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Panama: Protests Against Copper Mine Deal Turn Deadly

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Anti-mining rallies in Panama have turned deadly in the last two weeks, according to police, after a man allegedly fired and killed two people.

A disturbing video posted by bystanders on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed a disheveled elderly man

Frustrated with the protestors’ inability to remove a barrier blocking the Pan-American highway about 50 miles south of the capital before pulling out a pistol and opening fire. The alleged gunman was later apprehended at the scene of the incident, according to Panama’s National Police.

The extraordinary image of violence is the latest flashpoint in some of the greatest protests to erupt in the Central American country since Panamanians flooded the streets en masse to denounce Manuel Noriega’s regime in the 1980s.

Thousands of protestors have been outraged for weeks over a contentious mining contract awarded to Minera Panama, a Panamanian subsidiary of a Canadian mining company, to harvest copper, a critical component in electric car batteries.

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Panama: Protests Against Copper Mine Deal Turn Deadly

The agreement allows Canada’s First Quantum Minerals to resume an open-pit copper mine surrounded by rainforest for the next 20 years, with an option to extend for another 20.

Environmentalists fear the mine will poison drinking water and destroy large portions of the 32,000 acres the business has agreed to lease in exchange for $375 million in annual payments.

However, Panama’s administration has pledged that the mine will provide thousands of jobs and much-needed revenue. First, Quantum Minerals did not respond to CNN’s request for comment on the protests.

Environmentalists, indigenous organizations, teachers’ and construction unions have joined forces in opposition to the project, citing claims of backroom transactions between the government and the mining business as fresh evidence of pervasive official corruption.

Protesters accuse the government of selling off the country’s natural riches at a time when many Panamanians are facing the effects of growing inflation and climate change.

“Panamanians are suffering from a lack of water, from droughts, particularly in the central provinces, from animals dying and harvests not taking place,” environmental campaigner Martita Cornejo told CNN en Espanol.

panama

Panama: Protests Against Copper Mine Deal Turn Deadly

“The government did not guage the opposition from Panamanian society to a mining contract.”

While much of the criticism is genuine, former US ambassador to Panama John Feeley believes the new contract announcement has allowed some groups to try to extract their concessions and gain sweetheart deals from the government.

“This is the horrible thing about Panama: Even when you protest corruption, you are probably facilitating it as well,” he said.

Protesters’ roadblocks have shut down the country for weeks, preventing farmers from transporting products to market and stranding Panamanians in their homes. According to Panama’s organization of business executives, the halt costs local businesses $80 million daily. Last week’s celebrations to honor Panama’s independence from Colombia in 1903 were also largely postponed.

After the mining deal was announced on October 20, Panama’s President Laurentino Cortizo defended it, claiming it would provide employment and revenue.

The mine was a rare economic bright spot for Panama, where tourism has been slow to recover from the epidemic
and the drought has slowed transit via the Panama Canal, causing a $200 million revenue drop in 2024.

“We made the right decision, not the easiest one,” Cortizo explained. “After a difficult and complicated negotiation for more than two years, a contract was agreed in 2023 between the company Minera  and the Panamanian State, which guarantees much better terms and conditions for the country.”

panama

Panama: Protests Against Copper Mine Deal Turn Deadly

However, as the protests continued, their administration made compromises that did little to alleviate the crisis: Congress passed a moratorium on any additional metal mining last week, and Cortizo has asked for a statewide referendum on the controversial scheme in December.

The paSupreme Court found another contract to run the copper mine unlawful in 2017, prompting the mining corporation and government to renegotiate the agreement.

Opponents are now hoping that a statement by their Supreme Court this week that it is investigating the contract’s legitimacy would kill the transaction once more.

Whatever the crisis’s outcome, it may be too late to rebuild Panama’s reputation in the area as a rare bulwark of political and economic stability.

SOURCE – (CNN)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador Discuss Migration In Latest Call

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WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden engaged in a conversation with his Mexican counterpart, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, regarding collaboration on migration policy. This discussion took place as the U.S. leader contemplates the possibility of implementing executive measures to address the influx of migrants coming at the southern U.S. border.

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President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador Discuss Migration In Latest Call

During his daily press conference in Mexico City on Monday, López Obrador stated that the call took place on Sunday at Biden’s behest. Biden and López Obrador issued a joint statement, stating that their call focused on their collaborative endeavors to “efficiently oversee” migration and “enhance operational effectiveness” at the U.S.-Mexico border.

“We have periodic discussions,” López Obrador stated. “I actively search for him, and he actively searches for me, and then we engage in conversation.”

