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World Bank approves $300 million financing to help poor people in Lebanon

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:52 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — The World Bank approved a $300 million additional financing to Lebanon’s poor, providing cash payments to help families struggling through the country’s historic economic meltdown, the institution said in a statement Friday. The new financing comes two years after the World Bank approved a $246 million loan to Lebanon to provide emergency cash assistance to hundreds of thousands in the tiny Mediterranean nation of 6 million people. Lebanon is in the throes of the worst economic and financial crisis in its modern history. The meltdown, rooted in decades of corruption and mismanagement by Lebanon’s ruling class, began in October 2019 and has left more than three quarters of Lebanon’s population in poverty. “The additional financing will enable the government of Lebanon to continue to respond to the growing needs of poor and vulnerable households suffering under the severe economic and financial crisis,” said Jean-Christophe Carret, World Bank’s director...

Police search for Chicago man after 60-year-old disabled man battered at traffic light in NW Indiana

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Police are searching for man after a 60-year-old disabled man was battered after trying to intervene in a disturbance at a traffic light in Northwest Indiana, police say. According to Munster Police Department, Dominique W. Jones from Chicago is facing felony charges of aggravated battery resulting in serious bodily injury. He has not been recovered by police yet. 13-year-old boy shot on NW Side Police said that they responded to a disturbance in the 7900 block of Calumet Avenue and found the 60-year-old man with disabilities, battered. Reports say the 60-year-old man attempted to intervene in a disturbance between a man and a woman at a traffic light near the 7949 block of Calumet Avenue. The offender was seen punching the man and stomping on him until to where he appeared to go unconscious. If any information is recovered on the incident, call police or detective Tim Nosich at (219)- 836-6658.

Shark attack: American tourist 'severely injured' while snorkeling in Turks and Caicos

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:52 GMT

(WTNH) – A Connecticut woman is in serious condition after she was bitten by a shark while snorkeling in Turks and Caicos, authorities said. Authorities in the Royal Turks and Caicos said the woman and her friend were on a private snorkeling trip around 3 p.m. local time Wednesday when the woman was attacked by the shark.The woman was "severely injured" in the attack, the local Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) said. An employee at a nearby resort who contacted police after the incident claimed the woman "had her leg bitten off by a shark," according to a news release from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Authorities, however, have not confirmed the extent of the victim's injuries. ‘Aggressive’ shark attack in Hawaii leaves surfer in serious condition The DECR said the women were at the Bone Yard dive site in Princess Alexandra National Park, a marine-protected area in the islands, on Wednesday afternoon. The two friends were the only people in...

A sequel you've never seen almost sank the original 'Little Mermaid'

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Disney's latest live-action remake is set to make a splash in theaters this weekend — the much-anticipated "The Little Mermaid." But the new film, which stars R&B music star Halle Bailey as Princess Ariel, has some big (water) shoes to fill. The original 1989 film ranks among Disney's most beloved films and has gone on to get its own animated TV prequel series, two direct-to-video sequels and a hit Broadway musical. But did you know the movie — credited with jumpstarting the Disney Renaissance — was not an immediate hit among creators when it was pitched as a potential new Disney film? Iconic ‘Brady Bunch’ house heads to market after major renovations from HGTV And it's all because of Tom Hanks and Darryl Hannah.Back in 1984, Hanks and Hannah teamed up for the mermaid-human romantic comedy "Splash," directed by Ron Howard. Produced by Touchstone Pictures, Disney's now-defunct adult-targeted films division, the film was a massive hit and took home nearly $70 million...

Celine Dion cancels all remaining tour dates amid ongoing health issues

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:52 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Celine Dion has canceled the remaining dates of her Courage World Tour amid her recovery from ongoing health issues, her team announced Friday.Dion’s Courage World Tour had already faced numerous setbacks and postponements since kicking off in Sept. 2019, including a prolonged hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. All rescheduled tour dates were also postponed or canceled entirely while Dion recovered from “severe and persistent muscle spasms,” later revealing them as symptoms of stiff-person syndrome.The tour has yet to resume since March 2020. Celine Dion diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome: What is it? In Friday’s announcement, Dion has now confirmed the cancellation of all remaining rescheduled dates through 2024.“I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again,” Dion wrote in a statement posted to her official site. “I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%. It’s not fair to you to keep postponing ...

