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Nagorno-Karabakh: Canada says Armenians face ‘deteriorating humanitarian situation’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

OTTAWA — The Canadian government is again blaming Azerbaijan for escalating tensions in its Nagorno-Karabakh region, saying it is concerned about the “deteriorating humanitarian situation” for Armenians living in that region.Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but it is mostly populated by Armenians, and neighbouring Armenia has fought for control of the region for decades.Tensions rose in the area last fall, when the region’s main access road was blocked by groups of people suspected of being affiliated with the Azerbaijan government, and then by officials who have limited vehicle access.Azerbaijan insists the region isn’t under a blockade, despite Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch saying food and essentials are severely restricted.Last week, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it’s been denied access to all routes into the region, resulting in shortages for medicine, food and baby formula.Cana...

Judge’s decision could force change in Michigan’s handling of newborn blood samples

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — The state of Michigan must return or destroy dried blood samples from nine newborns or get approval from parents to keep them, according to the latest scathing opinion from a federal judge who found parts of a routine testing program unconstitutional.U.S. District Judge Thomas Ludington is not interfering with the practice of pricking the heels of babies to draw blood to screen for more than 50 diseases, a longstanding procedure in hospitals across the United States.Rather, he is overseeing a lawsuit that challenges how the Michigan health department handles leftover blood spots — and whether parents truly understand what they’re doing when, following childbirth, they check a box allowing the state to use spots for research.The form, for example, doesn’t disclose that health researchers pay to use leftover blood spots and that police can get access to them in some circumstances. Ludington noted that newborn genetic markers are effectively stored indefinite...

Big Ten has cleared the way for Oregon and Washington to apply for membership, AP sources say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

The Big Ten has cleared the way for Oregon and Washington to apply for membership and join the conference, four people with familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday.The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the conference and schools were finalizing an official agreement and announcement.The Ducks and Huskies from the Pac-12 still must officially apply for membership and the Big Ten presidents, who met Friday morning to discuss expansion, need to officially approve any moves.Two of the people familiar with the negotiations said the schools’ applications are expected to be unanimously approved.When that’s done, they will become the 17th and 18th members of the Big Ten, and the third and fourth on the West Coast, joining USC and UCLA.The latest departure from the Pac-12 pushed the storied West Coast college sports conference to the brink of extinction.Arizona has been in serious talks to leave for the Big 12 and join Colorado, w...

Q&A: Keith Urban talks 2024 album, Vegas residency, and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — On Thursday, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame announced that Keith Urban was among its class of 2023 inductees. The news arrived live from Columbia Studio A, just a block and a half from where the country music superstar stayed when he first landed in the Music City from Australia in 1989, hoping to make a name for himself.“It’s truly surreal,” Keith Urban told The Associated Press.He said that if someone told him, then, that he would one day be inducted in the hall, “I just wouldn’t have believed it.”Urban spoke to AP shortly after the announcement to talk about the craft of songwriting, his forthcoming studio album out in 2024 — the longest break he has taken between albums since the start of his career, heading back to Las Vegas for an extended residency and beyond. Answers are edited for clarity and brevity.AP: In your speech at the Hall announcement, you mentioned first coming to Nashville in 1989 — does this award allow you to reflect on those early da...

Mega Millions players will have another chance on Friday night to win a $1.35 billion jackpot

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

Officials increased the size of Friday night’s Mega Million jackpot to an estimated $1.35 billion, making it tied for the fourth-largest lottery prize in U.S history.There have been 30 straight drawings since the last time someone won the game’s jackpot on April 18. The prize has steadily grown to tie with a Mega Millions jackpot won in January.The jackpot is so hard to win because of the 1-in-302.6 million odds of matching the numbers on five white balls and a separate mega ball. The odds are better to win smaller prizes, which start at $2.The $1.35 billion prize is for a sole winner who is paid over 30 years through an annuity. Those who opt for a lump sum payout would get an estimated $659.5 million.A big slice of those winnings would go toward federal taxes, and many states also tax lottery payouts.Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.The Associated Press

Oregon, Washington expected to join Big Ten, AP sources say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

The Big Ten has cleared the way for Oregon and Washington to apply for membership and join the conference, four people with familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday.The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the conference and schools were finalizing an official agreement and announcement.The Ducks and Huskies from the Pac-12 still must officially apply for membership and the Big Ten presidents, who met Friday morning to discuss expansion, need to officially approve any moves.Two of the people familiar with the negotiations said the schools' applications are expected to be unanimously approved.When that's done, they will become the 17th and 18th members of the Big Ten, and the third and fourth on the West Coast, joining USC and UCLA.The latest departure from the Pac-12 pushed the storied West Coast college sports conference to the brink of extinction.Arizona has been in serious talks to leave for the Big 12 and join Colorado, which announc...

Physician assistant charged for allegedly using dead doctor's name to prescribe opioids

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

CHICAGO -- A physician assistant has been charged for allegedly using a deceased doctor's name to prescribe opioids for him and his family. Harry Przekop, 69, from Batavia, who formerly worked at a Chicago medical practice is charged with five counts of fraudulently obtaining controlled substances. Two die days after apartment building fire on NW side According to a release, Przekop was not a licensed physician and could not lawfully prescribe medications without direction or approval of licensed doctors. He pleaded not guilty in court and is scheduled for a status hearing on September 22.

Union members strike at Daley Plaza for actors and writers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

CHICCAGO -- Hundreds of Union Members gathered in Daley Plaza Friday morning as the strike continues for both actors and writers.As both groups remain on strike, the writers' union is set to meet Friday with the group that negotiates from major entertainment companies. Writers have been on strike for nearly one hundred days and are just now sitting down to start conversations with Hollywood Studios while actors went on strike last month. The union SAG-AFTRA represents 160,000 members including act6ors, stunt performers, background artists, puppeteers and broadcasters. Several big-name actors are joining the rally, including Sean Astin from 'The Goonies' and 'Rudy.' His mom, Patty Duke, was once the president of SAG-AFTRA and now he sits at the negotiation table. Hyundai and Kia recall nearly 92,000 vehicles and tell owners to park them outside due to fire risk Union representatives say they feel what they are asking for is reasonable and fair. The union wants a contract with a hi...

Northwestern president apologizes, accepts criticism over hazing scandal: Tribune

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

CHICAGO — The president of Northwestern University is apologizing and accepting criticism over the schools's hazing scandal.The apology comes after more former athletes have filed lawsuits against the university.President Michael Schill's comments come in the form of an editorial in the Chicago Tribune, where he called the documented hazing that occurred entirely unacceptableOn the pages of the Tribune, Schill writes he and the university are sorry and the criticism aimed at Northwestern is understandable.While not talking too much of what got the university in this position, he does try and move the conversation forward, saying, "One of the most important things we can do is to make sure that hazing never again occurs in our athletic programs or anywhere on the Northwestern campus."The scandal began to unfold in early June with allegations of hazing and racism within the football program.After an investigation found the allegations credible, Schill first suspended then-head coach P...

Friday Forecast: Sunny with temps in mid 80s

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:34 GMT

CHICAGO — Sunshine with increasing clouds Friday. Cooler lakeside and isolated showers. Winds: ENE 5-15 G20. High: 84/78. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Mostly cloudy tonight. Winds: NNE 5-10 G15. Low: 68.Saturday Forecast: Mostly cloudy, 30% rain/t'storm, cooler lakeside, E 5-15. 85/78. PM storms likely.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog