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A yoga leader promised followers enlightenment. But he’s now accused of sexual abuse

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:01:53 GMT

PARIS (AP) — To his followers, he was “Grieg,” their guide through tantra yoga toward enlightenment and a higher state of consciousness. For European police, Gregorian Bivolaru represents a far more sinister figure: a master manipulator accused of sexual abuse and exploitation. The arrest this week in the Paris region of the 71-year-old yoga leader and 40 others marked the culmination of a six-year police manhunt involving Interpol. The sweep, led by a French police unit that combats crimes committed by sects and which mobilized 175 officers, also freed 26 people, described by French authorities as sect victims who’d been housed in deplorably dirty and cramped conditions. On Friday, 15 of the suspects were being presented to a judge who could hand them preliminary charges. French police have for months been investigating a range of suspected crimes, including rape, human trafficking, illegal confinement and preying on followers as part of a sect.It wasn’t possible to reach Biv...

Former TDSB trustee Parthi Kandavel wins Scarborough Southwest byelection

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:01:53 GMT

The long string of never-ending elections in the city’s east end concluded Thursday night with former Toronto District School Board trustee Parthi Kandavel winning the municipal seat in Scarborough Southwest.Kandavel beat out 22 other candidates in the byelection held Thursday night, garnering just over 27 per cent support. Kevin Rupasinghe finished a close second in the race with 22 per cent of the votes cast.Kandavel replaces former councillor Gary Crawford, who resigned in July to run as a Conservative candidate in the provincial byelection in Scarborough-Guildwood. He previously finished runner-up to Crawford in the 2022 municipal election.“It’s been a long journey. You’re aware it was a close election for council last year and to see this result really fills my heart,” Kandavel told supporters after the unofficial results were published.Affordability in housing and food security, increasing the frequency of TTC service, public safety and the high c...

Mexico’s minimum wage will rise by 20% next year, to about $14.25 per day

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:01:53 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president said Friday the country’s minimum wage will rise by 20% in 2024, to the equivalent of about $14.25 per day. About one-third of Mexico’s registered workers report earning the minimum wage, which will amount to about $1.75 per hour starting Jan. 1. In pesos, the minimum will rise from about 207 pesos to about 248 pesos. The minimum is higher in areas along the northern border, where living costs are higher. There, the 20% increase would take the minimum to about 375 pesos, or about $21.50. Part of the increase in dollar terms comes from the peso’s appreciation against the dollar in the last year. The Mexican currency has risen by about 10% in value against the dollar since December 2022. That increase is largely attributable to the high inflow of remittances and high domestic interest rates, which make the peso attractive for investors.The Associated Press

Deals to sell BioSteel assets result in $30.4M in aggregate gross proceeds: Canopy

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:01:53 GMT

SMITHS FALLS, Ont. — Canopy Growth Corp. says the aggregate gross proceeds from selling off its sports drink business total $30.4 million.The Smiths Falls, Ont., cannabis company says the proceeds come from two agreements linked to BioSteel Sports Nutrition Inc. that have closed.The first deal involved the sale of BioSteel Canada to DC Holdings Ltd., which does business as Coachwood Group of Companies and also owns sports nutrition brand Canadian Protein.The second transaction saw BioSteel sell its manufacturing business to New Jersey-based Gregory Packaging Inc., which is behind SunCup juice cartons.Canopy says a portion of the proceeds will be used to repay debt.The cannabis company put BioSteel up for sale when the sports drink business was placed under court protection from creditors under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act in September.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 1, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:WEED)The Canadian Press

Matthew M Williams to step down as Givenchy’s creative director early in 2024

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:01:53 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Matthew M. Williams will step down as creative director of Givenchy, the renowned Parisian heritage house owned by LVMH, the company announced Friday. Williams, who has been at the helm since June 2020, is set to depart early in 2024 and will focus on his own brand, 1017 ALYX 9SM.The American designer, known for his collaborations with Lady Gaga and Kanye West, is credited with infusing Givenchy with a fresh streetwear edge, bringing a dynamic vibe to the haute Paris runway.Williams’ tenure at Givenchy has been marked by a mix of bold fashion shows, innovative designs and notable collaborations with contemporary artists. Yet, the fashion press had varying critical responses to Williams’ tenure, echoing the challenges of blending streetwear sensibilities with traditional haute couture.Notable achievements under Williams’ direction include the revitalization of Givenchy’s product line, with items like the “U-Lock” jacket and the “Voyou” bag, both launched in early 2023. R...

