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First Quantum shares stage partial rebound after Panama’s congress backtracks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

VANCOUVER — Shares of Vancouver-based mining company First Quantum bounced back almost nine per cent in midday trading Friday after falling by nearly half this week.The rally comes after Panama’s National Assembly on Thursday scrapped a provision to revoke a controversial mining contract that had sparked nationwide protests over the past two weeks.An indefinite moratorium on new mining activities passed a second vote in the chamber, but not before the article nixing the government’s contract with First Quantum subsidiary Minera Panama was stripped.In response, shares of the Vancouver-based company had rebounded by $1.38 to $17.10 on the Toronto Stock Exchange by early afternoon — after plunging from an Oct. 27 close of $27.96.First Quantum says production at its Cobre Panama mine remains uninterrupted, though protests and road blockades have caused supply shortages and disruptions at the site.Laurentino Cortizo, Panama’s president, initially gave final approval on ...

Kendrick Lamar plans to bring major concerts to Africa through new Global Citizen initiative

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Rapper Kendrick Lamar will headline Move Afrika: A Global Citizen Experience, a new initiative to establish an international touring circuit on the continent of Africa launching with a concert in Kigali, Rwanda on Dec. 6.Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans said Lamar’s show at the BK Arena will be financed with a mix of philanthropic donations and corporate funding in hopes the Pulitzer Prize-winning, “Humble” rapper will show the opportunities for artists who appeal to Africa’s booming generation of young people.“Move Afrika is about social enterprise – and over time, it provides certainty to our vendors and partners, enabling them to scale and expand,” Evans told The Associated Press. “Our goal is that this tour will spur the growth and development of small businesses across the region to deliver both our events and many more year round, as other artists take advantage of the tour routes.”African artists — including Burna Boy, Rema, and Davido — have had rece...

Pan American Games give Chile’s Boric a break from political polarization

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Chile’s President Gabriel Boric faces a deeply polarized country, rising crime and a divisive upcoming vote on a new constitution. But his life is like a dream while attending the Pan American Games in his country’s capital. Boric drew loud applause at the National Stadium on Oct. 20 when he opened the 41-nation games, which have given him with both a respite from politics and an easy way to generate positive publicity amid his deeply faltering popularity.He looked glad to be filmed as he punched the air during a Chile vs. Argentina women’s basketball match, signed autographs during the judo, sat casually in sunglasses at the beach volleyball and showed surprising interest for swimming as he stood up during the races.The 37-year-old Boric is expected to remain in fan mode until the closing ceremony Sunday, and has been busy using social media to highlight his attendance and his support of all Chileans, while glossing over glitches including reports of thefts a...

Ohio will vote on marijuana legalization. Advocates say there’s a lot at stake

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Voters in Ohio will decide next week whether to legalize recreational marijuana, but people on both sides of the issue say more hangs in the balance than simply decriminalizing the drug. Supporters of legalization say Ohio can reclaim tax revenue being lost to states such as Michigan, where marijuana is legal, and take power from illegal drug markets through government regulation. But opponents warn of increased workforce and traffic accidents by people under the influence, and argue much of the revenue will land in the pocket of the marijuana industry, not taxpayers. Issue 2 on the Nov. 7 ballot would allow adults 21 and over to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces (71 grams) of cannabis and 15 grams (about a half-ounce) of extract, and to grow up to six plants per individual through a government program. A 10% tax would be imposed on any purchases, with those proceeds going toward administrative costs and addiction treatment in the state and to municipalities tha...

Businessman sentenced in $180 million bank fraud that paid for lavish lifestyle, classic cars

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — A businessman who orchestrated a $180 million check-kiting scheme and used the proceeds to live a lavish lifestyle and amass one of the world’s most revered classic car collections has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison.Najeeb Khan, 70, of Edwardsburg, Michigan, told a federal judge Thursday that he was “blinded by greed” to carry out the scheme and buy more than 250 cars, as well as airplanes, boats and a helicopter, according to Cleveland.com. Besides receiving a 97-month sentence, he must pay $121 million in restitution to Cleveland-based KeyBank, $27 million to clients and $9.8 million in back taxes.Authorities have said Khan carried out the fraud from 2011-2019 while growing his payroll processing business in Elkhart, Indiana. He funneled dozens, sometimes hundreds, of checks and wire transfers with insufficient funds through three banks, artificially inflating the amount in his accounts. He siphoned off about $73 million for himself.He used the ...

