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IMF slams new Pakistan budget proposal, says government failing to implement a more fair tax system

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:05:38 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The International Monetary Fund slammed Pakistan’s government on Thursday over its proposal for the new annual budget, saying it failed to implement a more fair tax system in the draft. The harsh criticism by Esther Perez Ruiz, IMF’s representative for Pakistan, raised new concerns about the success of monthslong talks between the cash-strapped Islamic nation and the lender over a stalled bailout tranche. However, Perez Ruiz also said the IMF was offering to “work with the government in refining its strategy” for the budget.The government in Islamabad last week presented the budget in the National Assembly, or lower house of the parliament, for the next fiscal year, starting July 1. The draft also introduced a new tax amnesty scheme and skipped some of the anticipated taxes. The proposal was likely an attempt by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to avoid anti-inflation protests and bring relief to the poorest people. However, it also envisages an up to 35% increase in s...

Renuncian presidente y varios directivos del Consejo Nacional Electoral en Venezuela

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:05:38 GMT

(CNN Español) — El presidente del Consejo Nacional Electoral, Pedro Calzadilla, informó este jueves, en una breve declaración a la prensa, que tanto él como parte de los rectores del ente comicial decidieron poner sus cargos a la orden a fin de “contribuir con que Venezuela llegue a la estabilidad económica, política y social”. Precisaron que las actividades y proyectos del CNE “continuarán ejecutándose sin contratiempos como corresponde”.La comunicación difundida por Calzadilla fue suscrita también por el rector principal Alexis Corredor y por los rectores suplentes Leonel Párica, Carlos Quintero, Gustavo Vizcaíno, Saúl Bernal, Rafael Chacón y Francisco Garcés.El vicepresidente del CNE, Enrique Márquez y el otro rector principal, Roberto Picón no suscribieron la comunicación. CNN los contactó para conocer su reacción pero hasta ahora no ha obtenido respuesta.El presidente del Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE) de Venezuela, Pedro Calzadilla, da su última conferencia de prensa a...

Fire truck hits police officer during Nuggets parade

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:05:38 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- A Denver Police officer was seriously injured after being struck by a fire truck during the Denver Nuggets parade Thursday.The incident happened near the end of the parade route at West 13th Avenue and Cherokee Street, DPD said.The officer was transported to the hospital.According to Denver Fire Department spokesperson Greg Pixley, the officer fell as the truck was turning and ended up with injuries caused by the fire truck.“This was a very chaotic environment,” Pixley said. “There’s a lot of people around there and unfortunately every once in a while there’s circumstances like this that happen.”The truck was carrying MVP Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, as well as the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. They were all moved to another vehicle and taken the last few blocks to the end of the parade route.An investigation to determine the specific circumstances of what happened is being conducted by DPD and DFD.FOX31 has crews on the way to the scene and will provide more...

GRiZ, Big Gigantic perform for Nuggets crowd

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:05:38 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Coloradans celebrated the Nuggets NBA championship at a victory parade and rally in Denver, which featured special performances from two big names in the music industry that happen to be locally based.GRiZ and Big Gigantic performed for a crowd gathered outside of Civic Center in Denver all for free, along with the official DJ of the Denver Nuggets, Paws The Music. Photos: 40 years of Nuggets jerseys Fans pay hundreds to see GRiZ on tour, but he is known to have random free shows in the Denver area.Still, the performance was a surprise for fans as it came just a week after GRiZ announced that he was going to take a break from performing and canceled several performances, including his own GRiZMAS in July festival.On June 12 he announced his final headline performance before his hiatus, which will be in Arizona in September.Paws The Music opened for the celebration, gathering a crowd and getting them excited before Big Gigantic took the stage. Did Nikola Jokic re...

Preliminary findings on Surfside condo collapse revealed by National Institute of Standards and Technology

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:05:38 GMT

The investigation into the collapse of Champlain Towers South took a step forward as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shared some initial findings on Thursday. NIST analyzed materials, studied past and present building codes, and used computer models to come up with possible reasons for the failure.One area that has been under scrutiny since the collapse two summers ago is the pool deck. Now, investigators are focusing on it as a possible starting point for the collapse. They found serious problems with the pool deck’s strength.“Tagline associate’s work shows that the design of the structure of CTS failed to meet the codes and standards applicable at the time of original construction and would also not meet current codes and standards,” said Glenn Bell, an NCST investigator During the presentation, they showed a diagram of the pool deck with yellow and red dots on certain columns. The yellow dots represented areas with moderate streng...

