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Arts
British actor Donald Sinden dies at 90 after storied career on stage, screen and TV
LONDON – British actor Donald Sinden, known for his rich voice and varied roles, died Friday at his home in Kent, southern England, of prostate cancer, his son said. He was 90.
Rob Ford out of the mayoral race, but is the Ford saga really over?
TORONTO – In the end, it wasn’t the crack-cocaine scandal, or racial, sexual and homophobic remarks, or even the machinations of his political opponents that crushed any hope the world’s most infamous mayor had of remaining in power.
John Travolta channelled his inner Monet for new TIFF film ‘The Forger’
TORONTO – The moves he showed off in “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease” are the stuff of cinematic legend, but who knew John Travolta was also pretty handy with a paintbrush?
Prince Edward shakes hands with 87 Duke of Edinburgh award winners at B.C. ceremony
VICTORIA – His Royal Highness Prince Edward Earl of Wessex told a ballroom full of young people on Saturday they earned the right to walk a little taller after successfully completing a journey that millions attempt but relatively few complete.
The Weeknd to get Allan Slaight Award at Canada’s Walk of Fame Show
TORONTO – Toronto alternative R&B singer the Weeknd will be honoured at Canada’s Walk of Fame Show next month.
Court hears appeals in mass slaying of eight Bandidos bikers
TORONTO – A biker convicted in what’s believed to be Ontario’s largest mass slaying feared he might “end up in the pile of dead bodies” himself if he didn’t follow orders from his gun-toting gang brothers as they carried out the execution-style killings eight years ago, his lawyer argued Monday.
Federal leaders kick off unofficial campaign with pitches to middle class
OTTAWA – The leaders of the three main federal parties spent Day 1 of the unofficial year-long election campaign vying to portray themselves as champions of middle-class Canadians.
United Nations names Leonardo DiCaprio a Messenger of Peace for climate change
NEW YORK, N.Y. – The United Nations has named Leonardo DiCaprio a UN Messenger of Peace with a special focus on climate change.
Rachel McAdams, Hayley Wickenheiser to get stars on Canada’s Walk of Fame
TORONTO – Olympic hockey star Hayley Wickenheiser, actors Rachel McAdams and Ryan Reynolds, and former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour are among the latest inductees to Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Beijing police formally arrest Jackie Chan’s son on suspicion of allowing others to take drugs
BEIJING, China – Police in Beijing have formally arrested the son of Hong Kong martial arts film star Jackie Chan on suspicion of allowing other people to consume drugs, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Is the ‘Auld Alliance’ between Scotland and France back, in run-up to referendum?
PARIS – As the Scottish decide whether to break from the union with England, the embers of an even older Scottish alliance are being revived: “The Auld Alliance” with the French.
University of Regina journalism school adds master’s degree to program
REGINA – In an age of tight university budgets and financial cuts, one program at the University of Regina is celebrating a big addition.
Retail mogul’s collection of Picassos, other 20th century masters going on display in Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio – When retail mogul Leslie Wexner peers at one of the Picassos, Dubuffets or Giacomettis in the personal art collection he and his wife Abigail have amassed over the years, he feels a range of emotions that often include gratitude, defeat and exhilaration.
Dolan’s ‘Mommy’ Canada’s Oscar hope; director’s next movie to deal with showbiz
MONTREAL – Quebec director Xavier Dolan is aiming to get a little more than a coveted golden statue now that “Mommy” is being put forth as Canada’s Oscar contender in the best foreign-language film category.
UFC terminates Thiago Silva’s contract a second time, suspends another fighter
TORONTO – While the NFL comes under the spotlight for player misconduct, the UFC is also making moves to sever ties with athletes under fire.
Rising Irish star Conor McGregor ready to take Las Vegas at UFC 178
(The Notorious) Conor McGregor had just one UFC fight under his belt in July 2013 but he was already living up to his nickname.
NY demonstrators protest Met Opera over ‘Klinghoffer’ production, calling it anti-Semitic
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Demonstrators marked the start of the Metropolitan Opera’s season on Monday evening by protesting the planned production of “The Death of Klinghoffer” from outside of New York City’s Lincoln Center.
Audrey Hepburn and Pre-Raphaelites evoked in Paris Fashion Week’s ever-creative hotchpotch
PARIS – What does Audrey Hepburn have in common with the Pre-Raphaelites?
University of Oregon ends free sessions for community artists to sketch nude models
EUGENE, Ore. – The University of Oregon has ended free art sessions for community artists to sketch nude models, saying it could not afford the increasing cost of keeping the popular classes secure.
US judge orders Texas brothers to give up as much as $400M for brazen fraud spanning years
NEW YORK, N.Y. – A Texas businessman and the estate of his brother must give up as much as $400 million after a civil jury found that they engaged in a massive fraud to evade taxes, a judge said in a ruling released Thursday.
With rap star Ludacris, Georgia Gov. Deal taps unlikely partner on the campaign trail
RIVERDALE, Ga. – A campaign event without political chatter seems about as likely as Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and rapper Ludacris sharing a stage.
New Kennedy Center president wants to break barriers between artists, audiences in DC
WASHINGTON – Deborah Rutter says there’s no reason the nation’s capital should be thought of as a conservative, risk-averse place for the arts. Instead, she wants to see the Kennedy Center drive more innovation and discussion about the role of the arts in society.
David Cronenberg fulfills childhood dream to be a novelist with ‘Consumed’
TORONTO – As a kid, body-horror master David Cronenberg thought he would become an author, not an auteur.
Stephen (Wonderboy) Thompson almost always a winner: 67 fights, just one loss
Losing is almost completely foreign to Stephen (Wonderboy) Thompson.