Section: Montreal Gazette (Canada)
‘We share this grief with you’ politicians tell Iranian community in Montreal
When Montrealers Arvin Morattab and Aida Farzaneh perished in the crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 over Tehran on Jan. 8, “we lost not only lost my brother and sister-in-law. We lost two beautiful souls full of kindness, energy, optimism and many plans for their life,” said Armin Morattab, Arvin’s twin brother....
Orthodox worshippers dive into ice, bless horses, smoke to mark Epiphany
SOFIA, Bulgaria — Thousands of Orthodox Christian worshippers plunged into icy rivers and lakes across Europe on Sunday to recover crucifixes cast by priests in ceremonies commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ. Tradition holds that the person who retrieves the wooden cross will be freed from evil spirits and will be healthy throughout the...
Brownstein: Montreal producers profile artists in hot spots around the planet
Montreal producers Frank Fiorito and Nabil Mehchi have opted to take the path more perilous. They could easily stay home and craft docs that wouldn’t require armed guards to protect themselves from potential sinister forces as is often the case when they leave their base here. But that just doesn’t interest these guys. And that...
Biologists find weird cave life that could be 50,000 years old
By Seth Borenstein BOSTON — In a Mexican cave system so beautiful and hot it is called both Fairyland and hell, scientists have discovered life trapped in crystals that could be 50,000 years old. The bizarre and ancient microbes were found dormant in caves in Naica, Mexico, and were able to exist by living on minerals such as iron and manganese,...
Biologists find weird cave life that could be 50,000 years old
By Seth Borenstein BOSTON — In a Mexican cave system so beautiful and hot it is called both Fairyland and hell, scientists have discovered life trapped in crystals that could be 50,000 years old. The bizarre and ancient microbes were found dormant in caves in Naica, Mexico, and were able to exist by living on minerals such as iron and manganese,...
Russian cloud over Trump not likely to fade with Flynn exit
WASHINGTON — Questions about the Trump administration’s ties to Russia are hardly going to disappear with the firing of national security adviser Michael Flynn. Investigations are underway, and more are likely by the new administration and on Capitol Hill. U.S. agencies, including the FBI, have been probing Russian interference in the 2016...
Bill Brownstein: Finding art in dangerous places
It’s tough enough to create art in an atmosphere of stability. But doing so in politically/culturally sensitive parts of the world can be particularly daunting. As can be reporting on the endeavours of those who seek to make provocative statements in places where that is not always encouraged. Frank Fiorito and Nabil Mehchi are the creators...
Netanyahu says ‘no doubt’ U.S. behind UN vote on West Bank settlements
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stepped up his broadside at the U.S. government after the UN Security Council declared Israel’s settlements illegal, saying President Barack Obama’s administration “initiated and stood behind” the resolution. Netanyahu said Obama broke a long-standing U.S. commitment not to allow the UN to impose...
The latest on Belgium terror attacks: Third bomb at Brussels Airport neutralized
BRUSSELS — The Latest on explosions at Brussels airport and metro station (all times local): 5:35 p.m. Florence Muls, a spokeswoman for the Brussels Airport, says a third bomb has been neutralized at the airport after two other bombs killed at least 10 people there Tuesday morning. Muls told The Associated Press the third bomb was dispensed of...
Bill Brownstein: Looking for art in unlikely places
Nabil Mehchi and Frank Fiorito could have played it a lot safer. The Montreal-based creators of the five-part documentary series Interrupt This Program — which debuts Friday at 9 p.m. on CBC-TV — could have conducted their search for underground art scenes in relatively stable metropolises. Clearly, though, Mehchi and Fiorito like to live on the...
