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Panama’s leader calls for referendum on mining concession, seeking to calm protests over the deal

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:31:39 GMT

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Protests extended into a second week Monday over a long-term copper mining concession for a Canadian company, as Panama’s government sought to calm anger by promising to let Panamanians decide in a referendum whether to scrap the deal.A broad cross-section of society has joined in demonstrations across the country for more than a week demanding the government rescind the contract with a local subsidiary of Canada’s First Quantum Minerals. Critics say the concession puts Panama’s environment and water supply at risk. President Laurentino Cortizo’s administration proposed Monday to send congress a bill that would schedule a referendum in December. But the country’s top electoral authority said such a vote couldn’t be held before next May’s presidential election.Interior Minister Roger Tejado, who submitted the proposed legislation, called on electoral authorities to “carry out your historic role.”The contract has real economic implications fo...

Actor Robert De Niro tells a jury in a lawsuit by his ex-assistant: ‘This is all nonsense’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:31:39 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Robert De Niro testified Monday in New York City at a trial resulting from a former personal assistant’s lawsuit accusing the actor of being an abusive boss. De Niro, who at times appeared grouchy, restrained himself from erupting at the dissection of his interactions with her before finally blurting out: “This is all nonsense!”The two-time Oscar-winning actor known for his performances in blockbuster movies like “The Deer Hunter” and “Raging Bull” was the first witness in a trial resulting from lawsuits over the employment of Graham Chase Robinson. Robinson, who worked for De Niro between 2008 and 2019, was paid $300,000 annually before she quit as his vice president of production and finance.The woman, tasked for years with everything from decorating De Niro’s Christmas tree to taking him to the hospital when he fell down stairs, has sued him for $12 million in damages for severe emotional distress and reputational harm. Robinson said he refused to give her a...

UN agency in Gaza says urgent cease-fire is `matter of life and death’ for millions of Palestinians

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:31:39 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees told a U.N. emergency meeting Monday “an immediate humanitarian cease-fire has become a matter of life and death for millions,” accusing Israel of “collective punishment” of Palestinians and the forced displacement of civilians.Philippe Lazzarini warned that a further breakdown of civil order following the looting of the agency’s warehouses by Palestinians searching for food and other aid “will make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the largest U.N. agency in Gaza to continue operating.”Briefings to the Security Council by Lazzarini, the head of the U.N. children’s agency UNICEF and a senior U.N. humanitarian official painted a dire picture of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza 23 days after Hamas’ surprise Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, and its ongoing retaliatory military action aimed at “obliterating” the militant group, which controls Gaza.According to the latest figures from Gaza’s M...

Eby says B.C. deserves heating bill relief, too, after federal tax on fuel oil paused

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:31:39 GMT

VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier David Eby says it’s unfair that Atlantic Canada is being targeted for federal relief on heating bills that won’t apply to B.C., after Ottawa announced a three-year pause on carbon pricing for home fuel oil. The pause announced last week applies to the 10 provinces and territories where the federal fuel charge applies, although home fuel oil usage is more prevalent in Atlantic Canada.British Columbia, Quebec and the Northwest Territories are excluded because they collect their own fuel tax.Eby, who is facing calls from Opposition politicians to cut the province’s carbon taxes, said people in Atlantic Canada are struggling to make ends meet, but so are residents of B.C.He told an unrelated news conference in Victoria on Monday that a proposed heat-pump rebate that is being piloted in Atlantic Canada should also be made available in B.C.“At a minimum, fairness demands equal treatment of British Columbians,” said Eby. &#...

Teen boy killed in shooting in Avalon Park

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:31:39 GMT

CHICAGO — A teen boy has died after a shooting on the city's South Side on Monday night. According to Chicago police, the 16-year-old boy was critically injured after he suffered gunshot wounds to his back and right leg while in a parking lot in Avalon Park. Police say the boy was taken to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Officers say the shooting happened in the 1900 block of East 87th Street just before 4 p.m. on Monday afternoon.  Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Currently, it is unclear what led to the shooting and officers say no arrests have been made. An investigation into the deadly shooting is currently underway.Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact Area Two Detectives by calling the CPD non-emergency number at (312) 746-6000. Tips for police can also be filed at CPDtip.com. Tips can be left anonymously.

