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IMF and World Bank pledge Africa focus at first meetings on the continent in 50 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:28 GMT

MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) — In the shadow of a deadly earthquake in Morocco that caused nearly $12 billion in damage, the world’s most powerful economic policymakers said they would focus on Africa as they work to grow and stabilizing the global economy during times of war, inequality and climate change.The International Monetary Fund and World Bank are holding their annual meetings in Africa for the first time in 50 years as they face a growing chorus of criticism that poorer nations are underrepresented at the two institutions. Both have recently said they plan to give Africa additional seats on their executive boards. The conference theme was clear Monday during the gathering in Marrakech, although definitive details had yet to be discussed.“We’re here, Africa,” IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on a panel with African entrepreneurs.Often lenders of last resort, the IMF and the World Bank use billions in loans and assistance to buoy struggling economies an...

Pakistan ‘extremely disappointed’ over Cricket World Cup visa delay by India for media and fans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:28 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Pakistan Cricket Board has expressed “extreme disappointment” about a delay in the issuing of Indian visas to its country’s journalists and fans for the World Cup.The chairman of the PCB management committee, Zaka Ashraf, met with Pakistan foreign secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi on Monday and asked him to take up the matter with India’s home ministry through Pakistan’s high commission in New Delhi.“The PCB is extremely disappointed to see that journalists from Pakistan and fans are still facing uncertainty about obtaining an Indian visa,” it said in a statement.Around 50 Pakistan journalists, accredited by the International Cricket Council governing body, are uncertain when they will get their visas, with Pakistan scheduled to play its second game against Sri Lanka in Hyderabad on Tuesday.The Pakistan team received its visas less than 36 hours before it was due to fly to Hyderabad via Dubai last month. The delay in the issuing of the player visa forced the PCB...

Guatemala’s attorney general asks authorities to act against pro-democracy protests

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:28 GMT

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Guatemala’s attorney general on Monday called for the government to act against largely peaceful protesters, who have taken to the streets for weeks demanding her resignation for what they say are clear attempts to undermine their nation’s democracy.Protests broke out in Guatemala two weeks ago following one of the most tumultuous elections in the country’s recent history. The protests are fueled by accusations that Attorney General Consuelo Porras has tried to prevent President-elect Bernardo Arévalo from taking office in January.Since emerging as a political contender earlier this year, Arévalo – a progressive outsider challenging the elite who have long controlled the Central American nation – and his Seed Movement party have faced waves of legal attacks. Those only ramped up when he won the country’s elections in August.The attacks have included raids on electoral facilities and the suspension of Arévalo’s political party, effectively handicapping his abili...

Toronto police boost presence ahead of Israel, Palestine rallies, warn against hate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:28 GMT

TORONTO — Police are warning the public that there will be no tolerance for violence or hate crimes ahead of expected large-scale demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli communities in downtown Toronto.One rally is being held by the Youth Palestinian Movement at 2 p.m. at Nathan Phillips Square, while another gathering in solidarity with Israel is expected for 7 p.m. at Mel Lastman Square.They come after a Saturday attack on Israel by Hamas militants out of Gaza left more than 1,000 dead.Deputy chief Lauren Pogue says police will have an increased presence at the unsanctioned Palestinian rally in front of Toronto city hall. She adds there are currently no concerns for the safety of the public or any specific communities. Mayor Olivia Chow and several Toronto councillors have denounced the pro-Palestine demonstration. Chow and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are set to speak at the rally for Israel in north Toronto later this evening.Some police forces have upped their pr...

$3M winning scratch-off Lottery ticket sold in Mount Prospect

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:28 GMT

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. — An Illinois Lottery player won $3 million on a scratch-off ticket bought in the northwest suburbs.According to Illinois Lottery officials, the $30 Cash Fortune scratch-off was purchased at a BP gas station, located at 1625 East Euclid Drive in Mount Prospect.“This is such happy news,” exclaimed Benny Lukose, Manager at BP in Mount Prospect. “While we sell a lot of lottery tickets, I can definitely recognize our regular customers - so I bet I’ll know the winner. I hope the lucky winner stops in to tell us, so we can share in the excitement of their big win!”Lottery officials said the Mount Prospect gas station will receive a $30,000 cash bonus for selling the winning ticket. Powerball jackpot up to $1.55 billion as lottery losing streak continues “This couldn’t have come at a better time,” expressed Lukose. “Business can be slow at times due to competitors, so with this bonus, we plan to use it to cover some business expenses. We are very grateful!”Winners ha...

