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El Salvador's Congress on Monday approved a bill promoted by President Nayib Bukele to roll back a ban on the mining of gold and other metals, dismaying environmentalists. The small Central American nation became the world's first country to outlaw metal mining in 2017, warning of the harmful effects of the chemicals used, like cyanide and mercury. The move by Bukele's predecessor, former left-wing rebel Salvador Sanchez Ceren, reflected a growing rejection of mining by rural communities in the region. But last month, Bukele, who is popular at home for his crackdown on street gangs, signaled that he wanted to change course. The bill to bring back metal mining was approved by 57 deputies out of a total of 60, said Ernesto Castro, head of the legislature -- which is dominated by the ruling party -- as environmental campaigners protested nearby. Critics fear that mining will pollute the Lempa River, which runs through a potential mining zone proposed by Bukele and supplies water to 70 percent of the inhabitants of the capital and surrounding areas. "This wretched mining will punish the people, it will contaminate our waters and rivers and that's an attack on life," activist Vidalina Morales told reporters. Bukele said last month that El Salvador, a country of 6.6 million people, had "potentially" the largest gold deposits per square kilometer in the world. "God placed a gigantic treasure underneath our feet," he wrote on social media, arguing that the mining ban was "absurd." "If we make responsible use of our natural resources, we can change the economy of El Salvador overnight," he said. The new law stipulates that the state will be the only entity authorized to search for, extract and process mined metals. However, the government may do so through companies in which it is a shareholder. The bill prohibits the use of mercury in mining operations, which may not be carried out in protected natural areas or places with important water sources. A survey by Central American University published on Monday revealed that 59 percent of respondents do not consider El Salvador "an appropriate country for metal mining." Since El Salvador dollarized its remittances-reliant economy in 2001, it has registered average annual growth of 2.1 percent. Twenty-seven percent of Salvadorans live in poverty, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, and 70 percent of the workforce operates in the informal sector. Elsewhere in the region, Costa Rica and Honduras have banned open-pit mining, and Panama declared a moratorium on new mining concessions last year after mass protests over plans for a huge copper mine. ob/fj/dr/jgc
Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83
The last mayor to go through three police commissioners in a single term quit in the middle of that term, before the governor could fire him or prosecutors could charge him for all the “beneficences” he’d pocketed.By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. Related Articles National Politics | Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirling National Politics | Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump extends unprecedented invites to China’s Xi and other world leaders for his inauguration National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union’s executive vice president. “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November’s election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”
20 years after the Indian Ocean tsunami, a boy found in the mud embraces being known as 'Baby 81'FASHION fans are in a frenzy over a new Dunnes Stores dress perfect for New Year's. Dunnes Stores have added a must-have dress to the shelves, and it's a bargain. The Savida Sienna PU Dress costs just €30, and comes in sizes XXS to XXL. But shoppers have already grabbed size XXS which is sold out online. In the official item description on the Dunnes Stores website, fashion chiefs wrote: "This PU leather mini dress from Savida is defined by its panels, creating a sculpted shape that flatters the silhouette. "Sleeveless, and complete with a back zip closure, it pairs perfectly with knee-high boots for a confident, fashion-forward look. Savida is available exclusively at Dunnes Stores." The dress is available to buy both online and in stores across the country but it is set to fly off the shelves. Shoppers can wear it with a new pair of boots that are flying off the shelves . As the temperature continues to dip, fashion fans are looking for comfort while not sacrificing style this winter. The Leopard Western Ankle Boot are a bargain, retailing for just €30. Available in sizes 36 to 42, the smallest size is out of stock on the website, and the rest are set to follow suit. The boots give off a Western flair, with a black sole and and a leopard print boot. Dunnes Stores fashion chiefs said: "Channel Western flair with these leopard-print ankle boots, featuring a soft pointed toe, squared sole, side zip, and sturdy block heel. "Style effortlessly with denim for casual appeal or a dress for a bold occasion-ready look." And to complete the outfit, you can layer up with a must-have jacket also being sold by the retailer. The Boucle Funnel Neck Jacket is set to fly off the shelves - and it costs just €35. It is available in stores and online now. It comes in sizes XS to XXL in black. Dunnes Stores chiefs wrote: "This loose fit jacket is crafted from a softly textured boucle fabric. "Featuring a funnel neck for added warmth, two over-sized patch pockets, and a silky satin lining." The black jacket can be worn over anything from winter clothes to dresses, making it a very festive buy.
