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Gates Foundation commits $200 million to pay for medical supplies, contraception

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:17 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged $200 million to help save the lives of mothers and children during child birth, as the largest American philanthropic donor throws its weight behind the issue during the nonprofit’s annual Goalkeepers conference on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. Melinda French Gates, who says the issue is personal to her, smiled broadly as she introduced herself not just as the co-founder and co-chair of the foundation but as “Nona,” or grandmother, gesturing to her oldest daughter, Jennifer, who was seated in the audience in New York on Wednesday. The foundation pledged $100 million each to health products manufacturer Unitaid, and UNFPA, the U.N. agency for reproductive health, to fund access to health care and contraceptive supplies and information in low- and middle-income countries. The Gates Foundation has been a major supporter of Unitaid, donating $50 million in each 2012 and 2017, according to the foundation&...

In Kentucky governor’s race, Democrat presses the case on GOP challenger’s abortion stance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:17 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s debate over abortion access intensified Wednesday as the Democratic governor pounded away at his rival’s longstanding support for the state’s existing abortion ban shortly after Republican challenger Daniel Cameron had signaled new willingness to accept exceptions for rape and incest.Gov. Andy Beshear’s campaign tried to keep Cameron on the defensive with a pointed TV ad featuring a young woman from Owensboro who reveals her childhood trauma while slamming the GOP nominee.“Anyone who believes there should be no exceptions for rape and incest could never understand what it’s like to stand in my shoes,” Hadley Duvall says in the ad coming out Wednesday on statewide TV.It’s the latest salvo in a campaign that has gotten more contentious over hot-button social issues. Cameron and his allies have blasted Beshear for vetoing a sweeping transgender bill that included a ban on gender-affirming care for young transgender people....

Bank of Canada watching its words to avoid spur rate cut speculation, summary reveals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:17 GMT

OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada was watching its words at its last interest rate announcement as it sought to avoid spurring speculation that rate cuts are on the table any time soon. That’s according to the central bank’s summary of deliberations released today that detail the governing council discussions leading up to its last rate decision.The Bank of Canada held its key interest rate steady at five per cent earlier this month amid signs of a weakening economy.The summary says that although the governing council decided holding rates steady was the right decision for now, it considered the possibility that its decision could be misinterpreted as a sign that rates will not rise further or that rate cuts are coming. To curb this risk, the Bank of Canada decided to emphasize that it will monitor incoming economic data and assess whether rates need to rise further. Earlier this year, the central bank announced a pause on rate hikes to assess the effects of previous rate incr...

Elijah McClain’s death sparked protests and led to police reforms. Now, 2 officers are on trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:17 GMT

BRIGHTON, Colo. (AP) — The trial of two suburban Denver police officers was set to open Wednesday in the killing of Elijah McClain, a Black man put in a neck hold and injected with a powerful sedative whose 2019 death later became a rallying cry for nationwide protests and spurred police reform in Colorado.In the first of several trials stemming from the death of McClain, lawyers for the two sides are expected to paint contrasting pictures of the deadly struggle between the officers and the 23-year-old, who was stopped by police while walking home from a convenience store listening to music on his headphones while carrying only a plastic bag and his phone. One question jurors could be asked to decide is whether it was lawful for officers Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt to detain and use force against McClain, who a 911 caller had reported as being suspicious. If prosecutors can convince jurors the stop was unjustified, that would undermine any argument that McClain’s injuries wer...

New court documents show how Oscar Pistorius may have been wrongly denied parole over error

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:17 GMT

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Oscar Pistorius was eligible for parole in March under South African law and the double-amputee Olympic runner may have been wrongly denied early release from prison because of an error over when he began serving his sentence for murder, new court documents show.Justice and correctional services authorities submitted the documents to the country’s apex Constitutional Court on Tuesday and said they won’t oppose an appeal by Pistorius arguing that he has served the prescribed amount of time in prison and should immediately be declared eligible for parole.Offenders sentenced to more than two years in prison in South Africa must serve half their sentence to be eligible for parole.Pistorius’ appeal says he was eligible six months ago when he attended a parole hearing and was denied early release. He attended the hearing on March 31 and a parole board ruled he was not eligible until August next year.The new papers submitted to the Constitut...

Nominations open for Chicago's 2023 Christmas Tree in Millennium Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:17 GMT

CHICAGO — Fall is still a few days away but the city of Chicago already has its sights set on Christmas. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is now accepting nominations for the official 2023 City Christmas tree. The winner will be displayed in Millennium Park during the holiday season, starting with a tree-lighting ceremony on Nov. 17. SEE ALSO: Chicago’s Christmas tree put up at Millennium ParkTo be nominated, a tree must be at least 45 feet tall and located less than 50 miles from Chicago's Loop. The city prefers a Norway spruce or fir tree, but no pine trees.    Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Nominations for trees can sent to [email protected] and will be accepted through Oct. 12. 

As Bears face Patrick Mahomes, a familiar question comes up

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:17 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — There are a few teams and fanbases that may always ask the question whenever their team faces the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. This week, it's the Bears' turn to do so. What if they had taken Patrick Mahomes with their first round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft?There are nine teams that can ask that question since the Chiefs selected him with the tenth overall pick. The Bears are often the focus of that conversation since their quarterback question continued decades before and still do today as they face Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday at 3:25 p.m. Ryan's "Conviction" With His Decision (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)As many know, Ryan Pace decided to trade up from the third overall pick to the second to select Mitchell Trubisky with the second overall pick.The general manager famously said the franchise had "conviction" on the former North Carolina quarterback, and showed that in the efforts to acquire him. In the end, it would prov...

Emergency officials update on clean-up efforts after flooding in Calumet City

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:17 GMT

CALUMET CITY, Ill. — South suburban emergency officials were in Calumet City Wednesday to highlight efforts to combat flooding after Sunday's storms.The damage was so bad at Dolton’s Thornridge High School students will be learning remotely Wednesday and Thursday. Flooding damaged the heating and electrical systems at the school.About nine to 11 inches of heavy rain fell Sunday causing sewers to back up and streets to flood — as well as homes.On Wednesday, city and county leaders really focused on the future and ways to fix the aging infrustructure in Calumet City specifically, but also touching on many of the south suburbs.In a statement, the mayor of Calumet City said the infrustructure has been neglected for more than 35 years and since taking over, fixing it has become a priority.FEMA is already on the ground after a federal disaster declaration was made for flooding that happened back in late June and July. That disaster recovery center opened last week at the Calumet City Libr...

Bears legend Jim McMahon stops by WGN Morning News

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:17 GMT

Super Bowl champion quarterback Jim McMahon talks to Pat Tomasulo about his journey to better health after playing football, the challenges of playing quarterback, and his love for Bears fans.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Wednesday Forecast: Temps in low 80s with clouds and sun

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:06:17 GMT

CHICAGO — Mainly cloudy Wednesday with morning showers. Wind: S 5-10 G15. High: 79. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Mainly cloudy tonight. Winds: SE 5-10. Low: 63.Thursday Forecast: Mainly cloudy with showers. Winds: ESE 5-10, cooler lakeside. High: 76/73.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog