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UNICEF: 12.7 million children in Africa missed vaccinations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:38 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Nearly 13 million children missed one or more vaccinations in Africa between 2019 and 2021 because of the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the continent vulnerable to even more outbreaks of disease and facing a “child survival crisis,” a new report from UNICEF said Thursday.Amid a global “backslide” in childhood immunization over those three years, which the United Nations Children’s Fund said is the worst regression for childhood vaccinations in 30 years, Africa is the region with the highest number of unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children. UNICEF said that 12.7 million African children missed one or more vaccinations and 8.7 million didn’t receive a single dose of any vaccine from 2019-2021.The report, “The State of the World’s Children 2023,” confirms previous indications and lays out more data showing that the pandemic “interrupted childhood vaccination almost everywhere,” UNICEF said.Half of the 20 countries in the w...

Tornadoes kill 2 in central US; new storms possible Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:38 GMT

COLE, Okla. (AP) — Strong storms with tornadoes and hail killed at least two people in the central U.S., injuring others, destroying homes and leaving thousands without power. More severe storms were predicted for Thursday night.The National Weather Service began issuing tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings Wednesday evening in Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa, with forecasters warning people to find shelter.Central Oklahoma saw tornadoes, including one that raced through the communities of Shawnee and Cole.At least two people were killed in the small town of Cole in McClain County, about 25 miles (41 kilometers) south of Oklahoma City, authorities said. There also were injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to some requiring hospitalization, although the numbers weren’t immediately clear as hundreds of people fanned out in search operations.“It is reasonable to expect possibly more based on the damage that we’ve seen,” McClain County Deputy Sheriff Scott Gibbons said on NBC’s “T...

EU lawmakers approve migration plan, set clock ticking

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:38 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union lawmakers on Thursday approved a series of proposals aimed at ending the yearslong standoff over how best to manage migration, a conundrum that has provoked one of the bloc’s biggest political crises.The proposals — passed in a series of votes by a roughly two-thirds majority — include an emergency plan that would oblige the 27 EU nations to help one of their number should that country’s reception capacities be overwhelmed by the sudden arrival of people hoping to enter.The measures make up the European Parliament’s position for negotiations with the EU member countries and set a clock ticking. The member countries now have a year to finally reform their creaking asylum system before Europe-wide elections are held in May 2024.Should they fail to do so, the project might have to be abandoned or completely overhauled as it’s taken up by the next European Commission — the EU’s executive branch — and the new members of parliament.“If we miss th...

Man stabbed several times during business robbery in Loop

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:38 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was stabbed several times during a robbery in the city's Loop Thursday morning. According to police, the victim was inside a business at the 400 block of South Clark Street around 5:20 a.m. when a group of unknown male offenders approached the man and demanded money. Police said one of the offenders produced a sharp knife and stabbed the man several times. Missing Navy sailor recovered from Lake Michigan in Waukegan The offenders took an unknown amount of money and merchandise before fleeing eastbound on foot. The victim sustained lacerations to the wrist and forehead and was transported to the hospital in fair condition. No other injuries were reported and police are investigating the incident.

3-year-old girl shot inside Gary home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:38 GMT

GARY, Ind. — A 3-year-old girl was shot inside a Gary home Tuesday morning.Authorities were dispatched to a home in the 4200 block of West Jackson Street on the report of a shooting. At the scene, an officer located a mother and a 3-year-old girl on the porch. Gary police said initially, they were told conflicting reports on what happened.Police believe the shooting happened inside of the home in an upstairs bedroom as the occupants were watching television.The shooting suspect is at-large, police said. No other details surrounding the circumstances of the shooting have been released at this time. Elderly man dies following crash in north suburbs The girl was hospitalized and police said her condition is unknown.Anyone with information can leave a tip at 219-881-7300.