The Mexican leader stated that significant advancements have been achieved in managing unlawful migration by effectively convincing numerous migrants to abstain from using illicit means to traverse nations.

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President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador Discuss Migration In Latest Call

López Obrador also praised the U.S. Supreme Court’s January ruling, which permitted Border Patrol officials to recommence the removal of razor wire that the state of Texas had put along the border as a means to discourage migration.

The joint statement said that Biden and López Obrador had instructed their respective national security advisors to promptly implement specific measures to decrease irregular border crossings. However, the statement did not provide more details regarding the nature of these actions. According to the statement, the policies will also safeguard human rights.

Following the failure of border legislation in Congress earlier this year, the White House has not dismissed the possibility of President Biden issuing an executive order regarding asylum laws in an attempt to decrease the influx of migrants at the U.S. southern border.

Any unilateral action would probably rely on a president’s authority under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows extensive authority to prevent the entry of specific immigrants if it is considered harmful to the national interest.

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President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador Discuss Migration In Latest Call

Administration officials have extensively examined multiple alternatives for months, although Biden has not yet decided how to proceed with unilateral steps. White House advisers have observed that there is currently no pressing need for the president to take any action, as the number of unlawful border crossings has decreased since reaching a peak of 250,000 in December, thanks to increased enforcement operations by Mexican officials.

SOURCE – (AP)

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Dan Rather Synonymous with CBS News Dies at Age 92

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Dan Rather Synonymous with CBS News Dies at Age 92
Dan Rather CBS Evening News

Dan Rather was synonymous with CBS News before the veteran anchorman left in bitterness in 2006, following a discredited report on then-President George W Bush has died at the age of 92.

Dan Rather returned to the CBS News airwaves for the first time since his bitter exit 18 years ago, appearing in a reflective interview on “CBS Sunday Morning” days before the debut of a Netflix documentary on the 92-year-old newsman’s life.

After 44 years at the network, 24 as anchor of the “CBS Evening News,” Rather left under a cloud following a botched investigation into then-President George W. Bush’s military record. Rather signed off as anchor for the last time on March 9, 2005, and exited the network when his contract ended 15 months later.

With continued enmity between him and since-deposed CBS chief Leslie Moonves, Rather essentially became a nonperson at the news division he dominated for decades.

“Without apology or explanation, I miss CBS,” Rather told correspondent Lee Cowan in the interview that aired Sunday. “I’ve missed it since the day I left.”

Dan Rather

Rather questioned Bush’s Vietnam War-era National Guard service: Image Vox

Dan Rather escaped official blame for the report that questioned Bush’s Vietnam War-era National Guard service but, as the anchor who introduced it, was identified with it.

CBS could not vouch for the authenticity of some documents upon which the report was based, although many people involved in the story still believe it was true.

In the documentary “Rather,” debuting Wednesday on Netflix, Rather said he thought he would survive the incident, but his wife, Jean, told him, “You got into a fight with the president of the United States during his reelection campaign. What did you think was going to happen?”

Rather did not retire after leaving CBS, doing investigative journalism and rock star interviews for HDNet, a digital cable and satellite television network. Over the past few years, he has become known to a new generation as a tart-talking presence on social media.

This past week, he posted on X during former President Trump’s hush money trial: “Is it just me or did today seem sleazy even for Donald Trump?”

“You either get engaged and you get engaged in the new terms … or you’re out of the game,” Rather said in the CBS interview, filmed at his home in Texas. “And I wanted to stay in the game.”

The Netflix documentary traces his career from coverage of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the Vietnam War and Watergate, through his anchor years and beyond. It includes some of the then tightly-wound Rather’s odder incidents, including an assault in New York City by someone saying, “What’s the frequency, Kenneth,” then later appearing onstage with R.E.M. when the group performed its song of the same name.

In both the documentary and in the CBS interview, Rather bypasses his career when talk turned to his legacy.

“In the end, whatever remains of one’s life — family, friends — those are going to be the things for which you’re remembered,” he said.

Source: The Associated Press

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Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

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The city of Omaha, located in Nebraska, is the subject of this article. On Saturday, residents began examining the debris following a tornado that tore through suburban Omaha, Nebraska. The tornado caused extensive damage to homes and businesses as it traveled miles across farmland and into residential areas.

A crowd assembled in the streets of the Elkhorn region in Omaha amidst the fragmented remnants of the residences. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen intends to visit the area and after that conduct a press briefing on Saturday in Omaha.

The tornadoes that occurred on Friday night caused extensive destruction in the Midwest. One building collapsed, trapping numerous individuals inside, while hundreds of residences were either destroyed or damaged.

