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Star witness Caroline Ellison says FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried hoped to be US president someday

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:56 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Caroline Ellison, the tech executive who ran Sam Bankman-Fried ’s hedge fund while sometimes dating him, testified Tuesday that he directed her to commit crimes before his cryptocurrency empire collapsed last November. She also revealed that her former boss and boyfriend thought he might be U.S. president someday.With Bankman-Fried looking on from his seat in the courtroom, Ellison, 28, testified at the New York City trial that she committed fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering along with Bankman-Fried and others.“He directed me to commit these crimes,” she said of Bankman-Fried, when asked by a prosecutor about his involvement.Repeatedly, Ellison made clear that Bankman-Fried was behind the biggest financial moves in his companies, to the point that bitcoins he created were sometimes called “Sam’s coins.”She described him as “very ambitious” and envisioning eventually leading huge companies and using his money influentially.He even thou...

Markets rise amid interest rate optimism while energy stocks fuel TSX gains

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:56 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s main stock index gained more than 250 points Tuesday amid a broad-based rally led by energy stocks, while U.S. markets also rose on hopes that interest rates may have reached their peak. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 255.13 points at 19,501.20.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 134.65 points at 33,739.30. The S&P 500 index was up 22.58 points at 4,358.24, while the Nasdaq composite was up 78.60 points at 13,562.84.U.S. markets rose for the second day this week as comments from U.S. Federal Reserve officials indicate the central bank could be done raising interest rates, said Anish Chopra, managing director with Portfolio Management Corp.On Tuesday, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta said she doesn’t think rates need to rise any further, echoing remarks on Monday from the Fed’s vice chair and the Dallas Fed president. The central bank’s next rate decision is Nov. 1.U.S. Treasury yields somewhat eased Tuesday...

Transport Canada invests $150M to build new container terminal in Contrecoeur, Quebec

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:56 GMT

MONTREAL — The federal government has announced an investment of up to $150 million toward a container terminal in Contrecoeur, Que., which is about 70 kilometres northeast of Montreal. Transport Canada says the multimillion-dollar investment would help increase the container capacity at the Port of Montreal and meet the growing need for cargo transportation. Federal Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez says the expansion is important in preventing product shortages such as those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.The funding comes from a government fund earmarked toward supply chain improvements and will help build infrastructure for the port expansion including a 675-metre-long dock, a rail network connecting to the existing network and a container handling yard.Transport Canada says the upgrade will strengthen global trade link while providing Canadian companies with the port infrastructure to remain competitive. It adds the new terminal will increase the annual value of trade , gen...

Canadian author living with mitochondrial disease launches clothing line to make a difference

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:56 GMT

As an author and an advocate, Thomas Zachos has been working to inspire others who may feel different after living with mitochondrial disease.His latest venture where he hopes to make a difference is through his new clothing line called Thomas and Co.Mitochondrial disease is described as if the mitochondria is the powerplant to the body, having the diseases could be similar to a power outage, affecting parts of the body like the brain and heart.Zachos hopes with his new clothing brand, people will hear his story and feel inspired.“The goal here is to empower people and to bring bold courage into people’s lives and spread the message that we are here to help you with whatever you are suffering with,” Zachos told CityNews.“Mental Health is a big aspect and is something that I struggled with growing up and going through this journey. My journey took a lot more time, I think. However, there is a crossing where there is a light at the end of the tunnel,, and we just wan...

Despite promises of plans, Chicago migrant crisis gets worse

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:56 GMT

CHICAGO — As overnight temperatures fell into the 30s for the first time this fall, the migrant crisis is only worsening and there are no signs they’ll be moving out of police stations, outdoor encampments, or O’Hare Airport any time soon.Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration signed a $29M contract with Garda World on Sept.12 to open a winterized tent facility that could house, feed and provide other services for migrants. Lawsuit filed against city to end inhumane conditions for Chicago residents, migrants However, city records reviewed by WGN Investigates show no payments have been made to the company and the mayor’s team has yet to announce where it would be located, let alone when it could open. Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the seemingly stalled project.Meanwhile, the number of migrants staying at Chicago police stations has nearly doubled since the end of August. There are currently 2,894 migrants staying at CPD districts, up 75% ...

