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Toronto International Film Festival kicks off amid actors and writers strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:35:53 GMT

TORONTO — The Toronto International Film Festival kicks off today under the shadow of dual strikes by Hollywood writers and actors but festival CEO Cameron Bailey is touting a strong lineup and ticket sales.Tonight’s opening night film is Hayao Miyazaki’s animated feature “The Boy and the Heron,” which centres on a boy who loses his mother during the Second World War and embarks on a journey into a magical world.Among the celebs expected this year are Sean Penn, Willem Dafoe, Spike Lee, Lil Nas X, Nicolas Cage, Nickelback and Patricia Arquette.However, expectations for star-filled premieres and parties remain low as members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Writers Guild of America continue a work stoppage that extends to publicity events.Despite the labour unrest, Bailey says ticket sales have been “as strong as ever.”Unions for Hollywood writers and actors are each seeking improved compensation and job protecti...

‘Freedom Convoy’ organizers’ trial to delve into social media from protest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:35:53 GMT

OTTAWA — The criminal trial of “Freedom Convoy” organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber is expected to resume today with a deep dive into a mountain of social media evidence police amassed during the protest.Lich and Barber are facing charges related to their role in organizing the protest against COVID-19 health restrictions last year that blockaded city streets for weeks with big-rig trucks and encampments.The Crown is expected to call Ottawa police Sgt. Joanne Pillotte, who collected social media videos throughout the weeks of protest from organizers, demonstrators and local residents. The court also expects to hear more testimony from Const. Isabelle Syr, who served as a liaison between police and protesters during the Freedom Convoy.She told the court Wednesday she was overwhelmed by the volume of information that was coming into their office about the convoy before it arrived, but they were still taken by surprise about how many protesters arrived and how long they...

Beginning of blue wave or just a summer fling? Conservatives meet amid polling boost

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:35:53 GMT

OTTAWA — For Emily Brown, it feels pretty good to be Conservative. “It’s quite a time to be a part of this, honestly.”Buoyed by successive polls showing the federal party’s message on the cost of living and housing resonating among a wider, and younger, swath of Canadians, Brown will be among the thousands at the Conservative convention starting today in Quebec City.“Everybody is feeling hope and excitement. Even with (people) outside of those who would be traditional Conservative voters,” said the former candidate, who ran in the Toronto-area riding of Burlington in the 2021 general election.But as summer turns to fall, one question hanging over the Conservatives’ fortunes is whether the embrace Canadians have given the party over the last few months is the start of a long-term relationship, or just an infatuation. Generally, summer polling should be regarded with some degree of caution, given many Canadians’ minds are elsewhere, says...

Private donation helps attract teachers to rural B.C. with $10,000 cash welcome gifts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:35:53 GMT

A rural school district in the British Columbia Interior has filled a shortfall of teachers with help from an anonymous benefactor who donated $200,000 to welcome new educators.At a time when schools across the province are struggling with staff recruitment and retention, the Gold Trail School District offered $10,000 incentives to attract new teachers, and $15,000 for those who agreed to move to the small town of Lytton which was devastated by fire two years ago.Superintendent Teresa Downs says all 18 vacancies this year have been filled by the district, which manages eight small schools ranging in size from three to 350 pupils, with a total enrollment of 1,100. Thirteen new teachers qualified for the extra cash, and unused funds could go to future hires, Downs said.Last year there was a shortfall of about 22 teaching staff, representing about 20 per cent of staff. “So, we were unable to have any of our non-enrolling positions like teacher-counsellor or inclusion specialist f...

Commissioner Várhelyi visits Ankara to discuss cooperation with Türkiye

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:35:53 GMT

On 6-7 September 2023, the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi will travel to Ankara to discuss bilateral relations and cooperation with Türkiye. This is the first official visit paid by an EU representative to the country following the Presidential elections in May this year.The Commissioner will meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan; the Minister of Trade, Omer Bolat; the Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş; the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, and the Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacir. The visit follows the conclusions of European Council last June, in which EU Leaders invited the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the European Commission to submit a report to the European Council on the state of play of EU-Türkiye relations,building on the instruments and options identif...

