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Taylor Swift cost breakdown: Thrilled fans to start saving, but say cost of Toronto trip is worth it

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:33:12 GMT

Canadian fans who managed to score tickets for one of Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated six shows in Toronto have already spent a good chunk of money. Those who live outside the Toronto area are now also budgeting for the cost of travel and accommodation in November 2024.The Canadian Press spoke to several Swifties about how much they’re expecting to spend. WINNING THE GOLDEN TICKETAshley Stewart, 24, saw Taylor Swift during her Fearless tour when it made a stop in her home province of Prince Edward Island back in 2010. This time around, she knew the pop star wouldn’t be stopping anywhere east of Toronto.“Being from the Atlantic provinces, we fully knew that we would have to travel somewhere if we wanted to see her. So, we were expecting that if we wanted to go to the Eras Tour, we would have to pay to travel,” the longtime Swifty said.Stewart said getting the presale code for Swift tickets felt like a scene straight out of a movie.“I feel like we’re in ‘Char...

Chance the Rapper will discuss his career and the impact of hip-hop at an Apple store in Chicago

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:33:12 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chance the Rapper will take Apple store customers in Chicago on his hip-hop journey as part of an audio series celebrating the genre’s 50th anniversary.Chance the Rapper will discuss becoming a rap star, the technology company announced Monday, at the Apple Michigan Avenue location in his hometown. He’ll make the appearance at the retail store Wednesday during an event hosted by Today at Apple, which offers free in-store educational sessions for devices and programs.The Grammy winner expects to discuss the impact hip-hop had on his life, including his venture as an independent artist and the 10th anniversary of his critically acclaimed “Acid Rap” mixtape. He will have a conversation with Ebro Darden, global editorial head of hip-hop and R&B at Apple Music.Chance the Rapper said he wants to celebrate a rap culture that “empowered a generation and gave voice to the voiceless.”Throughout August and September, Today at Apple will host several events with artists f...

Chicago mayor to introduce the police department’s counterterrorism head as new superintendent

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:33:12 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday will introduce Larry Snelling, the police department’s counterterrorism head, as his choice for police superintendent of the nation’s third-largest city.The introduction comes after Johnson named Snelling on Sunday after a monthslong search led by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. The selection of Snelling, 54, to head the department is subject to City Council approval.Snelling will succeed David Brown, who in March announced that he would step down the day after Chicago’s mayoral primary election in which crime was a central issue. Then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost that primary, and Johnson went on to win the mayoral race in April.“Today, a new chapter begins in our journey to create a better, stronger and safer Chicago,” Johnson said in a news release Sunday. “Chief Snelling is a proven leader who has the experience and the respect of his peers to help ensure the safety and well-being of city resident...

Book Review: Small-town politics and big family drama drive crime thriller ‘Where the Dead Sleep’

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:33:12 GMT

“Where the Dead Sleep” by Joshua Moehling (Poisoned Pen Press)“Where the Dead Sleep” begins pleasantly enough: Detective Ben Packard is back, becoming more comfortable with Sandy Lake, making his rounds as acting sheriff at the small Minnesota town’s Memorial Day weekend celebration. But we can’t have a murder mystery without a murder, and before he can even remember the name of the drummer he hooked up with after the celebrations, Packard gets called out to the crime that will take center stage in Joshua Moehling’s anticipated sequel to the Ben Packard series: Bill is found dead in his bed with two bullets in him and a wife who heard only one shot and didn’t see anything. It’s a strange case from the start, as it’s quickly revealed that Bill’s wife, Carrie, is the sister of his ex-wife, Sherri. And the family drama doesn’t end there.Beyond the ongoing investigation, there’s the matter of Packard’s future. As acting sheriff, he could b...

Russia targets city of Odesa with missiles and drone but Ukraine says it shot them all down

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:33:12 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched three waves of drones and missiles against the southern Ukraine port city of Odesa, officials said Monday, though the Ukrainian air force said it intercepted all the airborne weapons fired during the nighttime attacks.Falling debris from the 15 Shahed drones and eight Kalibr missiles interceptions damaged a residential building, a supermarket and a dormitory of an educational facility in the city, Odesa Gov. Oleh Kiper said.Two employees of the supermarket were hospitalized, Kiper said. Video showed a huge blaze at the store during the night and, the next day, the large building’s charred and mangled wreckage.Meanwhile, the Dutch Defense Ministry said it scrambled two F-16 fighter jets early Monday when two Russian bombers were tracked flying toward the airspace of the Netherlands.“This doesn’t happen often, but today’s incident demonstrates the importance of rapid deployment,” the ministry said. “The F-16s are on standby 24 hours a d...

