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Canadian consumers pull back on spending amid high prices, interest rates: Experts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

Canadian consumers are pulling back on spending as rising prices and high interest rates appear to be taking a toll on retail sales. Retail sales slipped 0.2 per cent to $66.3 billion in February amid a drop in spending at general merchandise stores and gasoline stations and fuel vendors, Statistics Canada said Friday.The early estimate for March also points to an even steeper decline of 1.4 per cent, though the agency cautioned the figure would be revised.“We’re starting to see consumers tighten their belts,” retail analyst Bruce Winder said. “Canadian consumers are incredibly cautious right now.”Economists have warned of a lag between rising prices and high interest rates and the affect on the economy. While the Bank of Canada held its key lending rate at 4.50 per cent at its most recent rate decision, it is up from 0.25 per cent at the start of 2022.“It is clear that consumer spending behaviour has been impacted by the rapid rise in interest ra...

Q&A: Why ‘Dear Mama’ director took on Tupac despite attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Filmmaker Allen Hughes thought participating in any Tupac Shakur project was a farfetched idea especially after surviving a brutal altercation involving him and the rap legend three decades ago.For years, Hughes firmly held a grudge even after a public apology from Shakur — who along with nearly a dozen gang members in 1993 physically attacked the filmmaker for firing the rapper from the cult classic “Menace II Society.” He along with his brother Albert Hughes had previously directed Shakur’s “Brenda’s Got a Baby” music video in 1990s. After the dispute, Shakur was convicted and served about two weeks in jail.It took Hughes some time, but he finally stopped holding onto his deep-seated resentment a few years ago when Shakur’s estate approached him to direct a documentary called “Dear Mama,” which premieres Friday on FX and will stream the following the day on Hulu. The five-part docuseries explores how the mother-son duo of Tupac and Afeni Shakur shape...

5 years later, memories of devastating Toronto van attack live on for community

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

On the first unseasonably warm day of the year, a bustling area in north Toronto sees a variety of pedestrians out enjoying the sun: mothers push strollers, teens leaving school chat in groups and office workers in suits gather outside for their lunch breaks.There are few visible signs that the deadliest attack in Toronto’s history _ and one of Canada’s worst mass murders _ took place on this stretch of Yonge Street on a similarly sunny day five years ago, when a man deliberately drove a rented van down a busy sidewalk on April 23, 2018.In a local park, a modest plaque provides one small reminder of the rampage that left 10 dead and 16 injured that day. A permanent city memorial is still in the works.For some who live and work in the area, however, memories of the attack remain vivid in their minds.“Every time I work around here, every time I crosswalk, I always remind myself, maybe I’ve got to be careful before I start walking,” says Jiyong Lee, who li...

Argentina’s President Fernández won’t seek reelection

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina’s President Alberto Fernández announced Friday he won’t seek reelection for a second term this year, a decision that follows months of infighting among the ruling coalition as it grapples with a fragile economy and galloping inflation. The center-left president’s unexpected announcement, which he made through a video posted on social media titled “my decision,” came as he was faced increasing pressure from coalition members not to run and polls showing declining approval ratings.The decision immediately shook up Argentina’s political landscape months away from August primaries and the October presidential election. During the seven-and-a-half-minute video, Fernández never actually said he won’t be running for president, but he made that intention clear by saying that on Dec. 10 he would be handing over the presidential sash to whoever is elected, adding that he will “fervently work so that it is a partner from our political space.”Fernández a...

Missing 3-year-old girl believed to be with mother: Chicago police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago police are searching for a missing 3-year-old girl who they believe is with her mother.Ariel Brown was last seen Thursday in the 6200 block of South Emerald in the Englewood neighborhood. Police said she should be in the company of her mother, Tatyana Brown.Ariel Brown, 3At the time of her disappearance, Ariel was wearing a green shirt with stars, grey leggings, multi-color shoes with her hair in a ponytail.She is described as being three-feet tall and weighing about 30-40 lbs.Anyone with information on her whereabouts should contact Chicago police or detectives at 312-747-8380 or 9-1-1.

