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IMF says Sri Lanka needs to boost reforms and collect more taxes for its bailout funding package

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:14 GMT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka has so far failed to make enough progress in boosting tax collection and other economic reforms for the International Monetary Fund to release a second tranche of $330 million in the country’s $2.9 billion bailout from bankruptcy, the IMF said.An IMF team led by Peter Breuer and Katsiaryna Svirydzenka concluded a visit to the island Tuesday and said in a statement that discussions would continue an agreement on how to keep up the momentum of reforms, and to unlock the second installment of funding that was due at the end of this month.“Despite early signs of stabilization, full economic recovery is not yet assured,” the statement said, adding that the country’s accumulation of reserves has slowed due to lower-than-projected gains in the collection of taxes.“To increase revenues and signal better governance, it is important to strengthen tax administration, remove tax exemptions, and actively eliminate tax evasion,” the statement said.Sri Lan...

Napoli forward Victor Osimhen angered after his club posts a mocking video online

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:14 GMT

NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has deleted almost all pictures of himself in the team’s shirt from his social media accounts after the soccer club posted a mocking video of him online.Napoli posted a video Tuesday that appeared to make fun of Osimhen’s penalty skills after he missed a spot kick in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Bologna.It later deleted the video but Osimhen responded by deleting almost all pictures of himself in a Napoli shirt. His agent also reacted angrily.“What happened today on Napoli’s official profile on the TikTok platform is not acceptable,” Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, said in a post. “A video mocking Victor was first made public and then, but now belatedly, deleted.“A serious fact that causes very serious damage to the player and adds to the treatment that the boy is suffering in the last period between media trials and fake news. We reserve the right to take legal action and any useful initiative to protect Victor.”Osimhen’s penalty m...

Brewers are eager to make their latest postseason berth last longer than the others

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:14 GMT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers are getting accustomed to celebrating at the end of the regular season.They’re hoping this is the year they continue the party throughout October.Milwaukee clinched its third NL Central title in six years on Tuesday night by virtue of the Chicago Cubs losing 7-6 to the Atlanta Braves. The Brewers have reached the playoffs five of the last six years, the exception coming last season.“We’ve been so many times,” said pitcher Brandon Woodruff, one of five players who have been part of all five of the recent playoff teams. “I feel like it’s our time to get over the hump.”The Brewers never have won a World Series title and made their lone appearance in the Fall Classic way back in 1982, when they captured the AL pennant before losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. There’s a sense of urgency associated with this playoff berth because of the long-term uncertainty surrounding some key figures.Woodruff and 2021 Cy Young Award winner Corbin Bu...

Auon’tai Anderson sued for allegedly breaking First Amendment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:14 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — On Tuesday, a lawsuit was filed against Denver School Board Vice President Auon’tai Anderson for allegedly infringing upon constituents' First Amendment rights after he blocked people and deleted comments on his Facebook page.On July 31, Anderson posted on Facebook about further findings from the firing of the McAuliffe International School principal, Kurt Dennis. More whistleblowers come forward as investigation into seclusion room continues In the since-deleted post, Anderson said there had been a meeting with Dennis and the Northeast Denver Innovation Zone Board of Directors. The meeting was after Dennis did a TV interview about the shooting at East High School. Anderson asked for the footage to be released and asked for the public to demand it as well."But in a democratic society, it is not just the responsibility of those in office to ensure transparency, it is also the duty of the public to demand it," Anderson wrote.In response to the Facebook post, Eve Che...

Leave no trace: Don't carve into Aspen trees in Colorado

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:14 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Aspens are the prime tree to see during leaf-peeping season. But while you're there, don't follow the lead of others by leaving a trace. It's not romantic to draw your initials with your significant other on Aspens. It's actually described as carving into a layer of human skin. Leave No Trace explains what really happens when you carve into a tree.Tree bark is similar to skin, which keeps bacteria and pests away. When trees are carved into, it's like a wound and it leaves them susceptible to diseases and cellular damage. More than yellow aspens: Which trees turn which colors in Colorado? In extreme cases, the tree can starve to death due to cellular damage.Many trees, like Aspens, are particularly vulnerable because they're not only declining in population but they're linked together underground. This can cause disease to spread throughout the group of trees, potentially damaging multiple trees. Ultimate Fall Guide 2023 Fall colors, events, thing...

Memorial Healthcare expands “One City at a Time” community outreach program to Dania Beach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:14 GMT

Memorial Healthcare System has extended its “One City at a Time” community outreach initiative with a kickoff event at C.W. Thomas Park in Dania Beach. This expansion follows the program’s success in Hallandale Beach, providing essential mobile health services to communities with limited resources.The event included complimentary health screenings for adults and children, a bonus for parents preparing their children for the upcoming school year. Elizabeth Justen, Chair of the South Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners, distributed healthy food packages, and Wi-Fi-enabled tablets were given to eligible attendees for telehealth consultations. Memorial Primary Care representatives and vendors offered nutritional guidance, Medicaid enrollment information and connections to social services. The event also featured music, lunch and children’s activities.Memorial Healthcare System and the City of Dania Beach leaders emphasized the significance of their p...

FBI releases photos of Pompano Beach Chase Bank robbery suspect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:14 GMT

The FBI has released photographs related to a robbery at a Chase Bank branch in Pompano Beach. The incident occurred Wednesday, around 9:06 a.m., at a Chase Bank, located at 101 S. Pompano Parkway. According to the FBI, the unidentified robber entered the bank and demanded money from a bank employee. At this time, authorities have not disclosed the exact amount of money taken during the robbery.Anyone with any information regarding this robbery or an FBI investigation is urged to contact (754) 703-2000.

FWC confirms death after boat crashes at Black Point Marina

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:14 GMT

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday confirmed that one person has died following a boat crash at Black Point Marina.The deceased was identified as forty-two-year-old Michael Garcia who was was the boat’s operator. The incident happened on Tuesday approximately 2 1/2 miles northeast of the marina.According to the FWC, the boat was traveling at a high speed when it lost control, which ejected three passengers who were on board into the water. Air rescue rushed one person to the hospital who was seriously hurt. The other two victims on board were placed on stretchers and were also taken to the hospital but appeared to be OK.Garcia died as a results of his injuries. The FWC is continuing to investigate the fatal crash.

SWAT responds to robbery suspect who barricaded self at apartment in Fort Lauderdale

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:14 GMT

A suspect who barricaded themselves at an apartment in Fort Lauderdale prompted a quick response by SWAT teams.Fort Lauderdale Police arrived at the scene of the barricaded subject at 841 NW 12th Ave., Wednesday. According to police, the suspect was connected to a robbery in Oakland Park. When they attempted to take him into custody, he ran into his apartment and refused to come out.SWAT was also at the scene as they attempted to get the suspect out of the apartment. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Brussels police smash sexual exploitation, human trafficking ring

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:14 GMT

Brussels police have carried out scores of raids as part of a major operation to crack down on a human trafficking and sexual exploitation ring in Brussels. In an operation that saw dozens of brothels shuttered, cops took 23 suspects into custody, while seizing €20,000 in cash. The police also searched 56 homes across Brussels, Antwerp, Liège and East Flanders.“The brothel owners are also suspected of having accumulated an abnormal economic advantage by subletting shop windows at excessive prices to sex workers,” the Brussels public prosecutor’s office said.The women then “find themselves in a precarious and illegal situation in our country,” the prosecutor’s office added.Additionally, 30 brothels were closed in Brussels’ red-light district located around the city’s Nord train station. Three men have been accused of bringing Nigerian and Ghanaian women to Brussels, where they charged them disproportionally high prices to rent the windo...