Toronto Transit Commission chair Adam Giambrone may be a champion of public transit, but he has nothing against taxis, as records of city councillors' 2009 office expenses show.
Giambrone expensed more than $3,000 in cabs last year, including a trip home after taping an episode of his Ride the Rocket TV show on a streetcar.
About $2,400 came from his office budget, with the rest billed to the Toronto Transit Commission.
Giambrone, like other councillors, has a city-provided Metropass. He also expensed $256 in tokens plus some weekly and monthly Metropasses for his staff, including $173.50 in July for "staff travel."
One cab ride is billed as a "ward survey during the strike," referring to last summer's garbage strike.
For a second year, he also expensed private French lessons, although the $2,299.50 he spent was down from almost $4,000 in 2008. He said last year the expense was justified because he's Toronto's representative at AFMO, an association of French municipalities in Ontario and does interviews with Francophone media.
In total, the TTC chair spent $41,801.90 of his maximum $53,100 budget.
Giambrone (Ward 18, Davenport) dropped out of the mayoral race last month amid a sex scandal in which he lied to the Toronto Star about his relationship with a university student. He has since been defending his chairmanship of the TTC.
In an emailed response to questions from the Toronto Star, Giambrone wrote: "I am on the TTC 4-5 times a day and this is my main mode of transportation. Many people see me on the system everyday and can attest to this."
He added that he walks, cycles, takes public transit and taxis to the many events he attends every day.
"Clearly there are not enough taxis bills submitted for this to be my main mode of transport. There are, however, sometimes when taxis are needed due to time constraints or what I am carrying with me (i.e. files). All expenses fit within the Council policy."
The biggest spender on council was Michael Walker (Ward 22, St. Paul's), who came within $48 of the limit. He announced last week that he is not seeking re-election in the October election.
The lowest spender was, as always in recent years, Rob Ford, who billed taxpayers for nothing, merely notifying city officials he spent $708.78 of his own money on council business.
On Wednesday morning, Ford (Ward 2, Etobicoke North) called Giambrone's cab expenses "ridiculous."
"I've taken two cabs in 10 years of politics and I think they were for fundraising dinners after council," said Ford, who is rumoured to be set to launch a mayoral campaign. "He's the TTC chair -- how does it look that he's taking cabs everywhere?"
Ford said the councillors' office budgets, which don't include $205,557.47 in another budget for the equivalent of three full-time staff members, is "nothing but a slush fund."
He said he doesn't expect other councillors to spend nothing but $20,000 would be more than enough to cover all legitimate expenses, saying the mail-outs, advertisements, skating parties and other similar expenses are "shameless self-promotion that don't benefit the public."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper waltzed through his first interview gig on YouTube on Tuesday and along the way he gave a thumbs-up to the seal hunt and the crackdown on "guns, gangs and drugs" and a firm thumbs-down to legalizing pot.
"The reason drugs are illegal is because they are bad," Mr. Harper said. "And even if these things were legalized, I can predict with a lot of confidence that these would never be respectable businesses run by respectable people."
Canadian Patrick Pichette, Google's bilingual chief financial officer, conducted the interview, and made a point of saying the question about marijuana, which he asked last, won the most votes from those who participated in the YouTube challenge.
"Well, it's a good question," Mr. Harper responded.
The 40-minute interview broke no new policy ground for the prime minister, who appeared relaxed as he gave long, uninterrupted answers to questions posed by Canadians and relayed by video or by Mr. Pichette.
The only hitch was that the interview, taped earlier Tuesday, was posted more than an hour later than was scheduled. A Google official later blamed technical problems for the delay, the problems in uploading an interview that was twice as long as expected.
The questions were straightforward and pressed Mr. Harper on such current hot topics as the $56-billion budget deficit and his government's current handling of the Afghan detainee issue.
Someone identified as B. Jonte of Waterloo, Ontario, asked Mr. Harper why the government was not more open on the Afghan prisoner issue and why it always responds to "legitimate" questions about the issue with "'support our troops' and look the other way."
Mr. Harper said he disagreed with the premise of the question and said that it's important to state there is no evidence Canadian soldiers have done anything wrong. He pointed to his appointment of Frank Iacobucci, a former Supreme Court justice, to review the contents of still secret documents to decide what can be released as proof of his openness on the issue.
Mr. Harper flatly rejected a questioner's appeal to cancel the 2010 commercial seal hunt, saying there is "no danger" of the seal population disappearing and that his government would continue to "vigorously defend our sealers" in the face of domestic and international criticism.
"There is no scientific evidence that says the seal population is in jeopardy," he said.
On mandatory sentencing, he said that although he didn't think crime was out of control in the country, there are "worrying growth areas, particularly if you look at the areas of guns, gangs and drugs, and this is a growth area, not just in Canada, but around the world."
Mr. Harper's YouTube appearance was a clear bid to try to connect with an audience that considers YouTube part of its daily online diet, which is sad for those who visit YouTube on a regular basis. The Prime Minister's Office described the move as a chance for "Canadians to have unfiltered and immediate access to information."
The interview was taped at Rideau Gate, the Government of Canada's elegant guest house situated across the street from the prime minister's Sussex Drive residence.
Google spokeswoman Wendy Rozeluk said that the tape was unedited, and that there was no vetting of the questions by the Prime Minister's Office.
However, Mr. Harper did not go into the interview blind. He and his staff, like anybody else with access to the Internet, were able to tap into YouTube's Talk Canada site to read the questions in advance to quickly ascertain the most popular subjects.
Mr. Harper's appearance was the finale of an arrangement made by the PMO and Google, which owns YouTube, to carry a live feed of the speech the prime minister gave in the House of Commons last Thursday in response to his government's throne speech.
U.S. President Barack Obama engaged in a similar YouTube event last month after his State of the Union address.
YouTube users were encouraged to post their questions for Mr. Harper, with a promise the most popular questions would be asked at the virtual town hall on Tuesday night.
By the time voting was cut off on Sunday afternoon, a total of 5,128 people had cast 170,000 votes on 1,797 questions, according to the tally posted on YouTube's Talk Canada site.
A Conservative member of the Ontario legislature says that Toronto should form its own province because communities outside the metropolis are not being heard.
Bill Murdoch, who represents the riding of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, says the idea came to him at an agriculture meeting where recurring complaints brought him to the conclusion "we're never going to change this as long as we have a Toronto-driven government running Ontario."
The "straw that broke the camel's back" is the current spread of coyotes in his parts of the province, he said, a matter locals would like to settle by placing a bounty on them.
"They'll never let you do that in Toronto," he said.
He says the sheer size of the city, and its voting power, means that Queen's Park is more likely to cater to Toronto's every whim.
Murdoch admits the goal has little to no chance of success, but says the suggestion would at least launch a debate.
Honda Canada announced Tuesday that it will recall thousands of vehicles after fielding owner complaints involving brake pedals. The recall involves 24,680 Odyssey and 4,137 Element vehicles in Canada from the 2007-2008 model years. The company plans to modify the vehicle stability assist modulator, which is connected to the ABS braking system.
The announcement in Canada coincides with a recall of more than 400,000 vehicles in the United States involving similar models.
Honda said the complaints reported that the brakes felt "soft" or "gradually exhibit a pedal height that gets lower (closer to the floor) before the vehicle stops." In vehicles reporting this, the condition increased over time.
"It's not something that suddenly happened" but occurred over time as customers reported "my brake pedal feels funny," Richard Jacobs of Honda Canada Inc., said Tuesday.
No confirmed accidents were reported in Canada as a result of the brake pedal concern, but some have been reported in the United States.
"There have been a few accidents and several minor injuries (in the U.S.)," said Jacobs. "But it's mostly been just from consumer concern over the feel of the pedal; it seems to be a little more 'spongy.'"
Honda said some modulators could allow small quantities of air in, which over time, could accumulate and result in the "soft brake pedal" or "low brake pedal" being reported by customers. The fix will remove air from the units and seal it so as to prevent it from coming in, something Jacobs described as "a very quick in-and-out procedure."
Honda said not all recalled models reported these issues, but the company was recalling all units to "assure all customers that their vehicles will perform correctly." The company plans to notify customers beginning at the end of April, so can they bring their vehicles in to Honda dealers.
Jacobs said people concerned with their vehicle's current performance would be asked to bring them in immediately.
"There are things we can do right now but there's a specific process that will be ready," in the next few weeks, he said.
The recall was announced as the chief executive of competitor Toyota Canada was expressing regret at the "anxiety and inconvenience" that the company's recent recalls have caused its Canadian customers.
"Over the past few months, many Canadians have wondered whether Toyota vehicles are safe, and we regret that this has caused our customers both anxiety and inconvenience," Toyota Canada CEO Yoichi Tomihara told the House of Commons transport committee.
