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Ukraine’s economy shows ‘resilience’ from Russian attacks, IMF says as it backs aid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Ukraine’s economy is showing “remarkable resilience” following Russian attacks on its electricity infrastructure, officials from the International Monetary Fund said Tuesday as they signed off on an initial loan of $900 million and raised their estimate for the country’s economic growth. The outlook improved to 1% to 3% growth this year from minus 3% to plus 1% in an earlier assessment in March, said Gavin Gray, the IMF’s mission chief to Ukraine. Inflation is coming down and the hryvna currency is stable despite the massive disruption of the war, Gray said. But he warned that the economic outlook faces “exceptionally high risks.” “Through the winter, Ukraine faced devastating attacks on its critical infrastructure, and missile strikes continue countrywide,” Gray said in an online news conference. “Despite this, the Ukrainian economy has shown remarkable resilience — economic activity in the first quarter rebounded strongly, as the energy system...

Fertility doctor accused of using own sperm dies in crash of hand-built plane

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

YATES, N.Y. (AP) — A New York fertility doctor who was accused of using his own sperm to impregnate several patients died over the weekend when the hand-built airplane he was in fell apart mid-flight and crashed, authorities said.Dr. Morris Wortman, 72, of Rochester, was a passenger in the experimental aircraft that went down Sunday in a pasture in Orleans County. The pilot, Earl Luce Jr., of Brockport, also was killed, according to the county sheriff.The crash of the aircraft, identified by the National Transportation Safety Board as a Wittman W-5 Buttercup airplane, remained under investigation Tuesday.Preliminary findings indicate that “the wings of the aircraft became detached from the fuselage and fell to the ground in an orchard,” Sheriff Christopher Bourke said in a news release Monday. The fuselage continued west for another 1,000 to 1,500 yards before crashing.Wortman was a well-known OB-GYN in western New York who was often the target of anti-abortion protesters. He ...

What’s new in robots? An AI-powered humanoid machine that writes poems

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Ameca can speak French, Chinese or dozens of other languages, instantly compose a poem or sketch a cat on request. Ask for a smile, and you’ll get a clenched grin on her rubbery blue face. Ameca is a humanoid robot powered by generative artificial intelligence that gives it the ability to respond to questions and commands and interact with people. It’s one of hundreds of robots on display this week at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation, or ICRA, in London, where visitors got a glimpse at the future. The event is sort of the Olympics of the robot world, where student teams compete in a host of challenges including robot cooking and autonomous driving contests, academics present their research and startups show off their latest technology.It comes as scientists and tech industry leaders, including executives at Microsoft and Google, warned Tuesday about the perils of artificial intelligence to mankind, saying “mitigating the risk of extin...

Air Canada pilots look to start bargaining early after WestJet pay hike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

MONTREAL — The pilots union at the country’s biggest airline has opened the gate to bargaining ahead of time — as early as this summer.Air Canada said Tuesday its pilots group has triggered an option to launch negotiations around a new collective agreement a year early.The move comes after some 1,800 pilots at WestJet and budget subsidiary Swoop settled on a tentative deal this month that secures a 24 per cent wage increase over four years.Since landing on an agreement in 2014, Air Canada pilots have received a two per cent pay hike each year.The airline said the current deal will remain in force until Sept. 29, but that its provisions will still apply after that date.“The current agreement, which has been in place for nearly a decade, is a testimony of the productive relationship we have with our pilots. We expect the upcoming negotiations to be conducted in this same spirit,” said Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick in an email.The Air Canada Pilots Associatio...

