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Niger faces crippling sanctions after coup as one of the last democracies in the Sahel crumbles

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — West African nations have announced travel and economic sanctions against Niger and have threatened to use force if the leaders of a coup don’t reinstate the democratically elected president within one week.The sanctions announced after the regional bloc known as ECOWAS convened to respond to last week’s military takeover add to a growing list of penalties against the country, one of the least developed in the world, according to the latest U.N. Human Development Index. Niger relies heavily on foreign aid: analysts fear sanctions could further impoverish its 25 million people. “In the event the authority’s demands are not met within one week, (the bloc will) take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force,” the ECOWAS bloc said in a statement after its meeting on Sunday. One of its demands is the immediate release and reinstatement of Nigerian President Mohamed Bazoum, who rem...

Stratford Festival’s ‘Richard III’ starring Colm Feore coming to CBC and CBC Gem

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

The Stratford Festival’s production of “Richard III” starring Colm Feore is coming to CBC and CBC Gem.It will broadcast on CBC and stream for free on CBC Gem at 9 p.m. on Aug. 5.The two-hour production was directed for the stage by artistic director Antoni Cimolino and for film by Barry Avrich. The live show opened Stratford’s new Tom Patterson Theatre in 2022. “Richard III” is the story of an ambitious tyrant who becomes haunted by the victims of his ruthless ascent and toppled by his enemies. The cast also includes Jessica B. Hill as Lady Anne and André Sills as Duke of Buckingham. “Shakespeare’s work is very cinematic in its structure and this play, with its ruthless, cunning and charismatic protagonist, translates brilliantly to the big screen,” Cimolino said Monday in a release.“Colm Feore gives a masterful performance as Richard and is supported by powerful performances by our finest actors.” “Richard III” is also coming to Stratfest@...

DeSantis unveils new economic policy that targets China, taxes and regulations

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — In a new policy plan unveiled Monday, Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis is taking aim at China with a “Declaration of Economic Independence” that also targets taxes, regulations, spending and education.Speaking in a New Hampshire warehouse, the Florida governor promised to boost the economy and fight for the middle class.“We will take back control of our destiny — and ensure that our future is as proud, independent and free as our past,” he said at Prep Partners Group, which coordinates warehousing, distribution and other logistics for other companies.DeSantis said he would wrest economic control from China by ending the nation’s preferential trade status, banning imports of goods made from stolen intellectual property and preventing companies from sharing critical technologies with China.The 10-point economic plan is the third major policy proposal put forth by DeSantis, whose campaign has struggled in recent weeks. Although long seen as the top ri...

S&P/TSX composite on the rise, U.S. markets also up

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s main stock index got a boost of more than 100 points in late-morning trading as U.S. markets also saw gains.The S&P/TSX composite index was up 116.31 points at 20,635.68In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 29.35 points at 35,488.64. The S&P 500 index was up 5.08 points at 4,587.31, while the Nasdaq composite was down 4.23 points at 14,312.43.The Canadian dollar traded for 76.01 cents US compared with 75.57 cents US on FridayThe September crude oil contract was up $1.07 at US$81.65 per barrel and the September natural gas contract was up two cents at US$2.63 per mmBTU.The December gold contract was up US$8.10 at US$2008.0 an ounce and the September copper contract was up seven cents at roughly US$4 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD=X)The Canadian Press

Israel’s full high court to hear petitions against judiciary law in September that spurred protests

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s Supreme Court said Monday that a full panel of 15 justices would hear petitions in September against a contentious law Benjamin Netanyahu’s government passed last week that spurred mass protests.The law was one of a series of proposed changes to Israel’s judiciary put forward by Netanyahu’s government earlier this year that seek to curb the power of the Supreme Court. The judicial overhaul plan has been met with months of sustained mass protest against the legislation and drawn criticism from the White House. Critics of the overhaul say that, if passed, the package of laws would concentrate power in the hands of the ruling coalition and erode the system of checks and balances between branches of government. Proponents say the measures are necessary to limit the power of unelected judges they say are overly activist.Netanyahu and his allies passed a law last week that removes the high court’s ability to annul government decision...