Toyota Canada executives were summoned to testify before the committee to explain why the company has been forced to recall millions of vehicles worldwide.
Toyota has recalled more than eight million of its vehicles since November 2009 because of instances of unintended acceleration.
Canadian movie pirates were put on notice yesterday after a Montreal DVD bootlegger pointed out by the FBI was sentenced to two-and-a-half months in prison.
Geremi Adam, who is 27 years old, is the first Canadian to be convicted under a new Criminal Code provision that bars the illegal videotaping of a film in a commercial movie theatre.
Quebec Court judge Claude Parent ordered the guy to serve an additional seven days in jail before release as he has been in custody since January 12 while awaiting sentencing.
During his trial, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the FBI pointed to Adam as the main movie pirate in Montreal, which is a hotbed for bootleg DVD making owing to the city's two main languages, French and English.
Canadian film distributors and exhibitors applauded the conviction and sentencing under new changes to the federal Copyright Act, which bars the unauthorized recording of movies in local theatres for personal or commercial use.
"Film theft costs jobs and affects thousands of Canadians who make their livelihoods in the movie business or in related industries," Patrick Roy, president and CEO of Montreal-based distributor Alliance Vivafilm, said after Adam was sentenced
Ellis Jacob, president and CEO of Cineplex Entertainment, Canada's largest movie chain, added: "We hope that today's judgment will provide a further deterrent to would-be criminals that illegally recording a movie in a theatre can result in jail time."
Jacob in 2007 came under fire from Twentieth Century Fox, as his own chain and other Canadian movie theatres, especially in Montreal, were cited as a major source of illegal recording of Hollywood movies.
With movie piracy suddenly a hot button issue, the Government of Canada soon after introduced and eventually passed anti-pirating legislation to put local DVD bootleggers out of business.
Sony and the estate of late music legend Michael Jackson have signed a record-breaking 250-million-dollar deal for distribution rights through 2017, U.S. media said Tuesday.
The blockbuster deal involving as many as 10 new Jackson projects may include computer videogames as well as music and film releases, the Los Angeles Times said.
"The audio rights span across different projects," said Rob Stringer, chairman of the U.S. label Columbia Epic, a division of Sony, reported the Times. "There may be theater. There may be films and movies. There may be computer games -- or multimedia platforms that I don't know about today that will happen in 2015."
Described by Sony and Jackson's estate as the most lucrative music contract on record, the deal would guarantee the late singer's heirs at least 200 million dollars, the Wall Street Journal said. The deal would go a long way to easing burdens left behind by Jackson, whose lavish lifestyle and spending sprees marked up hundreds of millions of dollars of debt.
After his death, a Los Angeles court named Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, 79, guardian of his three children, Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11 and Prince Michael II, 7, as well as of his estate, which includes his Neverland ranch and rights he held to songs by The Beatles.
Sony's contract "exceeds all previous industry benchmarks," entertainment lawyer John Branca, one of the estate's executors, told the New York Times. The closest comparable contracts would be rapper Jay-Z's 2008 accord with Live Nation worth 150 million dollars for recordings and concerts.
Since his death on June 25 last year, Sony has sold some 31 million Jackson albums worldwide and his estate, by the first anniversary of his death, is expected to have made 250 million dollars from the sale of music, merchandise and tickets to the posthumous concert movie "This Is It," the Journal said. Jackson died at his rented mansion in Los Angeles after an overdose of powerful prescription drugs, as he was preparing to perform a series of comeback concerts in London.
The star's doctor Conrad Murray last month pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the sudden death, but has admitted administering the drugs to the singer. The first recording under the new contract, according to the New York Times, will be the soundtrack for "This Is It" -- which showed Jackson rehearsing his comeback concerts in the weeks leading up to his death -- and by November a new album of unreleased recordings.
Branca said his co-executor on the estate John McClain is already working on selecting the unreleased material.
"They've got over 60 unreleased recordings that they're choosing from," Branca said he was told by McClain, according to the LA Times. "The first album will have around 10. There's some very recent stuff and vintage stuff that deserves to be shared with Michael's fans."
Branca also noted that the other high-earning careers held by dead music legends indicated the value of Jackson's brand.
"If you look at Elvis and the Beatles, and how their brands are thriving, they only hint at what the future holds for Michael," Branca said.
In October, Forbes Magazine named Jackson as number three in its annual Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list, earning 90 million dollars in the months after his death.
Fashion legend Yves Saint Laurent topped the list with 350 million dollars in posthumous earnings, while Elvis Presley came just behind Jackson with 55 million dollars.
Now that mixed tapes have disappeared from today's lexicon, it's time consumers cough up a little cash for a private copying levy for iPods and other MP3 players, according to a private member's bill tabled in the House of Commons Tuesday.
The Government of Canada, when run by the Liberals, first introduced private copying provisions in Canada's Copyright Act in 1997 so musicians could be compensated when consumers purchased blank tapes or compact discs to make mixed tapes or CDs.
The levy, set by an independent board, is charged to manufacturers and importers and passed on to retailers and consumers. The money is then distributed to musicians and other copyright holders.
Charlie Angus, the NDP's digital affairs critic who is also a musician, coincidentally, says it's time the copyright law is updated so the levy is extended to the next generation of devices that consumers using for copying music for personal use.
"Digital locks and suing fans are not going to prevent people from copying music from one format to another," he said. "The levy is a solution that works. By updating it, we will ensure that artists are getting paid for their work, and that consumers aren't criminalized for moving their legally-obtained music from one format to another."
Angus' proposed amendments to copyright act also include a "fair dealing" to permit the reasonable use of copyrighted materials in some circumstances. This would expand the exemption to non-commercial copyright infringements for researchers, innovators, educators and artists when copyrighted material is used appropriately.
The move on Tuesday by the NDP copyright critic is a direct challenge to the Conservative government, as the Conservative government is expected to introduce a copyright reform package in the current session Parliament.
The world's shortest man has died in Italy, where he was to take part in a TV show, the program's production company said Tuesday.
He Pingping, of China, who was 2'5.37" inches (74.6 centimetres) tall, had become a recognized figure across the world, often taking part in shows, photo shoots and other events, Guinness World Records said.
Craig Glenday, the Guinness World Records editor-in-chief, said that He was "an inspiration to anyone considered different or unusual" and "showed us that, despite the challenges we face, we can still make the most out of life."
He died Saturday in Rome, according to the TV production company Europroduzione.
Guinness World Records said in a press release He was born in 1988 with a form of primordial dwarfism. He was officially measured in March 2008.
He was taken to a hospital March 3 after he fell ill while rehearsing the Italian program The Record Show, Marco Fernandez de Araoz of Europroduzione said.
After two days, He was transferred to intensive care, where he was found to have a heart condition and high cholesterol, said Fernandez de Araoz. He said the hospital, where he died, has so far given as his cause of death the heart condition.
The man's body will be flown to China soon once the paperwork is ready, Fernandez de Araoz said.
The European arm of Blockbuster Inc. has been put up for sale amid growing concern over the financial health of its American owner.
Blockbuster Inc. is struggling with spiralling losses and more than $1 billion in debt. It wants to offload the European division, including 650 stores in the U.K. and more than 5,000 staff, as part of a drive to raise cash.
The company has appointed Winchester Capital, an American corporate finance house, to find a buyer for the European operation, which it values at about £50 million. The company also has stores in Denmark, Ireland and Italy.
Blockbuster, founded in 1985, has been battling with debt since it was spun off from Viacom, the U.S. media conglomerate, more than a decade ago. At the same time, it has attempted to modernize by embracing the online market for home entertainment and moving away from its traditional shops.
Last month, the company said its global sales had fallen by $1 billion to $4 billion in 2009 and losses had jumped 50% to $560 million. Shares in the chain, once valued at $28, are now worth only 41 cents. Blockbuster is reportedly assessing a change to its capital structure, possibly a debt-for-equity swap with its bank, after its auditor raised doubts over its ability to continue as a going concern.
The company is also looking to modernize by improving its digital and mail-order services and expanding its network of DVD rental kiosks.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Thursday that Canada's record-setting performance at the Vancouver Olympics should be an inspiration to MPs and all Canadians as they face the challenges of recovering from the recession.
Mr. Harper made the remark in the House of Commons but was hopeful that it was heard by more than just MPs. Mr. Harper's speech was broadcast live on YouTube, the online video service owned by Google, part of a new initiative his staff said was intended to reach out to Canadians who don't normally pay attention to politics.
"Because the Vancouver-Whistler Games... showed that when the challenge is understood, when the goal is clearly defined and when Canadians are given the tools, Canada can get things done," Mr. Harper said in the House of Commons as part of his reply to the speech from the throne. "And Mr. Speaker, getting things done is the trademark our country is starting to be known for."
