for expansion that many companies are looking for, but it needs to become part of the decision-making process,” Wilcox said.

Where to get more information

There are local and virtual events for small businesses to learn more about the program. The next event is scheduled for September 6th in California. Owners can also contact Amazon directly to arrange a face-to-face meeting.

Marjorie Taylor Greene says People must see Hunter Biden porn

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene argued that nude pictures of Hunter Biden are the evidence America needs to see.

Rep. Greene said on Newsmax, “That’s the definition of a two-tier justice system.” Which you just set out, but I want everyone to know that Shapely and Ziegler have indeed come a long way, and they stumbled upon it in November 2018 that Hunter Biden was involved in prostitution and producing pornography while they were in the middle of a side investigation into a foreign amateur porn company, and that’s where they found Hunter Biden. So this is shocking. And that is actually the evidence that I believe the American people deserve to see, because if the American people can see this evidence as uncomfortable as it was for me today before the Oversight Committee, I believe it should that is how we hold this government accountable and the Justice Department is politically motivated.”

Video:

Greene says Hunter Biden pornography is proof the American people need to see pic.twitter.com/yPHC4cAPKO

— Acyn (@Acyn) July 19, 2023

How does Hunter Biden nude pictures prove President Biden ever did anything wrong?

Oh, they’re not.

Republicans are basing their entire argument on a conspiracy theory that the Justice Department was lenient on Hunter Biden because Joe Biden forced it on them.

What evidence do you have to support this claim?

Well, they don’t have any, do they?Don’t watch Marjorie Taylor Greene brandish Hunter Biden nudes here.

No one needs to watch Hunter Biden do anything.

Hunter Biden does not work for the government and is not a presidential candidate.

The behavior of Greene and the Republicans in the House of Representatives is abhorrent and an embarrassment to the nation, and Greene can’t stop digging the hole deeper with every appearance in conservative media.

Jason is the managing editor. He is also White House press secretary and congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a bachelor’s degree in political science. The focus of his thesis was on public policy with a focus on social reform movements.

Awards and professional memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the American Political Science Association

Medicare proposes broader protection of PET scans

Jay Reinstein, who has Alzheimer’s disease, sits on a bed after undergoing a PET scan at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital on June 20, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Michael Robinson Chavez | The Washington Post | Getty Images

Medicare plans to expand coverage of PET scans used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. This is an important policy change that could make it easier for patients to access new treatments coming to the US market.

The proposal would abolish Medicare’s current statewide policy. Currently, the seniors program includes only one PET scan per life for patients enrolled in clinical trials.

The Medicare proposal would allow regional organizations, called Medicare administration contractors, to decide whether to adopt the diagnostic tool. These regional contractors make coverage decisions based on whether a service is “appropriate and necessary” for diagnosing a disease.

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said in a statement Monday that the proposed policy “delivers on CMS’ commitment to provide broader coverage of this diagnostic test.” A final decision could be made in 90 days, a CMS spokesman said.

PET scans are an important diagnostic tool for detecting an amyloid protein in the brain that is linked to Alzheimer’s disease. The scans are the most common way to diagnose patients.

Medicare beneficiaries generally pay 20% of the cost of a PET exam after meeting their deductible. A study published in May in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine estimated the cost of a single scan would be about $313 per patient.

dr Sean Tunis, a former chief medical officer at CMS, said it’s possible regional contractors could make different coverage decisions for PET scans. But these organizations generally work together on important issues and there’s no reason to think their policies on PET scanning would be very different across the US, said Tunis, who is now a consultant at Rubix Health.

CNBC Health and Science

Read the latest health coverage from CNBC:

Medicare coverage of PET scans should make it easier for patients to access new treatments like Leqembi, which the Food and Drug Administration approved earlier this month.

Medicare has agreed to cover Eisai and Biogen’s Alzheimer’s treatment Leqembi, but requires patients to be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s disease and have documented signs of amyloid in the brain.

Most patients opt for PET scans to confirm the presence of amyloid because imaging is less invasive than alternative diagnostic methods such as spinal taps. Blood tests are also under development, some of which have had limited use but have not yet become widely available.

Medicare has announced that it will also cover other Alzheimer’s antibody treatments associated with the same conditions if they are approved by the FDA. Eli Lilly expects the FDA to make a decision on her treatment, donanemab, by the end of the year.

The Alzheimer’s Association, the lobby group that advocates for people with the disease, said Medicare’s proposed new policy would remove unnecessary barriers for patients. Maria Carrillo, the scientific director of the association, called the decision a “major step forward”.

US troopers arrested after crossing border into North Korea

A South Korean soldier guards the border with North Korea in Panmunjom on December 3, 2019.

Stephan Schulz Image Alliance via Getty Images

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said Tuesday it was aware that a US serviceman “deliberately” and “without authorization” crossed the inter-Korean border and is currently in North Korean custody.

US authorities are working with the North Korean military “to investigate this incident,” Colonel Isaac Taylor, spokesman for US forces Korea, said in a statement.

The person toured the Joint Security Area (JSA), a site in Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone used by North and South Korea for diplomatic engagements and negotiations. It is divided by the Military Demarcation Line, also known as the Armistice Line, which serves as the boundary between the two territories. Both private companies and the United Nations organize tours of the JSA.

The identity of the military member will be released upon notification of the next of kin.

A State Department spokesman directed questions to the Pentagon. The spokesman said the State Department is “in touch with colleagues in the Defense Department to provide any appropriate assistance.”