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Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

Multiple injury incidents have been documented. However, no deaths have been reported.

Three individuals sustained injuries in Lancaster County, Nebraska, as a result of a tornado striking an industrial structure, leading to its collapse while containing 70 occupants. Multiple individuals were confined. However, all individuals were successfully removed from the premises, and the injuries sustained were deemed non-fatal, as stated by the police.

A devastating tornadoes traveled a considerable distance on Friday, first affecting agricultural land before causing significant damage to residences and other buildings in the suburban areas of Omaha. Omaha has a population of 485,000 people and a metropolitan area of approximately 1 million.

Images shared on social media platforms also depict extensive destruction in the small town of Minden, Iowa, which is located approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Omaha.

During a briefing on Friday, Jeff Theulen, the top deputy of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, stated that 40 to 50 homes had been entirely demolished. Two injuries were documented, but none risked the individuals’ lives.

According to him, school buses have been sent to provide transportation for residents who require it to leave the area. He requested that others refrain from entering the area due to its high level of hazard, characterized by fallen power lines and heaps of debris where houses once stood.

“It is truly distressing to witness these individuals who have suffered the loss of their homes, vehicles, and essentially their entire livelihood until they are able to reconstruct it,” he expressed.

The Saturday forecast was foreboding. The National Weather Service issued tornado watches for northern Texas and western Oklahoma on Saturday morning.

“There is a possibility of tornadoes, potentially significant tornadoes, occurring on Saturday afternoon and evening,” stated Bruce Thoren, a meteorologist from the weather service in Norman, Oklahoma.

Areas of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Arkansas were under tornado warnings. Meteorologists warned that significant hail and powerful gusts of wind could occur.

Omaha police Lieutenant Neal Bonacci reported that numerous residences in Omaha, particularly in the Elkhorn district in the city’s western region, sustained damage on Friday. In response, police officers and firefighters visited households to provide assistance.

Several recently constructed, spacious residences in a specific section of Elkhorn sustained significant damage. A minimum of six structures were severely damaged, with one completely demolished and others experiencing significant damage to their upper sections. A multitude of emergency cars swiftly arrived at the location.

tornadoes

AP – VOR News Image

Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

According to Pat Woods, a resident of Elkhorn, we observed the touchdown of the object approximately 200 yards away before seeking shelter. “We were able to perceive its approach.” Upon our arrival, we discovered that our fence had disappeared. As we gazed towards the northwest, we observed that the entire neighborhood had vanished.

Kim Woods, his spouse, stated, “The entire residential area located to the north of our location has been severely devastated.”

According to Dhaval Naik, who claims to work with the owner of the residence, three individuals, including a toddler, were present in the basement of the destroyed house during the tornadoes. However, they managed to escape unharmed.

A video from KETV-TV depicted the evacuation of a woman from a destroyed residence in Blair, a city located to the north of Omaha. The woman was transported on a stretcher.According to Bonacci, two individuals were brought for medical care, both of whom sustained minor injuries.

“The few serious injuries were prevented because people were given warnings,” stated Omaha Police ChiefTodd Schmaderer.

A tornado warning was issued in the Omaha vicinity on Friday afternoon, coinciding with the scheduled departure of students from school. Several schools implemented a shelter-in-place protocol for kids until the storm subsided.

“Was it a single continuous tornado or were there multiple tornadoes?” Kern from the National Weather Service inquired.

According to her, the agency intended to dispatch numerous teams in the next few days to assess the quantity and intensity of the tornadoes. This process could last up to a fortnight.

A tornado struck an area on the eastern periphery of Omaha, causing direct damage to sections of Eppley Airfield, the city’s airport. Aircraft operations were temporarily suspended to assess the damage, but the facility was subsequently reopened, according to Steve McCoy, Chief Strategy Officer of the Omaha Airport Authority.

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AP – VOR News Image

Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

Although the tornadoes did not directly strike the passenger terminal, McCoy stated that individuals promptly sought refuge in storm shelters until the tornadoes subsided.

Following its path through the airport, the tornado over the Missouri River entered Iowa, specifically to the north of Council Bluffs.

According to sheriff’s officials, in Lancaster County, three individuals sustained injuries as a result of the collapse of an industrial facility. Additionally, there have been reports of a train that has tipped over near Waverly, Nebraska.

Approximately 10,000 customers in the Omaha area experienced a power outage, as reported by the Omaha Public Power District. On Saturday morning, the number had decreased to slightly over 4,300.

Pillen, the governor of Nebraska, announced on the social media platform X that he had directed the allocation of state resources to assist in the emergency response and help first responders evaluate the extent of the damage.

SOURCE – (AP)

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