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COVID-19: An evolving virus and ongoing presence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:37 GMT

COVID-19 no longer finds itself at the top of policymakers’ priorities as governments grapple with competing health, economic and geopolitical issues. Nonetheless, we must remain vigilant, as long-term pandemic-related challenges remain to be addressed and solutions will require innovative approaches by policymakers and healthcare systems.  The socioeconomic burden of the pandemic has been considerable, with healthcare systems facing overwhelming pressure due to high hospitalization rates.[i] England’s National Health Service (NHS) has acknowledged the strain COVID-19 has on health services, noting that in 2022, there were never fewer than 3,800 people hospitalized with the virus across the country each day, regardless of the time of year.[ii] Further, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates the global cost to be around $13.8 trillion through 2024.[iii] Even as case rates fluctuate, it is important to remain mindful of these far-reaching impacts of the virus and pl...

Winding corridors, endless votes and ableism: Britain’s disabled politicians speak out

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:37 GMT

LONDON — When Marsha de Cordova won her first election, she could count on a helping hand.On the trail to becoming a Labour councilor in 2014, de Cordova — who is blind — made use of the state’s dedicated Access to Elected Office Fund. It allowed her to hire someone to “be her eyes” on the campaign trail.The fund was set up to ensure disabled people in the U.K. have an equal chance of getting into office. But its most recent iteration — the Enable Fund — was quietly scrapped in 2020, to the consternation of disability rights campaigners.Three years on, and the U.K. government is promising to review, once again, help the state offers to disabled people running for office after a three-year absence — but it’s making no firm promises about what might replace it.“Without the funding it would have been really difficult for me to be a candidate,” de Cordova tells POLITICO. Yet even with support in place to reach elected office, British politics can be an unwel...

Dodgers use sixth-inning grand slam to end Orioles’ eight-game winning streak, 6-4

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:37 GMT

Even while playing some of their best baseball, the Orioles hinted at their need for relief help. Their eight-game winning streak was not free of bullpen blemishes, but they managed to cover them up.They were not as capable in Monday’s 6-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Chris Taylor’s sixth-inning grand slam off right-hander Bryan Baker resulting in Baltimore’s first loss in almost two weeks and exemplifying its need for middle relief help before the approaching trade deadline. With the Tampa Bay Rays’ loss, the Orioles remain one game back in the American League East.“We didn’t pitch our best there in the sixth inning,” manager Brandon Hyde said.The Orioles (57-36) entered the decisive frame with a 4-1 lead as top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez had pitched effectively in his return to the majors. In his first inning back with Baltimore since a disastrous outing in late May against the Texas Rangers, Rodriguez threw six straight ...

Students demand action to prevent gender-based violence after UWaterloo stabbing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:37 GMT

Student associations demanded Monday that the Ontario government do more to address gender-based violence on post-secondary campuses, saying a triple stabbing at the University of Waterloo has shown further action is needed.A University of Waterloo professor and two students were hospitalized after the late June stabbing at a gender studies class. Police allege it was a planned act motivated by hate related to gender expression and gender identity.At a news conference Monday, leaders of the University of Waterloo’s undergraduate student association and the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance said they want the province to order universities to conduct to an annual safety assessment and create a trauma-informed training program for campus security, among other recommendations.“This is vital to cultivating a culture where prevention is the norm and where society as a collective can better look out for one another to mitigate harm in environments where students can feel ...

Alabama inmate asks appeals court to block his execution, citing state’s past problems

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:37 GMT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Attorneys for an Alabama inmate on death row asked a federal appeals court Monday to block his upcoming execution, arguing the state has a history of troubled lethal injections. James Barber, 54, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection Thursday as the state seeks to resume executions following a lengthy pause. Gov. Kay Ivey temporarily suspended executions last year after two lethal injections were called off because of difficulties inserting an IV into the veins of the condemned men. Advocacy groups claimed a third execution that was carried out after a lengthy delay was botched.A panel of judges with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Monday but did not indicate when they will rule. “We’re able to see from what happened last year; we have a very strong chance of substantial harm,” Barber attorney Mara Klebaner told the panel. Richard Anderson, an assistant Alabama attorney general, told the court that the state will use a new IV...

