Section: National Newswatch (Canada)
Harper shakes Castro’s hand at Americas summit, meets with Obama
PANAMA CITY – Stephen Harper shook hands Saturday with Cuban President Raul Castro at the Summit of the Americas, sending further signals of a change of heart between the prime minister and the communist nation.The two men exchanged a very brief greeting as they took their positions for a group leaders’ photo at the hemispheric summit...
Toronto church won’t allow performance by controversial Ukrainian-born pianist
TORONTO – A Ukrainian-born pianist barred from performing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra who planned to perform at a north Toronto church tonight won’t be permitted to play there.Valentina Lisitsa posted on Twitter Thursday that she would give a free concert at Lawrence Park Community Church and that “everyone is...
Six stories in the news today, April 10
Six stories in the news today, April 10, from The Canadian Press:PM HARPER OFF TO PANAMA FOR SUMMIT OF THE AMERICASPrime Minister Stephen Harper is attending the Summit of the Americas that starts today in Panama and Cuba will be on his radar. Cuban President Raul Castro is attending the summit, the first held since the U.S. agreed to move toward...
Toronto church says it won’t allow Ukrainian-born pianist to perform
TORONTO – A Ukrainian-born pianist barred from performing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra who planned to perform at a church Friday night won’t be allowed to play there.Valentina Lisitsa posted on Twitter Thursday that she would give a free concert at Lawrence Park Community Church in north Toronto.However, church minister John...
Controverial Ukrainian-born pianist says she’ll play free Toronto concert Friday
TORONTO – A Ukrainian-born pianist who has been barred from performing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra says she’ll be giving a free concert in Toronto on Friday night.Valentina Lisitsa posted on Twitter Thursday night that she’ll play at Lawrence Park Community Church in north Toronto.The TSO cancelled Lisitsa’s...
Tories seeking fine print details from allies on Iran nuclear deal
OTTAWA – A skeptical Harper government will be pressing some of Canada’s closest allies about their deal to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.The Canadian Press has learned that Prime Minister Stephen Harper will likely discuss the Iran agreement this weekend while he and President Barack Obama are in Panama for the Summit...
Five stories in the news today, April 8
Five stories in the news today, April 8, from The Canadian Press:MIKE DUFFY TRIAL SET TO ENTER SECOND DAYSenate officials are expected to appear in an Ottawa courtroom today to explain some of the chamber’s rules on the second day of one of the most heavily covered Canadian court cases in years. Suspended senator Mike Duffy stands accused...
TSO cancels Rachmaninoff concerto after pianist let go over ‘offensive’ tweets
TORONTO – The Toronto Symphony Orchestra says Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 will not be performed tonight and Thursday after it cancelled performances by a Ukrainian-born pianist.The TSO had said Toronto pianist Stewart Goodyear would play the Rachmaninoff piece after Valentina Lisitsa was told her appearance was cancelled due...
Controversial comments cost Ukrainian pianist gig with Toronto symphony
TORONTO – The Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s decision to cancel performances by a Ukrainian-born pianist over what it calls her “deeply offensive language” is part of a troubling phenomenon that could lead artists to self-censor, civil rights advocates said Tuesday.Valentina Lisitsa, an ethnic Russian born in Ukraine who now...
Quebec politician Gerard Deltell to seek nomination for federal Tories
QUEBEC – A longtime member of the Quebec legislature is jumping to the federal Conservatives as Prime Minister Stephen Harper pushes for further inroads in the province.Gerard Deltell of the Coalition for Quebec’s Future will seek the Tory nomination in the Quebec City riding of Louis-Saint-Laurent.Deltell, 50, has represented the...