But just as Mr. Harper saw the Olympics as inspiration for his government's agenda, Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe, in response to Harper, cited the Olympics as one more reason why Quebec must declare its independence.
There was significant criticism, even from some cabinet ministers, that the opening ceremony did not include enough French or references to Quebec culture.
"That means that Canada can continue to impose its multicultural ideology, the old Trudeau ideology, on Quebec," Duceppe said in the House of Commons. "Canadian federalism has nothing to offer Quebec."
Duceppe's speech was also broadcast on YouTube and caught the attention of a thousand or so who saw it on a special YouTube site set up by Google.
The site, found online at www.youtube.com/TalkCanada, also lets visitors post a question to the prime minister. Visitors can then vote on the question they'd most like Mr. Harper to answer.
Within an hour of the conclusion of the speeches by Duceppe and Mr. Harper, the most popular question was from "Warren from Red Deer." He asked: "With regards to the Bloc Quebecois party, how can we justify having so much of the federal vote controlled by what is essentially a provincial party?"
More than 600 questions had been posted by curious Canadians as of mid-day Thursday and 37,000 votes had been cast for those questions.
Mr. Harper is expected to answer those questions which attract the most votes from the online visitors.
The popularity of the Bloc Quebecois question was later eclipsed by other topics, but one issue that stayed among the top three all day was the decriminalization of marijuana.
U.S. President Barack Obama used the same YouTube system last fall and a question about marijuana legalization was the top vote-getter. The topics for Mr. Harper's questions ranged from the government's record on climate change to the Middle East to prorogation to the troubles of gay teenagers.
One person asked Mr. Harper for a job. Another asked if Harper really had an economics degree. The answer to that one: yes, he has a master's degree in economics which he earned at the University of Calgary.
In his speech in the House of Commons, Mr. Harper reiterated what Governor General Michaelle Jean had said in the Senate a little more than a week ago, that creating jobs will be the government's chief objective this year.
"It is true that our unemployment rate is still too high. That is why it is our chief priority," Mr. Harper said Thursday.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff argued in the House that the government appears to be doing little to reduce unemployment.
"On jobs and innovation, this throne speech doesn't hold water, it treads water," Ignatieff said. "The throne speech will only be remembered for one of the most remarkable flip-flops in the history of throne speeches -- a promise to change O Canada that lasted approximately 48 hours."
NDP Leader Jack Layton, in his House of Commons speech, said the NDP could support neither the throne speech nor the budget.
"This was a long throne speech, a voluminous budget, more free-flowing giveaways for big banks and oil companies," Mr. Layton said. "And precious little hope for the victims of the recession. That's not an approach New Democrats can support."
Samsung is the first out of the gate to announce its plans to launch the new technology in Canada and will have 3D TVs on the market by the end of the month.
Samsung will initially sell five models, in 40", 46" and 55" sizes.
The cheapest set is $2,499 while the most expensive is $3,999.
Future Shop has confirmed it will carry the 3D TVs across the country on the launch date, which is March 26.
Sony was the first major manufacturer to announce its global plans for 3D TV but has only set June as a target date for the sale of units in Japan. A Sony spokeswoman could only say that the 3D TVs will be available in Canada sometime this summer.
Panasonic announced a partnership with Best Buy to start selling its 3D TVs in the United States starting today. No Canadian plans have been revealed.
At launch, there won't be a whole lot of 3D content available to watch. Future Shop and Best Buy currently only offer two 3D Blu-ray titles -- "My Bloody Valentine 3D" for $35 and "Under the Sea 3D" $38, which require a new 3D Blu-ray player. Samsung's player sells for $400.
It's unclear if Samsung will supply 3D glasses with its TVs and how much additional glasses will cost.
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, is turning for the first time ever to YouTube to put his political spin on last week's Speech from the Throne and is even taking questions at www.youtube.com/talkcanada.
The Office of the Prime Minister announced today that Mr. Harper's reaction to the Speech from the Throne will be streamed tomorrow morning from the House of Commons.
"Canadians, especially younger Canadians, are no longer getting their news from just television, radio and print media. They are turning to new media in increasing numbers," according to a PMO statement.
Politicians both in the Canada and the U.S. often complain they don't like their messages being filtered through the traditional media or having to answer questions from reporters.
"Social media is changing the way Canadians interact with politicians. It allows Canadians to have unfiltered and immediate access to information. Livestreaming compliments our Government's current use of social media," the PMO stated.
Mr. Harper will follow up his viral performance with another appearance on YouTube on Tuesday at 7 p.m. where he will answer selected questions that have to be in by Sunday at 1 p.m. EST.
Simon Cowell has finally confirmed his engagement to his make-up artist girlfriend Mezghan Hussainy on a U.S. TV talk show. The TV mogul not only confirmed his engagement but also coyly admitted to the chat show host that a wedding is on the cards, according to multiple tabloid reports.
The Internets was abuzz with reports last month that Cowell and Hussainy have gotten engaged during a dinner date. Reports emerged at the time claiming that Cowell popped the question during a romantic dinner at Mr Chow restaurant in Knightsbridge, London on Valentine's night, and his makeup artist sweetheart presumably has happily answered "Yes."
Cowell, 50, and Hussainy, 36, were recently spotted hugging and kissing in public, fuelling speculation that they are an item. The two have reportedly been dating since last summer, but the two were never pictured together until last month when reports emerged claiming that Cowell shared his first public kiss with his new lady love during a break in filming for ITV1 talent show Britain's Got Talent.
After much speculation, the X Factor supreme officially confirmed his engagement to his Afghan-born sweetheart, known as Mish, during an appearance on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" on Monday night, People.com reports.
Besides the engagement confirmation, Cowell also broke the news that he and Hussainy are getting hitched and that he is thinking of one day becoming a father.
When Leno broached the engagement subject, Cowell first tried to remain coy but soon admitted to it.
During the interview, Leno asked the music mogul: "Are rumours you're engaged true?"
After a moment of pause, Cowell responded, "Are they true? Well, I do have somebody in my life now, Jay, yes. And I kind of made a decision this year to make somebody happy."
"So you're doing this just to help someone?" the show host asked.
This should be good news for the Reverend Huy Dang... or not! But either way, it's still exciting, even if the series of movies kind of "jumped the shark" after the first four movies.
Comedy series Police Academy, which began life in 1984, is set to return to the big screen, according to reports.
New Line cinema is rebooting the franchise with original producer Paul Maslansky returning, The Hollywood Reporter said.
No writer or director has attached their name to the new version as of yet.
The original film, which starred Steve Guttenberg, was released in 1984 and spawned six more movies and a TV show grossing $240m worldwide.
"It's going to be very worthwhile to the people who remember it and to those who saw it on TV," Maslansky said. "It's going to be a new class. We hope to discover new talent and season it with great comedians. "
"It'll be anything but another movie with a numeral next to it. And we'll most probably retain the wonderful musical theme."
The first Police Academy film featured Steve Guttenberg as Carey Mahoney, a repeat offender forced to enter the academy.
Sex in the City actress Kim Cattrall (who once dated former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau) also starred as one of the recruits in the movie, which introduced characters including gentle giant Moses Hightower, gun-crazy Tackleberry, mousy Hooks and human sound effects machine Larvell Jones (played by Michael Winslow... I wonder if he'll be in the new movie).
The series ended with in 1994 with the seventh film, Mission to Moscow.
The series is nothing without Mahoney and Harris though.
With a sense of humour and a populist vision, Sarah Palin on Saturday evening brought her message of lower taxes, free markets and energy development to the heart of Canada's oil and gas industry. It was a receptive crowd in Calgary that listened to the 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate in her first public appearance outside the United States since she stepped down as governor of Alaska.
She drew on some Canadian connections in her family history, and recalled how when she was young, those who were ill went to Whitehorse for medical treatment. She lauded the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, noting the Canadian men's hockey gold medal win over the Americans, and the connection of her own family to the game.
But what she really struck on before an audience of more than 1,000 was a message of energy development, competition, smaller government and doubts that climate science is a settled thing.
"We've got to become more energy independent," she said.
Her concern, she said, is waiting for unfriendly regimes to develop their resources. Relying on those puts the United States in a less safe and less prosperous position, she said.
She also brought up the East Anglia climate change e-mail scandal, saying it made "settled science feel a little unsettled." And cap-and-trade proposals to reduce emissions would lead to job losses and a heavier tax burden, she said.
Lauding Canada's approach to the environment, she said that Canada has sought to balance environmental progress with economic concerns.
As she has been before, she was critical of some of the coverage she received when running with John McCain, and said her patience wore thin with the "mainstream media." She noted a reporter told her she had a Canadian accent. "So?" Palin said she responded.
