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Chicago Bears spring storylines: Ryan Poles’ patient approach, David Montgomery’s exit and DeMarcus Walker’s newfound purpose

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:41 GMT

The Chicago Bears roster is changing by the day. In an offseason defined by turnover, the Bears have added 10 players this month via trade or free agency.More new faces will be on the way as the latter waves of free agency hit the shore. The Bears also have 10 picks in next month’s draft and will continue to mold their team under the guidance of general manager Ryan Poles.As Poles crosses the bridge from free agency to the draft, here are three notable storylines to keep tabs on.‘We can’t fix everything’Two weeks before the free-agent market opened, Ryan Poles was asked for a realistic vision of what he could accomplish this spring.“You always have to be on your toes to adapt and adjust,” Poles said during the scouting combine in Indianapolis. “But at the end of the day, I’ll make it simple: (The goal) is to improve our football team and get as many guys on our roster who can help us do what we are trying to do — which is win a l...

Wet and warmer week in store for Toronto, GTA as spring arrives

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:41 GMT

Spring officially arrives on Monday and it looks like this week’s forecast is taking the hint.A chilly weekend is giving way to more seasonal temperatures and Toronto could even dip into the double digits later this week.CityNews meteorologist Jill Taylor warns the warmer temperatures will be coupled with some wet weather.“We do have a chance of showers tonight, tomorrow, Wednesday, and then we get into a steadier rain for Thursday,” she says.Monday will see a guaranteed high of 6 C, followed by 8 C on Tuesday, 6 C on Wednesday, and up to 11 C on Thursday.Spring arrives 5:24pm and milder air will move in. It is cool right now though. Wind chill near -8. Enjoy the sunshine today #Toronto GTA. Chance of wet weather tonight, tomorrow, Wed and Thurs. By Thursday, highs near 11°C— Jill Taylor (@JillTaylorCity) March 20, 2023Things will cool down a little bit heading into next weekend with “a rain snow mix on Saturday” and an expected high of 4 C.Saturd...

Trump silent on abortion as 2024 campaign pushes forward

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:41 GMT

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — No elected Republican has done more to restrict abortion rights in the U.S. than Donald Trump.But in the early days of the 2024 presidential contest, no Republican has worked harder to avoid the issue than the former president. Far more than his GOP rivals, Trump is sidestepping the issue just nine months after he and his party celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision to strip away women’s constitutional right to abortion.Look no further than Trump’s trip to Iowa last week for evidence of his delicate balancing act.Moments after he stepped off his plane just outside Davenport, Trump repeatedly refused to say whether he would support a federal law restricting abortion in every state, a move that anti-abortion activists are demanding of the GOP’s presidential contenders.“We’re looking at a lot of different things,” Trump said when asked twice by The Associated Press whether he supports a federal abortion ban. The former president quickly shifted...

Japan PM Kishida announces new Indo-Pacific plan in India

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:41 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday invited his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for the Group of Seven major industrial nations’ summit in May and announced action plans for a new Indo-Pacific initiative aimed at countering China’s influence in the region.Kishida, who is on a two-day trip to India, said he hopes to promote a vision of free and open Indo-Pacific, a Tokyo-led initiative for greater security and economic cooperation that is geared toward curbing Beijing’s growing assertiveness. It includes Japan’s assistance to emerging economies, support for maritime security, a provision of coast guard patrol boats and equipment and other infrastructure cooperation.It fits with Japan’s new national security strategy adopted in December under which Tokyo Japan is deploying long-range cruise missiles to strengthen its strike-back capability, and using development aid more strategically in support of like-minded countries. India, which is h...

China’s Xi makes 1st Moscow visit as Putin wages Ukraine war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:41 GMT

MOSCOW — Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Monday for a three-day visit that shows off Beijing’s new swagger in world diplomatic affairs and offers a welcome political lift for Russian President Vladimir Putin just days after an international arrest warrant was issued for him on war crimes charges related to the war in Ukraine.China and Russia have described Xi’s trip as an opportunity to further deepen their “no-limits friendship.” China looks to Russia as a source of oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy, and as a partner in standing up to what both see as U.S. domination of global affairs. The two countries also have held joint military drills.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that over dinner on Monday, Putin and Xi will touch on issues related to Ukraine, adding that Russia’s president will likely offer a “detailed explanation” of Moscow’s view on the current situation.Broader talks involving officials from both countries on a range of subj...