MedWatch Digest: More evidence of 'long term cold' symptoms — and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:28 GMT

For Monday, Oct. 9, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Study finds more evidence of 'long term cold' symptoms More research on the existence of long colds after a study by London's Queen Mary University finds people may experience long-term symptoms after acute respiratory infections that test negative for COVID-19. Common symptoms like coughing and stomach pain remain more than four weeks after the initial infection. The study suggests more research needs to be done to find out why some people suffered extended symptoms and others don't. Autism diagnosis may change in toddlers by 6 Not all children who receive an autism diagnosis as toddlers will still have that diagnosis once they reach elementary school.  Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that 37% of the toddlers with autism they studied no longer met the criteria for the condition by the age of six.  The subjects were diagnosed between 12 and 36 mo...

Trump rips Forbes after removal from wealthiest Americans list

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:28 GMT

(The Hill) -- Former President Donald Trump tore into Forbes magazine after it again dropped him from its annual list of the wealthiest Americans.Trump ripped the magazine in a Truth Social post on Monday, calling it "very badly failing" and asserting it "lost most of its relevance long ago."Trump bemoaned that Forbes "took me off their Fake Forbes 400 list, just by a 'whisker,' even though they know that I should be high up on that now very dated and discredited 'antique.'" Justice Department fights Trump effort to push Mar-a-Lago trial until after 2024 election The magazine announced last week that Trump had fallen off the list of its 400 richest Americans for the second time in three years, citing what it said was Trump's estimated $2.6 billion fortune, which came in $300 million short of the threshold used to make the list."For years Forbes has attacked me with really dumb writers assigned to hit me hard, and I am now up 60 Points on the Republicans, and beating Crooked Joe ...

Which Halloween costumes will be most popular in Chicago?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:28 GMT

DEVER (KDVR) — You might not be as creative as you think when it comes to your choice of Halloween getup. Google Frightgeist pulled the top 500 costume searches from Google Trends to determine the most popular Halloween costumes for 2023. Americans are spending more than ever on Halloween If you want to wear a trending costume, one of these top 10 costumes is your best bet. If you're looking for something unique, you may have to try harder. Here are the costumes you will probably see the most this year.Most popular costumes nationallyWitchSpider-ManDinosaurStranger ThingsFairyPirateRabbitCheerleaderCowboyHarley QuinnSurprisingly, the most searched costumes aren't all that basic. While a witch is a classic costume, there aren't as many dinosaurs and "Stranger Things" characters roaming the street on Oct. 31. These Halloween pop-up bars are open in Denver The national list goes on to the top 100 costumes. If you need more ideas, or if you're looking for something that's not on th...

Postal Service to increase stamp prices again in 2024 due to 'inflationary pressures'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:28 GMT

The price of sending mail is about to go up, again. The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced Friday it might increase stamp prices in 2024 for the second year in a row, citing pressures from inflation.If approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the changes would take effect Jan. 21, 2024. New rates include a 2-cent increase for First-Class Mail Forever stamp, among other proposed changes.If the price changes are approved by the governors of the Postal Service, service prices would increase by approximately 2 percent, the USPS said in its announcement.“As inflationary pressures on operating expenses continue and the effects of a previously defective pricing model are still being felt, these price adjustments are needed to provide the Postal Service with much-needed revenue to achieve the financial stability sought by its Delivering for America 10-year plan,” the USPS said in its statement.Last year, the USPS announced it would increase prices to cope with the rising cos...

Judge rules against Woodbury woman’s claim of being mentally ill when she killed daughter, injured son

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:28 GMT

A Washington County judge has ruled against a Woodbury woman’s defense that she was mentally ill when she fatally attacked her 5-year-old daughter and assaulted her 6-year-old son in the street outside their townhouse.Judge Doug Meslow reached the verdict last week as part of the second phase of Sadiyo Ibrahim Mohamed’s bifurcated trial, concluding that her mental illness does not exonerate her of the crimes. It follows his decision last month that Mohamed, 34, was guilty of second-degree intentional murder and second-degree assault. She had waived her right to a jury trial in favor of a court trial based on stipulated evidence and facts.Sadiyo Ibrahim Mohamed (Courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office)Mohamed has a history of mental health issues and civil commitments dating back to 2013. She is currently being housed at the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter under a civil commitment.In his one-page verdict issued Wednesday, Meslow wrote the “evidence in ...