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Zimbabwe plans to launch digital currency backed by gold

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:18 GMT

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe will launch a digital currency next month by introducing “tokens” that are backed by gold reserves and can be transferred between people and businesses as a form of payment, the country’s central bank said Friday.The move is aimed at shoring up Zimbabwe’s faltering national currency, the Zimbabwe dollar, which is fast depreciating amid yearslong economic woes in the southern African nation.The Bahamas, Jamaica and Nigeria have already launched digital currencies backed by their central banks, with several other countries, including China, running trial projects. The United Kingdom is moving closer to it by asking for public input on the idea. The U.S. and European Union are considering similar moves.In Zimbabwe, the new tokens “will be fully backed by physical gold held by the bank” and will go into circulation on May 8, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Gov. John Mangudya said. People can buy the tokens and use them as a way to save their money o...

S&P/TSX composite up more than 100 points as energy stocks help lead the way higher

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:18 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s main stock index was up more than 100 points in late-morning trading as gains in the energy stocks helped lead the way higher.The S&P/TSX composite index was up 107.58 points at 20,630.22.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 127.84 points at 33,954.00. The S&P 500 index was up 12.72 points at 4,148.07, while the Nasdaq composite was down 0.21 points at 12,142.03.The Canadian dollar traded for 73.68 cents US compared with 73.46 cents US on Thursday.The June crude contract was up US$1.17 at US$75.93 per barrel and the June natural gas contract was up five cents at US$2.41 per mmBTU.The June gold contract was up US$4.00 at US$2,003.00 an ounce and the July copper contract was down a penny at US$3.87 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD=X)The Canadian Press

6 gallons of 'coma in a bottle' stopped before arriving in Florida county

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:18 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Authorities in Philadelphia stopped six gallons of an industrial chemical solvent known on the streets as “coma in a bottle," U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers said Wednesday. CBP authorities said the combined six gallons of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), also known as liquid ecstasy, arrived from France in two shipments, both of which were seized Saturday as they headed to an address in Hillsborough County, Florida. Florida caretaker gets new charge after infant shaking death In each shipment, officers found a plastic container filled with an "opaque liquid" identified as GBL, which the Department of Justice's Drug Enforcement Administration classifies as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. That means "it has a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision," the DEA says. GBL, the DEA says, is a chemical compound of gamma-hydroxybutyric ...

Audi deploys all-new technology intended to save cyclist, pedestrian lives

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:18 GMT

(Our Auto Expert) -- According to the World Health Organization, 1.3 million lives are cut short by road traffic accidents, and 20 and 50 million people are injured globally in non-fatal accidents. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that cycling is one of the largest vulnerable road user categories for injuries and fatalities, and cost estimates globally are pushing north of 23 billion.  The Curiosity Lab in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, is where companies are coming together to test technologies in real-world environments to reduce accidents.Audi is one of the leading automakers taking steps to address these concerns and has partnered with tech start-up Spoke Safety. Spoke is using technology that allows the car to better see and identify vulnerable road users with the goal of preventing accidents between cars and pedestrians. NHTSA reported 72% percent of motorists interviewed after an accident said the reason for the accident was that they couldn’t see the...

Woman sentenced after Cedar Park officer, K9 injured during 2020 chase

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:18 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — A woman who injured a Cedar Park K9 officer as well as his K9 partner during a 2020 chase was sentenced by a judge in March, according to Williamson County court documents.Court records said Joanna Elise Santos, 32 at the time of the 2020 incident, pleaded guilty to two charges March 28—one for aggravated assault against a public servant and another for interfering with a police service animal.Records showed the 15-year sentence for the assault would run concurrently with a 10-year sentence related to a charge for interfering with the K9. PAST COVERAGE: Cedar Park police investigate after officer was hit by vehicle during chase, shots fired According to past KXAN reporting, on Dec. 9, 2020, Cedar Park police attempted to pull Santos’ vehicle over, but she drove off.During the pursuit, Cedar Park K9 Officer Justin Gower and his K9 partner, Rogue, got out of their patrol car to try and arrest her, but they were both hit by Santos’ vehicle and hurt.CPPD sai...

DATA: DPS misdemeanor arrests in Austin disproportionately Latino, Black

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A report from the Travis County Attorney's Office shows 65% of people the Texas Department of Public Safety arrested for misdemeanors in Austin since March 30 were Latino, while 23% were Black. On March 30, DPS began patrols in Austin as part of the Austin Violent Crime Task Force (AVCTF) to assist the police department amid a staffing shortage. APD Chief Joseph Chacon said DPS' priorities in the initiative are to crack down on dangerous driving and violent crime. The AVCTF uses data on crashes and violence-related 911 calls to determine where DPS troopers patrol based, both APD and DPS have said. Where DPS is patrolling in Austin and why Chief Chacon called the initiative successful so far, previously stating that violent crime is down 58% in crime "hot spot" areas where DPS has more heavily patrolled.On Thursday, about one month into the partnership, County Attorney Delia Garza called some of the demographic data "concerning." APD: More than 4,000 traffic sto...

Regional Food Bank hosting their largest food drive of the year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:18 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York is holding their 16th Annual Neighborhood Food Drive this Sunday, April 30. The event will take place at the Food Bank itself, located at 965 Albany-Shaker Road in Latham. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Volunteers have already delivered around 14,000 bags to their neighbors’ homes in the area, which included a flyer requesting donations of the most needed non-perishable food and personal care essentials. They will then collect the donations from their neighbors’ homes on Sunday and deliver them to the Regional Food Bank. The Food Bank is projecting to collect more than 36,000 pounds of food and supplies, enough for nearly 30,000 meals. The event will run from 10am-12:30pm. Postal workers union holding rally in Colonie The food bank is always looking for new volunteers to join their mission. Monetary contributions are also accepted online.

Perennial plant sale coming to Lake George

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:18 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Lake George Community Garden Club is set to host its annual perennial plant sale next month, as the weather gets warm and the flowers get blooming. The sale will be held at Shepard Park in the village of Lake George. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the annual perennial plant sale will be held at Shepard Park. The free event will feature perennial plants, all potted and ready to go. All plants are sourced from the gardens of members of the Lake George Community Garden Club. It's a perfect place to pick up plants and learn about what to do with them. Gardeners selling their flowers will share instructions and tips on how to give your new plant a proper home. Glens Falls Farmer’s Market set to come outside All proceeds at the sale will go towards civic beautification projects, community service efforts, and local charities around Lake George, as wel...

Downtown Schenectady to host Tater Trot on May 20

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:18 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation is hosting the first Downtown Schenectady Tater Trot on May 20. Local restaurants will be serving $1 samples featuring the one and only potato! Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The event will run from noon to 4 p.m. More information including a map and a full list of participating restaurants will be announced closer to the event.

Suspect arrested following animal cruelty investigation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:18 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A suspect accused of injuring a two-month-old kitten was arrested on Thursday evening. Preston K. Wido, 36, of Latham, is facing a charge of Aggravated Cruelty to an Animal. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police investigators say the defendant allegedly caused significant injuries to the kitten, Kit, at a residence in Lansingburgh. The kitten's owner brought Kit to a local veterinarian for medical attention. Kit suffered a concussion, dislocated jaw, and fractured pelvis. Part of Kit's right ear had also been cut with a sharp instrument.Wido was processed and released with an appearance ticket to Troy City Court on Friday. Kit is currently recovering at home.