NoneTrump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn’t install more automated systemsJournalist Shares Worrying Man Utd Star That Will Anger Ruben AmorimSANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — Two people were rescued and a third swam to safety after a California pier under construction partially collapsed and fell into the ocean Monday as the state's central coast was pounded by heavy surf from a major storm expected to bring hurricane-force winds to the seas off the Pacific Northwest, authorities said. Residents were warned to stay away from low-lying areas near the beaches around the Santa Cruz Wharf, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of San Francisco, as the storm rapidly gained strength. “You are risking your life, and those of the people that would need to try and save you by getting in or too close to the water,” the National Weather Service's Bay Area office said on the social platform X. Lifeguards rescued two people from the water, officials with Santa Cruz Fire Department said. No one had serious injuries, Mayor Fred Keeley said. The mayor said the section of the wharf that collapsed had been damaged over time. The structure was in the middle of a $4 million renovation following destructive storms last winter. “It’s a catastrophe for those down at the end of the wharf," said David Johnston, owner of Venture Quest Kayaking, who was allowed onto the pier to check on his business. Tony Elliot, the head of the Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department, estimated that about 150 feet (45 meters) of the end of the wharf fell into the water around 12:45 p.m. It was immediately evacuated and will remain closed indefinitely. Some of the wharf’s pilings are still in the ocean and remain “serious, serious hazards” to boats, the mayor said. Each piling weighs hundreds of pounds and is being pushed by powerful waves. Gov. Gavin Newsom's has been briefed and the state's Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with local officials, his office said. Forecasters warned that storm swells will continue to increase throughout the day. “We are anticipating that what is coming toward us is more serious than what was there this morning,” the mayor said. Ocean swells along California's central coast could reach 60 feet (18 meters) as the Pacific storm gains strength through Monday, the weather service said. “A rapidly developing storm will bring hurricane force winds to the areas well offshore of the Pacific Northwest tonight,” the weather service's Ocean Prediction Center said on X. The end of the pier that broke off had been shut down during renovations. The portion, which included public restrooms and the closed Dolphin restaurant, floated about half a mile (0.8 kilometers) down the coast and wedged itself at the bottom of the San Lorenzo River. Those who fell into the water were two engineers and a project manager who were inspecting the end of the wharf, officials said. No members of the public were in the area. Building inspectors were now looking at the rest of the Santa Cruz Wharf’s structural integrity. Monday's collapse came about a year after the Seacliff State Beach pier just down the coast was battered beyond repair by a heavy winter storm. Further up the West Coast, dangerous surf conditions and waves up to 30 feet (9.1 meters) were expected from the central Oregon coast up through southwestern Washington. Winds could peak near 80 mph (130 kph) and a high surf warning in effect until 10 p.m. Monday night, forecasters said. In a post on X, the National Weather Service office in Portland, Oregon, said “it will likely go down as some of the highest surf this winter.” ___ Dazio reported from Los Angeles.
Telegram’s decision to pivot into the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain services seems to be paying off as the app continues to rake in profits from crypto deals and activities of its very own Blockchain. The social media company pulled in $225 million from one single deal selling exclusive use of its Toncoin native crypto asset. In 2018, Telegram founder Pavel Durov released a whitepaper for the Telegram Open Network marking the beginning of the pivot to cryptocurrency by the social media app. Related Stories Binance lists Telegram Crypto game Catizen as 59th project on Binance launchpool What is Banana Crypto game on Telegram and how can you earn money from it The Russian in partnership with his brother aimed to develop a blockchain service that could integrate with Telegram’s messaging service to facilitate fast and scalable transactions. Pavel Durov was able to successfully draw significant attention and investment through a highly successful initial coin offering (ICO) that raised $1.7 billion for his new project. Telegram’s crypto movement was born from that moment and the social media app went on to lead the onboarding of millions of newbies into the crypto space. Telegram Mini Apps (also known as Telegram Web Apps) are small, lightweight web-based applications that can be integrated directly into the Telegram messaging app. These apps run inside Telegram without needing to be downloaded or installed separately, providing users with a seamless experience within the app itself. Mini Apps are part of Telegram’s broader strategy to enhance user experience by offering rich functionality directly within its chat interface, and they are built using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which makes them platform-independent and easy to develop. Telegram mini-apps have arguably become the most popular component of the social media app after its messaging service. The majority of the popular Play-to-Earn games that swept across the crypto industry this year existed as Telegram Mini apps. Crypto game projects like Hamster Kombat, Tapswap, Notcoin, and Blum were all Telegram mini apps and led the largest onboarding of new users to cryptocurrency. These play-to-earn projects are powered by Telegram’s TON blockchain making TON one of the busiest blockchains this year. Telegram’s cryptocurrency bet has proved to be a masterstroke with the social media app raking in millions of dollars from crypto deals despite the arrest of its founder a few months ago. Telegram pulled in a staggering $225 million from one single deal with an unnamed app. Telegram did this by granting Toncoin exclusive status for small businesses to buy advertising on the unnamed app. In the deal, Telegram received remuneration in exchange for allowing the cryptocurrency Toncoin to be the exclusive method for small businesses to buy advertising on the app. The $225 million compensation from the deal made up nearly half of Telegram’s $525 million revenue recently reported by the firm This reveals the significant contribution Crypto makes to the overall earnings of the social media app. Telegram makes money from crypto in other ways. In the first half of 2024, the social media company recorded $353 million in cryptocurrency transactions and reported a profit after taxes of $335 million, demonstrating its financial muscle. According to a Crypto. News report, Financial reports reveal that Telegram’s crypto holdings are on the rise. The social media company’s digital assets rose to $1.3 billion in the first half of 2024, up from nearly $400 million at the end of the previous year. The surge is heavily influenced by the sale of its native token, Toncoin. A Financial Times report revealed that Telegram’s finances are in good shape despite the arrest of its founder thanks to the company’s crypto earnings. The FT reported that Telegram has told investors that the arrest of its founder “Pavel Durov” has no “Material Effect” on the app and the company. Pavel Durov was arrested and detained in France on charges of Child pornography and other illicit activities taking place on his platform. He was released on bail conditions and mandated to visit the police every two weeks. Telegram remains the only leading social media app to Pivot fully in crypto. Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp under Meta are still not openly assimilating the technology. Elon Musk’s who owns X is a closet crypto fan and it wouldn’t be much of a surprise of X incorporates crypto fully into its services in the coming years.
