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New weight loss drugs are out of reach for millions of older Americans because Medicare won’t pay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:19:23 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — New obesity drugs are showing promising results in helping some people shed pounds but the injections will remain out of reach for millions of older Americans because Medicare is forbidden to cover such medications. Drugmakers and a wide-ranging and growing bipartisan coalition of lawmakers are gearing up to push for that to change next year. As obesity rates rise among older adults, some lawmakers say the United States cannot afford to keep a decades-old law that prohibits Medicare from paying for new weight loss drugs, including Wegovy and Zepbound. But research shows the initial price tag of covering those drugs is so steep it could drain Medicare’s already shaky bank account. A look at the debate around if — and how — Medicare should cover obesity drugs: WHAT OBESITY DRUGS ARE ON THE MARKET AND HOW DO THEY WORK? The Food and Drug Administration has in recent years approved a new class of weekly injectables, Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’...

Recall of nearly 5 million portable blenders under way for unsafe blades and dozens of burn injuries

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:19:23 GMT

BlendJet is recalling about 4.8 million of its portable blenders over laceration and fire hazards after receiving dozens of reports of injuries, federal regulators said Thursday.BlendJet 2 Portable Blenders can overheat or catch fire, according to a notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and their blender blades can break off during use.There have been 329 reports of blades breaking during use to date, the CPSC said, as well as 17 additional reports of overheating or fires that resulted in about $150,000 of property damage claims. The company has also received 49 reports of minor burn injuries and one reported laceration injury.Regulators urged consumers to stop using the recalled blenders immediately and contact BlendJet for a free base unit replacement. To receive the replacement part, customers will need to remove and cut up the base’s rubber seal and email or upload a photo using BlendJet’s website.BlendJet said in a prepared statement that the reca...

CP NewsAlert: Last Canadian kidnapped by Hamas, Judih Weinstein Haggai, declared dead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:19:23 GMT

OTTAWA — Judih Weinstein Haggai, the only Canadian citizen who was still missing amid the Israel-Hamas conflict and believed to be held in the Gaza Strip, has been confirmed dead. Her family says she died on Oct. 7, the day that Hamas militants conducted a brutal assault on Israel. More to come.The Canadian Press

Rescue efforts underway to evacuate 10 people after plane crash in N.W.T.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:19:23 GMT

Rescue efforts are underway after a small aircraft crashed on Wednesday leaving 10 people stranded with injuries near a diamond mine about 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife. The spokesman of the 1 Canadian Air Division and Canadian NORAD Region Headquarters says the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton launched a search-and-rescue operation after an Air Tindi Twin Otter aircraft landed about 16 kilometres southeast of Diavik Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories.David Lavallee says a Royal Canadian Air Force Hercules aircraft flew from Winnipeg and arrived to the accident area on Wednesday evening. He says three search-and-rescue technicians, who are highly-trained first response and survival experts, were parachuted to the accident location with supplies and equipment.Lavallee says the plane had two crew members and eight passengers on board when it crashed and six of these people had minor injuries while two had moderate to serious injuries. The Joint Rescue Coordina...

Hoops star Gilgeous-Alexander named CP male athlete of the year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:19:23 GMT

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took 2023 by storm, blossoming into a superstar on both the NBA and international stages.The basketball star from Hamilton has added another feather to his cap, coming out on top of an impressive field to be named The Canadian Press male athlete of the year.Gilgeous-Alexander broke out in 2022-23 with the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, who exceeded expectations by almost squeezing into the playoffs. This season, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way, the Thunder are currently second in a competitive Western Conference.He also led Canada to its first-ever FIBA World Cup medal in September, earning bronze with a win over the United States. Canada’s performance at the tournament earned it its first Olympic berth since 2000.“Representing Hamilton and helping grow the game of basketball in Canada is one of the true joys of playing in the NBA, and I greatly appreciate the recognition from The Canadian Press with this award,” he said in a statement. Rela...