The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.

The US and North Korea do not currently have formal diplomatic relations. The State Department advises US citizens not to travel to North Korea “due to the continued high risk of arrest and long-term detention.”

The incident happened on the same day that a US nuclear submarine visited South Korea for the first time since the 1980s and arrived at the port of Busan, according to US forces in South Korea.

Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods have been noticed having dinner collectively

Former best friends Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods could rekindle their friendship. According to the Daily Mail, the couple were recently spotted together this weekend in Los Angeles, California.

As The Shade Room previously reported, their friendship ended in 2019 after Woods was spotted kissing Tristan Thompson, then-boyfriend of Jenner’s sister Khloé Kardashian.

RELATED: Jordyn Woods denies throwing shade at former best friend Kylie Jenner in a recent TikTok video

More details on Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods’ recent outing

According to the Daily Mail, the 25-year-olds met for the first time in four years for dinner on Saturday night. What’s more, the two appeared to be in “high spirits” when they met at a sushi restaurant.

As for looks, Jenner wore a black and white top with black pants and black sunglasses. Woods opted for an orange and purple maxi dress while complementing it with gold jewelry and a purple handbag.

Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods are reuniting four years after the Tristan Thompson cheating scandal. pic.twitter.com/iBZIZMJ8ob

— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 16, 2023

Also, after dinner, Woods and Jenner left the restaurant together.

Jenner and Woods’ reunion comes months after Woods denied that he had verbally abused Jenner

The couple’s reunion comes nearly seven months after Woods denied shadowing Jenner on TikTok, The Shade Room reports. Back then, Woods shared a video on TikTok admiring her “lips like Angelina.”

Additionally, she shared a caption with the video thanking her parents for her genetics.

“Thanks mom and dad for these genetics”

@jordynwoods

😳😳😳 Thanks mom and dad for these genetics 🫶🏽

♬ Party Monster – xxtristanxo

However, TikTok users were convinced that she was throwing shadows at Jenner, who has been transparent about her previous choices to cosmetically enhance her lips.

Reactions on social media included one implying that “Kylie Jenner is typing…” while another director berated the Kardashians and Jenners with “The Kardashians/Jenners never could.”

Additionally, other users pointed to Woods’ alleged “shooting at Kylie” and confidently shared that they “take it as a shadow.”

However, Woods was quick to dismiss the commenters’ allegations, insisting she was not shading anyone.

“There’s no shadow over anyone, it’s a trend I’ve seen a lot of girls do and wanted to jump on.”

Roommates, are you here for Jordyn Woods and Kylie Jenner to rekindle their friendship?

Insurance coverage could not cowl Opill with out a prescription

A pack of the daily contraceptive Opill can be seen in an undated image.

dog | via Reuters

The first birth control pill sold in the US without a prescription could remain out of reach for some women and girls because health insurance companies aren’t required to cover the drug over-the-counter.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the sale of the oral contraceptive Opill without a prescription, a historic decision intended to make birth control pill procurement easier by eliminating the need to visit a doctor’s office and refill prescriptions.

According to a 2016 survey published in the Journal of Women’s Health, one-third of adult women who have ever attempted to obtain prescription contraception have faced barriers to access.

Manufacturer of Opill Perrigo expects the pill to be available in major stores and online by early 2024. Perrigo will announce the price of Opill in a few months before the pill hits stores, Frederique Welgryn, a Perrigo executive, said during a phone call with reporters on Thursday.

Welgryn said the company is committed to making Opill affordable. Perrigo is setting up a patient assistance program so the cost of the pill isn’t a barrier to women struggling to make ends meet.

However, there might still be obstacles for some women and girls to get Opill. The Affordable Care Act does not require private health insurance to cover the cost of the pill if it is taken without a prescription. Most health insurance companies are obliged to offer contraceptives free of charge if prescribed by a doctor.

State Medicaid programs are also generally not required to cover drugs sold without a prescription, according to the Federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Perrigo is working on insurance coverage

Welgryn said Perrigo is working to enlist private insurance and state Medicaid programs to offer over-the-counter Opill to women and girls for free. But she said the Affordable Care Act needed to be adjusted to ensure health insurance covered birth control without a prescription.

Welgryn said it’s unclear if there will be insurance coverage for Opill when the pill goes on sale early next year. “We still have a lot to do to achieve that. It will take time,” she said.

Congressional Democrats and President Joe Biden are pushing to expand access to contraceptives.

CNBC Health and Science

Read the latest health coverage from CNBC:

Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA, re-introduced legislation in the Senate in May entitled “Affordability is Access” that would require health insurers to offer oral contraceptives free of charge without a prescription.

Biden in June directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to ensure all FDA-approved contraceptives are available at no cost.

CMS encourages health insurance companies to cover over-the-counter contraceptive products for free, an agency spokesman said Friday. The agency is working on ways to ensure FDA-approved over-the-counter contraceptives are available at no cost, the spokesman said.

Opill is 93% effective in preventing pregnancy. It is the most effective form of over-the-counter birth control in the United States. To ensure effectiveness, Opill should be taken at the same time each day.

Welgryn said 15 million women in the US who are sexually active and don’t want to conceive are using a form of birth control that is less effective than Opill, or are not using birth control at all.

According to the FDA, nearly half of the six million pregnancies in the United States each year are unwanted. According to the agency, unwanted pregnancy is associated with preterm birth, which can lead to bad health outcomes for newborns.