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UN says Africa faces unprecedented food crisis, with 3 in 4 people unable to afford a healthy diet

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — At least three-fourths of Africans can’t afford a healthy diet, and a fifth are undernourished due to an “unprecedented food crisis,” United Nations agencies said in a report released Thursday with the African Union Commission.The continent’s 1.4 billion people are confronting high levels of hunger and malnutrition as the hit on world grain supplies from Russia’s war in Ukraine compounds the ills of African conflicts, climate change and the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the report said.It warned that “millions are expected to be at risk of worsening hunger in the near future.”With a young population set to double by 2050, Africa is the only rapidly growing region where people are getting poorer, and some are beginning to celebrate coups by soldiers who promise a better life. Despite its wealth of natural resources, Africa is far from meeting its commitment to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition by 2025.Armed violence in West and Central Afri...

Cap on greenhouse gas emissions singles out Alberta, Premier Smith says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says Ottawa’s proposed cap on greenhouse gas emissions from the oilpatch singles out her province for punitive measures and she promises another court fight with the federal government over it.In a press conference from Dubai, where she is attending the COP 28 climate meetings, Smith called federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault an extremist and a menace who refuses to work with her province.She says Canada is facing a crisis because of the proposal. Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz is calling the federal proposal a new National Energy Program, a ’70s-era federal policy that still evokes anger in the oilpatch.  Under Guilbeault’s policy, the oil and gas industry will have to cut emissions by more than one-third by 2030 or buy offset credits. The Canadian Energy Regulator says Alberta is the only jurisdiction in Canada where greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, mostly because of oilpatch production. Recent ...

Two babies infected with rare bacteria sometimes found in powdered infant formula

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The dangerous bacteria that sparked powdered formula recalls and shortages last year has infected two babies this year, killing a Kentucky child and causing brain damage in a Missouri infant.Federal health officials confirmed Thursday that two cases of invasive infections caused by cronobacter sakazakii have been reported in 2023, both in infants who consumed powdered infant formula made by Abbott Nutrition, the company at the center of the 2022 crisis. Food and Drug Administration officials said there was no evidence that the infections were linked to manufacturing and no reason to issue new recalls. The bacteria are found naturally in the environment and also can make their way into infant formula after the packaging is opened.“There is no indication of a broader public health concern related to this product at this time,” the FDA said in a statement. Kentucky health officials notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Nov. 15 that a child who cons...

‘Barbie,’ ‘Oppenheimer,’ ‘Succession’ are among AFI Award recipients

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

Barbenheimer is continuing into awards season. Both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” are among the 10 films that will receive an AFI Award in January, the American Film Institute said Thursday.The organization is recognizing a wide swath of the year’s best films, with blockbusters, an animated film, indies and movies released by both streamers and traditional studios. Honorees include Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” Celine Song’s “Past Lives” and Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things.” The list also has two Netflix films: Todd Haynes’ “May December” and Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro,” as well as Sony’s animated “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse.”“As our nation and our world continue to navigate difficult times, AFI is honored to shine a proper light upon these works of art that lift us up and, ultimately, lead us to empathy,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “That we do so without competition is AFI’s hallmark, and we are proud to gather ...

Flight safety in Canada is plummeting, a confidential UN agency report finds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

MONTREAL — A draft report from a United Nations agency gives Canada a C grade on flight safety and oversight, down from an A+ and far below most of its peers.The confidential audit from the International Civil Aviation Organization says the country has fallen precipitously since 2005 in three safety areas: aircraft operations, airports and air navigation.The UN body is recommending that the federal government establish a system to lock in full regulatory compliance by airlines and airports, shore up certification related to dangerous goods and ensure proper training and fatigue management for air traffic controllers.Ross Aimer, CEO of California-based Aero Consulting Experts, says a shortage of air traffic controllers and a trend toward off-loading safety responsibilities from government onto industry players remain concerns across the continent.However, University of Manitoba transport institute director Barry Prentice says Canada’s flight safety record speaks for itself, wit...

Two GOP presidential debates are set for Iowa and New Hampshire in January before voting begins

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two Republican presidential primary debates have been scheduled in Iowa and New Hampshire in January, not long before each state’s GOP nominating contest.CNN said Thursday it will host a Jan. 10 debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, five days before the state’s first-in-the-nation caucuses, and a Jan. 21 debate at St. Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire, two days before that state’s leadoff primary.The announcement came a day after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie met for the fourth debate of the 2024 primary season. Former President Donald Trump, the GOP front-runner for the 2024 nomination, has yet to take part in any debate and has said he doesn’t plan to.Keith Schipper, the Republican National Committee’s communications director, posted on X that the CNN events “are not RNC-sanctioned debates.” According to a person f...

Man, 34, missing since October from Chicago's Southwest Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

CHICAGO — A 34-year-old man has been missing since October from the city's Southwest Side, according to Chicago police. Michael McCord was reported missing on October 20. He was last seen in the area of the 3400 block of South Leavitt in the McKinley Park neighborhood, wearing a blue flannel shirt.Police describe him has being six-feet three-inches tall and 160 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. His family said he has multiple tattoos: a barcode on the back of his neck, Green Bay Packers logo on neck and veins on his left arm.Anyone with information on McCord's wherabouts should contact Area One Detectives at (312) 747-8380 or call 911.

Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen ordered to be moved to new facility

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

DELPHI, Ind. – Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen has been ordered to be moved from Westville Correctional Facility to another prison in the state.According to court documents, Allen's next stop is Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Carlisle, Indiana. That’s in Sullivan County.The order to move Allen was signed by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and is dated Dec. 6, 2023. Trial for Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen pushed back to October 2024 "The Indiana Department of Correction anticipates continuity of services and care provided to Mr. Allen at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility," the order said.While the court order indicated Allen had already been moved, officials with the Indiana Department of Correction said the transfer has yet to occur as of Thursday afternoon.Allen is charged with two counts of murder in the February 2017 deaths of Abby Williams and Libby German near the Monon High Bridge in Delphi.His case has been working its way through the court system f...

1 dead in crash on Loop 360, 3 others injured

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person has died following a crash on Texas 360/Capital of Texas Highway and other people are injured. Austin-Travis County EMS posted about the crash at 1:05 p.m. and said at least four patients were involved. It happened in the southbound lanes of the highway near Stoneridge Road. Originally, ATCEMS said a patient was pinned and being extricated, then said in an update the patient had been extricated and was being treated. The other three people were declared trauma alerts. In another update, ATCEMS said an adult was pronounced dead on the scene. The three other patients were being treated and prepared to be taken to hospitals as of 1:09 p.m.Drivers should expect delays and avoid the area if possible. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals to lay off 55 workers from Roseville plant

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:10:26 GMT

Ferring Pharmaceuticals has informed the state that it will lay off 55 employees — all or most of the workers at its Roseville manufacturing, research and development plant.The plant at 2660 Patton Road in Roseville is home to Rebiotix Inc, which was acquired by the Ferring Pharmaceuticals Group in 2018 and specializes in clinical-stage biotechnology for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.Ferring, a Swiss-based multinational company with offices and plants in more than 120 countries, produces medicines for reproductive and maternal health, as well as the fields of gastroenterology and urology.According to a WARN notice issued by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s rapid response team on Thursday, the 55 workers who will be permanently laid off on Feb. 5 include a manufacturing technician, quality control technician, marketing manager, stool donor engagement associate, senior materials and supply planner, microbiologist, project engin...