New this week: ‘Top Gun,’ Lana Del Rey and ‘Rabbit Hole’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:41 GMT

Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music and video game platforms this week.MOVIES— The Oscar-nominated “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” was one of the high points in documentary in the past year. In it, Laura Poitras chronicles the pioneering photographer Nan Goldin, juxtaposing an intimate survey of her groundbreaking work in 1970s and 1980s New York and her contemporary crusade against the Sackler family, owners of the Oxycontin-maker Purdue Pharma. Goldin, who has herself wrestled with addiction, led the campaign to eradicate the Sackler name from many of the world’s top museums. Though the film didn’t win at the Oscars — something Goldin told me she was surprised to find she wanted — it took the top prize of the Venice Film Festival. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr called the film” a “holistic portrait of an artist’s battle cry.” After debuting Sunday, March 19, “All the Be...

Liz Weston: Should you rent in retirement?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:41 GMT

Some people rent in retirement because they don’t have much choice; they can’t afford to own homes. But financial planners say renting can make more sense than owning in some circumstances, even for retirees who can afford the costs of homeownership.Renting offers flexibility as well as freedom from all the chores and expenses of maintaining a home. Renting also may provide built-in communities for socializing, as well as accessible housing features such as one-floor living, which can help people age in place. People who are “house rich and cash poor” can sell their homes and use the equity to fund a more comfortable lifestyle.“While retirees often don’t want to rent, it can be a smarter decision for a number of reasons,” says certified financial planner Lisa A.K. Kirchenbauer of Arlington, Virginia.CONSIDER RENTING IF YOU’RE IN TRANSITIONIf you’re moving to a new area, financial planners often recommend renting first to get a better feel for the advantages and disadvantages of vari...

South Africans demonstrate and call for president to resign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:41 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African police on Monday monitored protests by the country’s leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party, which is demanding the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.The party urged all South Africans to participate in a national shutdown but there was limited response in most of the country’s major cities.At least 87 people were arrested for public violence and related offences by Monday, police said.“At least 24,300 tires have been confiscated by law enforcement agencies. These were tires that were strategically placed for acts of criminality,” said police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe.Some protest marches were noted in various areas including Alexandra and Tembisa townships, east of Johannesburg.Several roads leading to the center of the eastern suburb Kempton Park were closed as protesters marched to voice their grievances.“All South Africans should be protesting with us right now because loadshedding (power cuts) is affecting all of us. The government mus...

High-speed chase of stolen vehicle led to fatal crash in Etobicoke: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:41 GMT

A crash in Etobicoke over the weekend that left a male driver dead was likely the result of a high-speed chase involving a stolen vehicle.Police tell CityNews a woman had her SUV stolen early Sunday morning after she attended a bank on College Street near Spadina Avenue and left the vehicle running outside.Investigators say the woman exited the bank and got into the passenger seat of a black Ford F150 that was being driven by her boyfriend. While the two were talking in the truck a man got into the running silver SUV and drove away.The pair in the pickup truck chased the stolen vehicle through city streets and ended up on Dundas Street in Etobicoke. The vehicles were travelling westbound on Dundas approaching Islington Avenue when both lost control on the icy roads while rounding a curve.Police say the stolen SUV struck a tree and went through a fence into the backyard of a home. The 37-year-old driver of the stolen vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.The pickup truck struck a ...

EU hosts fundraising meeting for Turkey, Syria after quake

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:41 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union and its international partners gathered in Brussels Monday seeking to raise money for Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquake that devastated parts of both countries last month.The magnitude 7.8 earthquake on Feb. 6 killed more than 52,000 people — the vast majority in Turkey. More than 200,000 buildings in Turkey either collapsed or were severely damaged.The International Rescue Committee, an aid group responding to humanitarian crises, said the situation in the region remains critical and urged donors to ensure that the U.N.’s appeal for Turkey and Syria — calling for $1 billion and $397 million respectively — is fully funded.“The people affected by this devastating earthquake are relying on donors meeting in Brussels to step up this week,” said Tanya Evans, the IRC’s Country Director in Syria. “They need to ensure that funding is available for life-saving items including food, shelter, warm clothes and clean water, as well as s...