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Ghana bets on $3bn IMF loan to ‘reset’ economy, ease hardship

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:19 GMT

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Ghanian officials said Thursday that the $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout approved for the West African nation would help “reset the economy” and ease the economic hardship on millions of citizens.Though “far from a magic solution wand,” the credit facility approved by the IMF to aid the nation’s economic growth recovery plan is “a crucial first step on the journey of strong reforms (and) inclusive growth,” Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana’s minister of finance, told an online briefing.One of West Africa’s regional hubs, Ghana has been reeling from an economic crisis as a result of soaring inflation, a weakened currency and rising public debt that is gulping most of its dwindling revenue. While authorities hope the IMF bailout to be disbursed in several tranches over three years will cushion the country’s economic crisis, analysts warn the country needs more sustainable reforms and improved governance to complement the credit facility.Opposit...

North York high school pauses classes, offers week-long focus on mental health

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:19 GMT

A North York high school is offering a unique experience to students and staff, taking a week-long break from regular activities to focus on a series of emotionally intelligent workshops.For the second year in a row, as a part of Mental Health Week, the school along with some community partners created a program called the New Normal and have even included parents in the programming.It comes as a recent Ontario School study found there was a 30 per cent increase in emergency room visits from youth related to self-harm and 56 per cent of students feel depressed about the future since the pandemic.The week involves educational seminars on different mental health topics like developing better relationships, intergenerational trauma and preparing for the future.“Our Mental Health Week is called the New Normal because it’s an attempt to reduce the stigma around mental health by normalizing conversations around mental health and increasing the access to services that support y...

Tennessee commission holds off on decertifying former officer charged in Tyre Nichols death

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:19 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee commission that enforces standards for police recommended Thursday that proceedings to bar an officer charged in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols from serving in state law enforcement be suspended until his legal case is resolved.A panel of the Tennessee Police Officer Standards and Training Commission in Nashville agreed to a request by a lawyer for former Memphis officer Tadarrius Bean to hold off on any recommendation to strip Bean of his state police certification.Bean, 24, is one of five officers charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault and other offenses in Nichols’ death. He has pleaded not guilty, as have the other four officers, and their case is being handled in Shelby County Criminal Court. Lawyer Timothy Taylor asked the commission to place Bean’s certification on inactive status as his criminal case proceeds. Should the case’s result be favorable for Bean, he could apply for reinstatement to the Memphis...

World leaders gather for G7 meetings, ready to pile fresh sanctions on Russia over Ukraine war

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:19 GMT

HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Leaders of the world’s most powerful democracies gathered Thursday for Group of Seven meetings in Hiroshima, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine high on the agenda for a summit convened in the shadow of the world’s first atomic bomb attack.The G7 nations, which officials said have reached new levels of cooperation more than a year into Russia’s brutal war, were set to unveil a new round of sanctions against Moscow when the summit officially opens on Friday, as well as announce that they would redouble their efforts to enforce existing sanctions meant to stifle Russia’s war effort and punish those behind it, a U.S. official said.The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to preview the announcement, said the U.S. component of the actions would blacklist about 70 Russian and third-country entities involved in Russia’s defense production, and sanction more than 300 individuals, entities, aircraft and vessels.The official add...

Navy probe prompted by suicides condemns conditions at shipyard: ‘We let our people down’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:19 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Navy investigation prompted by a spate of suicides is recommending widespread improvements in housing, food, parking and internet for sailors as well as changes to mental health and other personnel programs. The much-anticipated report lays out a sweeping condemnation of living and working conditions at naval shipyards that had languished for years but were brought to light by the deaths.“We let our people down.” Navy leaders said in response to the findings.The inquiry concluded that several suicides at the Newport News shipyard in Virginia last year were not connected or caused by any one issue. But the deaths underscored pervasive problems and poor living conditions, particularly among young enlisted sailors doing long-term ship maintenance at that base and others around the United States.“The focus on the maintenance mission has degraded our ability to take care of our most junior and at-risk sailors,” said the investigating officer, Rear Adm. Bradley Dunham,...

