RSS
News for Monday July 13th, 2015
LOCAL: By Saturn De Los Angeles
The worker’s union representing paramedics in Montreal and Laval has stopped putting on pressure tactics after talking with their employer, Urgences-Santé.
In a report by the Montreal Gazette, the Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux stated on Sunday that an agreement was made late last week with the provincial government following tactics made to recognize the shortage of human resources.
CSN president Réjean Leclerc says that the government acknowledged the issue and that they were willing to help fix it.
Among the solutions proposed include faster check-in times at hospitals, alternative transportation for patients moving between health centres, and re-evaluating the way calls were prioritized.
Representing 950 paramedics across Quebec, the union was unhappy at how the health ministry was not keen on the idea to fund them, which in turn provoked the tactics.
NATIONAL: By Patricia Petit Liang
Southern Alberta was hit with thunderstorms on Sunday, flooding cities in the Chestermere area near Calgary, leaving many without power.
According to CTV News, while officials are trying to control the flooding in southern Alberta, wildfires are burning northern part of the prairie province.
The fires have become so chaotic that a helicopter crashed while attempting to help fight the wildfires.
Nobody was killed in the accident and the pilot was taken to a hospital on Saturday to treat non-fatal injuries.
INTERNATIONAL: By Saturn De Los Angeles
Delegates from Iran and the global powers were working towards a potential resolution which would lift United Nations-mandated sanctions on its nuclear arms in exchange for curbing their pursuit for strengthening it.
In a report by Reuters, representatives from the United States, France, Britain, Germany, Russia, and China - have been working on a hundred-page document that would resolve Iran’s ambitions to expand their nuclear arms program.
The talks have been going on in Austria’s capital, Vienna for two weeks.
If approved, the agreement would be a large move towards a mutual negotiation between the two parties since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, despite ongoing suspicion by the West of Iran possessing nuclear resources.
Iranian delegate Mohammad Javad Zarif said that no deal has yet been made as of Sunday.
That deal would also have to run through with the U.S. Senate, where Republicans - holding a majority of its power - would have to decide if they are in favour of negotiating with the Middle East nation under those terms.
News for Froday July 10th, 2015
According to CBC News, Lecent Ross was rushed to a trauma center after being shot in the upper body, but passed away later in the morning.
She was surrounded by other children and an adult at the time of the shooting, all of whom are currently collaborating with police.
Detective Rich Petrie voiced his concerns regarding the gun, stating that the death could have been prevented, and that someone knew about the gun and chose to turn a blind eye.
According to CTV News, his apology was warmly accepted by many indigenous and grass-roots groups who had gathered for a world summit against injustice and social inequality.
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI was criticized for defending the church’s campaign to convert indigenous people to Christianity, making the apology that much more significant.
July 10th, 2015
Hosted by: Catlin Spencer
Stories by: Emeline Vidal, Catlin Spencer, Patricia Petit-Liang
Produced by: Emeline Vidal
News for July 8th 2015
LOCAL
by Patricia Petit Liang
Montreal’s first official homelessness count has found that there are 3 016 homeless people living the city.
According to CBC News, more than 800 volunteers- led by the Douglas Mental Health University and the YMCAs of Quebec- discovered that more than 76 percent of the homeless people in Montreal are men.
The results of the survey were released Tuesday morning by Mayor Denis Coderre and several people representing the Montreal Homeless Count.
--------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL
by Saturn de Los Angeles
In it's first review in ten years, the Canadian government is dodging questions from the UN concerning human rights.
According to CTV News, the federal government had its first chance to address the 24 questions asked by United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva on tuesday.
However, none of the questions were addressed in senior Justice Department official Laurie Wright's six-page opening statement.
The investigation comes after the committee received multiple complaints concerning the treatment of aboriginals, the oil industry, and measures to fight terrorism.
--------------------------------------------------------------
by Catlin Spencer
Meteorologists say the next chance of rain for the southern coast will be early next week.
by Tom Matukala and Catlin Spencer
On the first day of Spain's San Fermin bull-running week. three men were gored and ten others were rushed to hospital.
According to Reuters, the tuesday run involved six bulls specially chosen for their ferocity, and lasted two minutes and 23 seconds.
A doctor at the event says that one man who was gored in the chest was in stable condition.
The bull runs are a traditional part of the Summer festivals in Spain, in which dozens are injured each year.
Wednesday July 8th 2015
Hosted by Catlin Spencer
Stories by Patricia Petit Liang, Saturn de Los Angeles, Catlin Spencer & Tom Matukala
Produced by Catlin Spencer
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, The Man Behind the Music
I am not the biggest Nirvana fan but Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck hits all the right notes, and takes you on an emotional roller coaster. The perfect documentary must inform, entertain, enlighten and possibly move the audience. The documentary is the most authentic and intimate portrait of not only the band Nirvana, but also the frontman Kurt Cobain: it is one of the best films of the year so far. Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck is directed by Brett Morgen (The Kid Stays in The Picture) and is produced by Kurt Cobain's Daughter, Frances Bean Cobain.
