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Pharmacists could prescribe hormonal contraceptives under FY24 budget language

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:14 GMT

Registered pharmacists in Massachusetts could prescribe and dispense hormonal birth control patches or self-administered oral pills to any person, regardless of whether they have evidence of a previous prescription, under language included in the pending state budget.Advocates behind the measure say allowing pharmacists to hand out birth control over the counter opens up access to medication that prevents unwanted pregnancies as residents grapple with a shortage of primary care physicians in Massachusetts.The proposal — first pitched as standalone legislation but later included in the fiscal 2024 budget now awaiting action from Gov. Maura Healey — is backed by state Sen. Michael Moore.The Millbury Democrat said some people often have to wait three or even six months to see their primary care physicians. The measure also opens the door to hormonal contraceptives for people who do not have health insurance, Moore said.“They can go to the pharmacist and get access to the contraceptives...

Testimony from Hunter Biden associate provides new insight into their business dealings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:14 GMT

By FARNOUSH AMIRI and STEPHEN GROVES (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — Focusing on the Bidens rather than Donald Trump’s federal court appearance, House Republicans released a transcript Thursday of their interview with Hunter Biden’s former business associate detailing overseas financial dealings by the president’s son.The more than five-hour closed-door interview with Devon Archer by the House Oversight Committee, released hours before Trump’s appearance to face a third list of charges, provides fresh insight into how President Joe Biden’s youngest son used his relationship with his father, who was then vice president, to court foreign investors. Archer said Hunter Biden was using the “illusion of access” in Washington.Republicans on the panel hope to use their work to prod impeachment proceedings against the president. However, though pressed repeatedly, Archer offered no tangible evidence that Joe Biden’s role in his son...

International pressure mounts on leaders of coup in Niger; hundreds rally in support of junta

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:14 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — International pressure mounted Thursday on leaders of the coup in Niger as the American secretary of state said the United States “stands very much” in support of West African leaders who have threatened to use force to restore the nation’s democracy, and Senegal offered troops to help.As hundreds of anti-French protesters rallied in the Nigerien capital in support of the ruling junta, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken offered general support for the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, though he did not specifically refer to its threat of military action. Blinken told reporters in New York that the U.S. believes the bloc’s efforts to reinstate toppled President Mohamed Bazoum are “important, strong and have our support.”Senegal’s foreign affairs minister said her country would participate in a military intervention if ECOWAS decides to take action. “Senegalese soldiers have to go … these coups d’état must be stopped,” Aissata Tall Sall sa...

Adams Lake wildfire flares as wind, harsh terrain challenge B.C. on multiple fronts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:14 GMT

VANCOUVER — It was a scene of confusion, sadness and fear in what is usually an idyllic lakeside community as a “drastic wind shift” caught fire forecasters off guard in British Columbia’s Shuswap region on Wednesday. The Lower East Adams Lake wildfire has been burning since mid-July, but the terrain was too rough for groundcrews, and the fire was being held with air support until things changed dramatically. It’s the latest wildfire to threaten properties in several parts of southern B.C., where evacuation orders and alerts have been upgraded as that fire flares. Residents of nearly 100 properties were ordered out late Wednesday by the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, while an evacuation alert was posted for 75 more properties in the area about 20 kilometres north of Chase, B.C.Connie Berkley, who owns the Adams Lake Store across the lake from the evacuation area, described a scene of confusion as people sobbed over having to leave their homes and their p...

After his hearing in federal court, Trump calls it a ‘very sad day for America.’ Follow live updates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:14 GMT

Follow along for live updates as Donald Trump appears in federal court Thursday after being indicted by the Justice Department for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. It’s the third criminal case brought against the former president as he seeks to reclaim the White House. WHAT TO KNOW— Here’s a breakdown of the sprawling election indictment— Trump lawyer hints at a First Amendment defense in the Jan. 6 case— Republicans are remaining silent about the latest charges against Trump— The judge assigned to Trump’s case is a tough punisher of Capitol rioters— Here’s where the various cases involving Trump standTRUMP TALKS AFTER HEARINGTrump said it was a “very sad day for America” after pleading not guilty in Washington’s federal court to charges that he conspired to overturn the 2020 election.Trump addressed the proceedings in a brief statement on a drizzly tarmac before he boarded his plane back to New Jersey., characterizing the case as a “perse...