Former Kane County Clerk found dead in office less than month after indictment

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:19 GMT

PALATINE, Ill. — Former Kane County Circuit Clerk Thomas Hartwell was found dead Thursday morning at his office in Palatine, according to the sheriff and state's attorney.The cause of death for Hartwell, 63, wasn't mentioned in a joint news release, but a source told WGN News it appears he died by suicide. Father found Naperville Snapchat predator hiding in daughter’s closet, police say In a joint statement, State's Attorney Jamie Mosser and Sheriff Ron Hain said Palatine police officers found him while doing a well-being check. Kane County deputies were originally called to his house in Elgin Township around 9:30 a.m. after a family member reported him missing for about 24 hours, according to an updated news release. Deputies then asked Palatine police to check his law office."State's Attorney Jamie Mosser and Sheriff Ron Hain extend their condolences to Mr. Hartwell's family and friends," the joint statement read.No additional comments were released by Mosser or Hain.Less than ...

After 2 great games, a first escapes the White Sox Thursday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:19 GMT

CHICAGO — The previous two games featured some of the more encouraging play for the club, especially offensively, during a frustrating opening two months of the 2023 season.But for the second time this month against a division opponent, the White Sox couldn't get a much-needed first in this campaign. After two strong offensive performances against the Guardians at Guaranteed Rate Field, the host's bats were quieted by Cleveland pitching. While they were able to manage eight hits, they only pushed one run across in a 3-1 defeat Thursday afternoon. Pedro Grifol's team missed the chance for their first sweep of the 2023 season, doing so at home for the second time in a month. Earlier in May, the White Sox took two against the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field only to lose in the series finale to Minnesota 7-3 in 12 innings on May 4.Dylan Cease did what he could to keep the White Sox in the game but the Guardians finally got to him in the seventh. After allowing a single and a double, an e...

Disney scraps $1 billion office complex in Florida amid DeSantis feud

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:19 GMT

(The Hill) - The Walt Disney Co. is scrapping plans for a billion dollar office complex in Florida that was set to bring thousands of jobs to the region as the company and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) continue their ongoing feud.Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, sent an email to employees Thursday notifying them that the company will not be building its new campus in Lake Nona. He said since the announcement of the plans in 2021, the company has undergone "considerable" changes, including "new leadership and changing business conditions," that led to the decision. Disney sues DeSantis, calling park takeover ‘retaliation’ "While some were excited about the new campus, I know that this decision and the circumstances surrounding it have been difficult for others," he wrote in the letter. "This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is the right one," he added. "As a result, we will no longer be asking our employees to relocate. For those w...

CPS: Students ingest edible marijuana at Chicago Academy Elementary School

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:19 GMT

CHICAGO — CPS reported that students at Chicago Academy Elementary School ingested edible marijuana on school grounds Wednesday. A CPS spokesperson said that no one was seriously injures and that everyone is safe. The school stated that they will have stricter 'no sharing rules' and if students are caught sharing food, it will be taken from them and returned at the time of dismissal. Montana becomes first state to ban TikTok; law likely to be challenged They also encourage families to check any candy or snacks students may have that parents do not recognize.The CPS spokesperson said in a staement: "We encourage you to take this opportunity to have a conversation with your child about the health risks associated with consuming edibles, especially if they come from an unknown source, and to remind them not to accept food if they do not know where it came from."CPS said they immediately noticed families, the school and community members. There was no further information provided.

Supreme Court hands Twitter, Google wins in internet liability cases

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:01:19 GMT

The Supreme Court on Thursday punted the issue of determining when internet companies are protected under a controversial liability shield, instead resolving the case on other grounds.The justices were considering two lawsuits in which families of terrorist attack victims said Google and Twitter should be held liable for aiding and abetting ISIS, leading to their relatives' deaths. Google asserted that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, enacted in 1996 to prevent internet companies from being held liable for content posted by third parties, protected the company from all of the claims.But rather than wading into the weighty Section 230 dispute — which internet companies say allows them to serve users and offers protection from a deluge of litigation — the court Thursday found neither company had any underlying liability to need the protections.In the Twitter case, conservative Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for a unanimous court that the plaintiffs’ allegations fell “far ...