"That interview didn't go very well," Palin told Saturday's crowd. "Not many of them did."
Her low-tax, small-government assertions went down well with a Calgary audience that appeared sympathetic to her vision. The massive debt the United States has incurred is "immoral," she said, as the bill will be left for today's children to eventually pick up.
In the audience were both Calgary business leaders and politicians.
One of those was Conservative MP Lee Richardson. "I thought it was impressive," he said.
Another in the audience was Gary Holden, president and CEO of ENMAX, an energy company. He said Palin is someone of high principal whose conservative views went down well there.
But he also noted the part of her speech in which she spoke of the Alaska pipeline. That pipeline, Holden said, can be viewed as competition to Alberta.
"That's an important thing for the United States to recognize, is that we see ourselves as within on our border being a supplier of oil and gas to the United States," he said. "We aren't necessarily going to benefit if the Alaska pipeline goes ahead."
Nearly one-third of Quebec residents say that the province should have its own Olympic team separate from Canada's, according to a survey conducted in the days following the Vancouver Games. Now that's just bizarre...
But that's good news for Canadian unity, says Jack Jedwab of the Montreal-based Association for Canadian Studies, which commissioned the poll probing Canadians' feelings in the wake of the host country's record-setting success at the 2010 Winter Olympics - highlighted by dazzling individual performances from several Quebec athletes.
Jedwab says the poll results suggest that only Quebec's unwaveringly "committed sovereigntists" - and almost no one else in the province - feel strongly that Quebec athletes should be competing under the blue-and-white Fleur-de-lis rather than the maple leaf.
"I think that's a good outcome," he says, adding that, beyond the hardcore backers of Quebec independence, "There doesn't seem to be a lot of support for the idea" of a Team Quebec competing at the Olympics.
The national survey of 1,500 Canadians was conducted last week by the firm Leger Marketing, following Team Canada's climactic gold-medal victory in Sunday's Olympic hockey final and the Games' closing ceremonies.
The results, which included responses from about 400 Quebec residents, are considered accurate to within 3.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. While 29% of Quebec residents expressed support for a separate Olympic team, the idea was rejected by 65% of the Quebec's population.
Predictably, the Team Quebec concept received negligible support in other parts of the country, ranging from 6% of respondents in Atlantic Canada to about 1% in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
In general, the survey found that Canada's huge haul of medals - more than half of them gold - overwhelmingly stoked respondents' pride in Canada.
Meanwhile, 86% of the Canada's overall population - including 79% of those polled in Quebec - said the sight of Canadian athletes on the Olympic medal podium left them feeling "a stronger sense of pride in Canada."
Among the most memorable achievements was Canada's first home-soil gold medal, won by moguls competitor Alexandre Bilodeau of Rosemere, Quebec.
Perhaps the Games' most inspiring performance was the bronze medal won by figure skater Joannie Rochette of Ile Dupas, Quebec, who suffered the sudden loss of her mother days before the event. And Charles Hamelin of Ste-Julie, Quebec, was Canada's top podium finisher with two gold medals in short-track speed-skating.
Jedwab says such triumphs by Quebec athletes don't generally help the cause of Quebec separatists, who early in the Games criticized the lack of French-language content in the opening ceremonies.
But Jedwab says those critics from Quebec "became very quiet during the last few weeks" of Vancouver 2010 as a series of medal-winning athletes from the province were literally or figuratively wrapped in the Canadian flag, and watched by millions as they stepped to the podium amid the strains of O Canada!
Those athletes "became poster people for Canada," says Jedwab. "It's an ideal vision of the best of the country, and it's very unifying."
One day after Avatar was disappointed at the Oscars, a Vancouver restaurant owner plans to file a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court today claiming copyright infringement against director James Cameron and other makers of the highest-grossing film of all time.
Emil Malak, 57, says the similarities between his Terra Incognita and James Cameron's Avatar are too striking to simply be a coincidence.
Malak's lawyer Suzan El-Khatib said the claim to be filed today will name, among others, Avatar writer and director James Cameron, his company Lightstorm Entertainment Inc., and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
El-Khatib said there are both general and specific similarities in the two stories including the premise of humans going to mine precious minerals on a planet inhabited by indigenous people.
In both stories, she said, a tree is a focal point and contains the collective memories of the indigenous people. In Terra Incognita, it is a Life Tree. Cameron calls it the "Hometree."
Even the characters are similar, she said, with both incorporating spotted faces, long braided hair, flat noses and yellow eyes.
"They are quite alike," El-Khatib said yesterday.
She said the suit will make a claim against the defendants for "damages for copyright infringement for substantially reproducing, adapting and publicly presenting, or in the alternative authorizing such acts, the plaintiffs work as a literary work and a cinematographic work entitled Avatar."
Malak, who owns the Bellaggio Cafe at Hornby Street and Robson Street in Vancouver, began thinking about his sci-fi tale in 1996 at the suggestion of his then seven- and eight-year-old sons who wanted him to write something more exciting than the opera and historical fiction he'd been working on.
It was a turning point in Malak's life. In 1996 he had lost his Granville Island Hotel in a $5 million bankruptcy.
"I took a three-year sabbatical. I lived on about $2-300 a month. I stayed with my brother in Richmond and did nothing but write," said Malak.
He began putting pen to paper for what he calls his "children's story" in 1997 and in the end he figures he spent $100,000 on his script.
He hired a graphic artist to draw his character designs and a screen writer to co-write the script. He took a screen writing course and first copyrighted his work with the Writers Guild of Canada in 1998. He copyrighted it with the guild nine more times between 1998 and 2003, every time he advanced the story and characters.
In a February 27, 1998 note filed with his documents at the Writers Guild of Canada, he wrote that he was copywriting his work because he was "afraid of the big boys."
"I had just lost Granville Island (and) lost $5 million so you become very intuitive. You don't trust anybody," said Malak. "I was so scared someone was going to steal it."
Malak, who was born in Egypt, educated in England and moved to Canada in 1993, believes it was October 2002 when he sent his script and graphic designs to about twenty movie studios including Cameron and his company Lightstorm Entertainment Inc.
He got no response and the script was never returned to him. Malak was stunned to learn of the similarities between his story and Avatar when the movie was released late last year.
Malak told The Province newspaper he believes that James Cameron had an idea similar to his - to write about indigenous people on another planet - but there's no way to account for stories that are up to 60% similar in his opinion.
"Is it possible that two ends can come up with so much similarities? Life tree, same mining material just called different names, the tails?" said Malak. "The basic building blocks of both stories are very similar."
In the end, Malak believes Avatar was shaped in part by his story and he is filing the B.C. Supreme Court writ today because he wants it to be known. He insists it's not about the money.
"I eat three times a day. I have a great life," he said. "The big boys have to recognize you can't just take things and make it a part of yours and walk all over the small guys."
"In my own heart I'm very happy and very comfortable that my vision has become a blockbuster."
A group of Saskatchewan First Nations says it is partnering with the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida to pitch a 55,000 seat stadium and hotel and casino project for downtown Regina.
However, the project, with an estimated cost of $1.2 billion -- hinges on the Government of Saskatchewan's willingness to sell its casinos in Regina and Moose Jaw, said Chief Rick Gamble of the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation, one of ten First Nations in Saskatchewan backing the plan.
"If they say they don't want to sell the casinos, this proposal dies," Gamble said in an interview Thursday.
Gamble said the project has significant financial backing from the Seminole Tribe, which in 2006 purchased the Hard Rock chain. The parties would also be looking for the provincial government to contribute some money from the sale of the casinos toward construction of a stadium, as well as to the Government of Canada for infrastructure money, he said, adding that ongoing casino proceeds would help cover costs.
However, Enterprise Minister Ken Cheveldayoff told reporters Thursday that the money-making casinos operated by Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation are not on the auction block. Even so, he said he still looks forward to meeting with the proponents of the project to discuss the group's ideas further.
"I've always said right from the beginning that I don't want to cut any private sector proposal short. I want to hear it full out. I want to see the full proposal in its entirety," Cheveldayoff said.
He added that six other private sector groups have also come to the government with ideas for building a stadium or a related development. A feasibility study paid for by all three levels of government and the Saskatchewan Roughriders was released Monday, and found a covered stadium could be built downtown at a minimum cost of $386 million, and could operate without ongoing operating subsidies.
With that report now on the table, Cheveldayoff said the government wants to again have a discussion with interested private sector players to see how they might play a role.
Gamble said the project being pursued by the First Nations envisions a Hard Rock hotel and cafe being attached to a new stadium located downtown along Dewdney Avenue. The existing casino would eventually move into the hotel, and the old casino would become home to high-end shops, Gamble said. The First Nations and the Seminoles, along with involvement by the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, would have joint ownership, he said.
