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Silvio Berlusconi, scandal-scarred former Italian leader, dies at 86

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:37 GMT

MILAN (AP) — Silvio Berlusconi, the boastful billionaire media mogul who was Italy’s longest-serving premier despite scandals over his sex-fueled parties and allegations of corruption, died Monday. He was 86.Supporters applauded as his body arrived at his villa outside Milan from the city’s San Raffaele Hospital, where he had been treated for chronic leukemia. A state funeral will be held Wednesday in the city’s Duomo cathedral, according to the Milan Archdiocese.A onetime cruise ship crooner, Berlusconi used his television networks and immense wealth to launch his long political career, inspiring both loyalty and loathing.To admirers, the three-time premier was a capable and charismatic statesman who sought to elevate Italy on the world stage. To critics, he was a populist who threatened to undermine democracy by wielding political power as a tool to enrich himself and his businesses. His Forza Italia party is a coalition partner with current Premier Giorgia Melon...

South Africa’s ruling party expels former top official accused of corruption

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:37 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa’s ruling African National Congress party expelled its former secretary-general on Monday for misconduct and other breaches of party rules while he also faces charges of corruption in a criminal case.The once-influential Ace Magashule is on trial over the alleged misappropriation of money from a government contract worth more than $13 million when he was the premier of the Free State province before his rise to the top administrative position in the ANC.Magashule was suspended as secretary-general in 2021 after he was charged with multiple counts of corruption, money laundering and fraud. He was suspended in line with the ANC’s “step-aside” policy, which requires those in leadership positions to step down from their roles while facing criminal charges.Magashule refused to step down and even issued a letter stating he was suspending South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the leader of the ANC, from his duties. His defiance and refusal to apologize fo...

Biden is getting a root canal so misses public events at White House and reschedules NATO meeting

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:37 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden underwent a root canal after experiencing some dental pain – a procedure that took him out of commission for his public events on Monday. Biden’s personal physician, Kevin O’Connor, said in a memo released by the White House that Biden reported the pain in his lower right premolar on Sunday. The president had an initial root canal that day, and he “tolerated the procedure well” with no complications, O’Connor said. On Monday morning, Biden had “further discomfort” in his mouth, which O’Connor said was expected. An endodontal specialty team from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was completing Biden’s root canal at the White House. The White House said Biden was not placed under anesthesia for the procedure.He had been scheduled to appear at College Athlete Day on the South Lawn at the White House, which hosts NCAA champions from various men’s and women’s sports from the 2022-2023 season. Vice ...

Rio Tinto to expand aluminum smelter with $1.4B investment using greener technology

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:37 GMT

SAGUENAY, Que. — Rio Tinto says it will make a $1.4-billion investment to expand an aluminum smelter equipped with low-carbon technology in Saguenay, Que.The Anglo-Australian metals and mining giant says it plans to build 96 new pots that use the greener AP60 technology on an existing site adjacent to the 97-year-old Arivda aluminum smelter.The announcement today eases anxiety over jobs ahead of that plant’s closure in 2025, and gives more weight to Rio Tinto’s claim to being a producer of green aluminum, with the newer facilities emitting far fewer greenhouse gas emissions.The investment at the Jonquière Complex roughly 200 kilometres north of Quebec City would eventually churn out 220,000 tonness of primary aluminum per year, over 360 per cent more than its current output.The company says the amount could furnish enough for 400,000 electric cars, though the total falls short of the 400,000-tonne smelter that was pledged in 2006 by former owner Alcan Inc. — acquired the...

