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Federal ministers still lack mandate letters, two months after majority shuffled

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:17 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has yet to issue mandate letters for his cabinet ministers, leaving those in new roles without clear marching orders two months after announcing an overhaul to his front bench.“If you don’t do this, your government’s success is likely going to be compromised,” said Sen. Tony Dean, who used to oversee Ontario’s public service.“It’s important for everybody to be on the same page, and to understand what the desired deliverables are.”Shortly after taking office in 2015, Trudeau’s government announced it would publish the lists of tasks given to each minister, known as mandate letters. The documents lay out the priorities for each federal minister, and signal to public servants the timeline or scope of policies the government wants to advance.The last round of mandate letters was issued in December 2021, three months after the last federal election. This summer, Trudeau shuffled most of his cabin...

S&P/TSX composite closes down more than 300 points, U.S. stock markets mixed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:17 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s main stock index closed down more than 300 points Monday as utility and energy stocks led widespread losses, while U.S. markets were mixed. The S&P/TSX composite index ended down 364.09 points at 19,177.18.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 74.15 points at 33,433.35. The S&P 500 index was up 0.34 points at 4,288.39, while the Nasdaq composite was up 88.45 points at 13,307.77.The Canadian dollar traded for 73.66 cents US, according to XE.com, compared with 73.96 cents US on Friday.The November crude oil contract was down US$1.97 at US$88.82 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down nine cents at US$2.84 per mmBTU.The December gold contract was down US$18.90 at US$1,847.20 an ounce and the December copper contract was down 10 cents at US$3.64 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) The Canadian Press

Brazil’s government starts expelling thousands of people from two Amazon Indigenous territories

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:17 GMT

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s government on Monday began removing people from two Indigenous territories in a move that will affect thousands who live in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.The South American nation’s intelligence agency ABIN said in a statement that the goal is to return the Apyterewa and Trincheira Bacaja lands in Para state to the original peoples. It did not say whether or not the expulsion of non-Indigenous people has been entirely peaceful.The territories are located around the municipalities of Sao Felix do Xingu, Altamira, Anapu and Senador Jose Porfirio in Para state. Brazil’s government said the country’s Supreme Court and other judges had ordered the operation.Indigenous groups estimate more than 10,000 non-Indigenous people are living inside the two territories. ABIN said as many as 2,500 Indigenous people live in 51 villages within.“The presence of strangers on Indigenous land threatens the integrity of the Indigenous (people) and causes other damages,...

Judge plans May trial for US Sen. Bob Menendez in bribery case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:17 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge is planning a spring trial for U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife, who are accused of accepting bribes of cash, gold bars and a luxury car from three New Jersey businessmen who sought the senator’s help and influence over foreign affairs.The tentative trial date of May 6 would come just one month before New Jersey’s June 4 primary, meaning it could still be underway when voters start casting ballots on whether to return Menendez to the Senate.An indictment last month charged the Democrat, formerly the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, with taking payouts in exchange for corrupt acts that included passing information to Egyptian military and intelligence officials. Among other things, prosecutors accused Menendez of ghostwriting a letter for Egyptian officials that sought to influence U.S. policy on military aid.The indictment also said Menendez used his influence to try and pressure state and federal prosecutors in New Jersey into ...

Gunfire erupts amid armored car robbery attempt near Walmart in Country Club Hills

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:17 GMT

COUNTRY CLUBS HILLS, Ill. — Police responded to a Walmart parking lot in Country Clubs Hills following an armored car robbery attempt that resulted in an exchange of gunfire, authorities said Monday.The shootout involved armored vehicle personnel, Walmart security personnel and unknown offenders, according to County Club Hills police.SkyCam9 flew above the scene at 167th Street and Pulaski, where evidence markers were visible near the front entrance of Walmart. SkyCam9 captured the aftermath of an apparent collision involving the armored car and another vehicle, possibly an SUV, mere feet away from the entrance to the department store.SEE ALSO: 5 years later, pregnant Chicago postal worker Kierra Coles still missingA witness who did not wish to be identified told WGN News that the alleged armed robbers targeted the armored car security. Amid the robbery attempt, however, witnesses told WGN News a shootout ensued, resulting in the shock and dismay of shoppers nearby."It's heart-wrenc...