Celebrated Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal has been commissioned to produce a potential design for a retractable roof stadium.
Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco said he previously met with the First Nations group and heard what they have to say, just as he has met with other groups pursuing stadium ideas.
"It's certainly big. There's no question their proposal goes far beyond the scope of a new entertainment facility. It is a major redevelopment of that entire property," Fiacco said.
No commitments have been made to any project, he said. But no matter what happens on that downtown property, the city will likely have a role to play because there is basic infrastructure work that will need to be done, Fiacco said.
"I think we have an obligation to do that. To what degree, that's a decision that council will make and we haven't spoken about dollars yet," Fiacco said
Saskatchewan Roughriders president and chief executive Jim Hopson said the club has no position for or against the proposal, but met with the group to hear its ideas.
"I saw it as just an informational meeting by a group of interested people," said Hopson, who said interest from the community and private sector is "great."
"But we really have no opinion on whether it's possible (or) could it happen."
Hopson did note that the size of the stadium being discussed by the group is larger than what the team feels is best suited to its needs, which is around the 33,000 mark and expandable to more than 45,000 for events such as the Grey Cup.
Gamble maintained that he hopes the provincial government will consider the casino sale to make the First Nations proposal happen.
"Quite frankly, (our proposal) was precipitated by the fact that we were made to understand that they were for sale, that they wanted to get out the gaming industry, they didn't want to be running casinos," said Gamble, who would not specify who in government had indicated the casinos could be sold.
He said a plus for the group's proposal is that it wouldn't saddle taxpayers with a big financial burden.
"Who is going to step up to the plate in the manner that we are prepared to do?" he said. "It involves First Nations and a lot of creativity and a lot of financial backing from very capable people."
Apple Inc said the first iPad devices will be in U.S. stores on April 3, 2010 and hit nine international markets from Japan to the United Kingdom later in April.
The 9.7" touch-screen tablet, which is designed to surf the Internets, play video and games, and read digital books, is the most anticipated product launch from Apple since the iPhone in 2007.
Chief Executive Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad in late January, but the company did not announce any international markets until Friday, when it said the tablet will go on sale in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April.
Apple shares went up 3.1% in early trading on the Nasdaq to $217.20, which is an all-time high for the stock.
Apple is seeking to tap an unproven market for tablet computers. The iPad, while admired for its sleek design, will have to compete for consumer attention with a myriad of more established device categories, including smart-phones, netbooks and dedicated e-readers like Amazon's Kindle.
The U.S. launch date for the iPad model with short-range Wi-Fi wireless links, starting at a price tag of $499, is slightly later than the previously expected late March launch. Customers looking for versions of the iPad with third-generation (3G) high-speed cellular data links will have to wait until late April, said Apple.
AT&T Inc, the exclusive U.S. carrier for the iPhone, will provide wireless connections for the iPad. But AT&T's top executive said earlier this week that he expects consumers to mostly use Wi-Fi to connect the iPad.
Beginning March 12, 2010, U.S. consumers will be able to go to Apple's website to pre-order both the Wi-Fi-only model and the version with 3G and Wi-Fi, or reserve a device to pick up at a store on April 3.
Research firm iSuppli estimated the total materials costs for each device is $219.35, with a $10 manufacturing cost.
Third party companies are already touting accessories for the high-profile gadget, including sleeves to carry the iPad, which looks like a large iPhone, or "iPhone or iPod Touch on steroids."
Apple said that an iBooks application for iPad would be available as a free download on April 3, 2010.
Do you like getting your haircut by a man? Well, for me, personally, I don't really like it, and would prefer a female.
Well, in Gaza, they really seem to hate that. In fact, they hate it so much that they are willing to ban male salon workers.
Reports of the ban surfaced Thursday, as observers marked the move as the latest in a series of laws restricting personal freedoms in the coastal enclave. Over the past four months, women have been prohibited from riding motorcycles, and men have been banned from removing their shirts at the beach.
The latest ban targeting women's hair salons was signed by de facto Minister of the Interior Fathi Hammad, set to be enforced by the Gaza government's police.
A separate statement from the local police in Gaza said those violating the ban would be "tracked and punished."
The decisions mark a departure from the stated policy of the Hamas-run government, which has said it would not work to impose Islamic rule on the people of Gaza.
Internal bombings targeting CD and DVD shops, coffee houses and salons, which have occurred sporadically in Gaza since 2008, were condemned by government officials.
"Next thing you know, they will ban doctors from treating women, and will only let women treat women," 44-year-old hairdresser Barakat Al-Ghoul told The Associated Press in an initial announcement on the ban, adding, "Tomorrow, they will ban everything."
Former Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin is pitching a reality series on Alaska to television networks.
Entertainment Weekly first reported that the former Alaska governor and Survivor producer Mark Burnett have been meeting with network executives at ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX while Palin was in Los Angeles this week for her spot on The Tonight Show.
Burnett told The Associated Press that he approached Palin with the idea for the show. It would be shot in the style of Discovery's Planet Earth show, focusing on the natural beauty of Alaska.
Palin and her family would be on camera in the show, but Burnett said it wouldn't focus on her family life. Instead, Palin would visit commercial fishing boats, coal and gold mines, and other industries unique to her state.
"It's being in and experiencing the great charm and beauty of Alaska with Sarah Palin," Burnett said.
Alaska's former governor is such a ratings magnet that the series should draw interest from broadcast and cable networks, he added.
On The Tonight Show this week, Palin joked with host Jay Leno that the difference between Alaska and Los Angeles is that "here when people have a frozen look on their face, I find out it's Botox."
On Thursday, publisher Harper Collins announced that it has commissioned Palin to write a book about her patriotic and spiritual values.
Palin, 46, who is believed to be eyeing a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, is already a bestselling author for her 2009 memoir, Going Rogue: An American Life, which describes her entry into U.S. national politics during John McCain's failed presidential bid.
The book spent six seeks as a bestseller and sold more than 2.2 million copies.
NBC's new show, The Marriage Ref, debuts tonight at 9 p.m. CST.
Seinfeld was a show about nothing, and one that came out of a simple conversation between Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David.
Twenty years later, a conversation between Seinfeld and his wife Jessica has created The Marriage Ref.
"It's the same kind of thing," Mr. Seinfeld said in January, recalling his conversation with Larry David "It was an off-handed remark that didn't go away."
So now, innocuous domestic disputes, like whether a husband should be allowed to keep his stuffed dog, get celebrity opinion.
With Seinfeld's buddy, fellow comedian and host Tom Papa weighing the information and rendering a verdict.
"We figure if you're in a relationship," Papa said, in explaining the celebrity participation, "You're as much an expert as anybody else."
It's an expertise born out of experience.
"Basically, if you're married, you know fights never end," Papa said, "One of you just kind of shuts up, but the fight comes back eventually."
That is, until The Marriage Ref has his say.
"It's a very pro marriage show," Papa said, "This isn't whether you should leave or not, who's cheating. At the heart of it all, it's married couples that really love each other."
And hopefully, still do after The Marriage Ref intervenes.
In 2004, Reverend Nathan Dutnall from Saskatoon's home was broken into. However, the items stolen were odd. Among them were cordless phones, without the base the charges the cordless phones and a PlayStation 2 console. However, the bizarre thing was that after the thieves busted through a window, there was a reasonable effort to place the window back in its place.
Well, recently, in Saskatoon, something odd like that happened again.
Business for the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Saskatoon has been far from usual since their van's door was stolen more than two weeks ago.
"The van to us was worth gold," said Del Lennea, a worker with the MCC.
The MCC is a non-profit organization that provides relief to countries in distress. The van was being used to transfer items for Haiti relief kits to the MCC's building, from which the kits would be sent to Haiti.
Lennea showed up at the MCC office on 45th Street on the morning of February 16 and everything seemed to be in order. That was until he noticed the organization's van was missing the driver-side door. Nothing was stolen from inside the van and it wasn't vandalized.
Lennea called police and filed a report but was told the chances of finding the door are slim to none.
"I wouldn't put looking for a door as a top priority, especially when there is other stuff happening around our city," Lennea said.
The van was written off by SGI, but Lennea bought a door from a wrecker for $100. After the door was put on, a safety inspection had to be done before the van could be allowed back on the road.
After the inspection, Lennea was told that van's anti-lock brake system was not working properly and the van was not cleared to be on the road.
Lennea said he knew the braking system wasn't working, but the van was still running fine.
"I only want safe vehicles on our roads, too, but the whole problem is that if that person hadn't stolen our door, we wouldn't have been in this situation," Lennea said, adding the van is now for sale.
