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More Canadians experiencing ‘inflation isolation,’ cocooning at home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:59 GMT

The high cost of living is driving more people to stay at home to save money, and many Canadians say it is affecting their mental health.One consumer debt service describes it as a new social phenomenon — “inflation isolation.”An Ipsos poll for MNP LTD finds half of Canadians (51 per cent) say they are staying home more to save money, a third are spending less time socializing (35 per cent) or with friends (30 per cent), and about one-in-five describes a sense of social isolation (20 per cent) or loneliness (19 per cent) because of higher interest rates and inflation.Two-in-five respondents indicate they are feeling increased levels of stress and anxiety related to their finances.“High inflation and interest rates are not just impacting Canadians’ finances; they are also significantly affecting their mental health,” said Grant Bazian, president of MNP LTD.“Households are feeling anxious and stressed by the pressure to manage the increased cost of ...

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Dec. 3-9

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:59 GMT

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Dec. 3-9:Dec. 3: Singer Jaye P. Morgan (“The Gong Show”) is 92. Singer Ozzy Osbourne is 75. Singer Mickey Thomas of Jefferson Starship is 74. Bassist Paul Gregg of Restless Heart is 69. Actor Steven Culp (“Desperate Housewives”) is 68. Actor Daryl Hannah is 63. Actor Julianne Moore is 63. Actor Brendan Fraser is 55. Singer Montell Jordan is 55. Actor-comedian Royale Watkins is 54. Actor Bruno Campos (“Nip/Tuck,” ″Jesse”) is 50. Actor Holly Marie Combs (“Charmed”) is 50. Actor Liza Lapira (“The Equalizer”) is 48. Actor Lauren Roman (“Bold and the Beautiful”) is 48. Musician Daniel Bedingfield is 44. Actor Tiffany Haddish (“Girls Trip”) is 44. Actor Anna Chlumsky is 43. Actor Jenna Dewan (“The Resident,” ″Supergirl”) is 43. Actor Brian Bonsall (“Family Ties”) is 42. Actor Dascha Polanco (“Orange Is the New Black”) is 41. Singer-songwriter Andy Grammer is 40. Drummer Michael Calabrese of Lake Street Dive is 39. Actor Amanda Seyfried (“Mamma Mia”) is ...

Black Friday sales hit $4.1 billion, top last year’s numbers: Shopify

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:59 GMT

OTTAWA — Shopify Inc. says this year’s Black Friday sales across its merchants were 22 per cent higher than the year before.The Ottawa-based e-commerce company says businesses using its software made $4.1 billion in sales on Black Friday.he average purchase in Canada over the Black Friday weekend totalled $171.60 with most sales coming in around noon eastern time on Friday.Shopify says the most popular categories for purchases in the country were cosmetics, necklaces, shirts, earrings, underwear and socks.Salesforce says online sales on Black Friday totalled $70.9 billion globally and in Canada were up two per cent from the year before.The surge in Black Friday shopping came as inflation and interest rates remain high, weighing on consumers and pushing many to seek deeper discounts than usual.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:SHOP)The Canadian Press

Central European interior ministers agree to step up fight against illegal migration at EU borders

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:59 GMT

SZEGED, Hungary (AP) — Interior ministers from six European Union countries on Monday said their nations had agreed to step up efforts to protect the bloc from illegal immigration and target groups of human smugglers that operate on its borders.The ministers from the V4 group of Central European nations — including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia — were joined by counterparts from Austria and Germany for a summit in the southern Hungarian city of Szeged, 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the bloc’s border with Serbia.Some EU governments worry that increasing pressure from the so-called Balkan migration route, which leads from Serbia into Hungary, requires a tougher response from countries in the region.The interior minister of the Czech Republic, Vit Rakusan, who organized the summit, said migration is a “shared challenge” for Europe, and that solutions must focus on preventing migrants from entering the bloc illegally.“We all are on the same migration route. We sha...

