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World’s largest cryptocurrency exchange to pay over $4 billion in agreement with US, AP source says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:58 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange has agreed to pay more than $4 billion as part of an agreement with the U.S. government, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The development in the case against Binance was confirmed on the condition of anonymity ahead of an expected announcement. The value was first reported by Bloomberg. It comes months after the company was accused of operating as an unregistered securities exchange and violating a slew of U.S. securities laws in a lawsuit from regulators. Binance is a Cayman Islands limited liability company founded by CEO Changpeng Zhao. The charges were similar to practices uncovered after the collapse of the second largest cryptocurrency exchange, FTX, last year.Zhao has also faced allegations of diverting customer funds, concealing the fact that the company was commingling billions of dollars in investor assets and sending them to a third party that Zhao also owned. At the ...

Niger’s junta asks West Africa’s court to compel neighbors to lift coup sanctions, citing hardship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:58 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Niger’s junta on Tuesday asked West Africa’s regional court to order the lifting of sanctions imposed on the country by its neighbors following a July coup in which the democratically elected president was deposed.“There is no sector of the Nigerien society that has not been affected by these sanctions” which have caused untold economic hardship in one of the world’s poorest countries, Younkaila Yaye, one of the junta’s lawyers, argued at the hearing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.After elite soldiers toppled Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, the country faced economic sanctions from West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, as well as countries including the United States that had provided aid for health, security and infrastructure needs.Neighbors shut their borders with Niger and more than 70% of its electricity, supplied by Nigeria, was cut off after financial transactions with West African countries were suspended. Niger’s assets in external banks were frozen and ...

‘Slap in the face’: Indigenous women’s group reacts to Emmy win for Sainte-Marie film

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:58 GMT

A group of Indigenous women says the International Emmy Award for a documentary about folk legend Buffy Sainte-Marie feels like a “slap in the face.”The Indigenous Women’s Collective describes itself as a group of mothers, grandmothers, academics and activists advocating to stop colonial violence against Indigenous women.The collective says in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that documentaries are supposed to present factual information.“Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On,” a documentary made before the singer’s Indigenous ancestry was called into question, won in the arts programming category.The singer-songwriter’s ancestry was challenged in a CBC investigation last month that presented several identity documents and interviews with family members that suggested she is Italian American.Saint-Marie has denied the accusation and White Pine Pictures, one of the companies that produced the documentary, says in a statement on its website that it...

Music Review: New live jazz album of 1964 performances by Bill Evans trio sings and swings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:58 GMT

The newest gem in the ever-growing catalog of Bill Evans, the late jazz pianist, commemorates a return to his roots.European classical music is at the foundation of Evans’ distinctive sound, and “Tales — Live in Copenhagen (1964)” features previously unreleased recordings from his first European tour.The vinyl version will be released for Record Store Day on Friday, Nov. 24, with the CD edition scheduled for Dec. 1. The album is record label Elemental Music’s follow-up to “Treasures — Solo, Trio & Orchestra Recordings from Denmark (1965-1969),” an engaging two-CD set of later performances.“Tales” contains 11 cuts, 10 of which feature Evans with bassist Chuck Israels and drummer Larry Bunker. Most of the tunes had been part of the trio’s repertoire for some time when they arrived in Copenhagen, and their comfort level results in music filled with inventive interplay that is a marvel of syncopation and synchronicity.As always, Evans’ rhythmic creativity delights. There are two ren...

Padres give Mike Shildt another chance to manage 2 years after his Cardinals exit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:58 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Mike Shildt has been hired as manager of the San Diego Padres, returning to the dugout two years after he was suddenly fired by the St. Louis Cardinals following a third straight playoff appearance.The Padres announced Tuesday that Shildt had been given a two-year contract.Shildt replaces Bob Melvin, who was hired away by the San Francisco Giants on Oct. 25 with a year left on his contract with the Padres. That ended a fractured two-year relationship with general manager A.J. Preller.Shildt was voted NL Manager of the Year in 2019 while with the Cardinals. He takes over a big-spending team that flopped dramatically in 2023, a year after making a stirring run to the NL Championship Series and after increasing its opening day payroll to $258 million, third highest in the majors.Shildt has been a senior advisor to the major league staff and player development department with the Padres since 2022. His familiarity with the team’s top minor league prospects could b...