Grass-fed beef burgers recalled over possible rubber pieces

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WHNT) — Around 2,122 pounds of raw ground beef burger products are being recalled due to the possibility of pieces of white neoprene contaminating some of the items.The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall Thursday, saying the burgers, sold by Weinstein Wholesale Meats, Inc. in Forest Park, Illinois, were distributed across the country. 17 states, DC, urge recall of Kia, Hyundai cars in social media challenge Officials say the following "Pre" brand products are subject to the recall and were produced on March 14, 2023:10.7-oz. vacuum-sealed packages containing two pieces of "100% Grass Fed & Finished Beef Burger Patties 85% Lean/15% Fat" and with "Use/Freeze By 4/11/23" on the package label.Affected products will have the establishment number "Est. 6987" inside the USDA mark of inspection.The USDA says the problem was discovered after the supplier received several consumer complaints saying they found...

'Our masked bandit': Raccoon steals Amazon package from porch, eats contents

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

AURORA, Ohio (WJW) - Some residents in Aurora, Ohio, were surprised to find their Amazon package missing, but were even more shocked to find out the culprit.The incident happened Tuesday night.In video captured by a security camera, a sneaky racoon is seen dragging the package off the porch and across the yard. VIDEO: Driver escapes before train smashes into truck "We had a thief steal our Amazon package off our front porch last night on East Pioneer Trail," Sally Baird said in a Facebook post Wednesay. "Trying to decide whether or not to press charges!"It turns out the package was full of food for some ducklings hatching in their incubator. "The little rascal toted it off and ate every bite," Baird told WJW. "The entertainment provided by our masked bandit was worth every penny it cost to replace."

These are the most popular craft breweries in the US: data

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - If you enjoyed a beer last year, chances are it was from one of the thousands of craft breweries in the U.S. Last year alone, small, independent brewers produced over 24 million barrels of beer in 2022, according to new data from the Brewers Association, the trade association that represents such brewers.Those independent brewers include microbreweries, brewpubs, taproom breweries, and regional craft breweries. Some did, of course, produce more than others. MLB teams extend beer sales after pitch clock shortens games As part of its annual report, the Brewers Association again released a list of the top 50 craft breweries and overall brewing companies in the U.S. based on beer sales volume. One in four were craft brewing companies, according to the association. The Brewers Association defines a craft brewery as:Small, with an annual production of 6 million barrels of beer or lessIndependent, meaning less than 25% of the brewery is owned or controlled by a beverage alco...

‘Leadership genius.’ Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams’ high praise for Gophers’ P.J. Fleck

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

P.J. Fleck wasn’t the only head coach at Gophers football practice at Huntington Bank Stadium on April 11. Texas A&M men’s basketball coach Buzz Williams was watching along the sideline.It wasn’t as random as it might seem.Fleck and Williams became friends in 2014 and have been alternating visits to each other over the past decade. Fleck was coaching at Western Michigan when Williams traveled to Kalamazoo; Williams was leading Virginia Tech when Fleck and wife Heather traveled to Blacksburg.It’s easy to see how they get along.Fleck is known for his boundless energy, and that trait is how Brent Williams got his nickname. Both coaches embrace quirky catchphrases and slogans to drive home their points. Both have their players write hand-written letters to say thanks or give encouragement to others. Both have non-profit organizations helping children in need.Both — and this is key — show a desire to learn and pass on knowledge gained, whether that is how to more efficiently run a co...

Watervliet woman pleads guilty to making false statements

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:28 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Thursday, Eunice Ting, 69, of Watervliet, pled guilty to making false statements to obtain benefits. Ting will be sentenced on August 24 and faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Ting admitted to submitting false and fraudulent forms to the Department of Labor's Office of Worker's Compensation. Ting did this for seven years, receiving reimbursement for travel in which she did not engage. She also claimed workers' compensation benefits for medical-related travel to receive purported "aquatic therapy" at a local YMCA. She never received therapy or traveled to that location.In total, she received $26,983 from the Department of Labor. Ting has agreed to pay full restitution as part of her plea agreement.