Washington Post publisher Fred Ryan leaves paper after 9 years at helm

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:37 GMT

Washington Post publisher and chief executive Fred Ryan is leaving the newspaper after nine years in charge.Newspaper owner Jeff Bezos announced Ryan’s departure in a memo to staff on Monday. He’ll continue as publisher and CEO for two more months. He’ll continue as publisher and CEO for two more months before leaving to lead the Center on Public Civility at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, the newspaper said.The Post has been aggressive in transitioning to a digital world, but has still suffered from the financial problems of many organizations in the media industry.Ryan oversaw the appointment of Sally Buzbee — the former Associated Press executive editor — as the Post’s top editor, replacing Marty Baron in 2021.David Bauder, The Associated Press

Chow’s lead slips slightly as other mayoral candidates make small gains: Poll

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:37 GMT

There’s just two weeks left until Torontonians select a new mayor and the frontrunner remains well ahead of her closest challenger, though her support has softened slightly, according to the latest poll.The most recent Forum Research Poll released on Monday suggests Olivia Chow is still way out in front with 35 per cent support, down three points from the week before.Mark Saunders is up a single percentage point from the last week, up to 14 per cent, and continues to target Chow while campaigning. The former police chief has cited himself as the only candidate who can stop the frontrunner from becoming mayor.Columnist Anthony Furey is now in third place and up to 11 per cent. Former city councillor Ana Bailão has 10 per cent support, up from 8 per cent the week before.“Furey and Bailao may be changing the dynamic,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, president of Forum Research. “In the last two weeks, we might see a surprise upset.”Josh Matlow, Mitzie Hunter and Brad Bradford follow clo...

Quebec makes progress against record wildfire season as blaze in B.C. grows

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:37 GMT

Quebec is on the offensive in its battle against a record wildfire season as gusty winds fuel a huge blaze in northeastern British Columbia, forcing more evacuations. Premier François Legault says there are now more than 1,200 people fighting fires across the province, including reinforcements from New Brunswick and France, and thousands of Quebecers are starting to return home as the situation improves.Legault says there should be fewer than 4,000 evacuees remaining by the end of the day, down from a peak of more than 13,500 Friday.  In British Columbia, two evacuation orders were issued Sunday for remote properties outside Fort Nelson as crews battle the 4,049-square-kilometre Donnie Creek blaze — the second-largest recorded in the province.The B.C. Wildfire Service says the winds responsible for the weekend trouble around Fort Nelson aided firefighters on a separate blaze south of Fort St. John that prompted an evacuation of the entire northeastern community of Tumbler Ridge.More...

Oscar-winning director-producer Ed Zwick writing memoir ‘Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions’

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:37 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Oscar-winning director-producer Ed Zwick is working on a memoir, with all the highs and the lows and in-betweens. Gallery Books, a division of Simon & Schuster Inc., announced Monday that Zwick’s “Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood,” will be published Feb. 13. Zwick’s directing credits include “Glory” and “Legends of the Fall,” for which he received Golden Globe nominations; along with the less successful “Pawn Sacrifice” and “The Great Wall.” He also was a co-creator of the highly regarded TV series “Thirtysomething.”He won a best picture Academy Award as one of the producers of “Shakespeare In Love,” and he was nominated as a producer of “Traffic.” According to Gallery, the book will trace “the head spinning ascents and vertiginous plunges that define a career in Hollywood.” Zwick, 70, has worked with such top stars as Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Annette Bening and Bruce Willis.“Even as the business under...

Vancouver family who lost son to fentanyl donates $20 million to recovery centre

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:37 GMT

VANCOUVER — A Vancouver family known for its philanthropy is making a $20 million donation to a British Columbia substance use treatment centre in memory of their adult son and brother who died of an opioid overdose.Jill Diamond, executive director of Vancouver’s Diamond Foundation and sister to Steven Diamond, said in a statement that her brother might still be alive today if he had received the care being offered at Vancouver’s St. Paul’s Hospital.“No matter where we turned, we never found the help that Steven needed,” Diamond said in a news release.“We’re speaking out today for the first time because we want to save lives.”The donation to the St. Paul’s Foundation will help fund the hospital’s Road to Recovery program that aims to fill treatment gaps by cutting weeks off waiting lists and providing supports to patients through a full spectrum of treatment services in one location, the statement said.The Diamond family was expected to atte...

Chicago police looking for missing woman last seen going to work in River North

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:04:37 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago police are searching for a missing woman who was last seen Sunday leaving her home and going to work in River North.Allison Hague, 34, is described as being about 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Hague left her home around 2:30 p.m. in the 1900 block of North Carolina and was going to work in the 700 block of North Clark Street, police said.Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Area Five SVU detectives at 312-746-6554.