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First Alzheimer’s drug to slow disease progression expected to get full FDA approval

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:21 GMT

(CNN) — The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to decide on Thursday whether to grant traditional approval to the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, the first medicine proven to slow the course of the memory-robbing disease.An approval decision would also be expected to trigger a change in how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services covers the drug, broadening access for up to an estimated million people with early forms of the disease.Leqembi, from drugmakers Eisai and Biogen, received accelerated approval in January based on evidence that it clears amyloid plaque buildups in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. But because of an earlier coverage decision by CMS, which provides insurance coverage for many elderly patients with Alzheimer’s through Medicare, the drug hasn’t been widely used. It costs $26,500 before insurance coverage.“You had this treatment at your fingertips, and suddenly you had Medicare saying, ‘Yeah, but you can’t quite get access to tha...

Berlusconi’s will dishes cash to kids, partner and rogue political adviser

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:21 GMT

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s will was unsealed Thursday, with the late tycoon’s wealth and business interests being distributed to his family. His two eldest children, Marina and Pier Silvio, will hold equal stakes jointly worth around 53 percent in the Fininvest family holding company, according to a report on Italian newswire ANSA. Both have held executive roles in the family business since the 1990s.Berlusconi also rewarded his former political adviser Marcello Dell’Utri with €30 million in his will. In 2014, Dell’Utri was sentenced by the Italian Supreme Court to seven years in prison. He was found guilty of tax fraud and complicity in conspiracy with the Sicilian Mafia. At the time of the ruling, he fled Italy and was caught shortly after by Interpol and the Lebanese authorities at a luxury hotel in Beirut.Berlusconi’s three children from his second marriage — Barbara, Eleonora and Luigi — receive smaller shares than the childr...

From Madrid: How Spain’s election could impact its EU presidency

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:21 GMT

Listen on Spotify Apple Music Google Play EN_Google_Podcasts_Badge Created with Sketch. Stitcher .st0{fill:#EB8A23;} .st1{fill:#FAC617;} .st2{fill:#612368;} .st3{fill:#3792C4;} .st4{fill:#C33727;} Acast This week’s EU Confidential comes to you from Madrid as Spain takes over the six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union. Spain’s stint in the rotating chair has been overshadowed ...

Russian jets harass US drones over Syria

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:21 GMT

(CNN) — Three Russian fighter jets intercepted three US Air Force drones in northeastern Syria on Wednesday morning local time, according to the senior commander in charge of Air Force operations in the Middle East.Air Force Lt. Gen Alex Grynkewich described the Russian maneuver against the MQ-9 Reaper drones – which officials said were monitoring ISIS targets in Syria – as “unsafe and unprofessional.”US Central Command released video of the incident, which shows the jets releasing parachute flares in front of the drones, ostensibly to block their view.“Against established norms and protocols, the Russian jets dropped multiple parachute flares in front of the drones, forcing our aircraft to conduct evasive maneuvers,” Grynkewich said. “Additionally, one Russian pilot positioned their aircraft in front of an MQ-9 and engaged afterburner, thereby reducing the operator’s ability to safely operate the aircraft.”Both the US and Russia are operating in Syria; the US as part...

Man faces murder charge, accused of killing mother in Hudson, NH

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:21 GMT

A Hudson, New Hampshire man has been charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of a 57-year-old woman in Hudson Wednesday night, officials announced. State and local officials, in a joint statement from the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office said police first responded to a report of a disturbance at a home on Shoal Creek Road around 9:45 p.m. On scene, officials said police found Christine DeGiacomo “suffering from a traumatic injury.”Officials said DeGiacomo was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.Officials confirmed Thursday morning that they were investigating DeGiacomo’s death, describing it as “suspicious.” In an update, officials said Grant DeGiacomo, 26, had been charged. “Mr. Grant DeGiacomo is charged with recklessly causing the death of Christine DeGiacomo under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by repeatedly striking her head,” officials said. An autopsy is expected for...