Japan and Vietnam agree to boost ties and start discussing Japanese military aid amid China threat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:59 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan and Vietnam on Monday agreed to strengthen their security and economic ties in the face of China’s growing influence in the region. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong held talks in Tokyo and agreed to broaden their security cooperation, work on defense equipment and technology transfers and start discussing a new Japanese aid program for militaries of like-minded developing countries in the region.The two leaders said the Japan-Vietnam relationship would become a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” bringing their ongoing cooperation to “new heights and to further expand it to new fronts,” according to their joint statement provided by Japan’s Foreign Ministry.Japan has been rapidly developing closer ties with Vietnam, a key southeast Asian country that has important security and economic roles in the region faced with China’s rise and rivalry with the United States and other Western nations.Monday’s announce...

Canada Goose execs take on sales associate jobs on Black Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:59 GMT

TORONTO — Canada Goose Holdings Inc. executives are headed to work today with a better sense of how employees and customers view their brand.Fifteen of the luxury apparel company’s top executives fanned out across its stores on Black Friday, taking on jobs as sales associates.The store visits were meant to help collect feedback and ideas around how to drive more sales, traffic and productivity.Chief executive Dani Reiss was at Yorkdale mall in Toronto, while others visited stores in Los Angeles, London, Zurich, Shanghai and Tokyo.President Carrie Baker visited the Saint-Catherine Street West store in Montreal, where she greeted shoppers, helped them try on coats and rang up purchases.Baker plans to start making changes based on the pain points she discovered as soon as she reconvenes with the rest of the leadership team.  This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GOOS)The Canadian Press

Person fatally struck by Metra train near Norwood Park: Metra

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:59 GMT

CHICAGO -- A person is dead after they were struck by a Metra train the Norwood Park neighborhood Monday morning, Metra said.According to the Metra UP-NW post, the inbound and outbound trains stopped near Norwood Park due to a train striking a pedestrian. Work to begin on winterized tent camp in Brighton Park despite resident pushback They say extensive delays are anticipated. There is no information on how the pedestrian was struck. WGN is actively following the incident and will update as more information is recovered.

Here's when you can stream Taylor Swift’s 'Eras Tour' concert film

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:59 GMT

Swifties, we now know when you can watch the "Eras Tour" film right from the comfort of your home.Taylor Swift announced Monday that an extended version of her concert movie will be available to rent on December 13 — which is the singer's birthday.The film will have additional songs including “Wildest Dreams,” “The Archer” and “Long Live.”Swift's "Eras Tour" will be available to stream on demand on Apple TV, YouTube, Prime Video and other services. The rental cost will be $19.89, which is a nod her "1989" album. Prices may vary by retailer. Taylor Swift shakes off wardrobe mishap during Eras Tour show in Brazil The concert film has already made over $178 million in the United States alone.

President Biden is encouraging the release of more hostages

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:59 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - President Biden confirmed 4-year-old American hostage Abigail Idan made it to Israel, following 50 days in captivity. He says so far, the deal is working."The proof is little Abigail."The president said hostages freed by Hamas are just the beginning."We will not stop working until every hostage is returned."Aid trucks continue to flow into Gaza under the protection of the cease-fire, including much-needed fuel.President Biden says he hopes the pause in fighting will extend beyond Monday."For two purposes. To increase the assistance, get into Gaza civilians who need help and to facilitate the release of hostages."But Ohio Republican Mike Turner says the Biden administration should have pushed for American hostages to be released first."Especially since American aid is going into Gaza right now, into northern Gaza as part of the conditions that Hamas had."California Democrat Ro Khanna is calling for a lasting cease-fire."So, we need a real solution, and tha...

3 injured after CTA bus hits car on South Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:50:59 GMT

CHICAGO -- Three people are injured after a CTA bus struck the side of a vehicle in Calumet Heights Sunday night. According to police, the crash happened near the 1600 block of East 87th Street around 9:25 p.m. A CTA bus, driven by a 28-year-old man was travelling west on 87th Street when it struck the left side of a Chevrolet, driven by a 41-year-old man. Off-duty Chicago officer killed in Oak Lawn crash The 41-year-old driver was transported to University of Chicago Hospital in fair condition. The 28-year-old man and a 34-year-old passenger were transported to Trinity Hospital in good condition. There were no other injuries reported. Citations are pending.