In ‘By the Ghost Light,’ R.H. Thomson urges us to think differently about war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

TORONTO — There are three narratives that shape our perception of war, actor R.H. Thomson writes in his family memoir. There are the warmongers’ stories before fighting breaks out, the chaotic battlefield dispatches and the mythologizing that follows.He noticed the pattern both while combing through his family’s military history, laid out in “By the Ghost Light: Wars, Memories and Families,” published by Penguin Random House Canada, but also while working on his ongoing project The World Remembers. That ongoing effort seeks to catalogue and display the names of all nine million who died fighting in the First World War — not just those from certain countries or alliances. “It’s a toxic formula,” he said. “We’re in a perpetual war cycle.” Thomson, who is perhaps best known for roles in “Road to Avonlea” and “Anne with an E,” can see it happening now in how we talk about both Russia-Ukraine and Israel-H...

Former President Obama talks strengthening democracy at forum

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

CHICAGO — Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were back in Chicago on Friday to head up this year's Democracy Forum at McCormack Place.The discussion takes place on the 15th anniversary of Obama’s first presidential election.No longer in the White House, the 44th President of the United States continues to look for other ways to make an impact. The forum is an effort, in part, to foster new leadership, especially among young people — and strengthen democracy.  President Biden to visit Illinois next week Friday's event comes at a precarious moment in history as authoritarian leaders around the world seek to destroy democracy. In the US, polarized political parties refuse to compromise, most would agree, paralyzed by dysfunction and negativity.   Reflecting on the current landscape, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke of the former President's path endured and the roads ahead. Former President Obama launches new foundation initiativ...

Burbank woman's father kidnapped, tortured while family escapes bombings in Gaza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

CHICAGO — A Burbank woman spoke out on concerns for her family in Gaza amid constant bombardment. Her father who was also taken hostage by Israeli soldiers on Oct. 7, was released from captivity just Friday morning.Ghada Shuraab, born and raised in Southern Gaza, came to Chicago to pursue her education in 2008, but has lived her days in worry for her loved ones in Khan Younis, Gaza — especially after the initial attacks early October."My mom had asked my sister to take a different route to the store because the main street had been bombed. Right after she left, that street had been bombed. Luckily, she took a different route," Shuraab said. Over 10,000 Palestinians have been killed, 32,000 wounded, and 2.3 million people have been displaced from their homes from Israeli bombings since Oct.7. Trapped in hell: Palestinian civilians try to survive in northern Gaza, focus of Israel’s offensive More than 3,7000 Palestinian children have also been killed in 25 days of bombardment. Thou...

Lunchbreak: Chicken Pot Pie

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

Mimi Tolkin, co-owner of Righteous KitchenRighteous Kitchen390 E. St. Charles Rd., Lombard, IL 60148http://www.righteouskitch.comRecipe:Righteous Kitchen’s Chicken Pot PieServings: 1 pie Prep time: about 35 minCook time: 15 minutesIngredients:1 c. diced carrots1 c. diced celery1 c. thinly sliced leeks5 Tblsp unsalted butter1 Tblsp dried tarragon4 Tblsp flour2 ½ c. chicken broth1 c. heavy whipping cream¼ tsp. salt¼ tsp. pepper3 c. chicken thighs (leftover roast chicken is great):- Coated in oil-Seasoned with salt, pepper, sage, thyme-Cooked to 165 and diced.Egg mixture for crust (1 egg whisked with 1 tsp cold water)Directions:1. Sautee first 4 ingredients (carrots, celery, leeks, tarragon) in 2 Tblsp butter until bright and hot but still firm. Set aside in bowl.2. Using the same pot heat remaining butter with flour – until bubbling. Do not let it brown.3. Whisk in chicken stock and bring to a boil. Mixture will start to thicken.4. Add heavy cream and return to a boil. Cook until mixt...

Connecticut man accused of running $8.5M mushroom factory in home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:10 GMT

BURLINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- A Connecticut man accused of running an illegal psilocybin mushroom growing operation worth about $8.5 million was arrested Thursday, according to police. Connecticut State Police arrested 21-year-old Weston Soule after finding a clandestine mushroom-growing factory in his Burlington home. The Drug Enforcement Administration Hartford Task Force and detectives said they went to the home at 9 a.m. Thursday after a tip from a caller. Mug shot of Weston Soule. (SOURCE: Connecticut State Police) When police arrived, officers saw ventilation equipment throughout the home that matched those used in clandestine laboratories, according to state police.Detectives acquired a search warrant to enter the home after Soule did not consent to a search Thursday morning. They went with Soule to a detached garage on the property, where detectives said they found a large mushroom-growing operation. Soule claimed that the type of mushrooms he was growing were not illegal, pol...