Decision to move harassment case against Trudeau Foundation to Quebec appealed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:14 GMT

MONTREAL — A woman who filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation is appealing a Newfoundland and Labrador court decision that would have the case moved to Quebec.Cherry Smiley alleges she was sexually harassed by former Northwest Territories premier Stephen Kakfwi during a 2018 event organized by the Trudeau Foundation, which had paired her with Kakfwi through a mentorship program. Kathryn Marshall, Smiley’s lawyer, says she filed the appeal Thursday on the grounds that a Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court judge erred when he ruled last month that he didn’t have jurisdiction and that the case should be heard in Quebec. “We think the court in this case really discounted the fact that the plaintiff is a vulnerable survivor of sexual trauma,” Marshall said in an interview Thursday. “To have to recommence her litigation, her lawsuit, in another province after years of delay, is an extreme barrier to access to justi...

Nutrien announces strategic actions to cut costs amid economic headwinds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:14 GMT

SASKATOON — Nutrien Ltd. is indefinitely pausing its potash production ramp-up and suspending work on its Geismar clean ammonia project after a period of “unprecedented volatility” in fertilizer markets, said chief executive Ken Seitz on Thursday.Persistent uncertainty in global crop input markets over the past 18 months have been a challenge, and helped lead to significantly lower net earnings for the company in the second quarter of 2023, but there are still positive signs ahead, he said on an analyst call.“We are encouraged by the continued improvement in demand as the year has progressed. This is most evident in North America, where we had a strong spring season, relative fertilizer price stability and a significant reduction in channel inventories,” said Seitz.However, he noted demand has been slower in certain offshore fertilizer markets.The strategic action to pull back on infrastructure investments reflect the company’s commitment to disciplined...

Woman hospitalized, 2 others injured in Montana otter attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:14 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - A woman had to be airlifted to a Montana hospital after she and two others were attacked by an otter Wednesday night, according to wildlife officials. The women were floating on inner tubes on the Jefferson River about 40 miles west of Bozeman shortly after 8 p.m. when they saw "one or two otters," the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks said in a news release.An otter then approached and attacked the women. The women were able to get out of the water, according to the FWP, and the otter swam away. Multiple emergency crews responded to the scene. Authorities say all three women were injured in the encounter and were treated in Bozeman. Child, 8, attacked by cougar in Olympic National Park; saved by mother One woman suffered more serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital. Authorities told local news outlets the woman had severe bites to the face and arms. The two others had superficial wounds.Additional details regarding the women's conditions have not been releas...

Don't be alarmed: FCC and FEMA planning nationwide test

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:14 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – A peaceful Wednesday afternoon in October will be briefly interrupted by blaring alerts on cell phones, TVs and radios as several federal agencies perform a joint test. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission — better known as FEMA and the FCC — are running the test of the country's Emergency Alert System, plus the Wireless Emergency Alert system that goes out to mobile devices. The test of both systems will take place Wednesday, Oct. 4, at approximately 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time. Americans will soon need ‘authorization’ to enter Europe At that time, and for 30 minutes after, cell phones that are switched on and within range of a cell phone tower will get a message that reads "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."Phones that have their settings set to Spanish language by default will get the same message in Spanish. "To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire publ...

Less blood, better outcomes: Combination treatment for women with fibroids

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:14 GMT

They impact 80 percent of women and disproportionately impact women of color. Fibroids are benign tumors that grow in the uterus. But removing the lesions puts patients at risk for serious complications. A Chicago area doctor sought a better, safer treatment and it’s making a measurable difference.“Initially I was told have a full hysterectomy which I was surprised by,” patient Angela Lamondi said.That was one option the 41-year-old had after an MRI scan revealed several large fibroids that were causing daily pain and pressure and compromising her bladder function.“I was next told that all of the fibroids could just be cut out, which ran the risk of extreme blood loss and then a possible blood transfusion would be needed,” she said. “I went with my gut. It just seemed I was too young to have to do something so invasive. So I’m glad I looked for other options.”Dr Magdy Milad had another plan.To reduce blood loss and preserve the uterus, the Northwestern Medicine ob-gyn offered a comb...