'Skip the Line' service issues draw ire of Illinois seniors: 'Very frustrating'

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:31:39 GMT

CHICAGO — When he took over for the retiring Jesse White, Alexi Giannoulias promised to bring sweeping changes and modernization to the office.  For people like Sandy, who did not wish to give her last name when speaking with WGN News outside the Secretary of State-Chicago facility at Elston Street, it was an all-thumbs-up experience. “Getting a sticker for my car and my son's car but I'm too early and they helped me with everything I needed and did it all for me while I sat in a chair,” she said.  But for others not so much, like Helen McQuaid, who needed to take a field driver's test when she renewed her driver's license.  Secretary of State’s office launches updated website Until this year, she could drive to her hometown of Naperville Secretary of State facility and take the test. But now, an appointment is required. McQuaid said she tried unsuccessfully for weeks to get an appointment to no avail. Locations that still accept walk-in services, in Bridgeview and Evanston, ...

THC gummies found in candy stash at California elementary school event

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:31:39 GMT

ALAMEDA, Calif. (KRON) -- Gummies infused with cannabis were found in a candy stash at a Halloween event held at a California elementary school over the weekend, school district officials said Monday.One student ate a fruit chew containing THC before anyone realized what was in it. The child became sick and sought medical attention, the Alameda Police Department said. The fruit chews were included in a stash of candy collected by students at a PTA-sponsored "Trunk-or-Treat" event at Amelia Earhart Elementary School, according to Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) officials. "Three families found the fruit chews in their children’s candy," AUSD spokesperson Susan Davis told KRON4.The candy stash also contained chocolate and other popular Halloween candy. The 'most hated' Halloween candy, according to study The cannabis fruit chews were made by Kiva Lost Farm and packaged in square blue wrappers, according to school district officials. Kiva Lost Farm's website states that its T...

Time running short to approve Texas school voucher plan

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:31:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The end of the third special legislative session is approaching quickly, and still it appears Texas lawmakers are no closer to reaching a deal on a plan that would allow families to use public dollars to pay for their children's private education.The Texas House of Representatives gaveled in Monday afternoon and adjourned after six minutes, leaving its version of the school choice plan on the table. The Senate approved its plan more than two weeks ago that would create an education savings account program, carrying out one of Gov. Greg Abbott's main priorities. However, the House held no debate so far on its version of the legislation. State of Texas: Tension, questions of legality shape immigration bill debate Sherri Greenberg, a former lawmaker and a professor of practice at UT's LBJ School of Public Affairs, noted the special session wraps next week on Tuesday. "I think this bill, the chances at this point are probably slim to none [of it] passing in this speci...

Dane Mizutani: If this is the end, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins deserved better

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:31:39 GMT

Kirk Cousins showed tremendous strength when everybody would have forgiven him had he shown tremendous weakness instead.After getting helped onto the cart on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field, more than likely knowing at that point that he had suffered a torn Achilles tendon, Cousins provided a heartwarming moment that has since gone viral on social media.The cameras caught him putting on a beanie, looking up at the big screen and taking a few seconds to cheer on his teammates.It was the personification of leadership, continuing to lift everybody else around him, even in his darkest hour.That’s who Kirk Cousins is. That’s who Kirk Cousins has always been.It’s hard to believe he might have played his final snap with the Vikings after tearing his Achilles tendon on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.If this is the end, Cousins deserved better. He was a punchline for far too long. He has proven to be much more than that throughout his tenure in Minnesota.As soon as ...

New Kids On The Block to perform in Upstate New York August 2024

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:31:39 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) -- After five years, New Kids On The Block are coming back to Upstate New York, making a stop near Buffalo and Saratoga Springs for their Magic Summer Tour in Summer 2024.NKOTB will take you back to the 80s and 90s at Six Flags Darien Lake in Corfu, NY, and at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga Springs. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The first stop in New York is at SPAC on Aug. 11, 2024, and then the band will travel to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Canada and back to New York at Darien Lake on Aug. 22, 2024.Special guests Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff are included in the lineup and will perform at both concerts.Tickets for both concerts go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1 for the Block Nation Presale and VIP. Ticket sales to the general public starts at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 3. Tickets for both the Darien Lake concert and SPAC concert can be purchased online at Live Nation.