Ingo Rademacher is trying to take ABC back to court over his 2021 firing from General Hospital , and he’s bringing former co-star Steve Burton into it. Rademacher, who played Jasper “Jax” Jacks on the daytime drama for 25 years on and off, was fired in 2021 when he refused to follow the show’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. He sued the soap later that year claiming that he was fired because of his political views and not just the mandate. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to demand control of the Panama Canal be returned to Washington, complaining of "unfair" treatment of American ships and hinting at China's growing influence. Here are five things to know about the waterway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The 80-kilometer (50-mile) interoceanic waterway is operated by the Panama Canal Authority, an autonomous public entity. The Central American nation's constitution describes the canal as an "inalienable heritage of the Panamanian nation" that is open to vessels "of all nations." The United States is its main user, accounting for 74 percent of cargo, followed by China with 21 percent. Panama's government sets the price of tolls based on canal needs and international demand. Rates depends on a vessel's cargo capacity. "The canal has no direct or indirect control from China, nor the European Union, nor the United States or any other power," Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino said Sunday as he dismissed Trump's threat. All vessels, including warships and submarines, are given a Panama Canal pilot. Panama's independence from Colombia in 1903 is linked to the canal. Following the failure of French count Ferdinand de Lesseps to open a channel through the isthmus, the United States promoted the separation of the province of Panama and signed a treaty with the nascent country that ceded land and water in perpetuity to build it. After 10 years of construction and an investment of $380 million, the canal was inaugurated on August 15, 1914 with the transit of the steamer Ancon. Some 25,000 deaths from disease and accidents were recorded during its construction. The canal "is part of our history" and "an irreversible achievement," Mulino said. Washington's establishment of a "Canal Zone" -- an enclave with its own military bases, police and justice system -- gave rise to decades of demands by Panamanians to reunify the country and take control of the waterway. In 1977, Panamanian nationalist leader Omar Torrijos and US president Jimmy Carter signed treaties that allowed the canal to be transferred to Panama on December 31, 1999. "Any attempt to reverse this historic achievement not only dishonors our struggle, but is also an insult to the memory of those who made it possible," former president Martin Torrijos, the general's son, wrote on social media. Under the treaties, supported by more than 40 countries, the canal is deemed neutral and any ship can pass through. The only conditions are that ships must comply with safety regulations and military vessels from countries at war must not pass through at the same time. Unlike Egypt's Suez Canal, the Panama Canal operates using freshwater stored in two reservoirs. A drought led to a reduction in the number of transits in 2023, but the situation has since normalized. The canal, which has a system of locks to raise and lower vessels, transformed global shipping. Crafts can travel between the two oceans in about eight hours without having to sail all the way around Cape Horn, the southern tip of the Americas. The canal allows a ship to shave 20,300 kilometers off a journey from New York to San Francisco. Five percent of world maritime trade passes through the canal, which connects more than 1,900 ports in 170 countries. By the early 21st century, it had become too small, so it was expanded between 2009 and 2016. Today, the canal can accommodate ships up to 366 meters long and 49 meters wide (1,200 feet by 161 feet) -- equivalent to almost four football pitches. It generates six percent of Panama's national economic output and since 2000 has pumped more than $28 billion into state coffers. More than 11,200 ships transited the canal in the last fiscal year carrying 423 million tons of cargo.Despite Tymere Robinson's four touchdown runs, the Pirates can't repel the Great Danes in the second half. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Underground fire causes partial parking lot collapse near Williamsburg Premium Outlets Underground fire causes partial parking lot collapse near Williamsburg Premium Outlets 2 injured after vehicle failed to stop at Suffolk railroad crossing, police say 2 injured after vehicle failed to stop at Suffolk railroad crossing, police say 757Teamz football live scoreboard: Indian River visits Green Run, Maury hosts Warwick in region semifinals 757Teamz football live scoreboard: Indian River visits Green Run, Maury hosts Warwick in region semifinals Meet the Fort Monroe Authority’s new CEO Meet the Fort Monroe Authority’s new CEO Army-Navy 2024: Navy specialty uniforms to honor Jolly Rogers aviation squadron Army-Navy 2024: Navy specialty uniforms to honor Jolly Rogers aviation squadron Virginia live election results Virginia live election results Bike shop in Midtown Row rebrands, coffee shops celebrate and more business news from the Historic Triangle Bike shop in Midtown Row rebrands, coffee shops celebrate and more business news from the Historic Triangle Feeding with love: Williamsburg area’s 1st free grocery market opens in Grove community Feeding with love: Williamsburg area's 1st free grocery market opens in Grove community Here’s what development around the Virginia Beach Convention Center could look like Here’s what development around the Virginia Beach Convention Center could look like New, old owners agree: NYC businessman’s push to save SS United States is too late New, old owners agree: NYC businessman’s push to save SS United States is too late Trending Nationally Series of racist text messages referencing slavery sent to New York state students, police say Netflix’s “Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey?” takes on Boulder murder in three parts Here’s how Orlando International Airport hopes to solve baggage delays A kayaker faked his own death and fled overseas. Now he’s telling how he did it Percival Everett, 2024 National Book Award winner, rereads one book often
NoneBOSTON — A 53-year-old Boston man has been charged after allegedly attacking a transgender woman on an MBTA train. Gregory Burnett is facing several assault charges and a civil rights violation stemming from an incident at the Maverick MBTA station on Halloween. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.