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Ukraine: The path to the recovery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:24 GMT

According to the results of a recent assessment by the World Bank, Ukrainian recovery and reconstruction will require at least $411 billion. This figure is 1.5 times higher than the size of the pre-war economy of Ukraine - writes Anna Derevyanko, European Business Association Executive Director (pictured),Plans to rebuild Ukraine are already being talked about – at different events all over the world, in media, during business trips and high-official meetings. Nevertheless, it is also worth moving from words to actions – making concrete plans, with concrete steps and understanding who will have to pay and for what.Definitely, the private sector has an important role to play in the rebuilding of Ukraine - in a variety of ways, including direct investment, critical projects, mobilizing capital, etc. And we see – a business that works in Ukraine is ready to be involved in the process of rebuilding. Moreover, businesses stay committed and support the country, continue to work and to pay...

Politics of Lies by Opposition in Bangladesh

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:24 GMT

Democracy survives and thrives on various opinions provided by and debates by political parties, civil society organizations, and individuals. However, if the opinions contain misinformation and disinformation with the intention to malign the opponent, it cannot help democracy flourish. Unfortunately, this is exactly what’s happening in Bangladesh - writes Professor Dr. Mizanur Rahman Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), an opposition political platform, prepared a list of 500 police personnel and sent that to foreign diplomats. These policemen of different ranks, BNP leaders alleged, were involved in human rights abuses and voting irregularities in Bangladesh’s national election held in late 2018. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, one of the standing committee members of BNP, told the media that the information would be presented to the international community. BNP claimed that most of these 500 policemen were working in the field level during the 2018 national election and got prom...

Taylor Swift's major announcement during final SoFi Stadium show

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:24 GMT

Taylor Swift made fans' "Wildest Dreams" come true on Wednesday night with a major announcement. During the singer's final show at SoFi Stadium, she announced to fans she was re-releasing her popular album "1989." Primetime Emmys pushed to 2024 amid Hollywood strikes The news was so massive, it was even spread across the roof of the Inglewood home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. The 2014 album is the fourth project the "Shake It Off" singer has re-released in a move to own her music after her previous catalog was sold by music manager Scooter Braun. Starbucks to play 122 Taylor Swift playlist in stores: Report According to the star's website, the re-recorded version will feature 21 songs. This also includes five previously unreleased songs from the vault. Taylor's version of the album will drop on Oct. 27. As for The Eras Tour, it now moves to Mexico later this month. Swift will have more shows in the United States next year.

Riverside County men arrested on gun, gang, cockfighting charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:24 GMT

Two Riverside County brothers face multiple felony charges after they were caught with 17 guns, gamecocks and cockfighting equipment on Wednesday, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.Jorge Albert Casillas Flores, a 30-year-old from Coachella, and Antonio De Jesus Casillas Flores, a 27-year-old from Indio, were arrested after authorities searched a home in the 52000 block of Calle Leandro in Coachella and another in the 81000 block of Avenue 46 in Indio, officials said in a news release.Officials confirmed to KTLA that the two men are brothers.In those searches, investigators said they found seven long guns — five rifles and two shotguns — and 10 handguns, including several that appeared to be decorated with gold.One of the guns had been reported stolen, and they were all illegally possessed, according to the RCSD.In addition, they found "multiple gamecocks" and items like "gaffs, the razor-sharp steel blades used to attach to a gamecock's legs during a cockfight,"...

Nike announces return of Kobe Bryant shoe line

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:24 GMT

Mamba Forever.That's how Nike announced the relaunch of Kobe Bryant's iconic shoe line."Kobe Brand is back," Nike announced on social media on Aug. 9, teasing the shoe line is "almost here." Nike and Vanessa Bryant made the announcement by dropping a teaser video. The company will begin releasing new Bryant shoes on Aug. 23, which would have been Kobe's 45th birthday.Bryant confirmed online that the Kobe 8 "Halo" sneakers will be the first to hit the market, and they'll sell for an estimated $180 per pair.This will mark the first release under the Kobe name since the late Los Angeles Lakers legend's contract with Nike expired in April 2021. Nike and Bryant's estate reached a new licensing agreement in 2022.The new agreement will allow the company to re-release eight models that were made during Bryant's career, as well as the six released after his retirement in 2016.Nike also agreed to release apparel in honor of Gigi Bryant, the daughter of Kobe and Vanessa who was among...