Youth dead, one missing after teens fall through ice on the Rideau River

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:19:23 GMT

A teenager has died after falling through ice on the Rideau River Wednesday night.Ottawa Police Service and firefighters continue to search for one youth who still remains missing.Emergency crews were called to Nicolls Island Road, an area of the Rideau River near Barrhaven and Manotick, around 11:44 p.m..They were responding to reports of four youth who had fallen through the ice.Two of the four individuals were immediately rescued from the water and taken to CHEO by paramedics.Two others, a 16 and 17 year old, were believed to still be in the water.The Ottawa Police Marine Unit and Ottawa Fire later recovered the deceased body of one of the missing teens.The rescue operation, which took place through the night, included a surface and water search in very difficult conditions, police say.The search continues for the second missing teen.Police say in a statement, ‘This tragic incident affects us all and we have offered supports to the loved ones of the youths.’

Stock market today: Stocks edge higher on Wall Street in muted trading

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:19:23 GMT

Stocks edged higher on Wall Street in what’s expected to be another quiet day between the Christmas and New Year holidays. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% in early trading Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 63 points, or 0.2% and the technology-heavy Nasdaq rose 0.1%. Markets have held on to slight gains for the week so far, and the S&P 500 is hovering just below its all-time high set in January of 2022. The benchmark index is coming off its eighth straight winning week and is is up more than 24% for the year.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.Futures for the S&P 500 were virtually unchanged before the bell Thursday, while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.1%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq rose nearly 0.3%.Trading has been subdued in the last trading week of the year. The S&P 500 is coming off its eighth straight winning week and is hovering just below its all-time high set in January of 2022.The final week of 2023 lacks any...

Community bonds: strengthening the ties of community while earning a financial return

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:19:23 GMT

Setting aside money for worthy causes can be a challenge, but one option that’s gaining momentum both gives back and a offers a good return on investment.Community bonds pay out interest, and eventually return the initial capital, in the same way as more conventional bonds, but the money is directed to social projects, and the not-for-profit entity that initiates one is responsible for the guarantee.Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington in southwestern Ontario used the model to raise money for two affordable housing projects it’s developing. It broke ground on the first, a 32-unit townhouse project, in November. The group was able to use the money raised through the bond as an anchor to raise further construction financing, said Ryan Deska, director of engagement and development.“So the community bond is a way for us to leverage the collective wealth of the community,” he said. “It’s one of the puzzle pieces that help us to move a project forward.”The group ...

1 seriously injured after fiery rollover crash in Porter County: Sheriff's office

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:19:23 GMT

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. -- A driver is seriously injured after a truck crashed into a train Thursday morning in Porter County, the sheriff's office said.The Porter County Sherriff's office said the incident occurred near the 800 block of North State near Road 49 around 5:50 a.m. A Dodge Dakota truck was travelling south bound on State Road 49 and crashed into a CSX train. Two injured, car hits church in hit-and-run incident late Wednesday night on city’s West Side The truck reportedly rolled over and caught fire. First responders were able to remove the occupant form the vehicle and transport them to an area hospital with serious injuries. The crash is being investigated and the roadway will be shutdown until further notice.

Father of Highland Park shooter files for bankruptcy, report says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:19:23 GMT

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — The father of the man accused in the Highland Park Fourth of July parade mass shooting has filed for bankruptcy, the Sun-Times reports.Robert Crimo Jr., who himself was released from jail in Lake County earlier this month, has filed for bankruptcy because he's over $1.5 million in debt to more than 50 creditors.Crimo Jr.'s son, Robert Crimo III, is facing more than 100 charges, including dozens of first-degree murder and attempted murder charges, for the shooting. Seven people were killed, dozens were hurt and countless others were traumatized in the incident.Earlier this month, Crimo III requested his right to a speedy trial and said he will represent himself. Proceedings are set to begin in February 2024.Crimo Jr., meanwhile, recently finished his own 60-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to reckless conduct for sponsoring his son's gun application.Crimo Jr. still faces a dozen outstanding civil lawsuits filed by shooting survivors.