Gangland violence in Vancouver; upset about credit card rates; Iran's in a tizzy; Get an audio summary of what's topping the front pages of papers across the country by clicking on the link below.
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You can also get these audio summaries automatically every day via podcast from iTunes or via an RSS feed by subscribing to my AudioBoo stream. Both the iTunes link and the RSS link are at my profile at AudioBoo.fm.
Globe and Mail European bureau chief Doug Saunders interviews former UK Labour prime minister Gordon Brown this weekend. It's an interesting read and probably would have been a better one for a Canadian audience to note that what Brown advocates in his book and in this interview is remarkably similar to what Canada's Prime MInister Stephen Harper has been advocating in one global summit after another for the last two years. Moreover:
And, of course, Brown's successor, the Conservative David Cameron, has taken quite a different approach than that advocated by both Brown and Harper. Cameron is taxing banks, raising taxes, and slashing government spending. Harper has led a global campaign against taxing banks; is resolute against raising taxes; and Harper's government has become the biggest-spending government in Canada's history.
Arcade FIre is big, right?
Well, for a long time, the Canadian Indie outfit with roots in Ottawa and Montreal just never lit me up (why isn't the world falling in love, I thought, with the Weakerthans instead?) I thought Arcade Fire's first two records were, well, good but not excellent. I had yet to be moved.
But ever since hearing “Ready To Start” about a month ago (it was released, I believe in August), I keep coming back to it on the iPod day after day after day after day. I can't get enough of it. It's outstanding and has now prompted me to go back to the band's earlier music.
I must say: This is how I ended up loving R.E.M. Despite the fact that all my pals at my college radio station CFRU loved them, I never really got into R.E.M. until I heard “So. Central Rain“. Similarly all my college friends were raving about The Smiths for two years before Johnny Marr's guitar work in “How Soon Is Now” pulled me into the Smiths tent forever and ever.
So it may be with Arcade Fire and “Ready To Start” …
A fascinating article from the Washington Post's Moscow Correspondent Kathy Lally that paints a rather unflattering picture of press freedom in today's Russia —
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We're ramping up for the launch early in the New Year of SunTV. Yesterday Sun TV HQ put out the call for some reporters in Vancouver, Calgary, and Winnipeg. Today HQ has rolled out another batch of other job postings, including reporter slots at my bureau here in Ottawa, at the Toronto Sun, at Vancouver 24 Hours, at the Calgary Sun and in Montreal. There will likely be more to come but we're putting out the call now for:
Postings for Toronto (in no apparent order)
Postings in Ottawa
For more information, including details on how and where to apply, check out www.sunmediajobs.com . Use the search function to select Division: Editorial and then click your preferred location.
Just posted by SunTV HQ:
Mobile Journalist
Location: Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg
Reporting to the Managing Editor of news programming and ultimately to the national News Director you will work with the latest technology in a highly mobile environment to deliver content for broadcast as well as various other Quebecor media platforms. The successful ”MoJo” candidate will be a proven journalist who demonstrates multimedia skills with an emphasis on broadcasting
Responsibilities:
· Shoot, edit and present news content with a high degree of clarity and competence
· Regularly report via live remotes and deliver unscripted material
· Repurpose broadcast content to populate multimedia platforms
· Demonstrate flexibility and quick-thinking in breaking news situations
· Contribute to the development of special projects (i.e. election coverage) for future broadcasts
· Inspire and motivate colleagues to produce the highest quality product for our viewers
· Other duties as assigned to the position
Qualifications:
· Minimum 5 years of experience in a broadcast environment
· Strong familiarity with ENG operations and editing platforms
· University/College qualification in Journalism, technology or related field
· The ability to report live on-air and deliver pre-tape show and tell segments
· Strong time management skills to meet multiple deadlines for multiple platforms
· Widespread knowledge of national and international issues
· Superior news judgment and strong writing abilities
· Attention to detail in a fast paced environment
· Position may require travel
· Experience using Avid and iNEWS a plus
· Sun News is a continuous operation and work on mornings, days, evenings, weekends and statutory holidays may be required
We thank all applicants for applying but only those selected for an interview will be contacted
Please submit your resume and cover letter no later than Friday December 31st to:
Human Resources
SUN TV
25 Ontario Street
Toronto, ON
M5A 4L6
resumes@suntv.canoe.ca
The federal government's annual look at the most fuel-efficient vehicles available in Canada has just been released and, once again, Toyota's Prius hybrid is on the list. In fact, The Prius is a veritable camel when it comes to gas consumption. The federal Department of Natural Resources says the Prius — which is, remember, a mid-size car — uses just 3.7 litres of gas for every 100 kilometres driven in an urban environment and 4.0 litres for every 100 km on the highway. That translates into a whopping 76 miles a gallon city/71 miles a gallon highway. Natural Resources figure you'll spend less than $800 a year on gas for your Prius. By contrast, even the most fuel-efficient minivan — another Toyota product, the Sienna — is going to cost nearly $2,000 a year to keep filled up.
Natural Resources Canada has the full list of most fuel-efficient up at its site with all the fuel consumption data and promises to publish fuel consumption data for all vehicles sold in Canada by mid-January.
Here's your list:
Cops behaving badly; Activist judges; Canuck kiddie porn ring – Get an audio summary of what's topping the front pages of papers across the country by clicking on the link below.
| Listen! |
 |
You can also get these audio summaries automatically every day via podcast from iTunes or via an RSS feed by subscribing to my AudioBoo stream. Both the iTunes link and the RSS link are at my profile at AudioBoo.fm.
Technorati Tags: news, headlines, canada
Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave a surprising rock concert this evening with this band Herringbone. They did a 30-minute five-song set to open the Conservative caucus Christmas party at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Ottawa.
Laureen Harper took the stage to welcome guests, to thank staff and spouses for their sacrifice for the Conservative cause and then …
The cover of Neil Diamond's “Sweet Caroline” was followed by a tune from the Scottish twins The Proclaimers.
After that, it was time for Harper to get off the piano and do his best Roger Daltrey with The Who's “The Seeker”:
The set closed with a classic from The Guess Who
Conservative staffer Colin McSweeney eggs the crowd on into bringing Herringbone back for an encore. McSweeney introduces the band who then goes with a cover of the Rolling Stones' “Jumpin' Jack Flash”
Prime Minister Stephen Harper led his band Herringbone in a 30-minute rock concert this evening at the annual Conservative caucus Christmas party. My computer is (slowly) crunching and encoding the video but in the meantime, here's the audio file. The set list:
“Sweet Caroline” (Neil Diamond)
“I'm on My Way” (The Proclaimers)
“The Seeker” (The Who)
“Share the Land” (The Guess Who)
“Jumpin' Jack Flash” (Rolling Stones)