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Italy vows help with IMF in bid to stabilize Tunisia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:48 GMT

ROME (AP) — Italy on Thursday vowed a host of investments in Tunisia and help negotiating an International Monetary Fund bailout as Rome seeks to stabilize the North African country’s economic crisis and stem the increased number of migrants coming to the European nation.Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani outlined Italy’s efforts and pledges during a meeting with his Tunisian counterpart, Nabil Ammar, who insisted that Tunisia has seen growing numbers of African migrants arriving from the Libyan border and needs economic help.The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says Tunisia is experiencing its worst crisis in a generation, with inflation hovering around 11% and food increasingly scarce. The government is negotiating a $2 billion to $4 billion loan with the IMF to cope with a budget deficit aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic and fallout from Russia’s war in Ukraine. But in return for a deal, Tunisia would have to commit to painful reforms, including shrinkin...

Indiana shooting suspect dead after overnight standoff

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:48 GMT

KENDALLVILLE, Ind. (AP) — A man who opened fire at a northeastern Indiana apartment complex, shooting at officers during an hours-long overnight standoff, died early Thursday after being taken into custody, police said.The suspect, who police said fired hundreds of rounds Wednesday night from a second-floor apartment in Kendallville, died while receiving medical treatment shortly after he was taken into custody at about 6 a.m. by SWAT team members, said Sgt. Brian Walker with Indiana State Police.The man “ended up succumbing to his injuries while he was in the ambulance,” Walker told The (Kendallville) News-Sun. Walker said he did not know the nature of the man’s injuries, telling The Associated Press that “they were not readily apparent.” He said the Noble County coroner would determine the man’s cause of death and also confirm his identity.He said no officers or members of the public were injured.Officers were called to the scene about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on repo...

Average rent sees first monthly increase since November in March: report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:48 GMT

Rentals.ca and Urbanation’s latest rent report says average rents across Canada were up one per cent between February and March – the first monthly increase since November.They say rents reaccelerated in the spring after a brief moderation during the winter, bringing the average rent to $2,004 in March.That total amounts to a 10.8 per cent increase from the prior March.Asking rents for purpose-built and condominium apartments similarly increased 1.5 per cent from February and 10.9 per cent from the previous March, reaching an average of $1,937.Rentals.ca and Urbanation also found average asking rents increased by $196 over the last year.They say this indicates that rental housing demand is strongly outstripping supply.This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 13, 2023.The Canadian Press

Lebanese judge lifts travel ban for central bank governor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:48 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — A Lebanese judge on Thursday rescinded a travel ban she had placed on the country’s embattled central bank governor, clearing the way for him to travel to Paris for a scheduled hearing with French prosecutors next month.Judge Ghada Aoun issued a travel ban against Riad Salameh in January 2022, against the backdrop of a lawsuit accusing him of embezzlement and dereliction of duty during the country’s financial meltdown.The ban could have prevented Salameh from traveling to Paris to appear at a scheduled hearing on May 16 before French prosecutors, who have opened their own investigation into alleged money laundering involving the governor.Aoun had told The Associated Press on Wednesday that she planned to rescind the ban. On Thursday, a judicial official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press, confirmed that she rescinded the ban and that the General Security agency, responsible for border control, had been notified...

HARDY, Lainey Wilson lead ACM Awards nominees

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:48 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country artist HARDY drove the success of his hit song “Wait in the Truck” with Lainey Wilson all the way to the Academy of Country Music Awards, where he is the leading nominee.And his duet partner was not far behind, as “Yellowstone” actor and singer-songwriter Wilson earned six nominations including female artist of the year and album of the year during nominations announced Thursday.The awards show will be held in Frisco, Texas, on May 11, hosted by Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks and airing on Prime Video.Among Hardy’s seven nominations are two in the song of the year category: “Wait in the Truck” and “Sand in My Boots,” a song performed by Morgan Wallen and co-written by HARDY, Ashley Gorley and Josh Osborne.The most awarded artist in ACM history made another record when Miranda Lambert received her 17th female artist of the year nomination. She surpassed Reba McEntire, who had 16 nominations in that category, and Lambert, the Texas native, has four...