Vatkes Nalbandian Killed in Wrong-way Accident on Victory Boulevard [Van Nuys, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:24 GMT

64-Year-Old Motorist Dies after a Wrong-way Collision on Columbus AvenueVAN NUYS, CA (August 10, 2023) – Late Sunday night, police were dispatched to a wrong-way collision that killed Vatkes Nalbandian.The incident happened on August 6th, shortly before 11:00 p.m., at the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Columbus Avenue.According to reports, a 24-year-old driver was headed eastbound on Victory Boulevard and veered over in the westbound lanes.As a result, the driver collided with a vehicle driven by Nalbandian. The impact of the collision caused Nalbadian to sustain severe injuries.Emergency crews arrived at the site of the collision shortly after and pronounced 64-year-old Vatkes Nalbandian dead at the scene.At this time, it was unknown why the 24-year-old driver veered over to the opposite lane. An active investigation is still ongoing.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate moment. The Sweet James team sends their deepest condolences and...

Woman Killed in Pedestrian Accident on Pennsylvania Street [Albuquerque, NM]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:24 GMT

Pedestrian vs. Vehicle Accident on Mountain Road Left One Woman DeadALBUQUERQUE, NM (August 10, 2023) – Late Monday night, a pedestrian accident on Pennsylvania Street left one woman dead.It happened at around 11:20 p.m., August 7th, just south of I-40, involving a hit-and-run driver and a female pedestrian.According to the Albuquerque Police Department, the woman was walking on the northbound side of Pennsylvania pushing her cart when a vehicle also headed northbound slammed into her.Unfortunately, the vehicle that struck the woman left her with life-threatening injuries, that later led to her death. The driver immediately ran away from the scene.Following the events of the collision, the officers suspected pedestrian error and speed as the main factors of the incident.At this time, the identity of the victim was not yet disclosed by the investigating officers, pending next of kin.No additional information was released, and the crash is still under active investigation.In thi...

Eidy Ruiz Arrested after Hit-and-Run Crash on Highway 95 [Bullhead City, AZ]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:24 GMT

Man Dead and Suspect Arrested after a Deadly Hit-and-Run IncidentBULLHEAD CITY, AZ (August 10, 2023) – Friday evening, Eidy Ruiz was arrested after hitting a pedestrian which led to his death.It happened just before 6:50 p.m., August 4th, in the area of Highway 95 near Riverview Drive.According to the Bullhead City police, a report was taken involving a pedestrian that was struck by a hit-and-run driver.Consequently, the paramedics and emergency responders arrived at the scene and transported the pedestrian to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center.Unfortunately, the pedestrian did not survive the state of his injuries, and he was pronounced dead moments later.Furthermore, the driver that struck the pedestrian fled the scene, and the police later located the suspect at the 2500 block of Calle Bonita.In addition, the suspect was identified as 23-year-old Eidy Ruiz, and he was arrested by the officers.Moreover, Ruiz was taken into custody of the Bullhead City Police Department ...

Jeffrey Button Killed in Semi-Truck Crash on Interstate 90 [Cle Elum, WA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:24 GMT

34-Year-Old Man Fatally Struck in Motorcycle Accident near EastonCLE ELUM, WA (August 10, 2023) – Thursday afternoon, Jeffrey Button was killed in a motorcycle vs semi-truck crash on Interstate 90.At around 5:14 p.m., police responded to the scene on the westbound lanes of Interstate 90 near Easton.Investigators say 34-year-old Button was heading west in a 2016 KTM 1290 Super Duke motorcycle when he changed lanes and struck a 2020 Freightliner 18-wheeler. Due to the extent of injuries sustained, medics pronounced the motorcyclist, 34-year-old Jeffrey Button, dead at the scene.Meanwhile, the driver of the semi-truck, David Pomianoski of Fargo, North Carolina remained uninjured.Crews also say Button was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. At this time, an active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway. Once available, more details will be provided.The Sweet James team sends their sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Jeffrey Bu...

US prisoner exchange with Iran looking more likely

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:16:24 GMT

By Jon Gambrell and Matthew Lee | Associated PressDUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran has put five Iranian-American prisoners to house arrest, a U.S.-based lawyer said Thursday, a move coming as Tehran for months has suggested a prisoner swap was possible between it and Washington in exchange for billions of dollars frozen in South Korea. Iran did not immediately acknowledge the move.The move comes amid months of heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. A major American military buildup in the Persian Gulf is underway, with the possibility of armed U.S. troops boarding and guarding commercial ships traveling through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all oil traded passes.It remains unclear whether the Iranian-Americans’ transfers reflect significant progress in a possible prisoner swap between the two countries. Iran in past months has overstated progress in talks, likely conducted with mediation from Oman and Qatar, on a potential trade.The U.S. in March ...