The film focuses more on Kurt’s childhood than his career, bringing together interviews with family, girlfriends and childhood friends. This is juxtaposed with super 8 footage of Kurt Cobain's childhood that has previously been unreleased. Diary entries and animated sequences bring us into his mind, reflecting his emotional state during various ventures of his life. As a rebellious teenager he would be tossed around from family to family, discarded as soon as he became unwanted. All he wanted was love, but he was unable to find it during his teenage years.
Next came the forming of the band, where we see them form, rehearse and finally start performing at small venues. Their first record, Bleach finds moderate success but Nevermind would become one of the most influential albums in rock history. Amidst all this, he would meet Courtney Love, who he would marry. In the home videos it seems Kurt and Courtney had found love, but they would be also each other’s demise. Kurt seems to turn a new leaf on life when his daughter, Frances Bean is born as he tries to show her all the love he never felt in life.
The band also records In Utero while the relationship between Kurt and Courtney becomes increasingly tumultuous. A series of articles expose the drug-addled habits of the new parents, and also hints at possible infidelity on Love’s part. Home videos reveal Kurt at his very worst as the drugs have taken over, a disheartening video shows him losing consciousness as he cares for his daughter. The film ends with footage from Nirvana’s performance on MTV Unplugged. A title card follows stating "One month after returning from Rome, Kurt Cobain took his own life. He was 27 years old." just before the end credits roll.
This is the most authentic and intimate portrait of Kurt Cobain. The documentary moved me the most through home videos, especially the one where we clearly see the drugs have won and taken over Kurt Cobain right before his life ends. I had to ask myself as I was exiting the theatre why I was moved by this man's life when I was not his biggest fan. Maybe it is the fact that his human spirit that can be found is his music finally touched me as I better understood what motivated him to make the kind of music he did.
5/5
'Unfriended' not your typical found footage film
It seems this day in age the horror genre gets generic after a while, with the same found footage and that thuds to make the decibel levels jump. Unfriended is different from the counterpart horror films in two ways. The first is that it takes place entirely on a computer screen, and secondly this horror teen thriller tackles the touchy subject of suicide and bullying patterns, that is a present problem that teenagers in our society are encountering. Unfriended is rated 13 + for subject matter, violence, scenes of horror and scenes of sensuality. This cyber natural thriller is directed by Russian director Levan Gabriadze.
The film starts out with a glitchy Universal logo. Boom, we are looking at the main actor, Blaire Lily's computer screen. Blaire is tapping away looking up various articles and videos of her high school Laura Barns. This includes a video of Laura parting and in another video committing suicide. We find out that it is the anniversary of the suicide of Laura Barns. Spotify opens up and starts playing, as Blaire has an intimate chat with her boyfriend Mitch about losing her virginity over Skype. They are interrupted with a sudden collection of their Skype friends open up a conversation with them, and make fun of them having an intimate moment, which includes the childish Mitch's boner joke. There is also a ghost person named Billy, who is thought to be a glitch. We find out later that the "glitch" will not leave them alone. Blaire also keeps receiving messages from Laura Burns via Facebook. As much as these are a group of friends we see how rumours, harassment and bullying can lead to fights within the group of friends. The horror starts when various connections get laggy followed by sudden horrific and gruesome character deaths. Billy forces all the remaining teenagers to confess their sins, as well the biggest sin of all their involvement in the leaky Laura YouTube video, that lead Laura to commit suicide.
Unfriended has found it's target audience social media saavy teens who are looking for something a little beyond the typical PG-13 flick. Having the main action on the computer screen becomes interesting, because we get a character study of Blair through her internet searches, web history, pages tabbed or even in the way she will type, delete and retype. Most of all even though we read about it or see it in the news, Unfriended confronts their target audience with the themes of teenage bullying and suicide is where it succeeds as a horror film providing a social commentary to it's target viewers.
4/5
Festival International Nuits D’Afrique: Top 5 picks & Champions of the Local Scene: Wed @ 6pm
Want to check out Festival International Nuits D’Afrique 29th Edition July 7 – July 19, 2015 but don’t know where to start?! Look no further, Emily Brass’ TOP PICKS are here for you! With more than 100 concerts and activities, free outdoor events, and a Village Nuits D’Afrique, we are happy to help you plan your festival days! And if that were not enough, Emily will also be hosting “Champions of the Local Scene” Nuits D’Afrique special this Wednesday, July 8th 6-7pm on CJLO! Be sure to tune in, for your chance to win tickets to such Nuits D'Afrique shows as Le Grand Méchant Zouk, Famalé, and more!