Teck Resources board of directors rejects latest Glencore takeover bid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:48 GMT

VANCOUVER — Teck Resources Ltd.’s board of directors has rejected the latest takeover offer from Swiss company Glencore.The Canadian mining company said Thursday the revised offer is not in the best interest of shareholders.Teck said its board and management team remain committed to its plan announced in February to split up its metal and steelmaking coal businesses into two companies, Teck Metals and Elk Valley Resources. Glencore revised its unsolicited offer for Teck earlier this week to include an US$8.2-billion cash component. The proposal would see Teck shareholders receive 24 per cent of the combined metals company and cash. Teck called the Glencore offer “opportunistic and unrealistic”Teck board chair Sheila Murray said the company’s own plan “creates a significantly greater spectrum of opportunities to maximize value for Teck shareholders.”“Teck has been clear in expressing that it is not in our shareholders’ interest to be acquired...

States attorneys from 31 counties ask Illinois Supreme Court to overturn state's gun ban

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:48 GMT

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Nearly a third of Illinois' state's attorneys are asking the Illinois Supreme Court to overturn the state's gun ban on certain automatic weapons.A downstate judge's ruling struck down that ban on high-powered, semi-automatic firearms and now the case is being considered by the state's supreme court.Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the law on January 10th in response to the shooting deaths of seven at the Fourth of July parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, where 30 were also injured.The law bans the sale or possession of more than 170 semi-automatic guns and requires current owners of the weapons to register with the state police by January 1st, 2024.Ogle County State's Attorney Mike Rock, among other 30 other local law enforcement officials, including Carrol and Jo Daviess, co-signed an Amicus brief, also known as a "friend of the court" brief, which stated in part: "Like all Americans, [we] are horrified by the mass shootings and urba...

'Catastrophic': Thousands of cattle killed in Texas dairy farm fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:48 GMT

DIMMITT, Texas (KLBK|KAMC) – A county judge described the scene after a fiery explosion at a Texas dairy farm Monday night as "terrible" and "devastating." “The number of animals that were lost and the barn that was lost,” Castro County Judge Mandy Gfeller said. “I believe that financially, it’s just devastating and catastrophic.”According to Castro County, the number of cattle that died in the fire at the South Fork Dairy had been estimated at 18,000. Officials were still working to confirm that number Thursday morning. Nexstar was also working to independently verify the figure with the business but had not been able to reach them at publication time.The Castro County Sheriff’s Office said one employee was inside the dairy building when the explosion happened, but firefighters were able to get her out. She was to be flown to University Medical Center to be treated for critical injuries.  Castro Co. Sheriff: Cattle lost in dairy explosion, one person in critical condition Gf...

Arizona House expels Republican lawmaker in bipartisan vote

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:48 GMT

(The Hill) – The Republican-controlled Arizona House on Wednesday voted to expel a GOP lawmaker from the state-level chamber after she invited a guest speaker before a committee to make unvetted criminal allegations against elected officials. “This is a sad day for our institution. But it is a necessary day. There has been real damage done to the lives and reputations of people who did not deserve it. More importantly, the integrity of this House has been jeopardized,” said the statehouse’s Democratic Leader Andres Cano on behalf of his party. The Hill has reached out to the Arizona House Republicans for comment. The Arizona House voted 46-13 on Wednesday to expel Rep. Liz Harris, just a week after the GOP-controlled Tennessee House controversially voted to expel two Democratic representatives who had participated in a protest against gun violence. Justin J. Pearson reappointed to TN House seat after expulsion: ‘A movement is rising’ The Arizona House Ethics Committee determ...

Who's the now-famous Masters Girl? We found her in Lubbock

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:48 GMT

LUBBOCK, Texas (KLBK) -- Texas Tech University freshman, Aaliyah Kikumoto, made headlines at the Masters Tournament Easter Weekend as the "The Masters Girl" as determined by the internet. Prior to becoming a viral sensation, Kikumoto enrolled as a Business Marketing major and a proud member of the TTU Pom Squad.She told EverythingLubbock.com she's always wanted to be famous on social media for what she's "best at." Talking about dance and being 'The Masters Girl" was a great start to that. "I can continue all of this and continue growing and become...[a] really good dancer that also is the Masters Girl." Kikumoto explained that the viral video came to be when she was waiting on a golfer to make his putt. She started laughing with her dad when she realized cameras were on her. She said golf has been an activity she and her family have done together since she was a child and began tagging along to the Masters with her father and grandfather last year. Her parents showcased their pride...