Coast Guard says it has recovered remaining parts of submersible that imploded, killing 5

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:56 GMT

The Coast Guard has recovered remaining debris from a submersible that imploded on its way to explore the wreck of the Titanic, killing all five onboard, deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean's surface, officials said Tuesday.The salvage mission conducted under an agreement with the U.S. Navy was a follow-up to initial recovery operations on the ocean floor roughly 1,600 feet (488 meters) away from the Titanic, the Coast Guard said. It said Tuesday that the recovery and transfer of remaining parts was completed last Wednesday, and a photo showed the intact aft portion of the 22-foot (6.7-meter) vessel. ‘I wasn’t scared’: Chicagoland man talks about his journey to the Titanic on same submersible lost at sea Investigators believe the Titan imploded as it made its descent into deep North Atlantic waters on June 18. The multiday search mounted after Titan went silent captured attention around the world. The submersible was attempting to view the British passenger liner that sank in 1912.The...

Hundreds gather to show support, solidarity in wake of Israel-Hamas attacks

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:56 GMT

GLENCOE, Ill. — As the war between Israel and Hamas continues community members in Chicagoland are coming together in a showing of solidarity.Several prayer vigils were held Monday night and another gathering was held Tuesday morning in Glencoe. Hundreds of people came together for the community-wide solidarity event hosted by the Jewish United Fund (JUF) of Chicago.Governor JB Pritzker addressed the crowd and condemned the actions against Israel, while calling for solidarity and prayer for impacted families and the men and women of the Israeli defense forces.“Today we come together in solidarity to mourn and grieve for the victims of the horrific violence against Israel,” Pritzker said. “Prayers are called for, but they are not enough, not nearly enough. Children, students, elderly, mothers and fathers, innocents are dead and injured at the hands of Hamas.” Biden condemns Hamas brutality in attack on Israel and calls out rape and torture by militants “We are here at a synagogue w...

Olympic legend Mary Lou Retton 'fighting for her life' in ICU: daughter

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:56 GMT

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — Olympic gold medalist and West Virginia native Mary Lou Retton is in an intensive care unit and "fighting for her life" as she battles pneumonia.According to a *spotfund set up by her daughter, McKenna Kelley, Retton has been in the ICU for "over a week now" and has not been able to breathe on her own. Kelley said that out of respect for her mother's privacy, she would not disclose any more details, but she did say that Retton is uninsured."Please consider helping our family out," Kelley wrote in an Instagram story. "And most importantly please continue to pray."Retton, a Fairmont, West Virginia, native, made history as a gymnast particularly during the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles when she received two perfect 10 scores in the floor and vault categories just weeks after receiving an operation on her knee.In that same Olympics, Retton became the first American in history to win all-around gold for gymnastics and also won two silver medals and two br...

A new NBA book has a look at the Bulls' 'first dance'

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:56 GMT

CHICAGO — While everyone knows about "The Last Dance" of the 1990s Chicago Bulls, there are likely not as many who know about what could be considered their first. That would be the 1987-1988 season, when Michael Jordan officially arrived as a superstar in the NBA and the team took major steps towards becoming a contender. Of course, they weren't there yet, because there were a few other teams that were competing for the NBA crown at that time."When The Game Was War: The NBA's Greatest Season" by author Rich Cohen chronicles that campaign through the Bulls, Celtics, Lakers, and Pistons with a focus on each team's star. That would be Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Isiah Thomas, each of whom would have a major impact in 1987-1988 and through the next two decades in the league. During that season, the Bulls won 50 games while also capturing their first playoff series in the Jordan era, with the guard earning his first NBA MVP award along with his only league Defensive Player of...

Titan submersible implosion: More presumed human remains recovered, Coast Guard says

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:50:56 GMT

(AP) — The Coast Guard has recovered remaining debris, including presumed human remains, from a submersible that imploded on its way to explore the wreck of the Titanic, killing all five onboard, deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean's surface, officials said Tuesday.The Coast Guard said that the recovery and transfer of remaining parts was completed last Wednesday, and a photo showed the intact aft portion of the 22-foot vessel. Additional presumed human remains were carefully recovered from within Titan’s debris and transported for analysis by U.S. medical professionals, the Coast Guard said."Additional presumed human remains were carefully recovered from within Titan’s debris and transported for analysis by U.S. medical professionals," the Coast Guard said in a release. Olympic legend Mary Lou Retton ‘fighting for her life’ in ICU: daughter The salvage mission conducted under an agreement with the U.S. Navy was a follow-up to initial recovery operations on the ocean floor roughly 1,6...