The van was getting a lot of use lately as Lennea has been gathering items such as comforters, towels, toiletries and medical items for the relief kits. The MCC is planning to send 1,000 kits to Haiti.
"The problem is that I have to go all over the city to get stuff that doesn't fit in your common vehicle," Lennea said. "When that door got stolen it really put a damper on our production here."
To fill the void, Lennea has been using his own trailer to transport items.
Lennea could only speculate as to why someone would steal the door from the van, but he is sure he won't find it.
"It's a white door off a GMC cargo van. How many companies around Saskatoon have that?" he asked.
Lennea and the MCC can only rely on money they get from the sale of their old van and donations to find a replacement.
The Paralympic flame began making its 10-day trek to Vancouver yesterday after it was lit at Parliament Hill in Ottawa yesterday.
While significantly smaller than the Olympics, the Paralympics are in growth mode. After five decades it has evolved from an off-year adjunct to the Olympics into a fully fledged partner staged in the same host city.
And both events were planned by the same group, said Sir Philip Craven, International Paralympic Committee president.
"They've gone out right from the start with the intention for it to be one organizing committee and two connected Games in a great festival of sport, and I think it is fantastic," he said.
Vancouver will mark the first time the word Paralympic has been in the organizing committee's name, the first time the Olympic and Paralympic flags have flown side by side at city hall and the first Paralympic countdown clock.
Another indicator that the Paralympics' presence is expanding is in the ability to attract sponsors.
Korean electronics giant Samsung signed on last week as a worldwide partner for the Paralympics, joining Visa, tech firm Atos Origin and Otto Bock.
Carla Qualtrough, the head of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, said having former mayor Sam Sullivan, who is a quadriplegic since a skiing accident at 19, as the Paralympic ambassador, has helped make Vancouver the most accessible Games ever.
Three days after Canadians belted out "O Canada!" to celebrate Canada's Olympic hockey win, Stephen Harper's Conservative government is asking whether the anthem should be changed.
The phrase "In all thy sons command" has some women calling for a gender-neutral version, Industry Minister Tony Clement says, citing an email from a constituent.
"For 50 years... I've listened to our anthem and felt excluded by the line," Tina Prietz, 60, of Huntsville, Ontario, wrote to Mr. Clement. "Yes, you've guessed it, I'm female."
The Conservative government said in Wednesday's Speech from the Throne that it will ask Parliament to examine the original wording of the anthem. Officials said later a parliamentary committee will study whether the phrase "In all thy sons command" should be changed to "Thou dost in us command," which the Office of the Prime Minister says is the wording from the original version.
Mr. Harper's aide Andrew MacDougall said the government does not have a view on the change.
Prietz said she was proud to see so many Canadians win gold medals and hear the national anthem during the Olympics, but added some of the words stick in her craw.
"I would love to see the anthem slightly changed to 'In all of us command,'" Prietz said.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff doesn't object to a more "gender-sensitive" anthem, but said the government should take serious steps to improve the status of women. The anthem is based on lyrics penned in 1908, and slightly altered in the 1980 National Anthem Act. The original French version survives unaltered.
British "supermodel" Naomi Campbell will not face charges related to assault accusations by her driver, New York police said Wednesday.
The 39-year-old model was accused of striking her driver from behind and causing his head to hit the steering wheel of the car Tuesday afternoon. By the time police arrived at the scene in Midtown Manhattan, Campbell had left on foot, apparently.
New York police said in a statement Wednesday that the driver "filed a harassment complaint, but elected not to pursue criminal charges" and that there would be no arrest.
Campbell's spokesman Jeff Raymond said after the incident that there should not be a rush to make a judgment on the supermodel and that "there is more to the story than meets the eye."
This situation was not Campbell's first brush with the law.
In 2008, Campbell was sentenced by a London court to 200 hours of community service after pleading guilty to assaulting two police officers during an expletive-filled incident after she had discovered an airline had lost one of her bags.
Campbell also spent five days mopping floors and cleaning toilets as part of a community service sentence in New York in 2007 after throwing a mobile phone at her housekeeper during an argument over a pair of jeans. She was also ordered to attend anger management classes.
In a previous incident with a telephone in 1998, Campbell assaulted an assistant, Georgina Galanis. The model agreed in 2000 to plead guilty in a Toronto court to the assault in exchange for expressing remorse, paying Galanis an undisclosed amount of money and attending anger management classes.
A 34-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly ran naked down the streets of Regina and streaked into city hall, taking an elevator up 15 floors to the mayor's office before being subdued by two bylaw officers and a commissionaire.
Cops have said the man is expected to face criminal charges. However, his name has not yet been released.
Eyewitnesses described seeing a naked man running north down Smith Street at about 10:10 a.m. yesterday while wearing nothing but a pair of glasses, then crossing Victoria Avenue and racing onto the grounds of city hall.
"It's just something you don't expect to see," said one woman who witnessed the bizarre event.
She said the man was still naked when he was taken away by police. Other witnesses said the man did not even appear to be wearing shoes.
At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, mayor's office spokesman Mark Rathwell said that the nude man was in "a distressed state" and not making any sense when he burst into the 15th floor office, where four employees were working. The mayor was not in the office at the time.
Cops were initially alerted to the situation after receiving a report that a man without pants walked into an apartment in the 2100 block of Rae Street, then fled. Minutes later, cops got a call about a naked man who had briefly entered the YMCA on 13th Avenue, and he appears to have then proceeded on to city hall.
Police say the nude suspect entered the building, yelled at a cashier, then walked into an open elevator and headed upstairs.
Rathwell described the suspect as "a gentleman that we've dealt with in the office before."
Several of those who witnessed the streaking said they also recognized the accused.
According to cops in New York, 39-year-old model Naomi Campbell is accused of striking her driver from behind and causing his head to hit the steering wheel of the car.
By the time cops had arrived, Campbell had fled by foot.
"The driver said a small bruise and swelling under his right eye was caused by her," the New York police said in a statement. "We want to talk to her."
Campbell's spokesman Jeff Raymond said that she would cooperate voluntarily with the cops.
"There shouldn't be a rush to judgment," he said in a statement. "There is more to the story than meets the eye."
In 2008, Campbell was sentenced by a London court to 200 hours of community service after pleading guilty to assaulting two police officers during an expletive-filled incident after she had discovered an airline had lost one of her bags.
Campbell also spent five days mopping floors and cleaning toilets as part of a community service sentence in New York in 2007 after throwing a mobile phone at her housekeeper during an argument over a pair of jeans. She was also ordered to attend anger management classes.
In a previous incident with a telephone in 1998, Campbell assaulted an assistant, Georgina Galanis. The model agreed in 2000 to plead guilty in a Toronto court to the assault in exchange for expressing remorse, paying Galanis an undisclosed amount of money and attending anger management classes.
Apple is suing phone maker HTC and has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission, alleging that the Taiwanese company is infringing twenty Apple patents related to the user interface, underlying architecture, and hardware of the iPhone.
"We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We've decided to do something about it," Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, said Tuesday in a statement. "We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology... not steal ours."
HTC makes a number of mobile phones based on Google's Android operating system.
The patents that Apple alleges HTC is infringing are related to the iPhone's graphical user interface, and the iPhone's underlying hardware and software design. The company is asking for a permanent injunction, which would prevent HTC from importing and selling infringing devices in the United States. Apple also said that it is seeking damages, but it did not specify an amount.
HTC said it was taken off guard by the legal action. In a statement earlier Tuesday, the company said that it had only heard of the complaints through media reports and Apple's press release. The company said it was reviewing the filings. Until it completes its review, a spokeswoman said she is unable to provide "comment on the validity of the claims being made against HTC."
"HTC is a mobile technology innovator and patent holder that has been very focused over the past 13 years on creating many of the most innovative smart-phones," the company said in its statement. "HTC values patent rights and their enforcement but is also committed to defending its own technology innovations."
The capital city of Kansas will be referred to for the month of March as "Google, Kansas -- the capital city of fibre optics."
Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten signed a proclamation Monday calling for the temporary name in an effort to convince Google to make Topeka a test site for an ultrafast Internet connection.
Bunten said he hoped the move would set Topeka apart from other cities vying for Google's attention, which include Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
City attorney Jackie Williams said the city couldn't change its name to Google for a short time and then change it back. But he saw no problem with a proclamation calling for Topeka to be referred to as "Google."
A 33,000-seat covered stadium would cost an estimated $386.2 million or $431.2 million if the roof is retractable, and could operate successfully in downtown Regina, according to a major feasibility study released Monday.
The next step, however, is determining who might cover the bill.
After a lengthy technical briefing and press conference where politicians called it a historic day, neither city, provincial nor federal leaders were willing to commit to a dollar amount for the project, and they noted no decisions have been made yet about whether it will proceed.