Air Canada failing to provide full services in both official languages: report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

OTTAWA — The official languages commissioner says Canadian travellers — particularly francophones — are struggling to get service in their official language of choice from Air Canada. Raymond Théberge says his assessment also applies to the Canada Border Services Agency and major airport authorities. His new report highlights the way federal institutions are failing meeting the requirement to provide services in English or French, where demand warrants it. It says the largest number of complaints in all of the travel industry are filed against Air Canada. Théberge says most of those complaints have to do with communication and service to the public. Air Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2023. The Canadian Press

Woman who threatened Nancy Pelosi with hanging during Capitol riot gets over 2 years in prison

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

A Pennsylvania restaurant owner who screamed death threats directed at then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi while storming the U.S. Capitol was sentenced on Tuesday to more than two years in prison.Pauline Bauer was near Pelosi’s office suite on Jan. 6, 2021, when she yelled at police officers to bring out the California Democrat so the mob of Donald Trump supporters could hang her.In January, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden convicted Bauer of riot-related charges after hearing trial testimony without a jury. The judge sentenced her to two years and three months of imprisonment, giving her credit for the several months she already has served in jail, court records show.Prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of six years and six months for Bauer, 55, of Kane, Pennsylvania.Bauer was part of the mob that forced police officers on the East Plaza to retreat. After forcing her way into the Capitol, she accosted officers who were trying to secure the Rotunda, shoving one of the...

The first part of Arlington Park's demolition starts Tuesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — The next step in building a new home for the Chicago Bears involved tearing down another sports venue, which began on Tuesday. Phase 1 of the demolition of the Arlington Park racecourse is getting underway on the site as the NFL team begins the task of clearing the land in which they'd like to build a new domed stadium along with a commercial and residential district. Trucks were spotted on the property on Tuesday morning as the work gets ready to begin, but there is no timeline on when it may be completed. A look at the Bears' purchase of the Arlington Park property & initial plans All of the work at the moment is in the interior of the main grandstand, office and jockey buildings, which was approved by the Village of Arlington Heights last week. When the Bears start to tear down the exterior of the building, they will need the approval of the village and Cook County.Per Arlington Heights, traffic around the Arlington Park site will increase as the...

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter diagnosed with dementia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

(WKRN) — Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has been diagnosed with dementia, according to her family.The Carter Center released a statement May 30 sharing the news of her diagnosis.She continues to live at home with her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, the statement went on to say. Chick-fil-A DEI hire sparks calls for boycott (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)Over the years, Carter had worked to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and has been an advocate for patients and caregivers to get more support."We hope sharing our family's news will increase important conversations at kitchen tables and in doctor’s offices around the country," the family said. Community reflects on former President Jimmy Carter’s 2019 visit to Nashville One in 10 older Americans has dementia, a condition that affects overall mental health, the family stated.The statement continued: "As the founder of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, Mrs. Carter often noted that there ar...

7 KXAN Investigates-inspired bills head to Gov. Abbott's desk this legislative session

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following the end of the Texas Legislature's regular session, Gov. Greg Abbott has already or is poised to sign seven bills into law that were prompted by KXAN investigations.HB 30: Closing the 'dead suspect loophole'House Bill 30 centered on closing the "dead suspect loophole," an exemption in place since 1997 intended the privacy of those wrongfully accused. In the years since, the loophole has emerged that has allowed law enforcement agencies across the state to deny families, lawyers and journalists from accessing records involving someone who died in police custody and, therefore, would never go to court.This loophole has been the central focus of DENIED, a six-year KXAN investigation spanning four legislative sessions that has encouraged policymakers to close the legal gap. The initiative gained momentum this legislative session following the Robb Elementary mass shooting in Uvalde last May, where the gunman died.KXAN Investigates' DENIED series (KXAN Photo)It...

Spotty storm today, but mostly dry until the weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A period of mostly dry and seasonably warm weather will be part of the forecast today through the middle of Friday afternoon. It'll be hotter with temperatures near 90º, but that's where we should be this time of year.Highs next few daysA spotty shower or storm is possible this afternoon through early evening, but most of us will stay rain free until this weekend. BLOG: Summer forecast released: When do 100º days begin Rain chances rise noticeably late Saturday, but especially for Sunday. More rain is possible into next week as a wetter weather pattern appears to be setting up over Central Texas. INVESTIGATION: LCRA didn't plan for climate change until KXAN investigation FIRST WARNING WEATHER: Stay up to date with your Central Texas forecast, sign up for our weather newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters Stay up-to-date with the First Warning Weather teamFollow the KXAN First Warning Weather team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.You can also follow our meteorologi...