What to know about the 2023 Chicago Marathon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:17 GMT

CHICAGO — After months of training in warm summer weather, thousands of runners will descend on the Windy City to complete one of the world's most prestigious road races.The 2023 Chicago Marathon will go off on Sunday, Oct. 8 on Columbus Drive, making its way to the north, west, and south sides of the city in a 26.2-mile loop that will test every participant's endurance.So what can you expect this weekend and race day? Here are a few things to know ahead of this year's Chicago Marathon.(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)How many people are taking part in the race?According to Chicago Marathon organizers, there are over 47,000 participants in this year's marathon. That means the 2023 event could break the event record for finishers, which stands at 45,956 in the 2019 race. In 2022, 39,420 runners crossed the finish line for the Chicago Marathon.Along with the shot at the record number, the race will also have its one-millionth finisher on Sunday. See the story of the first Chic...

Chase Claypool will be away from the Bears even longer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:17 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — On a team where there is drama in a few places after a terrible start to the season, the biggest storyline at the moment concerns one of their wide receivers.Fans didn't see Chase Claypool in uniform or on the sidelines for the Bears on Sunday in the loss to the Broncos, and his absence will be extended. During his news conference on Monday morning, head coach Matt Eberflus confirmed that the wide receiver will not be with the team this week as they prepare for a Thursday night game against the Commanders at FedEx Field at 7:15 p.m. This comes after Claypool was a healthy scratch in the 31-28 loss to Denver at Soldier Field in which the Bears dropped to 0-4 on the season."We just feel that it's best for the team at this time," said Ebeflus of the decision to not have Eberflus with the team this week, which he announced in his opening statement. "Ryan (Poles) and I have informed him of that, and that's where it is. We just feel that's best for the team right now."...

Car crashes into townhome in Glenview

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:17 GMT

COOK COUNTY, Ill. — Emergency crews were called to the scene after a car crashed into a townhome in Glenview on Monday afternoon.The crash happened in the 4500 block of Concord Lane, along the boarder of Glenview.According to Glenview police, the driver suffered a medical episode, which caused him to lose control of the car, leading to the crash. WGN Skycam9 was over the scene around 2:50 p.m. when crews could be seen working to remove the vehicle from the home.Police say nobody was home at the time of the crash and the driver of the vehicle was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.This is a developing story, stay with WGN News for the latest updates.

MedWatch Digest: CDC recommends antibiotic to prevent STIs — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:17 GMT

For Monday, Oct. 2, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including:CDC recommends antibiotic to prevent STIsThe CDC has made a new recommendation to prevent sexually transmitted infections. For the first time, the health agency says doctors should consider giving the potent antibiotic Doxycycline after sex to stop the spread of some STIs.The approach, dubbed 'Doxy-prep' for short, comes after growing research that the antibiotic effectively prevents bacterial infections from taking root in the days after exposure. The recommendations are open for comment for 45 days. A final version will be drafted next year. Warning about artificial sweetener erythritolThere's a new warning about an artificial sweetener.  A study in the Nature Medicine journal linked the sugar replacement erythritol to severe health risks, including blood clotting, stroke, heart attack and death. Erythritol is used to add bulk or sweeten Stevia, monkfruit and keto-reduced sugar...

Powerball jackpot hits $1.04B: What a winner would actually get

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:17 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — The Powerball jackpot has continued rolling, hitting an estimated $1.04 billion ahead of Monday night's drawing. Despite its record-setting size, a winner won't become an instant billionaire. Powerball players have been watching the jackpot grow since mid-July when yet another record jackpot worth $1.08 billion was hit by a ticket sold in California. Without a winner on Monday, the current jackpot could easily surpass that yet-to-be-claimed jackpot.Regardless, the current jackpot stands as the fourth-largest in Powerball history, and the ninth-largest lottery draw game prize in the U.S.Don't be deceived by its massive size: If you beat the overwhelming odds and win the Powerball jackpot, you'll be taking home far less than $1.04 billion. Here's why. Powerball payoutsPowerball jackpot winners can either receive their payout as annuitized payments or a lump sum. The first is represented by the big, flashy number of $1.04 billion, which is the annuity value. The second is t...