Last year's preliminary estimate of $350 million did not include costs such as land, while the new figures include land, consultants' fees, furniture and fixtures. The report projects the stadium could have annual cash operating surplus once up and running, and annual operations would have $30.6 million in indirect and indirect GDP impact.
But capital grants from funding partners or alternative revenue streams would be needed to cover the initial construction costs, said the report, which studied the possible design, costs, private sector interest and economic impact of a new facility to replace the aging Mosaic Stadium.
"The feasibility report says it is feasible to go forward. Now we will look at the capital accumulation phase," said Enterprise Minister Ken Cheveldayoff, whose Saskatchewan Party government indicated a decision about whether or not to proceed, will be made by late spring.
"We'll talk to the federal government, the provincial government, the city and the Roughriders to put a plan in place," Cheveldayoff said. "I can say right now that each partner would have to come to the table and contribute for this report to go forward."
Cheveldayoff said "all kinds of things" will be considered as possible provincial revenue streams to fund capital costs, such as a partnership with Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation, the government-owned business that runs the Regina and Moose Jaw casinos. Other ideas include a lottery where proceeds would go toward the stadium or a seat licence system where the purchaser would have the right to buy season tickets for a certain seat.
"I'm not saying that's how we're going to do it. But (those are) ideas that are coming forward," Cheveldayoff told reporters.
Regina Qu'Appelle MP Andrew Scheer was non-committal about what kind of support could be forthcoming from the Conservative government, as he spoke about the importance of the federal infrastructure stimulus spending but also the need for a return to balanced budgets.
"As Minister Cheveldayoff said, no decisions have been made," said Scheer, adding that at this point no formal request for money from the province has been made, either.
"This ends the feasibility study portion. They're going to have a lot of discussions on the provincial government end. We'll take a look at what comes out of that," said Scheer.
"I love football, love sports... but you have to put on that fiscal responsibility hat, too," said Scheer, whose brother-in-law is Seattle Seahawk and former Regina Ram punter Jon Ryan.
The report says stadium naming rights are estimated at $480,000 a year, which could be used to help pay financing costs. The Regina Hotels Association has also committed $10 million over 15 years. On the operating side, the report suggests that a new stadium could turn a profit in an average year of more than $1 million if 31 events were held.
For example, the stadium could have a cash surplus on an annual basis with 11 CFL games; a university and high school football schedule; one major, three minor and four small concerts each year; and eight miscellaneous events, such as motocross or conferences.
Seating could expand to 45,000 for major events such as Grey Cup, or 53,000 for major concerts.
Regina Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Hopkins said he's encouraged that the stadium report indicates the project would not require ongoing operating subsidies, and he expects other businesses will be on board in helping it move forward.
"I suspect that there will be others that will jump up to the forefront and say we want to be part of this and we'll continue to see that," Hopkins said.
Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco said he's interested in seeing which private sector partners step forward as the three levels of government also begin discussing what they can offer.
"I think the funding partners have to have their discussion. Now that we have the study out of the way, now we can get started on next steps," Fiacco said.
A major tenant of the proposed new building -- the Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club -- said what is proposed in the study "is an amazing new home for the green and white."
"This is a very exciting prospect," said Riders board chair Rob Pletch. "We just think about the dimensions that this adds to our football club, to consider us having a domed retractable roof, hopefully, stadium as our home base."
Construction is pegged to take three years, during which time the impacts on the provincial GDP would be an estimated $195.5 million.
The site being eyed is the current location of the CP rail yards south of Dewdney Avenue between Lorne Street and Scarth Street. The report notes that CP is planning to move its 20-acre intermodal operations to the global transportation hub west of the city, likely by fall of 2012, pending regulatory approval.
CP is also looking at whether it could change its rail operations to free up another ten acres downtown, the report said.
"CP has agreed in principle, subject to conditions and approvals, to sell the downtown site provided issues relating to its relocation of its operations can be resolved," the report said.
NDP MLA Warren McCall, whose Regina Elphinstone-Centre constituency includes the proposed location, said the proposal looks great on paper but there are funding questions that will need answers.
"In terms of making progress on this project, we think one of the biggest stumbling blocks is (Premier Brad) Wall government's mismanagement of the finances," McCall said, pointing to the Saskatchewan Party government's overestimation of potash revenues that led to a summary deficit in the last budget. "In terms of who would fund it, you'd like to see who is bringing what to the table."
After a wild 17-day party, the cauldron has been extinguished, the traffic barricades are coming down, and the throngs of tourists are leaving Vancouver.
As the Vancouver Organizing Committee prepares for the Paralympics, it says the city should enjoy a little downtime before the next big event begins in just 10 days.
"Given the potential of the Canadian Paralympic team and the exciting performances ahead, we think a little break in the excitement between the two Games is a healthy thing," said the organizing committee's vice-president of communications Renee Smith-Valade.
Organizing committee chief executive officer John Furlong is flying to Ottawa Tuesday for the launch of the Paralympics torch relay, which will involve 600 torchbearers through three provinces.
And there is lots of work to do at home before the torch is lit again March 12.
"Right now, we're decommissioning a whole bunch of places. We're reorganizing four venues and getting the village ready for Paralympic athletes in Vancouver and in Whistler," Furlong said.
Toronto filmmaker Charles Officer turned away from cameras Monday, overcome with emotion following the announcement of the 30th annual Genie Awards nominations.
Officer said he was "streak in the streets" ecstatic that his debut feature, NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY, had received nods for best picture and best direction.
And that was before a reporter informed him that he had received a total of ten nominations.
"We got how many?" he said. "Holy shoot! I didn't know that at all."
Esteemed actor Gordon Pinsent and actress Tatiana Maslany, who was recently honoured at the Sundance Film Festival, announced the nominations for the 30th annual Genie Awards on Monday at a Toronto hotel.
Polytechnique, director Denis Villeneuve's examination of the Montreal massacre in 1989, in which Marc Lepine killed 14 female college students, led the pack with 11 Genie Awards nominations. Other standout films include Before Tomorrow with nine nominations, Grande Ourse: La cle des possibles, The Master Key (eight nods) and Fifty Dead Men Walking (seven).
"This year's nominations reflect a national cinema that is courageous in its storytelling," Sara Morton, CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, said in a statement. "They are films created from the wealth of cultures, communities and historical moments that make up the Canadian identity."
The acting contenders include Joshua Jackson (One Week) and Stephen McHattie (Pontypool) for best actor, and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu (Before Tomorrow) and Karine Vanasse (Polytechnique) for best actress.
Officer's indie film about a friendship between an ex-boxer, a boy and his ailing single mom stars Clark Johnson and Karen Leblanc, who are nominated for their leading roles.
"It's our community getting it out. I'm not just saying the black community; I'm saying the community of artists, people who are working on similar projects. We're all working together; we're trying to make movies. It's hard as hell. So to get recognized for doing something personal and sticking true to your guns is the ultimate thing," Officer told reporters. "I brought a lot of people in who've never worked in film. The boxers in it... these kids that I got to work with, when they see this film getting nominated, they're going to feel inspired."
The other best picture nominees are Polytechnique, Fifty Dead Men Walking, Before Tomorrow and 3 Saisons.
The 30th annual Genie Awards will take place on April 12 in Toronto.
A Buffalo, New York-based radio station says that it's nothing personal, but it refused to play Canadian music on Monday in reaction to Canada's gold medal win over the U.S. in Olympic men's hockey on Sunday.
103.3 The Edge posted its sour-grapes plan on its website Monday morning.
"Look, Canada, we know you're up there celebrating today and it was a great game! Kudos to you," wrote daytime jock and station program director James Kurdziel in a Monday morning blog. "But as much as we get along, we're Americans and as such we have to do something that makes us feel just a little better. Starting tomorrow, we'll all get along again, but this is just something we have to do. We hope you understand our passive-aggressiveness."
The reaction from American listeners joined in on the friendly razzing.
"It's ok to be mad," wrote one poster. "The U.S. and Canada are like boyfriend and girlfriend. Every once in a while my girlfriend beats me at Mario Cart ... and I don't talk to her for a day. Canada is still our b<--."
Students who filmed two suspended teachers performing a lap dance at Churchill High School and posted the event on the Internet could face serious disciplinary action.
The students appear to have violated the Winnipeg School Division's zero-tolerance policies forbidding the use of cell phone cameras and other devices in schools.
School board chairwoman Jackie Sneesby refused to rule out punishment for the students Monday.
"We haven't finished the investigation. It (disciplining students) hasn't been discussed yet," Sneesby said in an interview. "It isn't anything we would do without thinking about it."