Sexual assault trial for Haydn Edmundson, former head of military HR, delayed

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:33:12 GMT

OTTAWA — A sexual-assault trial for the military’s former head of human resources has been delayed. Vice-admiral Haydn Edmundson has pleaded not guilty to one count of indecent acts and one count of sexual assault in an incident that allegedly happened in 1991.He stepped down as head of military personnel command in March 2021 after the CBC reported that a former Armed Forces member had accused him of rape.The complainant was expected to testify in an Ottawa courtroom this week, but the judge was not able to be in court today.Edmundson was one of several high-profile military members to be accused of sexual misconduct in early 2021, kicking off a crisis that led to an external investigation of the Armed Forces.The case is being heard in the Ontario court of justice, which is in line with the government’s policy to have civilian authorities take over such cases. That change was recommended by former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour, who wrote a report calling for sweep...

Beloved 2000s Irish boy band Westlife set to embark on first-ever North American tour

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:33:12 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Irish boy band Westlife are set to perform in North America for the first time in their 20-plus year history.Westlife has sold more than 55 million records, released 36 No. 1 albums, and earned over one billion streams on YouTube. And now, they’re headed to a few major cities in the U.S. and Canada around St. Patrick’s Day next year.The stint is short, but it is a long time coming. Westlife will kick off their four-date North American tour on Thursday, March 13, at Toronto’s Meridian Hall, followed by Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway on March 14, New York City’s famed Radio City Music Hall on March 16, and close out the run at the Chicago Theatre on March 18.According to a press release, the shows will highlight the group’s catalog, touching on their greatest hits: “Swear It Again,” “Flying Without Wings,” “World Of Our Own,” “My Love,” “If I Let You Go,” and “Hello My Love” among them.Westlife first appeared on the pop music s...

Yorkdale Mall to undergo major $28M reno to bring in more high-end retailers

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:33:12 GMT

Toronto’s largest mall is set to undergo a major multi-million dollar luxury facelift over the next year.The owner of Yorkdale Shopping Centre has announced $28 million in renovations that will transform 100,000 square feet of existing space into a luxury retail corridor. Some stores have already been moved from the mall’s central corridor to other areas to make room for the project.“The relocation of tenants and renovation of a key property corridor is designed to meet demand for prime retail space for more than a dozen of the world’s leading luxury brands,” reads a release of Oxford Properties.The new space is set to open in the spring of 2025 and also includes renovations to the shopping centre’s food court. The expanded dining area will include more seating and nine new restaurants.There is no word on what retailers will be taking over the renovated space but the release says some of the new tenants will be brands launching their first Canadia...

Ro CEO charts growth past sexual health roots to obesity and beyond

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:33:12 GMT

Ro built its name online by offering discreet help for problems like erectile dysfunction. Now it wants to tackle an issue many people are talking about: obesity.The care provider formerly known as Roman launched its “body program” earlier this year. The subscription service aims to guide customers through weight loss with help from doctors, nurses and the latest obesity treatments. It’s a popular topic, with Ro competitor Hims & Hers planning a similar program.Ro also offers subscription services to help people grow longer eyelashes or curb excessive sweating. It also provides skin care, fertility testing and hair-loss treatments, among other services. Zach Reitano co-founded the privately held company in 2017. The 32-year-old CEO spoke recently with The Associated Press about how his company has since branched out. The conversation has been edited for clarity and length.Q: Your body program costs $145 a month after the first month. Why charge monthly fees?A: The fee is e...

Author-illustrator Loren Long, who has worked with Barack Obama among others, has 6-figure book deal

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:33:12 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The illustrator of bestselling children’s books by former President Barack Obama, Madonna and poet Amanda Gorman has a six-figure deal with a Macmillan imprint for two of his own projects. Loren Long’s first book under his new contract is “The Yellow Bus,” scheduled for June 2024. “Noticing a rusted and abandoned school bus sitting in a field with goats climbing in and out of it got me thinking about purpose and the passage of time. I thought ‘Surely that yellow bus started it’s life in a grand fashion, bright and shiny, carrying children from one important place to another,’” Long said in a statement issued Monday through Roaring Brook Press.“The Yellow Bus resulted from me contemplating and imagining what the life of that old bus might have been. And the feeling that comes from doing things for other people,” he said.Besides working on Obama’s “Of Thee I Sing,” Madonna’s “Mr. Peabody’s Apples” and Gorman’s “Change Sings,” L...