"We heard this loud boom:" Plane debris falls into backyard of Far Northwest Side home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:37 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department responded to a non-criminal case on the City's Far Northwest Side Monday afternoon where a plane part appeared to fall from the sky."We heard this loud boom," said local resident Sam Deane.According to police, officers responded to a home in the 4700 block of North Chester near Lawrence Avenue and Cumberland Avenue, where plane debris had fallen into the backyard, slightly damaging the home.After officers arrived, the debris was moved out in front of the home into the street, where it was taken from the scene."They were just having lunch upstairs in our unit and they just heard a loud boom and I guess it hit the side of the building," said Patrick Devitt, a resident of the building where the plane derbis fell. "The only thing that we were worried about at the beginning was like, oh yeah, it's real loud, stuff like that and you get used to it, but you never think that something like that is going to happen."According to the Federal Aviation Adm...

Powerball: Winning numbers drawn for $900M jackpot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:37 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - It has been three months since the Powerball jackpot was hit, but that could all change following Monday's drawing. If a ticket (or tickets) matches the winning numbers below, the jackpot could be the third-largest grand prize in Powerball's history, and one of the largest lottery prizes in U.S. history. The numbers drawn Monday were: 5, 8, 9, 17, and 41, and red Powerball 21. The Power Play multiplier was 4X. $900,000 Lotto ticket purchased in Chicago suburb Ahead of the drawing, officials estimated the jackpot to be $900 million, with a cash value of $465.1 million. By the time the drawing was held, officials estimated the jackpot at $922 million.Should the jackpot roll again after Monday's drawing, the prize could grow to eclipse $1 billion. It would need to surpass $1.05 billion to become the sixth-largest lottery prize in U.S. history. Here are the 10 largest Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots:$2.04 billion (Powerball): Nov. 7, 2022; California$1.586 billion (Po...

Georgetown ISD names Dr. Devin Padavil lone finalist for superintendent

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Georgetown ISD Board of Trustees named a lone finalist for its vacant superintendent position at its regular meeting Monday.Dr. Devin Padavil, who has been the superintendent at Taylor ISD since 2021, is expected to start at Georgetown ISD after the mandatory 21-day waiting period, and the board will vote on hiring Padavil at its next meeting Aug. 7."We are excited to welcome Dr. Padavil to Georgetown," Georgetown ISD Board President Elizabeth McFarland said. "His extensive experience, exceptional leadership, and commitment to educational excellence make him the ideal candidate to lead GISD into the future. Under his guidance, Georgetown ISD is poised for continued growth, innovation, and success."Padavil has a deep background in education with assistant principal stops in Frisco, Pflugerville, Austin and Round Rock school districts, along with various levels of superintendent positions in Fort Bend, Leander and Taylor districts. He also taught English and s...

Investigators mum on Fargo shooting that left police officer dead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:37 GMT

Authorities are answering few questions about the Friday shooting in Fargo that killed a police officer, including why the shooter opened fire.This photo provided by The City of Fargo, N.D., on Saturday, July 15, 2023 shows police officer Jake Wallin. On Saturday, Fargo’s police chief said a gunman opened fire on police and firefighters as they responded to a traffic crash in North Dakota. One officer, Wallin, was killed and two others were wounded before a fourth officer killed him. (The City of Fargo via AP)The Fargo Police Department has declined to discuss the Friday shooting that killed 23-year-old Officer Jake Wallin. Fargo Chief Communications Officer Gregg Schildberger referred questions to the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, or BCI, noting the state agency is leading the investigation.Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski did not return a message left by The Forum seeking comment on this story, but City Deputy Chief Communications Officer Katie Ettish said ...

One month after 11 teens shot downtown, no one charged yet

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:37 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Tuesday marks one month since a barrage of gunfire erupted during a St. Louis party, killing a teenager and injuring nearly a dozen others. No one has been charged.The shooting happened in the early morning hours of June 18 in an office building at 14th and Washington in downtown St. Louis.Investigators said the party was organized on social media.Evita Caldwell, a spokeswoman for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, said Monday that two teenagers have been arrested since the gunfire. However, they were released by Juvenile Court and detectives were asked to investigate more. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW On June 23, the department released a photo asking for the public's help to identify five different teenagers. Ca...