Emily Brass’ TOP PICKS for Festival International Nuits D'Afrique:
1) Le Grand Méchant Zouk at Métropolis at 59 Ste-Catherine Est (corner St-Laurent), July 12, 2015 – 08:30 PM
Kassav’ often puts on the hottest show at Nuits d’Afrique. Literally. The Antillean zouk legends pump out pulsating rhythms and upbeat vibes that get the crowd rocking so hard, dancers beg for mercy. Start to move, and you won’t be able to stop, even as your feet ache and your clothes are drenched with sweat.
Le Grand Méchant Zouk was conceived by Kassav’ member Jacob Desvarieux. The festival describes the happenings as a “cult-like scene in France, where each show unites thousands of spectators in a feverish atmosphere.”
More than twenty musicians will take the stage, as the band’s key players join forces with other zouk heavyweights, including Luc Leandry and Shoubou of Tabou Combo.
Guaranteed to get the temperature rising!
2) La Nuit de la Kora at Le Gésu, 1200 de Bleury, Montréal (Qc) Canada H3B 3J3, July 10, 2015 – 08:00 PM
No instrument is more mesmerizing than the kora. A predecessor of the banjo, the 21-string harp made of a hollowed gourd and cow skin has a sound that transports you to an oasis of musical bliss. Unlike the soft, silky tones of an orchestral harp, the kora also has a percussive edge to it, making it stand out from the guitar and hand drums that often accompany it.
La Nuit de la Kora will feature two masterful players, West African Quebecer, Diely Mori Tounkara, and Djeli Moussa Diawara, on tour from Guinea. Both are schooled in the tradition of the griots, the traditional minstrels of West Africa.
Prepare to voyage to a mystical place that will awaken your heart and soothe your soul.
3) Chico Trujillo at Scène Loto-Québec – Parterre du Quartier des Spectacles, July 15, 21:30
One of the most original bands on the roster, Chico Trujillo is a nine-piece groove unit from Chile that throws everything from cumbia to reggae to Andean folk into the musical pot, while adding a little hip-hop and punk for extra flavour. The music is bold and infectious, even psychedelic, while staying true to the Latin roots that nurture the band’s unique sound.
They also look like a lot of fun to party with! A free show, and bound to be a hot one.
4) Bongeziwe Mabandla at Club Balattou, July 8 – 21:00
With silky smooth vocals, Bongeziwe Mabandla blends sweet South African sounds with hip-hop rhythms, laying down catchy choruses to make you smile as you move your feet. He sings in English and Xhosa, and an enrapturing vibe emerges as he sings haunting solo songs on top of soulful acoustic guitar.
An intimate set at one of the festivals smaller venues, don’t miss this chance to get acquainted with a young, up and coming talent.
5) Antibalas at Scène Loto-Québec – Parterre du Quartier des Spectacles, July 17, 21:30
American Afrobeat army Antibalas wield a funky, full-on soul offensive, with masterful, multifaceted instrumentations that harken the ghost of Fela Kuti. The multicultural, melting pot ensemble has been hitting the circuit for years, delivering top-notch, throbbing grooves to bring down the house in the US and Europe, most recently while on tour with Zap Mama.
It’s the kind of show you can lose yourself in, shaking parts of your body you may have never shaken before. This is a free show at the outdoor site, sure to be one of the most fiery sets at this year’s fest!
NEWS UPDATE: At least three provinces fighting forest fires
Ash is raining from the sky, and smoke is blotting out the sun and creating eerie yellow horizons in the western part of Canada as more than 418 wildfires burn.
According to Global News and the Globe and Mail, almost 4,500 fires have burned over 2,150,000 hectares of forest since the beginning of the year.
In British Columbia, Metro Vancouver has had to issue an air-quality advisory and advise those with medical conditions to forgo strenuous activities until it has lifted due to smoke in the city. Evacutaion orders have also been issued in Kootenay, Central Okanagan districts, and the Port Hardy area- which issued a state of emergency on Saturday.
In Saskatchewan, close to one thousand military personel were deployed to help fight the wildfires. More evactuation orders were issued for the La Ronge area, Lac La Ronge and Montreal Lake First Nations. Provincial officials are saying that the amount of land that is normally taken by wildfires is over ten times higher than normal this year.
In Alberta, hundreds of people in the North Tallcree First Nation were forced to flee their homes when the wildfires came within five kilometres of the community, and more in the northern parts of the provence have been put on evacuation alert.
The Globe and Mail reports that the fire is believed to be man-made, and began Friday night on the Tsulquate River, 1.5 kilometres west of Port Hardy. Experts are blaming El Nino for accelerating the fires and dampening efforts to fight them, as it alters the atmosphere and changes weather patterns. While this happens every two to seven years, this year El Nino is reducing precipitation instead of the usual increase in average temperatures.
July 6th 2015
Hosted by Danny Aubry
Stories written by Catlin Spencer
Produced by Saturn De Los Angeles
Pages
Staff Login | Advertise | Our Location | RSS | Contact Us