Suspect in Pflugerville man's death is the same man who killed an 8-year-old Austin girl in 1982

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A suspect in the death of an 80-year-old Pflugerville man whose body was found Saturday is the same person convicted of raping and killing an 8-year-old girl over 40 years ago. Images of Raul Meza Jr. provided by the Pflugerville Police DepartmentThe Pflugerville Police Department sent Tuesday a press release, saying Pflugerville PD investigators identified Raul Meza Jr. as a person of interest in the death of Jesse Fraga, 80. On Thursday, it identified him as a suspect and said it was actively searching for him. It noted he "has a prior conviction for a murder in Travis County in 1982 and his last known address was within the City of Pflugerville."Meza has been convicted of crimes dating back to the 1970s, including the rape and murder of 8-year-old Kendra Page of Austin in 1982, per the Associated Press.On New Year's Eve 1975, 15-year-old Raul Meza Jr., along with three others, robbed an Austin convenience store. During the robbery, the manager was led to a wa...

Amsterdam Police arrest alleged credit card thief

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:52 GMT

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Amsterdam Police Department has arrested Daniel R. Pabon, 38, following an investigation into a stolen credit card report. Police learned that the card was used at a local business on East Main Street. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Surveillance footage at the business showed a male suspect using the card to purchase items. The suspect was identified as Pabon. Pabon was located and arrested for criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree and two counts of petit larceny.

AI exhibit opening at miSci in Schenectady

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:52 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Museum of Innovation & Science in Schenectady is opening an AI technology exhibit. The showcase, titled Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine, opens to the public on May 27. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The exhibit will feature a history of man-made intelligence and how it works, as well as hands-on interactives and accessible games. The technology is presented in terms that are easy to understand for all ages. Visitors will also get to view several examples of practical AI, such as a computer translating stories into different languages, or an application that can guess human emotions. Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine will be on display from May 27 through September 10. Great Escape water park opens Memorial Day weekend The Museum of Innovation & Science is located at 15 Museum Dr, Schenectady, NY. To learn about other exhibits on display ...

UMKC professor reports seeing mountain lion at Parkville Nature Sanctuary

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:52 GMT

PARKVILLE, Mo. -- A morning walk at the Parkville Nature Sanctuary turned into an unexpected encounter for one man.“I heard a little rustle over there and then he came here with his long tail out. He was kind of in a sleek position, and he looked at me. I was right there and I froze," said Steven Davis, who described his encounter with what he believes was a mountain lion.The frightening moment happened around 10:45 Monday morning near the trailhead. Kansas City to collect feedback on Troost Avenue name change Davis, who's a music professor at UMKC, said he usually walks the nearly three-mile trail five days a week. He normally sees rabbits, squirrels, birds, and the occasional deer, but never something like this. "My heart went from zero to a million," he said. Bobcats are known to frequent the area, but Davis is adament that what he saw wasn't a bobcat. "Bobcats tails average around 5 to 10 inches, and their fur is different," he said. "This was mostly solid-color, like a mount...

Victims of war in Ukraine set out to inspire others

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:52 GMT

Ukrainian war veteran Roman Kashpur will be among those lining up for the Brussels 20km run on Sunday (28 May).But, unlike most of the other participants, Roman will be at a distinct disadvantage as he was badly injured in the conflict and had to have one of his lower legs amputated.He now gets by with the support of a prosphetic limb but that has not deterred him from entering the city’s big annual charity run this weekend.He will line up alongside another veteran of the war, Yurii Kozlovskyi whose right leg was seriously injured during the conflict and who also now relies on an artificial limb for his mobility.Both appeared at a news conference at Brussels press club on Friday to explain why they were so determined not to allow their personal anguish from taking part in sport, including the 20km.Father of two Roman, aged 27, told this site: “I turned to sport after what happened to me and it has helped me very significantly, not least with the psychological damage. It has helped m...