Thursday Forecast: Mostly cloudy, chance of storms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:38 GMT

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, a few storms this AM with small hail chance, isolated afternoon storm chance, chance for storms again late day/evening with slight severe risk, South winds of 15-20 mph and gusts of 35 mph. There will be a high of 76.Full forecast details at the WGN Weather CenterThursday Night: Mostly cloudy, evening storms, W 10-15 G30. High is 47. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Friday's weather is looking mainly cloudy, isolated shower, SSW 5-15 G25. 63

WATCH LIVE | SpaceX takes second shot at launching biggest rocket

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:38 GMT

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (AP) — SpaceX prepared to launch the biggest and most powerful rocket Thursday, working nonstop after the first shot at a test flight fizzled earlier in the week. The nearly 400-foot (120-meter) Starship was poised to blast off from the southern tip of Texas, near the Mexican border. SpaceX’s Elon Musk gave 50-50 odds of the spacecraft reaching orbit on its debut. None of the rocket will be recovered. Instead, if all goes well, the first-stage booster, dubbed Super Heavy, would drop into the Gulf of Mexico. The spacecraft on top would continue eastward, passing over the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans before ditching near Hawaii. The whole flight, if successful, would last just 1 1/2 hours. The company plans to use Starship to send people and cargo to the moon and, eventually, Mars. NASA has reserved a Starship for its next moonwalking team, and rich tourists are already booking lunar flybys.A stuck booster valve scrapped Monday’s try. Hundreds of space...

Moody Center turns 1; Here's what has happened since its opening

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Thursday marks one year since the Moody Center opened in Austin.Throughout its inaugural year, 1.5 million fans have packed the venue to see artists representing every major genre of music.On April 20, 2022, the Moody Center was introduced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a sold-out John Mayer concert.By its first birthday, the venue has already emerged as one of the nation’s busiest concert destinations. Recently, named the ‘Best New Concert Venue’ worldwide by Pollstar and listed as the No. 1 highest-grossing venue in the world by Billboard Magazine. Moody Center named Billboard’s highest-grossing venue of its size The 15,000-seat stadium has hosted Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, Harry Styles, and many other blockbuster artists.This month, the Moody Center also hosted Austin’s first-ever televised awards show, the CMT Music Awards, which reached a record-breaking worldwide audience. CMT behind the scenes with Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown and the T...

'Feel like they're forgotten': Push for higher pay for caregivers of people with disabilities

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Glen Bradley’s son, Todd, had cancerous tumor and a stroke as a baby, leaving him with brain damage, loss of vision and some issues with fine motor skills. Todd was just three months old when the father learned his son would need around-the-clock supervision for the rest of his life."You have to start preparing and making plans for what that's going to look like when they're older,” Bradley said.Todd Bradley was just three months old when doctors told his family he would need around-the-clock supervision for the rest of his life. (Courtesy Bradley family)"He develops relationships with his caretakers, and then they're gone,” said Glen Bradley, about the caregivers at his son Todd's group home. Bradley described the workers as "amazing" people. (Courtesy Bradley family)That planning paid off when Todd was accepted into a state program offering long-term care services in the Dallas area. Now, as an adult, Todd receives these "Home and Community-Based Services," or HCS...

UTPD investigating assault report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:24:38 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The University of Texas Police Department said Wednesday night officers were investigating a report of an indecent assault.Around 7:34 p.m., officers went to the University Teaching Center, or UTC, which is located on the 100 block of West 21st Street, according to the UTPD statement. Police said the male victim who is UT-affiliated said the male suspect sat next to him and made "unwanted contact."According to UTPD, the suspect told the victim he was a UT student and self-identified as Filipino. The suspect was seen carrying a black bag. UTPD asked anyone with information about this crime to call 512-471-4441 and select extension 9.University of Texas Police said students could also download the LiveSafe at UT Austin app to text or send photos and videos to UTPD dispatch. Utilize the Virtual Walk feature to invite contacts to follow your travels as you walk or ride in a vehicle.