Trump valet pleads not guilty to charges he helped ex-president hide classified documents

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:21 GMT

Donald Trump’s personal valet finally appeared in a Miami federal court on Thursday morning, with his newly hired Florida-based lawyer, and pleaded not guilty to six charges involving retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.Waltine Nauta, 40, had been expected by Chief U.S. Magistrate Edwin Torres to appear in Miami June 27 with a local lawyer to represent him in court. But Trump’s only co-defendant in the case failed to appear because his flight out of Newark, New Jersey, was canceled. He also had not retained a South Florida area lawyer to represent him as local court rules require.Nauta walked into court about 10:20 a.m. Thursday amid a phlanx of reporters and in the company of his Washington, D.C.-based attorney Stanley Woodward Jr. and his new Florida-based attorney Sasha Dadan.They both said they would represent him through the trial.Dadan, 34, is part of the Dadan Law Firm, which operates out of three cities: Fort Pierce, West Palm Beach and ...

Don't you dare ask for the manager at Karen's Diner in San Diego

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:21 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A popular immersive dining experience is making its debut in San Diego for one weekend only next month. Karen's Diner -- a popup dinner and entertainment happening that's making tour stops in cities across America -- will be serving up juicy burgers with a side of sass for date night goers looking to shake things up.Event organizers say customers can expect "great food and a hefty sprinkle of bad attitude" from the diner staff, making for an "unforgettable experience." Free food distributions available throughout summer in San Diego This unique environment is said to bring in the laughs while fueling banter in what could be a great "break the ice" first date or total surprise to a someone you want to take off guard. "Don't expect special treatment at this diner because it's all about Karen, and she won't be taking any of your nonsense," said an event organizer. "Have some fun and wind the staff up to unleash your inner 'Karen' and see their full 'Karen' potential."Th...

‘Young and respected’: Ontario police dog dies after ingesting drugs in line of duty

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:21 GMT

A police dog in southwestern Ontario has died after ingesting drugs during an investigation.The Woodstock Police Service said Taz accompanied responding officers to assist the Stratford Police Service with a drug-related investigation on July 3, 2023.Investigators said Taz and another Police Service Dog (PSD) named Striker appeared to ingest drugs at the scene. Narcan was administered, and Taz and Striker were rushed to a local veterinary clinic in Woodstock, Ont.Officers said Taz did not survive. Striker remained at the clinic under observation but is doing better and has returned home.Police confirmed that the individuals involved in the drug investigation and Taz’s death were arrested and charged.Line of Duty Death – PSD TazWOODSTOCK, ON (July 5, 2023) – It is with great sadness the Woodstock Police Service reports the line of duty death of Police Service Dog (PSD) Taz.Full release: https://t.co/TpB6GT2zIc pic.twitter.com/TF394nBjpw— Woodstock Police Service (@Woodsto...

Ricky Martin, Jwan Yosef announce divorce after 6 years of marriage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:21 GMT

Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef are divorcing after nearly six years of marriage, the couple announced Thursday.“For some time, we have considered transforming our relationship, and it is after careful consideration that we have decided to end our marriage with love, respect and dignity for our children,” the couple wrote in an Instagram post, shared in Spanish on Martin’s profile and in English on Yosef’s.Martin’s publicity team confirmed the accuracy of the post to The Associated Press. No other details were provided. People magazine first reported the news.Martin, singer of such Spanish-language and English-language hits like “Livin’ la Vida Loca,” “She Bangs,” “La copa de la vida” and “Vente pa’ ca,” has won two Grammys and four Latin Grammys and also acted. Yosef is a Swedish artist of Syrian origin.“Our greatest desire now is to continue having a healthy family dynamic and a relationship centered on our genuine friendship as we continue the joint upbringing of our children,” Marti...

A Palestinian gunman kills an Israeli in the West Bank, a day after Israel’s military raid in area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:21 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — A Palestinian man on Thursday opened fire near an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, killing one Israeli, a day after Israeli forces withdrew from the largest military operation in the West Bank in two decades. The attacker was shot and killed by Israeli forces, the army said.The shooting came on the heels of the Israeli withdrawal from the nearby Jenin refugee camp after a two-day offensive meant to crack down on Palestinian militants. The operation destroyed the camp’s narrow roads and alleyways, sent thousands of people fleeing their homes and killed 12 Palestinians. One Israeli soldier also was killed.Thursday’s shooting near the West Bank settlement of Kedumim raised questions about the effectiveness of the Israeli raid, which came after nearly a year and a half of Israeli-Palestinian bloodshed in the West Bank. It also could prompt calls from members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government for additional military incu...