Oil Turmoil In Bulgaria, Conservatives Sabotage Their Coalition Cabinet

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:35:53 GMT

Bulgaria went through a series of five inconclusive elections and caretaker cabinets were in office for the better part of the last 3 years – writes Boyan Koutevski, PhD of Political Science, journalist.The Conservatives, who were in charge of the country for almost a decade, were unhappy to let the Liberal newcomers to the table. Now they are leading the newborn politicians into a trap, which could topple the coalition cabinet and leave the liberals to take the blame while destroying the energy security of the country in the process.Since June, the birth of the new de facto coalition cabinet, the Conservatives began sabotaging the cabinet by refusing to appoint cabinet members. This is a clear sign they don’t intend to share the responsibility of the government for the upcoming energy crisis and fuel deficit.The players behind this ill-conceived cabinetIn July GERB suggested terminating early the Lukoil`s concession on the oil terminal serving their refinery near the city of Burgas...

Miss Manners: What to say to a stranger who wants to touch you

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:35:53 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a dear friend who suffered a stroke as a teenager, which left her with weakness on one side of her body.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: We aren’t invited to the shower but our co-worker wants gifts from us anyway Advice | Miss Manners: My husband was upset by my request at the restaurant Advice | Miss Manners: Am I really ‘trying too hard to be liked’? Advice | Miss Manners: Please decree that people should not knock on a bathroom door Advice | Miss Manners: They say they’d rather die than live like I do. How should I respond? She is now in her 40s and has a wonderful husband and a lovely daughter. She is an avid volunteer and artist.While she was out in public with me recently, a woman approached my friend and asked if she could lay hands on her and pray for her.I’m sure the woman meant no offense, but this embarrassed and upset my friend. S...

Dear Abby: This boy makes me so happy. Must we break up because of his parents?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:35:53 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I’m in a relationship with someone younger. I’m 17, and he’s 15.We were close friends and have been through so much together, good and bad, and we’ve now been in a six-month relationship.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: I thought I’d get over my husband’s misdeed but it haunts me Advice | Dear Abby: She decided I can’t be near her children Advice | Dear Abby: The wedding is on hold, but the bride is apparently keeping my money Advice | Dear Abby: When he thought I was dying, he revealed his role in this painful deception Advice | Dear Abby: I don’t want to hear her fantasies about the priest We don’t have bad intentions because we are waiting for marriage before having sex.I have struggled with depression and anxiety, but he makes me happier than I have ever been. He’s the man I have been asking God for. He treats me like a princes...

Diamondbacks visit the Cubs to open 4-game series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:35:53 GMT

Arizona Diamondbacks (72-68, second in the NL West) vs. Chicago Cubs (76-64, second in the NL Central)Chicago; Thursday, 7:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Ryne Nelson (0-0); Cubs: Javier Assad (3-2, 2.69 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 67 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cubs -188, Diamondbacks +158; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs host the Arizona Diamondbacks to open a four-game series.Chicago is 40-31 at home and 76-64 overall. The Cubs have hit 170 total home runs to rank seventh in the NL.Arizona is 72-68 overall and 34-33 in road games. The Diamondbacks have gone 28-12 in games when they did not give up a home run.Thursday’s game is the first time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Cody Bellinger has 24 doubles, a triple, 24 home runs and 86 RBI for the Cubs. Seiya Suzuki is 13-for-39 with five doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI over the past 10 games.Corbin Carroll has 26 doubles, nine triples and 24 home runs for the Diamondback...

Cardinals bring 3-game win streak into matchup with the Braves

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:35:53 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (61-78, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Atlanta Braves (90-48, first in the NL East)Atlanta; Thursday, 7:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Adam Wainwright (3-10, 8.10 ERA, 1.98 WHIP, 45 strikeouts); Braves: Max Fried (6-1, 2.52 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 63 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -307, Cardinals +244; over/under is 10 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals seek to prolong a three-game win streak with a victory over the Atlanta Braves.Atlanta has a 90-48 record overall and a 44-24 record at home. The Braves have the best team slugging percentage in the majors at .502.St. Louis has gone 30-38 on the road and 61-78 overall. The Cardinals have the ninth-best team slugging percentage in MLB play at .430.Thursday’s game is the sixth time these teams square off this season. The Braves are ahead 3-2 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Ronald Acuna Jr. has 32 doubles, three triples and 32 home runs while hitting .330 for the Braves. Marcell ...