A bus driver ate gummies containing THC, then passed out on highway. He’s now on probation

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:01:53 GMT

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — A commercial bus driver who pulled over on a Connecticut highway and passed out with 38 passengers aboard after eating THC-infused gummies has been granted a probation program that could result in criminal charges being dismissed.A state judge in Bridgeport approved accelerated rehabilitation Thursday for Jinhuan Chen, 59, who said he didn’t know the gummies contained the active ingredient in marijuana, Hearst Connecticut Media reported. If he successfully completes a two-year probation period, 38 counts of reckless endangerment will be erased.“Mr. Chen considers himself fortunate that no one was harmed,” said his lawyer, Daniel Esposito.Chen, through a Mandarin interpreter, told Judge Elizabeth Reid that he didn’t know the gummies contained THC because he does not speak or read English.“This potentially could have had devastating consequences but he immediately pulled over and called 911,” Reid said.Chen was driving a Go Go Sun Tour bus in...

First Quantum starts arbitration process to protect rights at Cobre Panama

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:01:53 GMT

TORONTO — First Quantum Minerals Ltd. says it has started arbitration proceedings to protect its rights at its Cobre Panama mine which has been the subject of environmental protests.The Canadian miner says its Minera Panamá SA subsidiary has started the action before the International Court of Arbitration to protect its rights under a concession agreement with the government in Panama agreed to earlier this year. First Quantum suspended operations at its Cobre Panama mine earlier this week after Panama’s Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday that a 20-year concession agreement covering the copper mine was unconstitutional.The company says it is seeking additional details in respect of the ruling and its implications. The mine was temporarily closed last year when talks between the company and government broke down over payments the government wanted, but the two sides reached a deal in March.The agreement, which was given final approval Oct. 20, has faced widespread protests...

The director of Russia’s Mariinsky Theatre, Valery Gergiev, is also put in charge of the Bolshoi

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:01:53 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian government on Friday named Valery Gergiev, the renowned director of the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, to also lead Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre.Gergiev is replacing Vladimir Urin at the Bolshoi. Urin announced Thursday that he was stepping down after a decade, but didn’t explain the reason behind his move.Some Russian media said the departure of 76-year-old Urin was related to health issues. Others speculated it was linked to a letter calling for an end to Moscow’s military action in Ukraine that he and some other prominent cultural figures signed after the Kremlin sent troops across the border in February 2022. Several other theater directors who signed the letter have lost their jobs since then.Russian President Vladimir Putin first suggested in March 2022 the idea of putting the countries’ two most prominent theaters, the Bolshoi and the Mariinsky, under single leadership.Gergiev, 70, a world-famous conductor who has been the d...

'To bring joy': Highland family collecting for Toys for Tots with Christmas display

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:01:53 GMT

HIGHLAND, Ind. — Since the COVID-19 pandemic, one Northwest Indiana family has made it their mission to collect for Toys for Tots by putting out bins at the front of their elaborate Christmas display.Matt Hanft and his family obviously noticed that not as many people were headed to the stores ahead of the holidays in 2020 due to the pandemic, so they took matters into their own hands.Hanft, a union ironworker by day, decided to contact Gary's Toys for Tots chapter, which serves all of northern Lake County. He wanted to put a Toys for Tots box in front of his Christmas display — something he's been passionate about for ten years.The chapter was delighted to hear about the idea and sent the family boxes for their home at 8483 Delaware St. in Highland."We got a late start at the beginning of COVID but were able to fill up a pickup truck in a matter of five days," Hanft told WGN News.Since 2020, the Hanfts' operation has steadily grown with some boxes in Griffith and at five Jimmy John'...

Decision expected in Jussie Smollett's appeal on Friday

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:01:53 GMT

CHICAGO — A ruling is expected Friday on Jussie Smollett's appeal of his conviction.In 2021, Smollett was found guilty of five felony counts of disorderly conduct. Prosecutors sought to prove that the former ‘Empire’ actor paid two brothers to stage a racist and homophobic attack on him in 2019 so that he could gain notoriety. A Cook County judge sentenced Smollett to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation, $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago, and a $25,000 fine.  Jussie Smollett enters rehab after ‘extremely difficult past few years’: TMZ But Smollett's lawyers argue a deal with the Cook County state's attorney meant he could no longer be prosecuted. The state says there was no agreement made.