Produced by: Jamie-Lee Gordon
Read by: Emily Brass
Stories by: Joel Balsam, Alexa Fay, Michael Lemieux, Emily Brass
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Posted by Emily Brass on January 18, 2012 in Article | 0 comments.
Three high-ranking members of Quebec’s anti-corruption task force have resigned.
The head of the Unité permanente anti-corruption Robert Lafrenière denies there are problems within the unit. He said all three are retiring for personal reasons.
But Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois questioned whether the departures could cut off access to important information. Opposition critics in the National Assembly also suggested on Tuesday that Lafrenière has failed to get results and should be replaced.
Lafrenière admitted things haven’t been perfect, but said...
Posted by Emily Brass on November 23, 2011 in Article | 0 comments.
32 people have been arrested in a major drug bust in Quebec and New Brunswick. Federal, provincial and city police officers conducted searches in 25 municipalities. Large quantities of cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine pills were seized along with a substantial amount of cash.
Police say the raids are part of an investigation into a drug trafficking ring involving a Montreal chapter of the Hell's Angels.
Posted by Emily Brass on November 23, 2011 in Article | 0 comments.
The Shafia trial resumed Tuesday after a delay due to illness. It's been an emotional trial so far.
Mohammed Shafia, his wife Tooba Mohammed Yahya and their son Hamed are charged with four counts of first degree murder. Their three teenage daughters and another relative were drowned in the Rideau Canal in Kingston in 2009.
A relative of the mother's came from Sweden to testify. He claimed Mohammed Shafia asked him to invite the Shafia daughters to Sweden. Shafia allegedly told the relative he thought it would be easier to drown them there.
The relative said he refused and warned the mother her daughter's were at risk. The family reportedly disapproved...
Posted by Emily Brass on November 9, 2011 in Article | 0 comments.
The family of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit rejoiced news that he’ll return home. Shalit spent 5 years as a prisoner of war. He was captured when he was 19.
People in Gaza City also celebrated the news. The release is part of a prisoner swap between Israel and Palestine. Over a thousand Palestinians will also be freed.
The agreement was reached after an intense week of talks. Hamas leader Khaled Mashal called it a victory.
Critics in Israel say it sends a message that abducting soldiers is an effective...
Posted by Emily Brass on October 12, 2011 in Article | 0 comments.
Stephen Lewis concluded his People vs. Cancer speaking tour at Concordia last night. The former politician and UN ambassadorsaid students must join the fight against cancer.
One in three Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer. Half of these cases could be prevented. But as Stephen Lewis said the fight against cancer has met with “astonishing indifference.
“There’s a lot of money raised, but on the prevention front, we’re spending far less than we should be spending, and on environmental causes, we’re spending almost nothing at all. There’s something appalling about our inability...
Posted by Emily Brass on October 6, 2011 in Article | 0 comments.
Air Canada flight attendants voted almost unanimously in favour of a strike. The employees could walk out as soon as September 21st.
Jeff Taylor is president of the flight attendants' union. He said union members are unsatisfied after ten years of making sacrifices to help the airline's financial situation.
Taylor said members would prefer to reach an agreement with Air Canada, but they are prepared to strike if necessary. The union overwhelmingly rejected a tentative deal with the airline in late August.
This could...
Posted by Emily Brass on September 14, 2011 in Article | 0 comments.
It was the grand opening bash for the 25th Nuits D’Afrique Festival and the Metropolis was buzzing with electric atmosphere. The lively crowd was instantly energized when the Soul Makossa Gang played their first riffs, and people began smiling and pulsating to an African disco beat. After a few tunes, bandleader and legendary saxophonist Manu Dibango took the stage. We were now in the presence of greatness.
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Posted by Emily Brass on July 26, 2011 in Article | 0 comments.
As a Sublime tribute band, Rhode Island-based Badfish takes on the tricky task of satisfying diehard fans of the legendary 90's group from California and its late, great lead singer, Bradley Nowell.
I went to the show with one such hardcore aficionado. Our verdict was mixed. The set list was on point. Badfish relentlessly churned out crowd favourites like "Santaria," "Caress Me Down" and "Jailhouse," as audience members grooved, thrashed, sweated...
Posted by Emily Brass on January 13, 2011 in Article | 0 comments.