Teachers Chrystie Fitchner and Adeil Ahmed have been suspended with pay after being filmed performing a lap dance, including simulated oral sex, at a school spirit event in the school gym two weeks ago.
Sneesby would only say the senior administration's investigation was not completed yet.
The policy on WSD's website forbids the use of cell phones, video cameras, and similar devices in schools. The only exception is for school projects, but even that use requires prior approval by the principal.
During the open portion of Monday night's regular school division meeting, trustees Mike Babinky and Kristine Barr asked that they be provided with an update during the subsequent closed session. Superintendent Pauline Clarke said she would be reporting behind closed doors on process, but there would be no update Monday night on the investigation into the lap dancing teachers.
Babinsky emerged from a closed-door meeting Monday night to tell reporters senior administrators had not given trustees any new information. Babinsky said he was told repeatedly his continuing to express his opinion about the Churchill situation could jeopardize the eventual outcome of the case.
However, Babinksy said he was assured in the closed-door meeting that unidentified division personnel have been talking to Churchill students about the impact of both the incident with the two teachers and a traffic accident that recently sent a Churchill student to hospital.
Despite being told not to express his opinion, Babinsky speculated the division could fire the teachers, could allow their contracts to expire or the teachers themselves could choose to resign. Babinsky suggested Education Minister Nancy Allan could even consider cancelling their teaching certificates.
Winnipeg Teachers Association president Dave Najduch said the two teachers have heard nothing yet from the division. They have been suspended with pay since February 19.
Jay Leno returns to The Tonight Show tonight, and so does his desk, which is a sign that struggling network NBC wants its flagship late-night TV program to return to normal after Conan O'Brien apparently failed as its host.
More than a month after O'Brien left The Tonight Show in a bitter break-up with NBC and three weeks after Leno signed off from the network's ill-fated The Jay Leno Show at 10 p.m., Leno slips back into his old seat as The Tonight Show host.
The question is: will viewers, who crowned him the king of late-night TV for 15 years in that coveted role, rejoin him? In what is expected to be largely the same tried and tested formula of celebrity chat, monologue, odd headlines and musical interludes, Leno's opening week is packed with a stellar line-up including Winter Olympics champions Lindsey Vonn and Shaun White, flamboyant American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert, footballer Brett Favre and politician Sarah Palin.
Perhaps more important, or symbolic, is that he is bringing back the office desk he ditched for more casual arm chairs in a much-talked about change of style on The Jay Leno Show.
"They have to go back to the formula that was working, and they have to hope they get the viewers back," said Marc Berman, senior TV writer with Mediaweek.
NBC axed The Jay Leno Show earlier this year because of complaints from local affiliates who said its poor ratings were providing a weak lead into their late news programs. His genial image took a hit in the bitter reshuffle that ended in January with Conan O'Brien's $45 million exit from the coveted The Tonight Show hosting job after just seven months.
Apart from advertisements during NBC's Winter Olympics, promotion for Leno's return has been low key. In his only major interview since The Jay Leno Show was removed from the television airwaves, Leno told Oprah Winfrey that he would have his work cut out to recapture his audience. "I think there's a lot of damage control that needs to be done. The only way you can fix these things is to try and do good shows, not be bitter, not be angry or upset or whatever," Leno told Winfrey.
Ratings for The Tonight Show slid after O'Brien took over in June 2009, allowing rival David Letterman on CBS to take a consistent lead in the battle for late-night network viewers for the first time since 1994.
Leno, 59, was enjoying about the same 5.3 million average audience for The Jay Leno Show as he had during his 17-year tenure on The Tonight Show. Most TV analysts think Leno will struggle to get the same numbers immediately. But Steve Sternberg, former analyst with Magna Global, said speculation of a backlash from supporters of O'Brien was "gibberish" because he has a different fan base.
"Jay Leno's image with his fans has not soured at all. While Conan fans may be justified in their anger, it really has no impact on Leno," Sternberg wrote in his blog The Sternberg Report last week.
"The average median age of Jay Leno (viewers) on The Tonight Show was 54. This means half of his viewers are 55 or older -- generally an age group that is very loyal. There's no reason not to expect them to happily welcome him back to his old time slot," Sternberg wrote.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper waltzed through his first interview gig on YouTube on Tuesday and along the way he gave a thumbs-up to the seal hunt and the crackdown on "guns, gangs and drugs" and a firm thumbs-down to legalizing pot.
A Conservative member of the Ontario legislature says that Toronto should form its own province because communities outside the metropolis are not being heard.
Honda Canada announced Tuesday that it will recall thousands of vehicles after fielding owner complaints involving brake pedals. The recall involves 24,680 Odyssey and 4,137 Element vehicles in Canada from the 2007-2008 model years. The company plans to modify the vehicle stability assist modulator, which is connected to the ABS braking system.
Canadian movie pirates were put on notice yesterday after a Montreal DVD bootlegger pointed out by the FBI was sentenced to two-and-a-half months in prison.
Sony and the estate of late music legend Michael Jackson have signed a record-breaking 250-million-dollar deal for distribution rights through 2017, U.S. media said Tuesday.
Now that mixed tapes have disappeared from today's lexicon, it's time consumers cough up a little cash for a private copying levy for iPods and other MP3 players, according to a private member's bill tabled in the House of Commons Tuesday.
The world's shortest man has died in Italy, where he was to take part in a TV show, the program's production company said Tuesday.
The European arm of Blockbuster Inc. has been put up for sale amid growing concern over the financial health of its American owner.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Thursday that Canada's record-setting performance at the Vancouver Olympics should be an inspiration to MPs and all Canadians as they face the challenges of recovering from the recession.
You don't see much of Jerry Seinfeld on his own new NBC show, The Marriage Ref, which he lets someone else host.
The 3D-TV war is officially on in Canada.
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, is turning for the first time ever to YouTube to put his political spin on last week's Speech from the Throne and is even taking questions at www.youtube.com/talkcanada.
Simon Cowell has finally confirmed his engagement to his make-up artist girlfriend Mezghan Hussainy on a U.S. TV talk show. The TV mogul not only confirmed his engagement but also coyly admitted to the chat show host that a wedding is on the cards, according to multiple tabloid reports.
This should be good news for the Reverend Huy Dang... or not! But either way, it's still exciting, even if the series of movies kind of "jumped the shark" after the first four movies.
Nearly one-third of Quebec residents say that the province should have its own Olympic team separate from Canada's, according to a survey conducted in the days following the Vancouver Games. Now that's just bizarre...
One day after Avatar was disappointed at the Oscars, a Vancouver restaurant owner plans to file a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court today claiming copyright infringement against director James Cameron and other makers of the highest-grossing film of all time. 
A group of Saskatchewan First Nations says it is partnering with the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida to pitch a 55,000 seat stadium and hotel and casino project for downtown Regina.
Apple Inc said the first iPad devices will be in U.S. stores on April 3, 2010 and hit nine international markets from Japan to the United Kingdom later in April.
Do you like getting your haircut by a man? Well, for me, personally, I don't really like it, and would prefer a female.
Former Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin is pitching a reality series on Alaska to television networks.
In 2004, Reverend Nathan Dutnall from Saskatoon's home was broken into. However, the items stolen were odd. Among them were cordless phones, without the base the charges the cordless phones and a PlayStation 2 console. However, the bizarre thing was that after the thieves busted through a window, there was a reasonable effort to place the window back in its place.
The Paralympic flame began making its 10-day trek to Vancouver yesterday after it was lit at Parliament Hill in Ottawa yesterday.
Three days after Canadians belted out "O Canada!" to celebrate Canada's Olympic hockey win, Stephen Harper's Conservative government is asking whether the anthem should be changed.
British "supermodel" Naomi Campbell will not face charges related to assault accusations by her driver, New York police said Wednesday.
A 34-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly ran naked down the streets of Regina and streaked into city hall, taking an elevator up 15 floors to the mayor's office before being subdued by two bylaw officers and a commissionaire.
Apple is suing phone maker HTC and has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission, alleging that the Taiwanese company is infringing twenty Apple patents related to the user interface, underlying architecture, and hardware of the iPhone.
After a wild 17-day party, the cauldron has been extinguished, the traffic barricades are coming down, and the throngs of tourists are leaving Vancouver.
Toronto filmmaker Charles Officer turned away from cameras Monday, overcome with emotion following the announcement of the 30th annual Genie Awards nominations.
A Buffalo, New York-based radio station says that it's nothing personal, but it refused to play Canadian music on Monday in reaction to Canada's gold medal win over the U.S. in Olympic men's hockey on Sunday. 
Jay Leno returns to The Tonight Show tonight, and so does his desk, which is a sign that struggling network NBC wants its flagship late-night TV program to return to normal after Conan O'Brien apparently failed as its host.
