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Number 2 US diplomat to retire after decades in government service

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration’s number two diplomat is retiring after decades of U.S. government service.Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will step down from the post this summer, having been involved in some of the most consequential, and controversial, foreign policy decisions during Democratic administrations since Bill Clinton was president.Sherman, 73, said in an internal note to State Department staff that her retirement would be effective at the end of June. Secretary of State Antony Blinken lauded Sherman’s career, saying that President Joe Biden chose her for the number two post at the State Department because he believed she could revitalize America’s relationships around the world. “President Biden asked Wendy to serve in this role because he knew he could count on her to help revitalize America’s alliances and partnerships and manage our complex relationships with competitors,” Blinken said in a statement.Sherman has been a key part of the Biden admin...

Tech stocks weigh on S&P/TSX composite, U.S. stock markets also lower

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s main stock index was down in late-morning trading, weighed down by losses in the technology sector, while U.S. stock markets were also lower.The S&P/TSX composite index was down 21.69 points at 20,395.92.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 80.85 points at 33,228.66. The S&P 500 index was down 11.05 points at 4,119.57, while the Nasdaq composite was down 45.14 points at 12,283.37.The Canadian dollar traded for 73.89 cents US compared with 74.20 cents US on Thursday.The June crude contract was up 20 cents at US$71.07 per barrel and the June natural gas contract was up two cents at US$2.21 per mmBTU.The June gold contract was down US$4.80 at US$2,015.70 an ounce and the July copper contract was up two cents at US$3.73 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD=X)The Canadian Press

Event hoping to motivate people in the upcoming Toronto mayoral byelection

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

Toronto’s last municipal election in October saw the lowest voter turnout in history at just 30 per cent.That’s why a group of young Torontonians are trying to motivate people to vote in the upcoming mayoral byelection next month through Tune In. The event explores the Toronto we could become through a night of music, art and community conversations.“It’s likely that whoever wins this upcoming election in June will be in power probably until 2030 if they continue to run because of the power of incumbency,” says co-organizer Stefan Hostetter. “The last three mayoral changes have only occurred when the last mayor has not run. And so, it’s not just about now, it’s about the next 10 years.”The event is happening on May 18 at The Great Hall in West Queen West. Hostetter and his co-organizer Norhan Haroun planned Tune In to encourage locals to get involved in city politics and create the change they want to see.Centring joy is a big part of ...

Oldest bar in Toronto a staple in West Queen West

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

Said to be the oldest bar in the city, The Wheatsheaf Tavern has been a staple of the West Queen West neighbourhood since it first opened in 1849.Through the years, the bar that sits at the corner of King and Bathurst Streets, has changed hands but the current owners, Scale Hospitality, have been in charge since 2001.“It stayed the same name right away through and it’s been only renovated a few times and the last renovation was two years ago but, in essence, it has always been the Wheatsheaf,” said Eoin Cullen, the director of operations at Scale.The bar is a popular joint among the community. It’s known for its large collection of Irish Scotch and Whiskey. And there is live music here to listen too almost every day of the year.“I’ve known the Wheatsheaf for over 30 years I live across the street in one of the condos and probably have been coming here for 10 years on a regular basis,” shared Rob Barlow, a frequent customer. “It’s a goo...

AP Election Brief | What to expect in Kentucky as Republicans choose a nominee for governor

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

Kentucky Republicans will choose a nominee Tuesday to challenge incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear in one of the most watched elections of the year. State Attorney General Daniel Cameron, former United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft and state Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles are among the 12 Republicans in the race.Cameron is the best-known Republican and has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. However, Craft is well-funded — her husband is a billionaire coal magnate, and she has loaned her campaign more than $9 million. She also has the backing of powerful U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky.Beshear has nominal opposition in the Democratic primary. He won the 2019 general election by less than 1 percentage point in the heavily Republican state, setting up what is likely to be a highly competitive general election this year. Republicans also are choosing nominees for secretary of state, treasurer, auditor and agriculture commissioner. Democrats are choosing a nominee ...

AP Election Brief | What to expect in Pennsylvania as a special election decides statehouse control

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

Voters in suburban Philadelphia are set to decide party control of Pennsylvania’s state House of Representatives on Tuesday with their pick to replace a Democrat who resigned.Also on the ballot in Pennsylvania are primary elections for state Supreme Court and Philadelphia mayor, with the winner of the Democratic primary all but sure to become the city’s next leader in this fall’s general election. The race with the biggest immediate consequence is the special election in state House District 163 in Delaware County, a suburb of Philadelphia. Democrat Mike Zabel, who won by 32 percentage points in November, resigned after allegations of sexual harassment.Democrat Heather Boyd, a former congressional and state legislative aide, faces Republican Katie Ford, a military veteran, school volunteer and behavioral therapist, in the special election.If Ford wins, and if Republicans hold on to a central Pennsylvania seat as widely expected in a second special election on Tuesd...

In Pakistan clashes, Khan showed he commands huge crowds. What’s driving them?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The arrest of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier this week has shown how quickly his fervent loyalists can mobilize in large numbers. Within hours of his detention, his supporters torched vehicles and buildings, and attacked police and military facilities to express their fury over the treatment of the 70-year-old opposition leader. Khan’s supporters have emerged as a major force, challenging the authority of the government and military, aware that they can shift the political balance through unrelenting pressure.Here’s a look at who they are and what’s driving them:WHAT IS IMRAN KHAN’S APPEAL?Khan has been a star in Pakistan for decades. As an athlete, in 1992 he led the country to its only World Cup victory in cricket, a massive sport in South Asia. That made him a hero to tens of millions of people before he even entered politics.He founded Pakistan’s first cancer hospital, named after his mother, and ventured into philanthropy. ...

16-year-old boy charged with kidnapping, robbing man at gunpoint last October

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A 16-year-old boy is charged with kidnapping a man at gunpoint and robbing him of his belongings last October.The teen faces one felony count of armed robbery and one felony count of aggravated armed kidnapping.Police said he was identified as one of the offenders who forced a 22-year-old man at gunpoint to the 9000 block of South Wallace before robbing him on October 25, 2022. Man, 55, robbed at gunpoint inside Northwest Side motel room The teen was arrested Thursday and charged accordingly.

How far will the Bears travel during the 2023 season?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

LAKE FOREST — The Bears' 2023 schedule is now set and a few fans are already starting to plan out their trips to see the team. Some are choosing to do so on the road, and the good news is that the team's travel for the upcoming campaign is much lighter than other teams in the NFL. According to Bookies.com, the Bears will have the third-lowest amount of air miles during the 2023 season for their nine games away from Soldier Field. See the Bears full 2023 schedule They'll go a total of 12,253 miles over the course of the season with an average trip of 1,361.4 miles as they cross over 16 time zone. That's just above the rival Packers (11,956) and Bengals (11,942), who have the shortest amount of travel per mile in the NFL this upcoming season.Matt Eberflus' team almost had a little farther to travel this year as they were a candidate to play a game against the Chiefs in Frankfurt, Germany. But the league decided to put the Dolphins in that game on November 5 instead, as the Bears w...

A preview performance of Lyric Opera's West Side Story

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

Iconic musical West Side Story returns to the Lyric Opera of Chicago June 2 - June 25. Ryan McCartan (Tony) and Kanisha Marie Feliciano (Maria) joined us in studio for their first television performance together, singing "Tonight."Click here for details and tickets.