WGN online store launches Tom Skilling collection

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:58 GMT

Just in time for the holidays, a new edition has been added to the WGN online store.Don't just enjoy the weather, WEAR the weather. On Tuesday, the old number 9 launched The Tom Skilling collection at WGNtv.com/store.Shirts, mugs, shower curtains, area rugs, you name it! Fans will be able to purchase items and have them shipped directly to loved ones this holiday season.Check it out here.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Flight delayed or canceled? Here are your rights as a passenger

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:58 GMT

(The Hill) -- Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg released a public service announcement reminding airline passengers of their rights Tuesday morning.“[I]f your flight does get delayed or canceled, know that the Department of Transportation has your back,” Buttigieg said in the PSA video posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “For example, we have secured enforceable commitments from the 10 largest airlines to cover expenses for things like rebooking, meals and more, when you face delays or cancellations that are the airline's responsibility.The Transportation secretary also noted that passengers are “entitled to a full cash refund” if a flight is canceled for “any reason.” He also said more airlines are now offering “fee-free family seating,” which he said the Department of Transportation (DOT) is pushing for “across the board.”“So, before you travel this holiday, take a moment to visit flight rights.gov, know your rights and what to expect as a passenger and know...

Thomas Lennon is back in town with The State this weekend (and he still has beef with Dean Richards)

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:58 GMT

The StateSaturday and SundayRiviera Theatre4746 N. Racine Ave.www.jamusa.com/riviera-theatre/Before his role in “Reno 911!”, Thomas Lennon, was known for the short-lived improv show “The State” on MTV.  Now he's bringing the hilarious stage show to Chicago with his former castmates this weekend at the Rivieria Theatre.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Austin City Council to vote on additional funding for two hotels meant to house the homeless

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two hotels purchased by the City of Austin several years ago have not yet opened for their intended purpose of housing people who have experienced chronic homelessness. During next week's city council meeting, additional funding and time could be committed to those projects. KXAN has previously reported that Pecan Gardens, the former Candlewood Suites hotel in northwest Austin, will serve as permanent supportive housing for more than 70 homeless, elderly and disabled people under the eye of Family Eldercare.That property has been empty since city council approved its purchase — using 2018 affordable housing bond dollars — in 2021. In June 2022, Austin City Council approved a contract with Family Eldercare to operate the property. Homeless beds: Marshalling Yard opens ahead of schedule, Pecan Gardens sees delays Documents say the delay comes after Family Eldercare "discovered significant issues with the structure of the building, including mold, drainage,...

Diane’s Place, a Hmong-French restaurant from a top pastry chef, set to open next year in Minneapolis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:50:58 GMT

When Diane Moua left her her position as the executive pastry chef at Bellecour Bakery last year, she was at the top of the pastry world in the Twin Cities. She’s earned five James Beard nominations, had worked previously at restaurants like Spoon and Stable and La Belle Vie — and was ready to go solo.Now, she’s ready to share details about her next project: a bistro, named Diane’s Place, that’s set to open early next year at the Food Building in Northeast Minneapolis.The menu will include sweet and savory dishes that blend Moua’s Hmong upbringing with her classical French culinary training and ingredients from her parents’ farm in Wisconsin. She plans to offer breakfast, lunch and dinner service.Robb Jones and Tyler Kleinow of Meteor Bar in Minneapolis are designing a cocktail menu.“I’m not inventing anything,” Moua told us last year. “I’m just putting things that I grew up eating on a plate.”Pastry chef Diane Moua to open cafe blending Hmong and classical F...