Q&A: Janelle Monae talks about freedom, how new album defines her and getting ready to tour again

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — If you believe Janelle Monae ’s hyper-sexual expression is a front, think again.These days, Monae is unapologetically living her truth in a bold manner while trying to avoid negativity. The star, once known for sporting custom-made suits, has shed that attire (at least for now) to nearly bare all, like on the cover of her latest studio album, “The Age of Pleasure,” where she’s seen swimming topless in a pool. It’s her first release since 2018’s “Dirty Computer,” which was nominated for album of the year at the Grammys.In recent months, Monae hasn’t been afraid of risque looks and nudity. She revealed herself during an event celebrating the release of her single “Lipstick Lover” and again onstage at an Essence Music Festival set — which drew some social media criticism including from singer India Arie and rapper Uncle Luke. She also attended the 2023 Met Gala in a barely-there outfit.For Monae, this is her time to be free.Monae spoke recently with The Associa...

Montreal light-rail transit system shuts down on first official day of service

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

BROSSARD, Que. — Montreal’s new light-rail transit system shut down unexpectedly this morning on its first full day of operation.The Réseau express métropolitain, or REM, officially launched today for paying customers after more than 120,000 people rode the system for free over the weekend.A spokesperson for the REM says a switch problem on the tracks caused service to shut down around 8 a.m. before it resumed at around 9:15 a.m.Commuters were left waiting in long lines to take shuttle buses to ferry them across the Champlain Bridge connecting Montreal to its South Shore.The first five stations of the 26-station, 67-kilometre electric rail network opened eight years after the project was conceived by the province’s public pension fund manager, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.The majority of the REM will open late next year, with an airport link to come in 2027.This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2023.The Canadian Press

Ed Sheeran serves up hot dogs at Chicago's iconic Wiener's Circle

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Grammy Award winner Ed Sheeran was in Chicago over the weekend — and made a stop at one the city's most iconic hot dog stands.Before his concert at Soldier Field, Sheeran went over to the Wiener's Circle in Lincoln Park to serve up some food — with a side order of f-bombs from the restaurant's employees. A choatic video posted by the restaurant's social account shows Sheeran handing out Chicago-style hot dogs as employees curse and shout around him."Our newest trainee @edsheeran⁩ has a lot to learn, he’s way too proper and friendly," the hot dog stand tweeted.The Wiener's Circle is known to Chicagoans for its rude workers who curse and yell profanities at customers. NASA warns Chicago area residents of ‘very loud’ jet flyover for data research Sheeran's Chicago concert on Satuday night reportedly broke an attendance record at Soldier FIeld with a total of 73,000 people — making it the most attended concert of all-time at the stadium.

Person shot on I-57 Sunday night in Markham

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

MARKHAM, Ill. — A person was shot late Sunday night on I-57 in Markham.Just before 11:35 p.m., Illinois State Troopers responded to northbound lanes of I-57 near 159th Street on the report of a shooting.A person was shot while driving in that area, ISP said. They were taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.No other information was provided.

Austin's 23-day streak of consecutive 100° days is the 2nd-longest in recorded history

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin is currently experiencing one of the longest stretches of triple-digit heat in recorded history.Camp Mabry, Austin's official weather reporting site, has reached 100° or hotter every day since July 8.That means, as of Saturday, temperatures have reached the century mark for 23 days in a row. With records dating back to the 1890s, that ranks as the second-longest stretch of triple-digit temperatures ever recorded in Austin. MORE HEAT RECORDS: What is Austin's hottest month ever? The KXAN First Warning Weather team is currently forecasting at least seven more days at or above 100°, which would extend the streak to 30 days. That would surpass 2011 as the longest of all time. How often does Austin hit 100°? Here’s a breakdown by date, month, year and decade The record streak currently stands at 27 days, set between July 17 and Aug. 12, 2011. That summer went on to have a record-breaking 90 days of triple-digit heat.Meanwhile, Austin-Bergstrom International Air...