BSO search for missing 62-year-old man in Deerfield Beach

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:05:38 GMT

Detectives with the Broward Sheriff’s Office Missing Persons Unit are seeking the public’s help in finding a 62-year-old missing man.Charles Randy Mitchell was last seen at approximately 1 a.m. on June 4, near the 200 block of East Sample Road. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and gray pants.Mitchell stands at 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighs about 180 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. According to the assisted living facility manager where he resides, Mitchell experiences mental illness, suffers from diabetes and requires medication.Anyone with information on Mitchell’s whereabouts is urged to contact BSO Missing Persons Detective Leonard Charla at 954-321-4274 or the BSO non-emergency number at 954-764-HELP (4357).

Broward County School Board selects Peter Licata as new superintendent

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:05:38 GMT

The Broward County School Board has appointed a new superintendent after a lengthy search process that spanned several months. In a 7-2 vote on Thursday, Peter Licata, a native of South Florida and Broward County, and the current regional superintendent of schools in Palm Beach County, was appointed as the next superintendent of Broward County Public Schools.Courtesy The School District of Palm Beach CountyLicata, who emerged as one of three finalists for the position, expressed his dedication to the role during the announcement. “I have spent 29 years in Palm Beach County. If you are looking for someone who can transform Broward to the next level, that doesn’t negotiate the value system in any way, that every child walking through the door is considered important, that’s who I am,” said Licata. He also acknowledged the demanding nature of the job, stating, “It’s a 24/7 job, and it’s an honor to have that role.”The county’s previ...

FBI releases photos of Hallandale Beach bank robbery

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:05:38 GMT

The FBI has released photographs of a bank robbery that occurred at a Wells Fargo Bank branch. The incident took place at approximately 10:26 a.m., and the FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect.According to the FBI, the robber entered the bank Thursday morning, located at 1201 E. Hallandale Beach, and demanded money from one of the bank employees. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident. At this time, the FBI has not disclosed the exact amount of money taken during the robbery.The FBI has released attached photos of the suspect and urges the public to review them for any potential identification. Credit: FBICredit: FBIThe FBI encourages anyone with information related to the robbery or any ongoing FBI investigations to contact the agency at (754)703-2000.

3 takeaways from POLITICO’s first global tech summit

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:05:38 GMT

LONDON — Tensions on what to do about China. Differences on tackling artificial intelligence. Graphic warnings about how to keep children safe online.POLITICO’s inaugural Global Tech Day shifted between the geopolitics of technology to granular policymaking on both sides of the Atlantic as officials and politicians gathered in London on Thursday to talk through often thorny digital topics that have become central to the political debate in Washington, Brussels and other Western capitals.Not everyone agreed on what should be done. U.S. Republican Senator Ted Cruz urged Congress to steer clear of AI rulemaking, mostly because — in his words — the Beltway “doesn’t know what the hell it’s doing” on the emerging technology. In contrast, Lucilla Sioli, a senior official from the European Union, the 27-country bloc that is nearing the completion of a comprehensive rulebook for AI, cheered how Brussels had taken up the mantle to regulate a technology that has caught the public’s attent...

Olympic gold medalist Tori Bowie died from childbirth complications, autopsy finds

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:05:38 GMT

(CNN) — American track and field champion Tori Bowie died from complications of childbirth, according to an autopsy report released by the Orange County, Florida, medical examiner’s office.The three-time Olympic medalist was found deceased in bed on May 2, according to the report. The 32-year-old was estimated to be eight months pregnant, and there was evidence she had been in labor.Bowie’s manner of death was ruled natural, and the report stated that there had been “possible complications,” including “respiratory distress and eclampsia.”Preeclampsia happens when a woman who previously had normal blood pressure suddenly develops “high blood pressure and protein in her urine or other problems after 20 weeks of pregnancy,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some women with preeclampsia can develop seizures or coma – a condition called eclampsia – which is a medical emergency, the CDC says.Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy appear to be on...